Malaiwana - Villa M

Entering through the main gate of Villa M, you’ll find yourself at the social centre of the building, the living pavilion with its high vaulted ceiling. To the left is the master suite, with its private access to the pool while to the right is the dining pavilion and well-equipped guest kitchen. Both pavilions have walls of glass doors to let the outside in and emphasise the fabulous view.

Beyond the dining pavilion is the decadent entertainment terrace. Stone steps lead from there down to the lower level. Straight ahead is the spa room and the superb gym, while a corridor leads first to the entertainment room with its 65-inch TV. Beyond are three bedrooms and a second set of stairs leading back up to the pool level, and, at the end, the second bedroom suite.  

BEDROOMS

Master Suite
A luxuriously imposing king-size four-poster bed waits between the wall of glass on the ocean side and a deep brick-coloured wall at the back, with a mysterious charcoal-coloured door. This opens onto a spiral staircase that leads up to an office and lounge above – a secret hideaway.

The suite’s large bathroom is fitted with twin vanities and a freestanding bathtub. To the left of that is the walk-in dressing room and wardrobe, while to the right is a separate shower enclosure and a glass door opening onto the swimming pool. For entertainment the suite has a TV with DVD player.

Second suite
Almost as spacious as the master suite, the second suite too has a king-size bed and a separate bathroom with freestanding tub. It also has a wide balcony with views to the sea and the wooded hillside next to the villa. This suite, too, has a TV with DVD player

Guest bedrooms 1, 2 and 3
These three similarly configured guest bedrooms, lie between the second suite and the entertainment room, all with acres of glass doors looking out to sea. Two are furnished with king-size beds while the third has twin beds and makes an ideal kids bedroom. Each ensuite bathroom is fitted with a shower and twin vanity, with a freestanding tub in one of the king-bedded ensuites.

LIVING AREAS

Indoor
As befits its tropical location, much of Villa M’s indoor living is almost outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors in the lounge and dining pavilions, and the master suite, open to allow the sea breezes and the view of the Andaman Sea to float into the interior, stirred by fans as large as helicopter rotors (though completely silent) to keep it all cool.

The living room has enough large orange sink-into sofas for everyone, and glasses and plates can be perched on wooden occasional tables shaped whimsically like Champagne corks or, in one case, a 2m-long clothes peg (a reminder, perhaps, of all that work that’s been left behind).

One wall is completely taken up with a mosaic of an Asian woman supine against a backdrop of skyscrapers. This is just one of the many pieces of art in Villa M that surprise and delight when you can tear your eyes away from the view. Next to it is a large bar.

To the right of the living pavilion is the dining space under a similarly vaulted roof and huge fan, and with three sides of folding glass doors. A comfortable table invites 12 people to sit and break bread together. To the rear is the guest kitchen, with coffee maker, toaster, five-burner gas range, griddle, electric oven and large fridge. Looking into the kitchen is the breakfast bar with five seats.

Downstairs, the gym is equipped with enough machinery to exercise every muscle you knew you had plus some you didn’t, along with a punch bag and a pool table. (For additional fees, a personal trainer or a Muay Thai boxing coach can be booked – just ask the villa manager).