DELUXE TRAVELLER

Excellent services are provided by in-house villa teams

Incredible locations, five-star facilities and exquisite designs are just a few of the highlights that Thailand’s array of luxurious private villas have in common. For discerning travellers on the lookout for upscale holiday accommodation, these features often make private holiday properties the accommodation option of choice in the Land of Smiles.

However, in terms of experiences, there’s something else that helps set Thailand’s opulent holiday villas apart from the masses – tailored, one-to-one service. In addition to the friendly resident teams of staff who are on hand round the clock, guests staying in a luxury Thai villa can also call on the service of other professionals for personal, one-to-one service.

From private Muay Thai tuition sessions to pre-wedding hair and makeup, we’ve rounded up a selection of excellent options for personal service that are available in Thailand’s luxury private villas.

Fighting fit

A one-to-one Muay Thai session is a good idea for those who are just learning the ropes in the sport

Many visitors head to Thailand with the aim of fully immersing themselves in the Kingdom’s fascinating culture. While temples, palaces and museums definitely deserve a place on your holiday to-do list, you don’t always have to leave the house in order to get your culture fix. In fact, you can make culture come to you by booking a private Muay Thai training system at your luxury private villa.

Muay Thai (or Thai boxing) is the country’s national sport, and is stepped in centuries of tradition. From pre-fight rituals and traditional clothing, to ferocious combat techniques, Muay Thai is a sport that has continued to fascinate visitors for decades. In fact, it’s now practiced widely across the globe. Booking in a private Muay Thai training session at your private villa is an excellent way to the learn the ropes – particularly if you’re a beginner, who doesn’t want to head to the local training centre until you’ve mastered the basics. Your villa manager will be able to call a professional local coach to come to the villa, and he or she will be able to bring all of the necessary equipment including pads, gloves and shin pads.

Stretch it out

Taking part in a private yoga class will help to deepen your practice

If health and wellness is a key theme of your vacation, then you won’t want to miss out on the chance to practice yoga in the stunning tropical settings. However, if your sightseeing itinerary is too jam-packed to fit around the class schedule at any local yoga studios, why not have a teacher come directly to your villa for a one-to-one session?

There’s a host of advantages to having a one-to-one yoga class, that you simply wouldn’t get if you were practicing in a studio. For starters, the teacher will be able to class to reflect the style of yoga you’re keen to practice, whether that’s powerful Vinyasa or relaxing Yin. He or she will also be able to provide a mini workshop, giving you the time, attention and tips you need to attain the trickier asana modifications. A private session can also be a great option if you’re a beginner, and don’t fancy heading down to the studio until you know the difference between your upward and downward facing dog.

Plus, there’s a number of fabulous places to practice yoga throughout the villa. From the fully-equipped fitness studio to the shaded relaxation sala overlooking the ocean, you can take your pick.

Relax and unwind

Guests staying at one of Thailand’s luxury villas can choose from an extensive menu of spa treatments

After a long day of sightseeing under the warm Thai sun, it’s likely that you’ll be feeling pretty worn out. What better way to rejuvenate than with a private pamper session? The best part is, you don’t even need to leave your private villa to indulge – the property’s manager will be able to arrange for a professional spa therapist to come directly to the house, where you can choose your treatments from an extended spa menu. Facials, massages and manicures and pedicures are all available, so you could even make an evening of it as you kick back and relax with a glass of bubbly, too.

For brides-to-be who are hosting hen parties at their private villa, spa-themed parties are a fantastic way to treat friends and family to a good time in advance of the wedding day. Not only will they leave feeling refreshed and fantastic, but after a professional manicure and pedicure they will be feeling totally camera ready, too. You could also liaise with your villa manager to put together a couples’ spa package – ideal for Valentine’s Day celebrations or post-wedding treats.

Be your most beautiful

Hiring professional hair and makeup artists to come to your villa on your wedding day will help ensure you are camera ready

If there’s one day when you need to look and feel your best, it’s your wedding day. Thousands of couples each year choose to host their wedding celebrations in Thailand – and a growing number of those going down the Thai destination wedding route are specifying luxury private villas as the venue.

For brides and bridesmaids, one of the most entertaining parts of the day is getting ready – especially if there is a professional hair and makeup artist on hand to ensure each lady looks and feels like a million dollars.

If you are planning to hire a professional hair and makeup artists for your wedding day, it’s worth giving some careful thought to the look you’d like to achieve on the big day. If you’re working with a professional wedding planner or your villa manager, you might even be able to share pictures of any hair or makeup styles you like so they can be passed on to your chosen professional in advance. You’ll also be able to inform them of any preferences you have in terms of brands and products, so they can put together a look that will make your future husband’s jaw drop when he sees you walk up the aisle.

Feel the burn

The fitness suite at Koh Samui’s Villa Riva boasts fantastic ocean views

If you’ve worked hard on your beach body in advance of your holiday, then there’s no reason to let it go once you’ve arrived. In addition to beach access for morning runs, and swimming pools for refreshing evening laps, many villas come with their own fully-equipped fitness suites to suit all workouts. Treadmills, cross trainers and weights are often featured, in addition to much-needed air conditioning! Some villas, such as Koh Samui’s Villa Riva, even feature spectacular views of the ocean so you can work out whilst gazing at the ocean.

TIPS

If you’ve already booked a private pamper session at your villa, then here’s how you can make the most of the spa experience in one of the property’s beautifully-appointed bathing suites:

• Many luxurious villa bathing suites come with sunken tubs for two – the perfect end to a relaxing evening. Ask one of your villa’s staff to sprinkle rose petals atop the steaming hot water for added wow factor.
• From fragrant body scrubs to creamy lotions, make the most of your villa’s organic beauty products to get the true spa feeling.
• Begin your relaxation with a power shower in one of your villa’s beautifully-designed outdoor shower areas.