At Waimarie the question is just where to sit. At the square table for 12 in the air-conditioned formal dining room is one option or on a bar stool in the large fully equipped kitchen; perhaps try the lounge which eases onto the teak decking through floor to ceiling fold back doors or even the media room with its 42” screen; another option would be the more casual alfresco dining area or its adjacent easy chairs; or may be it is one of the sun loungers alongside the 15 metre swimming pool; certainly a popular choice is the swing hanging lazily from the Casuarina tree with toes sunk in the gloriously soft white sand. Wherever you end up, the scene will be wonderful picturesque with the turquoise waters lapping the largely deserted Lipa Noi beach lined with coconut laden palms, Five Islands off in the distance – a true tropical paradise.

If sitting is not your scene then there is plenty to do for adults or kids – a game of tennis, or snorkel on the coral reef out front, take out one of the kayaks or, if you are a child, hours of fun can be spent at the playground or in the swimming pool with all the toys. Petanque, volley ball, croquet are available outside; trivial pursuits and other board games, DVDs or listening to music inside. For recharging the batteries an on-site massage can be arranged or the resident chef can whisk up a range of Thai and western food, whilst the 4 villa staff under the careful guidance of Waimarie’s resident manager Khun Joy will ply drinks and snacks as required. The staff will also keep the kitchen fully stocked (on guests account) so that the whole family can enjoy the holiday - no supermarket visits needed.

After an exhausting day retreat to one of the 6 air-conditioned bedrooms, paired king with twins to suit families; enjoy a relaxing bath in the sunken tub for two (separate showers are available); shut the blackout curtains and rest for another hectic day. The prefect recipe for a great family holiday in paradise.

Waimarie is one of 5 exceptional private villas on the quiet southern side of the secluded Lipa Noi peninsular. You approach the villas through an unfinished development with little sign of construction (as of March 2009). There is nothing of consequence in the immediate vicinity of the villa, which guarantees complete peace and quiet. The sea is ideal for swimming year round and boasts beautiful views out to the small islands of the National Marine Park and across to the mainland. Facing due west, this is also the best beach on the island to enjoy the tropical sunsets. A small jetty for ferries to the mainland sits a few hundred metres left of the villa, its only impact being the occasional distant announcement of a departure. Local life centres on a small fishing village towards the end of the bay, which is also the chef's source for delicious fresh seafood.  Read More/Google Map

As the large gate slides back the first thing to greet you is a well maintained tennis court alongside which is the staff quarters and a tasteful red brick car park. Follow the red brick road through pretty gardens with pockets of lawns and past a small shrine. As you head towards the sea pass 3 pairs of bedrooms in 3 standalone pavilions. Each pavilion has a king bedroom with lockable connecting door to a twin room (in one case a 4 bunk room) making Waimarie ideal for a group of 3 families to share. Each bedroom is air-conditioned with vaulted ceilings, fans, mosquito screens over doors and windows, and a day bed at the entrance. Each has an ensuite bathroom with large open air (but screened) sunken baths, two raindrop showers, one inside, one out and twin sinks.

Pass the bedrooms, the children’s playground area and you reach the highlight of Waimarie - the beachside. Centred round the 15m swimming pool are 3 further pavilions – an alfresco dining and lounging area with weather screens if the wind gets up, an air-conditioned TV room joined to a second lounge area and a formal dining area (seats 12) connected to a large informal kitchen. Both the air-conditioned rooms have floor to ceiling doors which open out on a teak deck that surrounds the pool. All the pavilions have super views over the beach and bay and are full of comfy chairs decked with bright and colourful cushions.