Dining

Your private Thai chef with a background in the villa industry can serve meals indoors and outdoors. The nine-seater teak dining table in the open-plan dining room looks just as inviting as the titanic storm marble table by the poolside gas grill. And why not tuck into barbecued meats grilled on skewers at the covered outdoor lounge? There’s a round, low-slung table, and you can cover it should the sun make space for tropical rain.

Besides toast and jam, yoghurt and seasonal Thai fruits, breakfast favourites include pastries and bread rolls, while fresh honey pancakes cater to sweet tooths. Instead of individual servings, you can expect cooked meals to be served Thai style with enough of each dish for every guest. Thai staples typically include chicken fried rice or herb omelettes with steamed jasmine rice.

Unless you're out exploring the neighbourhood, lunch is usually an informal buffet on the poolside deck. Order your meals in the Smart House app and expect golden shrimp spring rolls in fresh rice paper drizzled with tamarind sauce. Popular Thai dishes include green curry chicken or prawn with aubergines. A European-friendlier version is Massaman, a coconut milk-based curry with beef or chicken and potatoes. For adventurous eaters, the chef can also rustle up a classic green papaya salad known as Som Tum in Thailand, or Mediterranean pasta if you fancy western food.

Your Villa Manager can shop for groceries on your behalf if you order in advance. Drinks and groceries are charged at market price plus a 20% handling fee, subject to government tax. Needless to say, you can also use the fully equipped kitchen.