Asia’s best pool villas

We’ll tell you another secret: Travelling around and checking out places for a living is a lot of fun, but the best part of our job are those nights when we try out hotels. AND we are in absolute heaven if those hotel rooms happen to be private pool villas.

Sipping on a cocktail in the privacy of your own pool is just total bliss (and ruins your coming holidays for life if no pool villa is involved – that is the downside): No strangers to share the pool with, no getting up early in order to reserve the best spot around the pool and no getting dressed to walk to the pool. Instead you can wake up in the mornings and sip coffee in the pool straight out of bed, enjoy romantic sunsets with the partner in the pool, celebrate private pool parties with your favourite music… the list goes on and on.

When it comes to pool villas, us, team Asia here at Fleewinter, have some awesome, and most of all affordable, options on offer. Nowhere else in the world you find the same value to treat yourself to a luxurious holiday. No matter if you prefer minimalist style accommodation or Balinese havens, we will find a pool villa for pretty much any taste.

If you are still looking for a last-minute summer getaway and think you deserve a bit of luxury (don’t we all?), keep reading. We have teamed up to talk about the best pool villas in Asia. Our selection below features properties in the destinations we sell; you won’t find international hotel chains, but beautiful boutique properties offering an authentic, unique, and at the same time, luxurious experience.

Warning: Reading this may lead to an urgent desire to pack your suitcase.

For instagrammers: Pangulasion, Palawan, Philippines

Pangulasion is one of the most luxurious resorts in the Philippines. Located in Palawan, voted the Best Island in the World for the last two years, the area is achingly gorgeous. Limestone cliffs rise from clear aquamarine waters, beaches are lined with fine sand, and friendly Filipinos create a warm and welcoming environment. You can watch the sunrise from one beach and the sunset from another or you can hide away in your private pool villa. The snorkeling is incredible and the views as your boat transfers you from El Nido to Pangulasian are highly Instagrammable.

You can book a Pool Villa from £680 per night. To find out more click here, or email our Philippines Specialist Marbree at marbree@fleewinter.com.

For love birds: The Place, Koh Tao, Thailand

If you have been following this blog for a while, you may have read the post about this charming nine pool villa boutique resort, nestled in the hills above Sairee on Koh Tao. These villas don’t only offer amazing views overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, they also have bathrooms that look like out of a “better living magazine”, they are eco-friendly, and the best is, they only cost from £180 per villa per night. Definitely our go to recommendation for anyone looking for a romantic and private getaway in Thailand, that doesn’t break the bank.

If you would like to find out more about The Place, click here, or email our Thailand guru Eva at thailand@fleewinter.com.

For adventurers: Dubu Suite at Kahanda Kanda, Galle, Sri Lanka

Dubu is a stunning carved wooden pavilion with its own private garden and pool. Enjoy sea views from the pool, butler service and sumptuous interiors. The hotel itself is small and intimate, set on a small working tea estate. The British owner and interior designer lives on site which we would attribute to the hotels constant standard and friendly atmosphere.

Room rates per night start from £328. Grab their great summer offer: “Pay 3, Stay 4” or “Pay 5, Stay 7”, valid until 30 November 2017.

Click here to find out more about Kahanda Kanda, email our Sri Lanka Specialist Kate at kate@fleewinter.com.

For bargain hunters: Villa Kriyamaha, Legian, Bali

Legian Kriyamaha Villa is romantic and intimate villa, offering 9 One Bedroom Villa with private pool and jacuzzi. Each villas has been designed with romantic ambiance and truly intimate, completed by personalized Balinese hospitality and friendly staff who take care and comfort you as your home in Bali. A pool villa per night starts from £125.

Enquire about Legian Kriyamaha Villa today by emailing our Indonesia Specialist Barbara at barbara@fleewinter.com.

For indulgers: Naladhu Beach Villas, Gulhi, Maledives

Inside these villas the open air bathrooms lead out directly on to the pool deck, making you feel as though you are in the most incredible bathroom EVER! Super lux, but also a very relaxed and homely feeling. Room rates start from £950 per night.

Find out more about Naladhu here, or email our Maledives Specialist Kate at kate@fleewinter.com.

For the burned out: Fusion Maia, Da Nang, Vietnam

There is nowhere else quite like Fusion Maia in Vietnam. For a start all your spa treatments are included in the room rate and you are guaranteed two every day – or as many as you want, subject to availability. But it is more than that. The resort has a wonderfully calming ambience – from the friendly staff that are dressed in smart-causal beige slacks and white t-shirts to the daily programme of yoga that takes place every day by the beach; your stresses and worries will soon evaporate here.

Upon arrival at Fusion Maia you will be assigned a Fusionista who will be your guide to understanding the resort and how you can make the most out of it. He or she will deal with any special requests you may have or make suggestions for activities or healthy wellbeing during your stay.

Every villa has a private pool with sun loungers and a table and chairs. The one bedroom villas are called Pool Villas, the two bedroom villas are the Spa Villas (simply because they are closer to the spa) and the three bed villas, called Pool Beach Villas, are closest to the beach. A Pool Villa start from £350 per night – what are you waiting for?

You can find more info here, or email our Vietnam guru Delia at delia@fleewinter.com.

For explorers-at-heart: Hibiscus Villa, Tip of Borneo

Hibiscus Villa at the tip of Borneo offers an exclusive and luxurious hideaway with a stunning pool. With three bedrooms, a full kitchen, library, multiple seating areas, and only a few minutes walk from the beach along a jungle path, Hibiscus Villa is one of Borneo’s hidden gems. A chef is available and the staff will pick up takeaway from area restaurants if firing up the grill or cooking for yourself doesn’t appeal. Few visitors find their way to the region so there’s a good chance you can have the beach to yourselves if you can break away from the villa’s pool. Rates for one bedroom begin at £200 per night.

Find out more about the Hibiscus Villa here, or email our Borneo Specialist Marbree at marbree@fleewinter.com .

For jungle lovers: Hanging Gardens, Ubud, Bali

Hanging Gardens is perched adjacent to layered rice terraces with sweeping views across the Ayung River gorge to the ancient Pura Penataran Dalem Segara temple. Nestled deep in the heart of Ubud’s rich rainforest reserve, this enchanting five star boutique hotel, designed in complete harmony with nature, has 38 private suites and individual villas with thatched roofs, each with its own luxurious granite infinity pool, rippling into the jungle below.

The heart of the property is Hanging Gardens’ world-famous swimming pool. It is without a doubt one of the most photogenic and photographed pools around the globe, and has the unique distinction of coming top of both travel bible Condé Nast Traveller’s list of ‘the best swimming pools in the world’. So one double wins here when it comes to total pool indulgence. Room rates start from £450 per night.

To find out more, follow this link, or email our Indonesia Specialist Barbara at barbara@fleewinter.com.

For technophiles: Kata Rocks, Phuket, Thailand

This 34 all pool villa resort is built in the shape of a super yacht and each Sky Villa offers unrestricted oceanfront views and magnificent sunsets with its versatile indoor-outdoor living space. The Villas were built into the rocks, utilizing the latest cutting-edge technology and are fitted out with the highest-quality appliances and amenities.
There are one to four bedroom layouts, each featuring a private infinity-pool, expansive dining and living area, a complete European quality kitchen, and superbly appointed bedrooms and bathrooms. The latest interactive iPad technology allows guests to control the Sky Villa universe at the touch or swipe of a button. There are even speakers on the terrace so you can enjoy your favourite tunes while lazing in the sunbeds. Fully equipped European-style kitchens feature the best international brands available including Snaidero, De Dietrich and Siemens.

Depending on the season, the one bedroom pool villas start from £490 per night. 4 bedroom villas start from £1,250 per night, so if you take 7 of your friends, the price per person becomes actually reasonable, and what you get is an amazing pool party in Phuket’s best beach town, Kata. The hotel is also running a low season promotion (10% discount) until 30 November 2017.

Find out more about Kata Rocks here, or email our Thailand Specialist Eva at thailand@fleewinter.com.

For artisans: Bunga Raya Island Resort, Gaya Island, Borneo

A quick ferry ride from Kota Kinabalu, tucked away in a private bay on Gaya Island sits Bunga Raya Island Resort. Many of the villas have private plunge pools looking out toward the South China Sea. All are handcrafted from local hardwood and tastefully decorated with textiles and art from the island of Borneo. The incredible two-bedroom Royal Villa has a stunning infinity pool and a private beach.

The resort is built into the side of a hill with villas tucked away amongst the trees. Everything about this place oozes luxury. One of Borneo’s most comprehensive wine lists can be found here and if you want a change of scenery, the property’s sister resort, Gayana Marine, is a quick ferry ride away. Pool villas from £370 per night.

Click here if you want to find out more about Bunga Raya Island Resort, or email our Borneo Specialist Marbree at marbree@fleewinter.com.

A wonderful hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Bali, Wapa di Ume is a luxury resort just 5 minutes from Ubud Centre that boasts rice fields as its centre piece, placing you truly at one with nature. Every facet of Wapa di Ume oozes sophistication, with top-class facilities, exceptional service as standard and a host of added extras, including yoga lessons, rice fields walking tours, open air theatre and Balinese cooking lessons. The stunning villas with private pools overlook the rice fields that provide an epic backdrop. And, they are reasonably priced as well. The pool villas start from £210 per night including breakfast.

To find out more, click here, or email our Indonesia Specialist Barbara at barbara@fleewinter.com.

For princesses: Pimalai, Koh Lanta, Thailand

With 100 acres of tropical vegetation, direct access to 900 metres of pristine sandy beach, Pimalai brings guests close to nature, in the most luxurious setting. Tucked away, the super spacious Pool Villas come as one or two bedroom villas and stand amidst the lush green hillside, on an area ranging from 700 to 1000 square metres. Overlooking Kantiang bay, guests can experience contemporary Thai architectural style in a modern and contemporary living space. Located 60 – 80 metres above sea level, you will enjoy astounding views of the sea from the comforts of your own room. Soak in some sun at your own private sundeck, or take a dip in the personal infinity-edged pool.

One bedroom pool villas start from £400 per night, depending on the season.

Click here if you would like to find out more about Pimalai, or email our Thailand Specialist Eva at thailand@fleewinter.com.

For tree huggers: Japamala, Tioman Island, Malaysia

Not every villa at Japamala has a pool but all are amazing. Tioman Island off the southeast coast of Malaysia is well known to divers for its clear, rich waters teeming with life. The island is also home to beautiful beaches and lush forest so if long walks appeal, you can choose between sun and sand or shady paths through the trees.

The entirely unique Japamala Resort has only fourteen villas, all built without disturbing a single rock or felling a tree. A few boulders and trunks decorate some of the rooms! The whole place is pretty stunning but this post is about the best pool villas in Asia so we’ll highlight two of the villas: the Seaview Sarang and Penghulu’s House. The first is a one-bedroom villa with a pool, kitchenette, dining area, and unparalleled privacy. Penghulu’s House has two bedrooms and two stories. Those on the lower level can walk straight into the outdoor pool. If an indoor dip seems more romantic, there’s a wading pool inside, too. A Seaview Sarang starts from £240 per night.

You can find more info about Japamala here, or email our Malaysia Consultant Marbree at marbree@fleewinter.com.

For dreamers: Six Senses, Con Dao Island, Vietnam

This is the stuff that dreams are made of. A perfect crescent of private beach with a backdrop of dramatic mountains, the Con Dao islands jut out of the water, as though cast adrift from the main land. It is the island that time forgot – an area of outstanding beauty with crystal clear waters, soaring cliffs and hardly any development. And the Six Senses Resort does the almost impossible job of mirroring the natural beauty of the island. It boasts 50 wood-panelled eco villas, all of which have their own private pools, with a sea view. Beautifully decorated in scented linens, floor to ceiling windows, the villas also have heavenly bathrooms with big tubs and outdoor showers.

Click here to find out more about Six Senses Con Dao, or email our Vietnam Specialist Delia at delia@fleewinter.com.

A few words about us: Here at Fleewinter we think we’re a little bit different to other tour operators as we know the countries inside out and try to visit every destination and hotel that we offer. We work with small local boutique hotels that we know and love and local drivers and guides we trust. Our company is based in London but we each spend over a month in our given destination each year researching and inspecting the latest hotels and excursions on offer. We have hand picked the above hotels for you, so you can do nothing but relax. If you are still unsure, give us a call to chat things through: (UK)0207 112 0019.

Happy holiday planning, xx

Marbree, Barbara, Delia, Kate & Eva