You probably heard this before – spending money on experiences makes you happier than buying stuff. So if you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas and new year gift for your loved ones, take them to a luxury villa escape.

The festive season is fast-approaching and whether you love it or loathe it jetting off to a luxury villa vacation escape might just be the best gift you can give yourself, your par amour or your family. An escape is not only about leaving behind the known, it is also about opening yourself up to new experiences and feelings. Tropical locations, stunningly beautiful villas, and incredible lifestyle experiences; Southeast Asian destinations such as the gorgeous islands of Phuket and Samui in Thailand and Bali in Indonesia are perfect places to celebrate the festive holidays.

The idea of getting away during the Christmas break or to celebrate New Year appeals for many different reasons. Here are just few.

Spending time with loved ones

‘Tis the season of sharing glad tidings with those around you and going away as a family, with a partner or group of friends can be a wonderfully bonding experience. Away from it all, you have time and space to really connect and create unforgettable memories that last forever.

Escaping from the same-old festive experiences

Whilst the festive season may inspire a desire for home comforts, a luxury villa is a superb home-away-from-home that is a welcome break the traditional home setting. After all, a change is as good as a rest, and whilst traditions can be wonderful, in the same setting year after year they can become a little tired and predictable.

Beachfront beauty of Villa Akatsuki in Koh Samui
A beautiful time of year in Southeast Asia

One word to describe the climate on island beauties such as Phuket, Samui, and Bali during December and January is ‘sublime’; cool sea breezes, the start or end of monsoon season, low humidity, and warm evenings. There is something exquisitely special about walking across a white-sand beach into sparkling turquoise waters, especially if you are leaving the cold of home behind.

Experiencing luxury is the best present ever

Appreciating the finer things in life and understanding how luxury and comfort is about creating a more enjoyable lifestyle. A vacation stay in a fabulous villa is the ultimate Christmas gift of peace and quiet, relaxation and beauty, and a feeling of pure joyfulness.

Enjoying an end-of-year rest

Whatever your lifestyle, there is a natural rhythm in life that when it gets to the end of the year you need to take your foot off the proverbial peddle and cruise into some much-needed, well-earned R&R. It is a great time to reflect on the year and give yourself some space to breathe before you set off on new adventures in 2018.

Creating a unique Christmas setting

Opening gifts as the blue sea laps at the sparkling white shore and savoring a special holiday meal with loved ones; there is something magical about heading to a tropical island at such a special time of year as Christmas. You will never forget spending a wonderfully different Christmas away from home as the sun shines, the stars twinkle and the spectacular views over your infinity pool inspire.

Taking it easy with a laid-back lifestyle

Whilst this time of year ‘tis the season to be merry, the reality is that the holidays can be incredibly stressful. The build-up to each occasion and the pressure to please everyone and make sure that everything is perfect can take the joy out of Christmas and New Year. This should be a time when you take it easy and enjoy the benefits of a laid-back holiday vibe.

Dining area at Villa Kalipay in Phuket
Making the most of festive dining and great service

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Eve; all grand opportunities to sit down to a sumptuous feast. The festive holidays are about indulging in fine foods and gourmet dining experiences. With your in-villa butler on hand to make your stay smooth, you can also enjoy the culinary delights of a dinner created by a private chef, whether a traditional roast or festive-inspired cuisine; whether at a long dining table indoors or al fresco dining by the pool.

Celebrating NY with friends or inspiring romance

Luxury villas are perfect vacation pads for groups of friends as they are often designed with holidays for over 10 guests, whether friends or two families sharing a vacation. With staff on hand to help out, the latest sound systems, outdoor lounge seating, and infinity pools, villas in Phuket, Samui, and Bali are made to host sophisticated, chic, and uber-cool New Year celebrations. Of course, this is a time for couples too and what better way to inspire romance than a luxurious tropical holiday? Games rooms, in-villa spas, and cinemas, or even a nightclub and other funky facilities add to the feature list of many luxury villas too.

Embracing new experiences in 2018

Start 2018 as you mean to go on, with an exciting and dynamic villa vacation experience. Travel and adventure can give you a new lease of life, inspire your imagination, and lead to new ideas and ways of being and living. You can celebrate a new you at New Year too; looking ahead and making plans for the future that are exhilarating and also brand new. Take the time to explore a new place, try a new activity such as diving, surfing or kayaking. Challenge who you really are and who you could be by discovering new interests and hidden talents and interests to yourself.

Inspiring balance in the body, mind and beyond for the year ahead

A luxury villa is often designed to be an idyllic retreat and private oasis; a place where you can relax to your very core. Giving yourself the space to just ‘breathe’ before you embark on 2018 gets your ready to start the year well prepared, both mentally and physically. Recharging your batteries leaves you feeling rejuvenated and inspires clarity of mind, sparks your imagination, and can impact every part of you, from your career to your philosophy on life, your relationships and your sense of self.