| More and more people today seek fulfilling | | | | woodlands. The property was set on extensive |
| holidays at cheaper rates. The days of | | | | grounds guaranteeing privacy by our own pool, |
| booking holidays at a local travel agent and | | | | and the bedrooms and facilities all lived up |
| disappearing on a package tour are dwindling, | | | | to or surpassed what we had seen described on |
| as vacationers turn to the internet to seek | | | | the internet. The kitchen showed up our own |
| alternatives. | | | | kitchen at home, and the shower garden in the |
| | | | master bedroom was a delightful touch. |
| Renting a private house is becoming more and | | | | |
| more common as visitors seek authenticity, | | | | When we said we loved Thai food, we were |
| privacy, independence, and originality whilst | | | | delighted to be taken off around the grounds |
| on holiday. And if such a stay also offers | | | | to pick our own herbs and spices – |
| the possibility of direct interaction with | | | | including strange plants that we had never |
| the locals and costs less than a hotel stay, | | | | considered using in the pot – before |
| the attractions are manifold. | | | | being shown how to make genuine Thai and |
| | | | Northeaster dishes. The owners seemed |
| In Thailand,more and more properties are now | | | | genuinely pleased to be able to impart their |
| available for direct rent from their owners | | | | knowledge and love of food – and we |
| on a daily or weekly basis. Thailand’s | | | | were equally happy to have this cooking |
| real estate boom has helped develop the | | | | lesson provided at no cost! |
| number of villas and holiday homes available. | | | | |
| It is in general a pity that these | | | | The property was fully serviced and the rate |
| properties still tend to be huddled together | | | | we paid covered all our meals and even |
| in the mass tourism markets of Pattaya, | | | | generous quantities of cool beer and fresh |
| Phuket, and Koh Samui, which somewhat defeats | | | | fruit juices. And as we were there in the |
| the original attractions of an independent | | | | mango season, we were encouraged to simply |
| holiday home. | | | | help ourselves to the fresh fruit straight |
| | | | from the trees… |
| However, looking more closely, it is not | | | | |
| difficult to narrow down one’s search | | | | It was rare to find a house deep in the Thai |
| and to locate private properties for rent at | | | | countryside, and truly off the beaten tourist |
| highly attractive rates in original | | | | track, that offered every comfort for a |
| destinations. And in accordance with the | | | | relaxing stay in the real Thailand. The |
| Thais’ legendary hospitality, these | | | | Visitors’ Book was full of glowing |
| villas are even occasionally rented out more | | | | comments and the many repeat guests bore |
| as if friends – rather than paying | | | | testimony to the visitors’ enjoyment of |
| guests - were being accommodated: meals are | | | | their stays, not only because of the property |
| cooked for you, transport arranged, and | | | | itself but because of the genuine welcome |
| invitations made to local ceremonies or | | | | they received. |
| festivals. In short, the Thais have realized | | | | |
| that, whilst some guests may prefer privacy, | | | | Tips on booking holiday homes: |
| others seek a genuine interaction at the | | | | |
| local level with the country’s | | | | • Try to book directly with the |
| inhabitants, as they seek a memorable local | | | | property site. Searches tend to list global |
| experience instead of a manufactured stay. | | | | villa rental sites that generally take a |
| | | | commission on your stay, making it more |
| Our exploration of Thailand’s holiday | | | | expensive, and in some cases try to prevent |
| home rentals led us to several very different | | | | you from contacting the owners directly. |
| properties, and clearly, whilst the supply is | | | | |
| not huge, the attractions of these homes, the | | | | • Look for an individual property |
| hospitality of the Thais, the zing of the | | | | rather than a house in a villa development. |
| delicious food and the promise of sun all | | | | The latter are often managed by hotel groups |
| make these properties a marvelous holiday | | | | and simply glorified hotel rooms – at |
| alternative. | | | | hotel rates! |
| | | | |
| We particularly enjoyed our stay at | | | | • Travel in the off season, but book |
| “Gecko Villa”. From the outset, | | | | early. Better rates can generally be found |
| their comprehensive website ( gave full | | | | for travel out of the tourist seasons, but do |
| details of the property, with numerous | | | | make sure you book ahead, as when a |
| photographs and an online availability | | | | standalone villa is booked, it is booked! |
| checker. Our email reservation was responded | | | | |
| to rapidly, and helpful suggestions made | | | | • Make sure the property you choose has |
| about getting to the destination. | | | | a telephone and address listed. |
| | | | |
| Upon arrival we were met at the airport by | | | | • Travel somewhere new! Much of the fun |
| the smiling owners and driven to the large | | | | of your own holiday house is the way it can |
| house that was set in the middle of emerald | | | | take you out of the tourist centres to enjoy |
| rice paddies, sugar cane plantations and | | | | a more authentic holiday. |