Phuket Rentals

Phuket International Airport welcomed almost 2.2 million visitors in 2011, up 30 percent compared to 2010. Adding to that the many people who arrived on Phuket by other modes of transportation, and the total number suddenly becomes even higher.

Such figures also reveal that Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, loved and coveted by both local and foreign tourists. In fact, the island is one of the most desired places to live among expats, according to HSBC 2012 Expat Explorer survey. And it's easy to see why. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket enjoys a unique location in the southern part of Thailand overlooking the cluster of islands in stunning Phang Nga bay to the east and the open ocean to the west. Sprinkled with white sandy beaches and enjoying mild weather throughout the year, Phuket is guaranteed a steady stream of visitors for many years to come.

One of the businesses that has been thriving as a result of a growing number of visitors to the island is the villa rental business. Many companies, investors, and indeed tourists, have tapped into the demand for private villas as an alternative to the island's many excellent hotels and resorts. Larger groups travelling together are starting to appreciate the benefit of renting a private villa due to the added convenience and flexibility it affords. From an economic perspective, it may often be cheaper to rent a large villa between several people than to pay the high price for several rooms at a conventional hotel. Some resorts have also picked up on this trend and many are renovating their existing rooms to accommodate larger groups of visitors by adding villas to their inventories to offer a wider range of accommodation choices.

Phuket's rental villas are among the most beautiful in the world. Often constructed at a fraction of the price of their counterparts in places such as the French rivera, the Greek isles or the Caribbean, they nonetheless offer all the amenities, quality facilities and services expected of truly five-star accommodation. Depending on the visitors' needs, they are able to find villas with impressive features such as entertainment rooms with private cinema, table tennis and the latest video game consoles, as well as private spas and fitness facilities. Many villas are perched on Phuket's steep oceanside hills and boast impressive vistas over the Andaman Sea. A private pool is almost always guaranteed and depending on the owner's preferences, tasteful interiors done in traditional Thai style interior design or more contemporary minimalism can be expected.

In terms of location, the majority of villas are located amid the hills above the beaches lining the west coast of the island. Offering sweeping views over the azure blue sea, yet with easy access to the entertainment centres of Patong, Kata and Karon, they offer a nice mixture of privacy and seclusion amongst green surroundings with easy access to the many restaurants, bars and shopping venues below. The southeastern corner of the island at Cape Panwa has also seen a number of new developments lately, with some well-established resorts chains starting to offer private residences in this stunning location with views over Phan Nga bay.

With so many locations to choose from it can be difficult for first time visitors to find the perfect location. Phuket has several professional agencies who are able to guide visitors to their ideal villa in a location that fits their individual needs.