Luxury villa vacations are often imagined as serene escapes—lounging by infinity pools, savoring chef-prepared meals, and soaking in panoramic views. Yet, the most memorable villa stays are not only about rest; they are also about play. The true appeal lies in combining indulgent villa living with active sports, creating a “stay-in-style & move-in-motion” experience where relaxation meets energy.
High-end holiday homes, particularly in destinations like Phuket, are increasingly designed to offer more than passive leisure. Beyond the sunbeds and spa rooms, they provide opportunities to move, sweat, and bond through sport. Private tennis courts, squash rooms, basketball courts, and beachfront volleyball nets are no longer rare extras—they are becoming defining features of luxury properties. For discerning travelers searching for Phuket villa rentals, having dedicated sports facilities, apart from the common villa amenities, is now a key consideration, reflecting the growing demand for wellness-oriented holidays.
This shift mirrors a broader trend in luxury travel: guests want balance. They seek spaces where they can recharge in comfort while also embracing activity, whether through family-friendly games or fitness-focused routines. In this article, we explore six sports to try during your villa vacation—why they matter, where to play them, and how they elevate the villa experience into something truly dynamic and unforgettable.
Blending Indulgence and Energy in Modern Villa Travel
Luxury travel especially, in Phuket is evolving, and with it, the expectations of today’s guests. Comfort alone is no longer enough—wellness and activity have become essential components of a truly memorable holiday. The global trend toward active lifestyles has reshaped how travelers view villa stays: these properties are no longer passive retreats but dynamic playgrounds where rest and recreation coexist.
Modern travelers increasingly crave balance, seeking holidays that allow them to lounge by the pool while also staying active, energized, and engaged. According to a JLL Thailand insights article, the country’s sports equipment retail index has risen by more than 136% since 2019, highlighting the growing appetite for active recreation.
Villas with private courts and dedicated amenities cater perfectly to this trend, giving guests the flexibility and privacy to play at their own pace. Beyond fitness, sports also create bonding moments, keeping teens entertained and helping families maintain routines without compromise. Ultimately, a villa stay offers something unique—the ability to pair indulgent luxury rest with serious play, ensuring every holiday feels both restorative and invigorating.
1. Tennis: Classic Elegance Meets Villa Lifestyle
Why tennis works: Tennis is familiar, accessible across ages, and requires only moderate skill to enjoy. A full-sized court elevates a villa stay, offering both recreation and fitness.
Villa example: Villa Amaravida in Phuket features its own tennis court, alongside basketball and squash facilities.
2. Basketball: Social Energy in Motion
Why basketball adds fun: Basketball injects instant excitement into a villa vacation, offering a fast-paced, high-energy game that thrives on teamwork and friendly competition. It is particularly appealing to teens and young adults, who enjoy the dynamic rhythm and social atmosphere the sport creates. Beyond fitness, basketball encourages bonding—whether through casual shootarounds or spirited matches that bring families and groups together. Its versatility makes it a highlight of any villa stay, providing both entertainment and exercise in one engaging package.
Villa examples: Villa Amaravida includes a dedicated basketball court; Villa Amarapura in Phuket offers a combined basketball/badminton court for versatile play.
3. Pickleball & Padel: Trendy and Villa-Friendly
Why they’re trending: Pickleball and padel are among the fastest-growing racquet sports globally. According to UPA Asia and YouGov, 1.9 billion people in Asia are aware of pickleball, and 812 million have played it at least once, with growth rates of about 60% year-on-year across 12 territories. Meanwhile, padel is booming worldwide, with over 7,000 new courts built in 2024 alone and more than 50,000 courts globally by 2025.
Villa example: While specific pickleball/padel courts are rare in listings, many villas in our portfolio offer pickleball court access within the estate like Villa La Thale and Villa Varya.
4. Squash: High-Intensity, Private Play
Why squash works: Squash is compact yet incredibly intense, delivering a full-body workout in a relatively small space. It appeals to fitness-focused guests who want a private, high-energy sport that challenges stamina, agility, and focus. Unlike larger court games, squash offers a more controlled environment, making it ideal for those who prefer indoor activity.
Villa example: Villa Amaravida explicitly features a squash court, giving guests the rare chance to enjoy this elite sport within a luxury setting.
5. Badminton: Versatile Family Fun
Why badminton fits: Badminton is a lower-impact sport compared to squash, making it accessible and enjoyable for guests of all ages. Its versatility is one of its greatest strengths—it can be set up indoors for a controlled environment or outdoors for a breezy, casual game. This flexibility makes badminton an ideal choice for villa vacations, where families and groups often seek activities that are both fun and inclusive. The sport encourages light exercise, laughter, and bonding, while still offering enough challenge to keep more competitive players engaged.
Villa example: Villa Amarapura in Phuket lists a basketball/badminton court, giving guests the option to enjoy this adaptable sport in a dedicated space.
6. Beach Volleyball: Sport Meets Seaside
Why beach volleyball shines: Few activities capture the essence of a seaside villa stay like beach volleyball. Combining sport, sand, and sea, it delivers both energy and fun in a setting that feels effortlessly social. The game is ideal for groups or teens, encouraging teamwork, laughter, and friendly competition while taking advantage of the natural beachfront environment.
Villa examples: Villa Essenza and Villa Amarelo both offer stunning beachfront settings perfectly suited for volleyball play.
Rest and Play in Perfect Balance
A villa vacation needn’t be passive. With the right amenities, guests can enjoy serious play alongside luxurious rest, striking the balance that defines modern luxury travel. Today’s discerning travelers increasingly seek experiences that blend indulgence with activity, and villas equipped with sports facilities deliver exactly that. From full-sized tennis courts to private squash rooms and beachfront volleyball nets, these properties evolve into holistic retreats where wellness, bonding, and indulgence naturally coexist.
Checking for sports amenities when selecting a villa is more than a minor detail—it’s a way to align your holiday with your lifestyle. Families benefit from the bonding opportunities of shared games, teens stay entertained with high-energy activities, and fitness-conscious guests maintain their routines without compromise.
Whether it’s a friendly tennis match at Villa Amaravida, a lively basketball game at Villa Amarapura, or a sunset beach volleyball session at Villa Essenza, the choice of villa can set the rhythm of the entire holiday. For travelers unwilling to choose between movement and comfort, the solution is clear: explore the curated collection of premium villas from The Luxury Signature, where adrenaline and serenity meet in perfect harmony.
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Featured Image: Villa Amaravida
The Luxury Signature represents and manages reservations of the finest villa rentals in Southeast Asia, specializing in some of the most stunning destinations including the islands of Phuket and Samui in Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.
