This winter, skip crowded and touristy Hua Hin for a quieter getaway just a little further south. Located 22km from the beach town, the luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas (www.sheratonhuahinpranburi.com) is home to 53 private-garden villas surrounded by giant lotus ponds, boasting impressive views of the Gulf of Thailand.

If you plan to travel between Oct 1-30, Nov 1-30 and Dec 1-23, you can take advantage of the resort’s winter promotion for Thai residents (expats, that includes you too), where a pool villa will set you back B7,900 per night (originally B11,000), a duplex villa B9,900 per night (originally B14,000) and a pool villa suite (with 24-hour butler service!) B12,900 per night (originally B19,000).

If you ask us that's a pretty sweet deal, especially given it's high season.