Forget hotel “pool villas” and book yourself an actual villa. The stay-seven-pay-five-nights deal from Villa Samakee (Layan Estate, near Bangtao Beach, bookings@villasamakeee.com, www.villasamakkee.com) evens out to B158,000 for a week-long holiday. There’s no seaview, but you do get five bedrooms, a private 20-meter swimming pool, home theater, library, and around-the-clock staff and chef to fulfill your needs. Better to look at it as if you’re paying B4,515 per room per night, a rate comparable to regular hotel rooms.