Hi,

My huband and I have done a fair amount of traveling but never taken a slow vacation to just lounge around and relax. Does anyone know of a small hotel/inn/retreat where guests have their own small pools for under $400?

This may be an unrealistic request but thought if anymore knew of one, it would be someone on this board. We're hoping to find such a place in Asia first (we love Asia!) before trying other locales like Mexico and the Caribbean.

Thanks for your help!

If you are going on low season, perhaps Arahmas at Phuket would fit you: they have pool villas on Sawadee around 250-300$.

I think the Sala Samui on Koh Samui might be exactly what you are looking for. We just stayed there as part of our honeymoon, and it was a fabulous place. The rooms are amazing, and almost all of them have their own privatg pools. Plus, the resort has two georgeous pools and a nice beach. The service was amazing, and it is a place we definitely plan on returning in the future.

My husband and I had the most relaxing vacation ever during our short stay the Evason Hideaway Ana Mandara in Vietnam. The villas with pools were right on the beach, but still very secluded and private. The rate we got from vietnamstay.com was $430 per night including tax and huge breakfast.

For our plans next year, we again definitley want a private pool. We are considering the Royal Pita Maha in Bali (great package on luxurylink.com). The rooms/villas have huge private pools with views over the river valley (not small plunge pools which most places have). There are many other options on Bali with private pools for well under $400...I would take a look at Bali.

Was just reading last week that Banyan Tree Phuket has a low season special of a pool villa for right at $400.

I think the Komaneka Suites in Ubud, Bali is also under $400 a night for a pool villa (I got it for under $300 last year). July and August are high season on Bali, but you still might be able to get some good deals there, since they're still trying to get people to come back.

Ubud is my idea of the perfect place to just hang out and not do much of anything.

bali would be my first choice and there are several places with private pools there

Flatfeet,
I second the recommendation of Luxury Link...if you're flexible about the dates and check the availability prior to bidding you can find some excellent deals particularly on the type of hotel room you're discussing.

One thing you should know is that these private pools are often very small, definately more of the plucnge rather than lap swimming variety. I was recently in Bali and the private pools at the Royal Pita Maha were very large. Bali is a great destination for this sort of thing and because of Indonesia's difficulties rates are very reasonable and HIGHLY negotiable.

flatfeet, Bali is overflowing (excuse the pun) with villas with private pools. If you would like a resort environment try the Four Seasons Jimbaran, Ritz Carlton, the Club at the Legian or the Sofitel.

If you'd prefer a free-standing villa just google Bali villa and you will have more choices that you could possibly imagine.

As others have mentioned tourism in Bali is depressed right now and you can negotiate a good rate.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

When some of you say "negotiable" rates, do you mean to try for 15% or 50% off? I love a good deal but don't want to insult anyone.

Depends on the place. Big places like the Ritz Carlton, for example, won't be as negotiable, if they are negotiable at all. Smaller, privately owned places are more negotiable. You wouldn't insult anyone by asking for their best possible rate.

Check out the Kumarakom Lake Resort in [www.klresorts.com] in Kerala.

Someone reported on one of the Evason resorts south of Hua Hin that had private pools. They gave it rave reviews.

You need to tell us what time of year as you no doubt want to be somewhere with good weather, tell us time of year and then it makes it easier to suggest places.
Also the sort of things you like to do away from the resort, do you want quiet, nature, or do you want somewhere near restaurants, shopping etc.

Just to add that rates vary by season too, so what is 400 one time of year could be 200 or 600 another time.

I don't know if it counts as small to you at 108 rooms but the Maya Ubud in Bali has wonderful pool villas (in addition to regular rooms). You can get one for $381/nt inclusive of tax, service and breakfast at www.balidiscovery.com - We stayed there and had a great time. Rooms are nice and spacious - about 5 minutes outside of Ubud.

I forgot to mention that the $381 rate for Maya Ubud is year-round and NOT seasonal.

Take a look at Puri Wulandari in Ubud Bali. Incredible private villas overlooking the river and mountains. We stayed on their romance package for around 400 per night and it included some meals and breakfast and some other perks, a massage I think. You also will have a personal butler to take care of anything you wish to do. Deal with them directly not through SLH. as stated before tourism is down in Bali and they will probably negaotiate. This is a place for ultimate pampering and relaxation. You will feel you are the only couple there.

Wow, great suggestions. Thanks everyone!

JamesA, good questions. Thinking about beginning of August for 2 weeks (yes very last minute!). In terms of activities, less shopping and more outdoors...hiking, sailing, fishing, safaris, jungles, all that good stuff. But also lot of relaxation time to just lounge around our pool. And yes must have good food in the region, we eat pretty much everything. Thanks.

Ubud, Bali is a good base for some outdoor activities: whitewater rafting and hiking, in particular. There are also a number of good restaurants in Ubud.

Ok so if it's August we need to eliminate certain places due to weather. Ubud on Bali sounds it would suit you, another option if 'beach' isn't important would be somewhere in Northern Thailand, there are some small lux places around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai which gives you nature and scenery.

I will leave bali suggestions to those Bali experts.

If you did considor Northern Thailand, the Sukantara Chiang Mai ( out of town natural surrounds ) is just under USD 400 for a Pool Suite Villa, The legend Boutique resort on the River in Chiang rai, top Pool Villa with Pool around USD 170.