We get a lot of requests for beachfront villas…
While the request is ubiquitous, beachfront villas themselves are anything but one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s so important to have a clear vision of your ideal beach holiday.
When you imagine yourself on holiday, do you see kids playing in the sand, with gentle waves lapping in? Or would you prefer to start your day with a surf session or perhaps cap it off with epic sunset views? Is privacy of the utmost importance, or would you like to be surrounded by all the buzziest action?
Practically every villa, hotel and resort located within a two-kilometre radius of the ocean markets itself as being “beachfront.” This makes it very difficult to scout out a property that actually matches your vision.
Luckily, we have done the hard work for you. We have inspected and stayed in hundreds of villas around the world and know them inside out. Here’s our expert guide for finding the perfect beachfront villa for your holiday.
The Dream: White Sands & Palm Trees
This is probably what most people have in mind when dreaming of a beach holiday: white sand and palm trees framed by clear blue waters. If this is what you’re envisioning too, we would suggest looking at Sri Lanka, Koh Samui, or a hidden gem in Thailand – but more on that later…
Sri Lanka’s coastline is blessed with some of the dreamiest palm fringed beaches. Many Sri Lankan villas are also positioned on tranquil beaches that offer a (near) private beach experience. There’s just nothing quite like it. To give you a little taste: this designer villa sits on a gorgeous, near-deserted beach, while this villa offers 270-degree ocean views from its patio.
It also doesn’t hurt that the villas in Sri Lanka tend to be much more affordable compared to those in, say, Thailand. To find the perfect beach to match your vibe, check out our beach-by-beach guide to Sri Lanka.
While Koh Samui has long been famed for its picture-perfect beaches, the island has been particularly buzzy as of late. Not only was the Thai isle named the best island in Asia by Conde Nast Traveler but it’s also the location of the latest season of The White Lotus.
While Chaweng is by and far the most popular beach on the island, we suggest looking further afield to discover that idyllic beach setup you’ve been dreaming of. Villa U is located smack dab on divine Lipa Noi Beach – the villa literally hugs the sand, and you feel wonderfully away from it all. Baan Capo offers a picture-perfect beachfront stay close to Bophut’s vibrant Fisherman’s Village.
Now on to that aforementioned hidden gem. While Natai Beach is located just a short drive from Phuket, it feels a million miles away from its bustling neighbour. Remarkably, this 10-kilometre-long stretch of golden sand has been spared of mass tourism. Every time we visit Thailand, we find ourselves allocating more time in Natai. Costal Escape Natai is the perfect villa when you want to immerse yourself in beachfront bliss, minus the crowds.
The Dream: Kids Playing in the Sand
If you’re travelling with young kids, finding a beach that looks appealing is only one piece of the puzzle – it’s also crucial to choose a beach that’s safe for the whole family to enjoy. Some beaches in Bali for example are subject to such heavy currents that parents need to keep a very close eye on the kids at all times. That doesn’t exactly make for a very relaxing holiday now does it?
Koh Samui has some of the best family friendly beaches where the sand is soft, and the waves are gentle. The fabulous Villa Malouna (which has one of the best bunk rooms we’ve seen!) is located directly on tranquil Bang Por Beach, while the beautiful Miskawaan Villas are positioned along relaxed Maenam Beach. Ban Suriya is another family friendly option located in picture-perfect Lipa Noi.
In Sri Lanka, our little Ministry mascot thoroughly enjoyed his beachfront stay at South Point Ocean.
If you’re travelling with older kids, staying close to the action can also be a great option. While it’s not a beachfront villa, Villa Zambala in trendy Canggu is surrounded by popular beach clubs. This means teenagers can explore the local area on foot without parents having to worry about their kids hopping on a scooter.
The Dream: Fun, Buzz & Excitement
Besides offering serene relaxation, a beach holiday can also be action packed and full of excitement. In Phuket, the most popular beaches are absolutely teeming with people and activities. Beaches like Patong, Kata, and Karon offer everything from jet skis to banana boats, with sizzling nightlife attracting even more people.
Bali’s most popular beaches have also become very busy – these are not the sleepy shores you might remember from back in the day. The Kuta-Legian-Seminyak-Canggu strip is teeming with activity, with chic beach clubs and laidback beach bars vying for your attention. In many parts, the beach is dotted with rainbow hued parasols, with the latest hits streaming from large speakers. There are football matches taking place on the sand and newbie surfers paddling out in the water. (If you’re a more advanced surfer, The Luxe Bali down in Uluwatu has stairs leading down to the water’s edge, giving you a head start to the lineup.)
As Seminyak and Canggu have grown in popularity, private beachfront villas have become exceedingly rare. Instead, most villas are tucked inside private gardens with the beach usually within an easy stroll. Villa De Suma is located a five-minute-walk from Seminyak Beach, while Villa Zambala is positioned close to Berawa Beach. We find this to be a great balance: you can soak up all that energy from the crowds on the beach and then retreat back to your private oasis for some peace and quiet.
The Dream: Exclusive Privacy
While a beach holiday filled with fun and activities is very appealing to many travellers, most of us would agree that space and privacy are what make a holiday feel special. When the kids get to run around the sand, and you can have a magnificent tropical sunset all to yourself – these are the memories you’ll treasure forever.
While private beaches don’t legally exist in Thailand or Sri Lanka, finding your own slice of paradise is still pretty straightforward. Many beaches in these parts aren’t strictly private, but with exceedingly few visitors and in some cases, no access point from outside the villa, they might as well be.
In Phuket and Bali, the most well-known beaches can get very busy, but peace and privacy can definitely be found on these shores as well – you just have to know where to look and be prepared to travel beyond the most beaten path.
In Phuket, most luxury villas are built on clifftops where they offer unparalleled ocean views and utmost privacy. A selected few also offer access to a private beach. Again, the beaches are not officially private, but as a guest staying in the villa, you’ll be the only one able to access them. Purissara, for example, has stairs leading down to a private cove where a beautiful tableau of white sand, turquoise waters, and lime cliffs awaits.
In Bali, those in search of peace and privacy should set their sights further up the coast, away from Seminyak and Canggu. On the west coast, Seseh and Tabanan offer serene seclusion, with volcanic black sand giving these beaches their unique beauty. The villas here are lavishly large and luxuriously private – the incomparable Soori Estate has been tried and tested by the Kardashians and Justin Bieber.
Those in search of serene shores in Bali can also make their way to the east coast where magnificent villas like Jeeva Saba Estate, Villa Candani, and Villa Pushpapuri sit on the precipice of a near deserted black sand beach.
If you continue travelling further up the coast, you will arrive in the charming village of Candidasa. The waterfront villas in these parts offer blissful palm fringed views with some properties upping up the ante by adding an artificial beach out front. The stunning setup at The Seed Bali and Villa Manis Beachfront will take your breath away.
Another favourite when we’re craving sweet seclusion by the sea is Rockpools in Vanuatu. This beautiful villa is built right on the water’s edge and offers a wonderful sense of privacy from the outside world. From the villa’s gardens, stairs lead down to natural rock pools waiting below. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a swim in these crystal-clear waters, marvelling at colourful fish passing by. We’re already dreaming of our next visit.
And there you have it: our guide for finding the perfect beachfront villa for your holiday. And remember – we are at your service. With experience and expertise that’s unrivalled in the market, we will help you plan and book your perfect villa holiday at the best price, guaranteed. Reach out to our villa specialists.
