New to the UK market, Villas by Aarya (www.aarya.com.sg) is a collection of 10 exceptional private residences in Chiang Mai, Krabi, Bintan and Ubud.  Owned by Thai entrepreneur and hospitality specialist Aarya Surindhara, these luxurious villas are destined for guests wanting to enjoy 'The Sweet Life' she has created in stunning locations. 

Each villa offers everything a five-star hotel does but with a standard of service that is more personal and private and a destination experience that is both all-encompassing and bespoke.  Visitors are more than guests, they are invited into their own 'home from home' but on a grander scale. 

Commenting, Aarya Surindhara says 'We are delighted to be able to bring these properties to the UK market and believe that our proposition is quite unique here.   For guests who want something more personal than a five star hotel experience, an Aarya villa is the perfect solution.  A stay at an Aarya villa means living in luxury, but also with a really authentic feel – in a private house staffed with butlers, chefs and housekeepers, for whom the guests' comfort and needs are paramount.  Nothing is too much trouble.

Chefs are chosen from excellent hotel and restaurant backgrounds with both skill and experience in local cuisine as well as international tastes, while many of the staff are from local families with insider and in depth knowledge of the area and its attractions.   Everything at an Aarya villa is delivered with ease and elegance whether exploring the local environs by land and sea, finding exceptional craft markets and artists, visiting almost unknown temples and palaces or simply chilling in the comfort and privacy of your own stylish retreat.'

Now featured by luxury tour operator Elegant Resorts and villa specialists Edge Retreats, Villas by Aarya includes the following:

The Second House, Krabi

Two stunning residences – The White Villa and The Wood Villa - make up the Second House which is perched on the white sands of Phra Nang in Krabi, with unforgettable views of the iconic rock formations of the Andaman Sea.  Each villa is a collection of pavilions with its own pool, staff, facilities and direct access to the beach which has only recently opened to the public.  And while each is separate and private with its own space (both have three bedrooms), the two together would make ideal holiday companions for close friends or family.

The White Villa is a cool, contemporary take on classical Thai salas - simple, serene luxury in shades of white, pearl, parchment and sand.  From its beachfront master bedroom, guests can lie back and soak up some of the most memorable views of Thailand in the utmost privacy.  The Wood Villa derives its name not just from the gigantic trees which surround it, but also from the traditional materials and woods used in floors, ceilings and shutters.  

The ever-attendant Aarya staff have intimate knowledge of the area and will organise everything from rock-climbing to deep-sea fishing, shopping excursions to Thai cooking classes as well as in-house massage or tai chi on the beach.  The food reflects the region and the sea with spreads of seafood, tantalising curries and exotic influenced by the food of Malay, Indian and Burma, all of which were part of Aarya's childhood and later studies at the Oriental Culinary Institute.

The Vana, Chiang Mai

The Vana is a jewel of a residence - a classic Siamese-Lanna country manor consisting of several pavilions dating back in some places to the 13th century.  Just a few miles from the ancient capital of Chiang Mai, it is a gateway to the treasures of Northern Thailand.

An imposing example of Lanna architecture, the residence is filled with antiques and artefacts, including a fine collection of Sukhothai and pre-Lanna porcelain as well as Buddhas from different periods while offering every contemporary comfort.  Originally a family home, a winter retreat for Aarya and her family, it is both luxurious and cosy and comprises a Lower House (5 bedrooms) and an Upper House (2 bedrooms).

In the foothills of three mountain ranges, the Vana ( meaning 'a place in the woods') is the ideal location for exploring the nearby hills and valleys either on horseback, taking gentle hikes, bamboo rafting along free-flowing streams and rivers or visiting local farms, gardens and orchards. There are elephant sanctuaries and monkey and tiger farms to visit as well as the tribal villages which surround the Golden Triangle.  Best of all, the staff at Vana are locals from the Tha Yai tribe whose knowledge of the area is unsurpassed.  It is this indigenous aspect of Aarya that makes a stay so memorable.

The Round House, Gladak and Joglo:  Puri Sayan, Bali

On the outskirts of Bali's cultural capital, Ubud, lies Puri Sayan, a complex which mirrors a traditional Balinese village consisting of three luxury 'forest lodges' – The Round House and Gladak and the Joglo.

The Round House is the central villa with its imposing and distinctive round roof and spacious open-plan atrium from which there is access to all the rooms, the garden and the pool deck. It also provides guests' first sighting of the spectacular gorge, shimmering emerald green rice terraces and far off temples.  A magical and mythical view.

Teamed with the Gladak, a traditional wooden cottage in the garden, the residence offers three bedrooms, a large living room as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas, an infinity pool and large sun deck plus a number of private corners in which to relax.

The Joglo, an example of ancient Javanese architecture, is an open-plan house of exquisitely carved woodwork which offers two bedrooms, its own living and dining areas plus a garden pavilion.

The properties can be rented separately or as one grand residence, complete with staff, butler and chef. The staff are local residents and know the area and what it offers intimately so can organise activities from white water rafting to surfing or walking tours or on a gentler scale – a massage, yoga class, cookery demonstration or shopping trip.

Villa Aarya from Villas by Aarya

These four stylish residences all come with private infinity pools and sun decks overlooking the South China Sea, and offer the authentic Aarya experience. Authentic because Villa Aarya itself was Aarya's own home for more than a decade, while all the villas are but a stone's throw from Baan Aarya, her renowned gourmet restaurant. 

The Villas – Aarya, Siri, Khan and Kwa offer two or three bedroomed accommodation in secluded surroundings yet open to spectacular views of the South China Sea.  All have their own staff – there are nearly 40 staff on the entire complex – ensuring a level of service unsurpassed in most villa accommodation.

No two villas are the same – Villa Aarya is classically furnished and decorated and has a large garden, whilst Villa Siri, which is on a higher level, houses a collection of Javanese art and South East Asian antiques and Villa Khan is cool and contemporary in style in subtle shades of sun, sea and sky.  Villa Kwa – modern in style with spacious dining and family areas - has the largest pool deck area and has easy access to the beach so is ideal for families.

Whilst staying at one of the villas, guests can experience traditional tours to local fishing villages and mangrove forests as well as authentic Indonesian relaxation therapies of massage. It is also a golfer's paradise with four championship golf courses nearby.

Bintan is a gourmet's delight, apart from Aarya's own restaurant, her chefs can cook for guests in their villas merging the flavours that have influenced the region's food from India, China and Malaysia with its own indigenous cuisine.  It is also a short ferry ride from Singapore so guests can enjoy a two centre experience of city and seaside.  They can enjoy the city and all its shops, galleries, clubs and restaurants but then return to the peace and tranquillity of the island.

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