PHUKET

La Villa Rouge has full-time staff and also an in-house chef who whips up authentic Thai dishes upon request. 24-hour babysitting services are available and this villa is situated on the outskirts of the Laguna Resort area - which offers a variety of kids' clubs - on Bang Tao beach. Four bedrooms plus a maid's room - for La Villa Rouge's in-house maid or your own helper - sleep up to 10 adults and children. Tel: 9018 7935/8189 7795, www.lavillarouge-phuket.com, Email: thistle@starhub.net.sg

La Villa Rouge's Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Enjoy a wide variety of water sports plus elephant and horse rides on Bang Tao Beach. One of the highlights of the day is when Lily the baby elephant visits the beach for an afternoon dip. A visit to Laem Sing Beach is a real adventure, navigate the cliff-side dirt track carefully - very young children will need to be carried. Expect amazing views, a host of seafood restaurants, monkeys and a bright blue sea with fish swimming near to the shady beach. Mini golf at Dino Park (http://www.dinopark.com/), Karon Beach is a guaranteed hit with kids. Each of the 18 holes features authentic replicas of prehistoric creatures and an exciting view of an ancient world.

EAT Lotus Restaurant (Tel: 8179 73 110) at Bang Tao beach serves fabulous Thai food at extremely reasonable prices and caters for children. This beachside locale offers children the freedom to play while parents enjoy a relaxing meal.

Villa Inara, located three minutes walk away from Bang Tao beach, is fully staffed and offers children's toys, books and DVDs, plus babysitting services and 24-hour security. Four double bedrooms and a helper's room with a bunk bed sleep 10 adults and at least six children or more - depending on age. One of the double bedrooms is large enough to accommodate an additional two trundle beds and a small sofa bed comfortably. You'll find changing mats, a steriliser, bassinette, two high chairs and travel cots, child-sized tables and chairs, plates and cutlery plus internal doors with latches rather than locks. Don't stress about bringing supplies. Stock up on nappies, formula and food at Tesco's just 10 minutes drive away, Villa Inara can arrange to have everything you need waiting for you on arrival. www.villa-inara.com, info@villa-inara.com

Villa Inara's Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Go elephant trekking through rubber plantations and rainforest at Bang Pae Waterfall - also home to a gibbon sanctuary. Or at nearby Laguna Beach Resort Hotel, meet the two resident elephants over breakfast. Reptile shows abound throughout Phuket and adventurous teenagers will enjoy white water rafting, quad-biking and the local go-kart track. If it rains, go ten-pin bowling or to the movies at Central Mall. World-class golf is available at the Banyan Tree, just 15 minutes drive away.

EAT Layan Beach Restaurant and Babylon Beach Club on Bang Tao Beach offer casual fare. Five minutes drive away in the village of Cherng Talay, are some of Phuket's most popular restaurants, such as the Siam Supper Club (www.siamsupperclub.com) which serves a delicious menu alongside live jazz.