5 luxury beach house retreats
Chaba Villa, Aleenta Resort & Spa, Thailand
Swap the well-trodden tourist traps in Thailand for picturesque privacy with the shore at your door at Chaba Villa, a mere two-and-a-half hour-drive south of Bangkok in the Aleenta Hua Hin – Pranburi Resort and Spa.
Rejuvenate yourself from the inside-out with Aleenta's holistic health programme that implements yoga, tai chi and detox techniques. And when the sun finally decides to replace the moon cosy up in your own private garden, which unfolds on to the beach, and re-kindle, re-energise and re-boot. You'll never want to leave, trust us.
iVillage.co.uk READER EXCLUSIVE: Book Aleenta with Beach Tomato: Stay 6 or 7 nights and receive an hour-long complimentary Thai or Aromatherapy Massage for two. Stay 8 or 9 nights and receive a romantic Candlelit Dinner on the beach including a bottle of Aleenta's Private Wine Label. Visit www.beachtomato.com for more information.
Neeleshwar Cottages, Kerala, India
Swap the city for sea and head to the Northern coast of Kerala, India; to the Neeleshwar Resort - an eco-friendly sanctuary - the perfect getaway for those in need of some serious R&R.
Reside in a private cottage surrounded my lush green coconuts plantations and bright white sands which dissolve into the turquoise waters.
And, IF you manage to withdraw yourself from this piece of paradise, head to the surrounding area of Malabar full of colourful architecture and brimming with tradition.
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Bellevue Syrene Hotel, Sorrento, Italy
Perched on topof the Amalfi's plunging creamy cliffs, on the foundations of ancient Roman ruins sits the fabulously flamboyant Bellevue Syrene, overlooking the sparkling Sorrento waters residing inthe Bay of Naples.
Bellevue Syrene, as the name suggests, is a stunning seafront abode with a cool, calm and collected atmosphere and looks to die for, both inside and out.
Watch the sunset on the properties private beach being waited on hand and foot by some of the most charming staff in hotelier history. Bellevue, we're pretty sure, will blow you away.
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Alila Uluwatu Villas, Bali
Based on a limestone plateau on the south coast of Bali’s Bukhit Peninsula, Alila Uluwatu Villas is pure luxe.
We’re big fans of a good view and Ailia offers one of the very best. Picture yourself stretched out beside your private plunge pool being plied with cocktails by your villa’s butler.
And if you enjoy living life on the wild side we recommend trying out the outdoor rain shower just as the sun is setting because life’s no fun without a little risk.
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Matachica, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Picture vanilla-tinted sands drenched with turquoise blue sea, a cocktail in one hand and your sunglasses in the other, lounging on a sunbed in the ultra-luxurious resort of Matachica.
Located on the edge of Ambergris Caya, off the coast of Belize, this first class location plays host to the second largest barrier reef in the world.
Matachica does kitsch in a cool way, channelling its Central American location with thatched roof huts in vibrant colours, majestic mosaics and a soothing infinity pool – think sleep-inducing hammocks and beachside evenings. This really is paradise.
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Next Up: 5 luxury Tuscan retreats
The picturesque Italian region of Tuscany is a luxury-lovers’ dream, with the fine wines of Chianti, the delectable Italian food and stunning
























