The origins of our obsession with bathing are much more widely disputed. In 2013, Sir David Attenborough attracted controversy by lending support to a theory that suggests we descended from apes who spent a large portion of time in water, however, the scientific jury remains out. Now, we're supposed to be talking bathtubs here, so we'll spare you the ins and outs of the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis, but the point we're making, to intrigued travellers and sceptical scientists alike, is that once you've experienced the level of bathtub bliss that we've discovered around the globe, then the notion that our apelike ancestors enjoyed monkeying around in the water makes a lot of sense.
Looking back through history, one thing is abundantly clear - for thousands of years, humans have enjoyed a good old soak in the tub.
Rayavadee - Thailand
As far as stupendously beautiful bathtub views go, Rayavadee in Krabi, Thailand, exceeds all expectations. This two-bedroom villa is located right on the cusp of one of Krabi's finest white sand beaches, Phranang. On either side of you, limestone karst cliffs soar, home to colourful wildlife overlooking an aquamarine sea that stretches out into infinity. Your butler will fill your bath with fragrant Thai oils, scents and petals, leaving you to float away whilst gazing at the lush green and blue landscape in the distance. Soak in the luminous sunset from your tub, your lemongrass martini in hand, in one of Thailand's finest villas. With its own free-form swimming pool and built-in Jacuzzi, furnished in an elegant, contemporary Thai style, Rayavadee provides a perfect luxury beachfront location for your Thai holiday.
Lily Beach - Maldives
Across the Bay of Bengal, where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea, Lily Beach Resort and Spa on Huvahendhoo Island offers perhaps one of the most secluded bathtubs we've found. With nothing but a brilliant blue ocean and sparsely populated atolls in sight, the resort's overwater villas create a mesmeric ambience that you won't find anywhere else in the world. Even when you do manage to pull yourself away from the addictively relaxing tub, you more than likely won't stay dry for long, as Lily Beach is well known for the abundance of sealife inhabiting its shallow surrounding waters and reefs. With a host of PADI courses catering for beginners and even the most experienced of divers, you're free to delve into the home of majestic manta rays and seek out the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing a whale shark in its natural environment.
Six Senses Laamu - Maldives
We've saved the most unique of our bathtub views until last. There's no better way to start your Maldivian mornings than to do so with a dip in one of these innovative see-through tubs. In an age of global interconnectivity, anything worth paying for is worth replicating, but even when the day comes that some wily entrepreneur decides to feature this beautiful design in their rival resort, one thing that can't be recreated is the exceptional biodiversity you'll see swimming beneath you. Aside from your own private peepshow into nature, Six Senses Laamu has a multitude of features, which entice luxury lovers from around the world. From relaxation to recreation, you can take advantage of their tranquil world-class spa or pick up the pace with an array of land and watersports. Nowhere else will you find a bathtub view like Six Senses Laamu.
