WE ARE A GROUP OF SIX FAMILIES AND WOULD LOVE TO FIND VILLA STYLE ACCOMMODATION FOR A HOLIDAY TOGETHER. A NUMBER OF US HAVE HAD BAD EXPERIENCES WITH BALI SO DON'T WANT TO RETURN THERE. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION?
C. ANDERSON, NEWTOWN
There are villas in Thailand that might work for you on the resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui but if Bali was not a great experience it might be better to look for a non-Asian destination. Villa complexes, which is probably what you're after for six families, are not as common in other parts of the world but one place you could look is Hawaii Head for the Hawaii Villas & Vacation Rentals page on the Luxury Retreats luxuryretreats.com.
You'd broaden your options in Hawaii if you were to choose condominium style accommodation, which can offer you the space as well as the facilities that you're probably looking for, although not quite the private walled domains that are usual among Balinese villas.
Aloha Condos alohacondos.com, the Waikiki Beach Vacation Condos outrigger.com and Condominium Rentals Hawaii crhmaui.com are just a few possibilities.
There is always our own Noosa, and there's a lot to like about the town including cheap airfares, short flights, a big array of adventures and activities as well as spas, great beaches and a strong café and dining culture - and our Aussie dollar still buys a dollar's worth of goods and services. Take a look at the Visit Noosa website visitnoosa.com.au.