Picture this: After spending hours scrolling through social media and consulting Google, you’ve found the villa of your dreams. The photos look dreamy, the location seems ideal and it has all the inclusions and features you’re looking for. But here’s the catch – there are no reviews. Yikes.
Well, fear not: these 10 villas have garnered rave reviews, both from our guests and our team.
Before we get into it, there’s something you should keep in mind while browsing for villas online: most companies which list villas manage their own properties which inevitably makes them biased.
Not us.
Ministry of Villas is the only independent villa specialist in Asia and we remain staunchly sovereign. We personally inspect every villa and we only accept properties that are professionally managed, maintained and meet ‘Ministry Approved’ standards. In other words, we inspect a lot of villas – but only list the best of the best.
1. Samudra House – 2 Bedrooms – Sri Lanka
“Oh my. This is one of those very special villas that you find and never want to leave. The villa is stunning, with a beachfront location to die for. The staff are amazing and take special care of their guests with incredible attention to detail. Amazing find in Sri Lanka and a must visit villa for a truly amazing stay.”
It’s easy to see why Samudra House charms visitors from far and wide. Built right on the beach on Sri Lanka’s stunning coastline, this villa ticks all the boxes of a dreamy beach house: a private pool, palm trees swaying in the breeze and a private little gate taking you straight to the beach. The staff is amazing and the Sri Lankan food the chef whips up is simply to die for. And really – that location alone would make this villa worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
2. The Cotton House – 8 Bedrooms – Bali
“The most stunning villa – we were incredibly impressed from the minute we walked in. The villa is incredibly spacious – from the huge grassed area, amazing pool, fantastic communal living and dining space. The staff were attentive and fantastic, without being overbearing. We really could not fault Cotton House and also Ministry of Villas as the agent was sensational – so easy to book with and organise everything with pre-arrival.”
Year after year, The Cotton House continues its reign as one of the most sought-after villas in Seminyak – and with good reason. Located close to all the best restaurants and beach clubs yet hidden away from the noise, this palatial villa wows with its eclectic, beach house inspired décor, vast lawns and dedicated staff. This is truly an exceptional place to stay – no wonder guests always come with such rave reviews!
3. Baan Dalah – 3 Bedrooms – Koh Samui
“A stunning location with an incredible villa! The overall experience is elevated by the team and outstanding service. We loved the attention to details, continued smile and the food was the best Thai we ever had. Thank you Baan Dalah team for a memorable stay and thank you to the staff at Ministry of Villas for an exceptional stay. It was our first booking through MoV and certainly not the last.”
This beachfront paradise captures the very essence of a Thai island holiday. Located right on the sand on Big Buddha Beach in Koh Samui, the villa is shaded by palm trees, with a private pool perfectly positioned to gaze over the Gulf of Siam. As always, it’s the staff that makes a stay here extra special – be sure to try a Thai cooking class with the chef!
4. Panorama Niseko – 5 Bedrooms – Niseko
“Our group stayed in Panorama Niseko for 2 nights. Full glass window overlooking the stunning Mt Yotei & Ski Resort. Loved the place and will definitely stay there again! The best thing about this place are the private natural onsens and stunning view. The onsen is an amazing experience after skiing.”
Panorama Niseko is the epitome of a luxury ski chalet in Niseko, boasting perfectly curated interiors accentuated by bespoke pieces of Hokkaido art, all framed by jaw-dropping views of Mount Yotei looming beyond the ski village. Besides the sumptuous onsen baths (using authentic spring water!), the chalets pamper guests with bespoke service, including curated ski lessons and guiding on the slopes.
5. Abaca Villas – 16 Bedrooms – Bali
“Booked out the entire villa for our company retreat – there were 45 of us. Everyone had a blast and as always, the staff is exceedingly helpful and accommodating. Location is fantastic, the place is gorgeous and the amenities in the villa are definitely conducive for you to hang out and just have fun.”
It’s easy to see why Abaca Villa garners such rave reviews. From location to design and from service to facilities, these picture-perfect villas tick all the boxes. The estate consists of three villas, separated by connecting garden gates. Close them to enjoy each villa in private – or throw the gates open to experience your very own, fully fledged mega villa with 16 bedrooms! A special shoutout to the location: Abaca Villas are located in the heart of Petitenget, with the villas’ photogenic bamboo entryway giving immediate access to Livingstone Café – the home of Bali’s best croissants! Bookmark this one for corporate retreats and sprawling family holidays to come 😉
6. Villa Saldana – 3 Bedrooms – Sri Lanka
“Without any doubt this is one of the best places I have ever stayed for vacation. The staff was extremely friendly, always at disposal and provided a lot of great ideas on activities. The beach views, calm ocean and ability to watch the sunsets and sunrises from the house were the highlights of the trip! The chef of the house literally cooked masterpieces daily. We are already planning our trip back to Sri Lanka!”
Beachfront perfection, found! Sri Lanka is known for offering some of the most beautiful and deliciously “undiscovered” beaches and there are few better places to enjoy them than in your lavish beachfront villa. After enjoying a morning dip in the pool or a sunset stroll on the beach, enjoy gourmet meals prepared by the in-house chef. Bliss!
7. Villa Selalu – 4 Bedrooms – Lombok
“Villa Selalu was truly the highlight of our trip to Lombok! We wouldn’t have asked for a more accommodating and professionally trained team of staff to take care of us during our stay. Nothing was ever too much to ask for, with them always thinking two steps ahead of us. We felt like we had stumbled upon our own private island during our stay, and if it wasn’t for the work back in the office, we might not have checked-out at all.”
When our team was inspecting villas in Lombok and the surrounding islands, we were completely floored by Villa Selalu. The villa is built on the “secret” island of Gili Gede and built on a secluded headland, staying here feels like occupying your very own private island. The villa is exquisitely designed and the service really goes the extra mile – there is even a private beach bar serving gourmet bites, exclusive to villa guests!
8. The Longhouse – 8 Bedrooms – Bali
“The Longhouse villa was a hidden gem and a sanctuary in Bali, with a truly magical experience. The amenities are beautiful and very unique. It was the staff at the villa that made the final touch of perfection, and I will always be thankful to every single one of them for making our time there a pure enjoyment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was an experience we will always remember.”
That The Longhouse is a labour of love is evident from the moment you step in. Each room of this sprawling villa draws inspiration from a distinct part of the Indonesian archipelago and the stunning clifftop views only add to the allure. The team at The Longhouse is yet another highlight – the Indonesian feast we were served here is still some of the best Indonesian food we have ever had!
9. Atulya Residence – 5 Bedrooms – Koh Samui
“We had an amazing stay for a friends 30th birthday. The staff was amazing. The service was great. The food was delicious. I can’t think of a single thing to change at the house. We enjoyed a great cooking class and multiples massages, facials and foot scrubs! Can’t wait to find a time to return!”
This extravagant villa offers the ultimate retreat on the Thai island of Koh Samui. Occupying a lush hilltop with sweeping views of the island and the ocean glimmering in the distance, the villa’s plush décor offers a decadent take on Thai traditions. This is the perfect place to escape the demands of daily life and enjoy life to the fullest, surrounded by friends and family – perhaps even marking a special occasion, like our guests did.
10. Amilla Villa Residences – 4 Bedrooms – Maldives
“OMG! This is the most amazing villa that we have stayed at. From the service to the villa layout to the incredible beachfront location and aqua blue water. I’m in love with the villa and the Maldives!! The staff are amazing. Nothing was too much trouble. We inspected all of the villas on the island and I have to say the 4 and 8 bedroom villas are a favourite and I can see how this would work for large groups and families. I highly recommend staying here to anyone looking for an incredible villa getaway.”
When you’re looking for the ultimate luxury getaway, there’s nowhere quite like the Maldives. Though our team has travelled far and wide, the Amilla Villa Residences still left us speechless – our COO declared this “the most amazing villa that we have stayed at”! All we can say is this: if the past year has left you craving for a six-star beach holiday, set your course for the incomparable Amilla Villa Residences.
Looking for more villa inspiration? Explore our collection for hand-selected villas in Asia Pacific and beyond – or let us do the ground work for you. Tell us exactly what you want and we’ll make it happen.
