DELUXE TRAVELLER

Baan Kilee’s plush entertainment suite is perfect for a movie marathon

Whether you’re searching for something to do on a showery afternoon in Southeast Asia, or simply tired out from all the sightseeing, sometimes there’s nothing better to do than kick back to enjoy a movie binge. If you’re staying in one of the region’s lavish private villas, you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of the various luxurious spaces where you can put your feet up and enjoy.

From spacious entertainment and games rooms to outdoor cinemas on the lawns of your private villa, you can take your pick depending on the type of experience you’d like to create.

Whether you’re travelling as a family, with a loved one or as a group of friends, sometimes there’s nothing better than the simple pleasure of a lazy day movie marathon. You can even make a day of it by asking your villa’s professional on-site chef to whip up a selection of snacks for you to enjoy.

We’ve rounded up several of the best spots in a luxury holiday home to indulge in some screen time.

Entertainment central

Situated in Bukit, Bali, The Longhouse boasts a spectacular wood-panelled mini movie theatre

While many of Southeast Asia’s tropical island villas are home to their own spacious lounging areas, some also boast dedicated games and entertainment suites separate to this. Having a choice of plush lounging areas means that you can set aside the main lounge area for socialising and entertaining. The entertainment suite can then become a cosy den for your holiday movie marathons.

The villa’s entertainment suite will often be kitted out with an enormous wall-mounted television, as well as a DVD player and library, or a hard drive pre-loaded with an extensive choice of movies and series. Top-of-the-range surround sound systems are also a common feature and there may also be a games console and a selection of games to choose from.

The plush entertainment suite at Bali’s Longhouse is a good example with a huge screen that’s perfect for all your movie marathon needs, in addition to enormous comfortable sofas that simply beg you to put our feet up and get lost in storylines.

Outdoor visuals

Baan Kilee features a pool bar with its own enormous movie screen

One of the true benefits of a vacation in Southeast Asia is the chance to enjoy the warm tropical climate. Thanks to the delightful weather, a number of luxury private villas boast their own outdoor movie theatres. This is the perfect for larger groups  – perhaps even an extended family gathering – when guests want to sit down and enjoy a movie al fresco. An outdoor movie session offers the best of both worlds for guests who want to enjoy the warm evening breeze while being entertained at the same time.

Baan Kilee, one of the lavish private villas that make up the Chai Talay Estate in Koh Samui, Thailand, benefits from its own outdoor movie theatre. The villa is unique in the fact that its movie screen is positioned behind a swim-up bar in the property’s covered swimming pool. Guests enjoying a refreshing afternoon swim can make their way to the bar and take a seat for a chilled beverage and a good movie.

Lazy daydreams

Phuket’s Chan Grajang has TVs and DVD players in every bedroom

If your idea of a movie marathon means a lazy day in bed, then you’re in luck because many of Southeast Asia’s tropical island villas come with a TV and DVD player in all the bedrooms. After enjoying breakfast in bed, you can settle in to catch up on your favourite TV series – something you might never get time to do at home. Typically, the plush bedrooms in a luxury island villa come with their own ensuite bathrooms, and if you don’t fancy lounging in bed all day, some master suites also feature their own lounge area– perfect for private relaxation.

In addition to stunning ocean views, all of the major bedrooms at Phuket’s Villa Chan Grajang come with screens and DVDs, as well as tech features like iPod docks so you can listen to your favourite movie soundtracks.

Lounge in style

Each of the Sangsuri Villas comes with a stunning swimming pool, perfect for lounging and watching a movie on your tablet

A movie marathon is always a great option for a rainy day. However, what about a sunny day when you want to kill two birds with one stone by watching TV by the pool? In private villas, anything is possible. The majority of luxury villas in Asia now boast impressive internet speeds, so you’ll be able to stream movies and TV shows to your tablet and watch them by the pool. If your villa has a hard drive packed with hundreds of movies for you to choose from, you can usually choose to connect and watch them on your tablet by the pool. That way, you can soak up the rays at the same time.

The three Sangsuri villas on Koh Samui all benefit from stunning private pools overlooking the ocean. Guests can choose to relax and watch their iPad movie in a variety of spots, from the plush loungers by the pool to the cushioned daybed in the open-air sala.

Movie Snacks

Ask your villa’s on-site professional chef to prepare a batch of tasty snacks

No movie marathon would be complete without the right selection of food and drinks to accompany the on screen action. If you’re staying in one of Southeast Asia’s luxury rental villas, you can ask your villa’s professional chef to whip up an array of tasty treats for you to binge on while you indulge in watching three films back to back. Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savoury, you’ll be able to coordinate with your villa’s chef to create a tasty menu of snacks that satisfies all your cravings.

TIPS

If you’re in the mood for a big bowl of popcorn to accompany your movie marathon, here’s how your Thai chef can spice things up to create an unforgettable snack:

• Popcorn coated in garlic, salt and rosemary will provide an unforgettable savoury snack
• If you’re keen to embrace the flavours of Southeast Asia, why not ask your villa’s chef to develop a chili-themed popcorn recipe?
• If you harbour a sweet tooth, salted caramel popcorn could provide an interesting twist on regular sweet flavoured popcorn