We come every year to Thailand for Christmas and New Year's. We normally stay at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort but we were so disappointed with Meridien's service, management and the hotel in 2007 that we thought we would try something new.

We decided to rent a villa at L'Orchidee through Villa Getaways LTD. First of all, I would never use Villa Getaways (based in New Zealand) as an agent. We contracted for a partially villa and when we arrived, Villa Getaways had booked us in a different villa...same floor plan but decor was different and did not correspond to the photos of what we thought we were getting. The manager of the villa had me speak directly to Villa Getaways (George Ormond) to resolve the situation. George was extremely condescending to me and compared renting a villa to renting a hotel room, where you don't know what you are exactly getting...give me a break! Well, it all worked out thanks to Stephane the manager of L'Orchidee. He upgraded us to a beautiful 3 bedroom villa K12 and made our vacation paradise!!!

When you first arrive at L'Orchidee development you aren't sure what you signed up for because there isn't a grand entry. Your driver takes you on a tiny short road lined with lower end apartments and hotels. Ones you get through the security gate, you realize that you have entered into a well established development that feels very exclusive and tropical.

We arrived to our car park and take the private elevator up to our beautiful villa. WOW...First impression!! Words can't describe how beautiful the villa is and the quality of workmanship. You can see what the villas look like at www.endless-villas.com. The floor plan is so well planned where everyone has privacy in their quarters. The lighting in every room and outdoors adds the perfect romantic mood to the setting. Everything is perfect!!! You feel miles away from anyone but yet only a 3 minute walk to Patong beach. Also, at night all the sounds of the tropics (crickets, frogs, birds, etc) come alive making you feel you are deep in a jungle...just so relaxing.

We go to Phuket every year for the beach but we only went once to the beach during our 11 night stay in the villa! We enjoyed the infinity pool and the ocean view so much that we just stayed in the villa everyday. And if you are there on New Year's Eve expect to have a great firework show going on for hours!! All the hotels along the coast set off their fireworks and you can see everything from your villa...surround firework show!!

As far as the services, the management was great...Stephane and Irish were so kind to us and were very helpful. The maids were always on time to clean our villa and did a great job of cleaning up the kitchen after our dinners. The only comment I would make is the amenities need a big time upgrade but Irish told me that they have ordered better soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. Right now the amenities are better suited for a Holiday Inn.

I would rate L'Orchidee a 6 star experience...we will definitely return for another holiday.

For our first time in Phuket our group decided to rent out a villa for 9 days in Patong so we could all have the same 'base camp' to come back to. We arrived at L'Orichidee Residences (free transfer from airport) and were blown away by the absolute beauty of the scenery. Amazing views, gorgeous house - it felt like i was living the high life! The main living area has 5 couches and a huge kitchen with all up to date technology and the outside entertaining area is stunning - with an endless pool that overlooks Patong beach. The staff were great and the included taxi transfer from your villa to the beach made things easier (it is on quite a hill!). This place has to be seen to be believed and since we had a larger group of 9 (we each had our own rooms / coupled rooms) the cost worked out to be the same as staying in a hotel... would definately reccomend this to anyone and everyone.