DELUXE TRAVELLER

The stylish landscaped gardens at Samui’s Baan Chao Lay provide a tranquil space for guests to socialise

With a choice of spacious communal areas, fantastic facilities and a team of friendly staff, a private rental villa provides an excellent venue to host a special celebration. Whether you’re tying the knot or celebrating a personal milestone, there are plenty of ways to party with friends and family.

Thanks to the flexible facilities and amenable staff, villa guests can arrange an event that caters to their personal tastes and requirements. The appealing facilities extend form commodious communal areas to cosy, private spaces for relaxation. That’s not to mention the stupendous views, which are sure to add wow factor to any gathering In need of a little more inspiration?

If you’re in need of a little inspiration, we’ve rounded up the top reasons why a private villa is the dream location to host a party to remember.

Space to relax

The vaulted dining area at Baan Samlarn provides a stunning space for entertaining

Whether you’re hosting an event inside or out, there’s an array of spacious communal areas spread throughout your private villa. For example, the gorgeous vaulted dining area at Koh Samui’s exquisite Baan Samlarn provides a spectacular space for a formal sit-down meal with friends and family. In addition to the main indoor dining area, private villas often comprise a selection of communal zones, including comfortable lounges, games rooms and  and even mini cinemas where younger guests can hang out during the party.

There’s plenty of space to enjoy outside, too. Many of the finest holiday rental properties come with their own sublime swimming pools and adjoining pool terraces – perfect if you’re hosting a pool party, as guests will be able to spread out and enjoy the tropical surroundings. Many villas also come with expansive gardens, which may encompass everything from spacious rolling lawns to hidden nooks and crannies, shrouded by tropical greenery. If your villa has beach access, there’s no reason why the party couldn’t spill out from the lawn and onto the sand, either. With such an array of spacious communal areas to choose from, the beauty is that you can plan a party that complements your holiday property.

Help on hand

Bophut’s Baan Ban Buri comes with a team of dedicated staff

Perhaps the best thing about hosting a special celebration at a luxury private rental villa is that you’ll be able to rely on the dedicated team of resident staff to take care of guests’ needs. For example, you might want the staff to greet guests upon arrival with a refreshing welcome drink. Later on, they could be responsible for handing out nibbles and glasses of bubbly. Plus, you’ll be able to liaise with your villa manager in advance of the celebration, so he or she will be able to take care of any arrangements on your behalf.

Private villas also shine when it comes to the catering. That’s because many rental properties come with their own professional chef, who will be able to put together a tailored menu for your event. Whether you’re in the mood for local or international food, you can rest assured that your villa’s chef will be able to whip up a feast that both looks and tastes fantastic. If you choose to host a wedding at a private villa, you might even be able to set up a bar, and ask one of the staff to take on the role of mixologist for the day.

Wow factor views

Koh Samui’s stunning Villa Bacaya enjoys ocean views towards the island of Koh Phangan

As if top-notch facilities and first-rate service weren’t enough, many luxury holiday villas also come with jaw-dropping ocean views to add an unforgettable backdrop to any celebration. Whether your chosen villa is nestled on an exclusive hillside position or directly connecting to the beach, the permanently blue ocean view will provide a stunning setting for your party – and is sure to impress guests.

Koh Samui’s Villa Bacaya enjoys far-reaching views across the Gulf of Thailand, towards the popular island of Koh Phangan. The panorama from this property also takes in The Big Buddha, one of the island’s most famous landmarks. As a result, there are plenty of stunning photo opportunities for guests to make the most of. You could even set up dedicated photo stations around the property, framing the best views for guests’ photograph opportunities.

Expansive facilities

Baan Ora Chon boasts a wealth of excellent facilities

If you’re hosting an evening event or a wedding that’s likely to continue into the small hours, it might come in handy to rent out a larger villa to accommodate some of your guests overnight. Baan Ora Chon on Koh Samui, for example, is home to five bedrooms and bathrooms, sleeping 10 people – ideal if you’re getting married and want to accommodate bridesmaids, groomsmen or family.

Beach access is another fantastic highlight of many villas. Guests may be sleeping just a pebble’s throw from the softly lapping surf, and can nip down to the beach for an early morning stroll or swim in the ocean. Other sublime al fresco facilities may include landscaped gardens, plunge pools for little ones to paddle in, hammocks and outdoor movie theatres. The array of amenities means that you’re free to tailor the event to entertain and accommodate guests in the lap of luxury.

Beach weddings

The emerald lawns of Inasia beach Villa slope down into the soft sand of Koh Samui’s Lipa Noi beach

As many of Southeast Asia’s finest villas benefit from direct access to the silvery white beaches that fringe the island’s coastline, beach weddings are a popular choice. In fact, a growing number of brides and grooms are choosing to host destination weddings in luxury rental properties so they can say their vows with the sand between their toes. One of the key advantages of renting out a private villa as opposed to getting married in a hotel with beach access is the exclusivity. Typically, luxury villas are situated in less developed areas, far from the prying eyes of beachgoers. Your guests will have the run of the grounds, too, so will be able to take their tropical cocktail right from the makeshift bar in your villa’s kitchen, right onto the sand.

TIPS

Here are our top tips on how to inject more beachy style into your wedding day celebrations:

• Opt for a beach-themed décor scheme by incorporating shells, starfish or even palm motifs
• The groom and groomsmen could include starfish or shells in their boutonnieres for a rustic seaside look
• Celebrate the abundance of the fruits of the sea by organising a delectable seafood buffet in the evening