Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Dotted around the resort, Anantara Phuket's 43 Pool Villas (186sq m) are just that: villas with a gorgeous private pool and sun-deck at their core. Each villa has the choice of a king-size bed or twin singles, plus there's an ensuite bathroom with rainshower, outdoor shower and a deep terrazzo tub for two, plus a dreamy day-bed for lounging. Interiors are Southern Thai in style, featuring soothing white and wood. A few interconnecting Pool Villas are available for families or groups, or you can combine one with a Lagoon Pool Villa.

The resort's central feature is its lagoon, and the 26, 186sq m Lagoon Pool Villas, all with king-size beds, are set alongside it. Doors from the bedroom – decked out in Thai silks and local artwork – open straight on to a mosaic-tiled pool and outdoor bathing area. Sunloungers on the timber deck ensure you'll never have to get up early and reserve one with a towel. Lagoon Pool Villas also offer a unique in-pool bath adorned with fragrant flowers, candles, beautiful scents from the oil burner and an iced bowl of tropical fruit at a time of your choosing. It's possible to interconnect some Lagoon Pool Villas with Pool Villas for families or groups.

The 11 Sala Pool Villas (199sq m) are very similar to the Lagoon Pool Villas except for one important addition – a private sala that extends out over the lagoon. You can relax, practise yoga or organise to have a romantic dinner served here. The villa is decorated in traditional Thai style, with a silk-covered day-bed and sunshine streaming in to the entire area. A full-size pool has been created just a step from the bedroom, alongside an outdoor terrazzo bath. The unique in-pool bath can be adorned with fragrant flowers, candles, beautiful scents from the oil burner and a bowl of tropical fruit at a time of your choosing. You can also partake in the traditional Loy Krathong flower floating ceremony during your stay. Signature breakfast for two at La Sala is included in rates.

Fringing the picturesque lagoon, the two Two-Bedroom Family Pool Villas boast 199sq m of luxurious seclusion, with a generous deck (35sq m). Share the ultimate island lifestyle with your family or friends, enjoying a master bedroom with a king-size bed and dressing room, and a second bedroom with twin beds, as well as a private pool and expansive sun-deck with relaxation sala. The bathroom features a shower and an oversized terrazzo bath adjoining the pool, which can be set up for an Anantara Senses experience with flowers, candles and a scented oil-burner at a time of your choosing.

Beautifully situated in the oasis of our adjacent Anantara Vacation Club, these expansive private sanctuaries are ideal for families and friends, with a generous 265 square metres of total space and a princely 158 square metre interior. The magnificent master bedroom with king size bed joins a luxury bathroom with a bath for two inside and a tropical rain shower outside. Sliding glass doors open onto your private pool, which features a children’s wading pool at one end. Bask on the adjacent sundeck, or share meals at the dining table under the shade of an umbrella. In the fully equipped kitchen you’ll find a stove top cooker, microwave, full size refrigerator and utensils, as well as crockery and cutlery for six people. Prepare a light snack or dinner to share at your indoor dining table seating six, and relax in the adjacent lounge space, featuring sliding glass doors that open onto the pool deck. Your second bedroom is furnished with twin beds and features an en-suite bathroom with a rain shower, and yet another set of sliding glass doors that open onto your enclosed garden, hosting another al fresco rain shower, as well as a sala and sumptuous day-bed.

Two sleekly mod-Asian villas with wooden floors and rattan-lined walls join to make a super-sized stay (372sq m) for families or groups of friends. There are two secluded private pools, each with a sunlounger-dotted, fern-strewn hardwood terrace, and a serene sala (pavilion) for relaxing in the shade – designer Bill Bensley has manicured the gardens. Both master bedrooms have a canopied king-size bed and an indoor-outdoor ensuite with an open-air terrazzo bath tub (submerged in the pool) or wet-room shower. Villa guests get a flower garland on arrival, daily tropical fruit plate and cookies, newspaper, free WiFi, and a romantic bath set-up on one night with scented oils, candles and flowers. All villas have an LCD TV and iPod dock. An extra bed can be added on request.

One- and two-bedroom pool villas connect, to create a generously sized (460sq m) villa for up to nine adults and two children. Two private pools sit in Bill Bensley-landscaped gardens – both with swim-up entrances to the villa bedrooms¬ – and there’s a sunlounger-dotted hardwood deck and outdoor dining areas. Some bedrooms have swim out access to the pool, and all are beautifully outfitted with mod-Asian furnishings. Ensuites have modern egg-shaped bath tubs and twin sinks, and each villa has a full kitchen (with a stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, coffee machine, utensils, crockery and cutlery). There’s a Bose sound-system, LCD TV and free WiFi; and villa guests get special extras, including a flower garland on arrival, daily tropical fruit plate, cookies, daily afternoon tea, newspaper, and a traditional Loi Krathong floating-flower ceremony on one night.

With 389sq m of space, this two-bedroom suite is the opportunity for a group of friends or a family with older children to spread out. Full-length glass doors open from each of the bedrooms into the centrepiece 67sq m infinity pool. The main bedroom has a canopied king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom overlooking a lush garden. The second bedroom has twin beds and a large dressing room that leads through to its own spacious bathroom. The architecture of the building, including the gabled ceiling, is based on Thai traditions, and local art and textiles complete the luxurious picture. The villa also has flatscreen TV with satellite channels, full entertainment system, iPod dock and in-room bar and wine cellar in its separate living area. Signature breakfast for four people at La Sala restaurant is included in rates.