Insider's Guide with Stephen Yolland about QAV Residence

This interview features Stephen Yolland, an accomplished professional with a career spanning more than two decades in investment management, banking, and strategic sales leadership. Over the years, Stephen has honed his expertise and today, Stephen leads QAV Life as Sales Director, overseeing both QAV Residence—an award-winning villa development fusing Balinese-inspired design with modern sustainability—and the QAV Academy, an integrated hub for tennis, wellness, and community living in Phuket.

Under Stephen’s stewardship, QAV Residence has been recognised by FIABCI Prix d’Excellence (2023), DOT Property (2023), and the Asia Property Award (2024), underscoring the team’s commitment to sustainability and design excellence. Grounded in the belief that luxury real estate should align with values of wellbeing, health, and community connection, Stephen shares insights into Phuket’s evolving property landscape, the rise of wellness tourism, and how QAV sets a new benchmark by blending residences, sports, and holistic living into a single, coherent vision.

The main question on everyone’s lips: is it QAV or Quav?

It’s “Quav” to me. I pronounce it as “qua,” which comes from the Balinese language. The word carries a sense of wellness and strength, and that’s very much at the core of what we do. For us, it’s about creating a home environment surrounded by lush planting, natural space, and a focus on both mental and physical health—values that the wider Quav brand also stands for.

Can you tell us a bit about how QAV started and how it developed into what it is today?

QAV really began at Thanyapura with Gareth Jones and Tom Badham. They branched out on their own and eventually set up a tennis academy in Pasak. What started with three courts grew to six, and alongside that came a café, a resort project, a large gym, and a wellness center. We also already have a wellness clinic open.

From there, the natural next step was to create a residential component. We found this site, and it became the location for QAV Residence—a collection of luxury villas that complement the academy. The idea was straightforward: if people are coming for tennis and wellness, let’s also provide accommodation. For those staying longer—whether residents or regional buyers from places like Singapore or Hong Kong—the villas offer both a home and direct access to the lifestyle we’re building around the academy.

Tell us more about the tennis academy at QAV—what makes it stand out?

At QAV we have six covered tennis courts, and we coach players from as young as three years old right through to professional level. Our coaching team is truly international—we have Thai, British, Russian, and Finnish coaches, and we can train in English, Thai, Russian, and Chinese. The goal has always been to make tennis accessible for everyone. Whether it’s a complete beginner, a child just starting out, or a professional player looking to improve their ranking, we’ve built a program that caters to all levels. It’s not just about technical training either—it’s about creating a friendly, supportive atmosphere. We want people to feel part of a community, not like they’re back at school in a strict environment.

You mentioned a shift in Thailand’s tourism. What kind of changes are you seeing?

Over the last decade, Thailand has gone through a real transformation. Back in the early 2010s, tourism was dominated by backpackers—people coming here for cheap holidays, alcohol, and parties. Now, there’s been a big move toward wellness and health tourism.

We see more visitors from across Southeast Asia, and even further afield, who come here for a week of fitness, tennis, or health-focused retreats. Instead of going home heavier and more stressed after two weeks at an all-inclusive resort, they leave fitter, healthier, and often inspired to continue those habits. That’s the real difference—it’s not just a holiday, it becomes part of an ongoing lifestyle.

Can you give us an example of how guests continue their journey beyond their stay at QAV?

A good example is David, a player from Switzerland who spent seven days with us. In that short time, he really upskilled his tennis level while enjoying the environment here in Phuket. But the important part is what happens after he leaves—this isn’t just a one-off trip.

Because we have a network of coaches worldwide, I was able to connect him with trainers back home in Geneva. That way, he doesn’t just finish a two-week trip in Thailand and stop; he continues his tennis and wellness journey when he returns. That’s what we emphasize as coaches—it’s not just tennis. It’s about making friends, creating connections, and building habits that last well beyond the holiday.

Alongside the academy, you’ve also developed villas at QAV Residence. Can you tell us more about them?

Yes, we’ve designed a range of villas here, from three-bedroom layouts all the way up to five-bedroom homes, with different plot sizes to suit a variety of needs. Personally, I really like the design—it’s modern, but it also brings in natural elements like stone, which gives the homes a warm and timeless feel.

Another important aspect is family living. All of our villas include a family room upstairs, or at least the master bedroom located on the upper level. That creates a great balance between private spaces and communal areas, making the homes practical as well as beautiful. And of course, the villas take full advantage of the stunning views around us.

For anyone interested in learning more about QAV Residence, what’s the best way to get started?

The easiest way is to click the link we’ve provided below, where you’ll find all the information about QAV Residence. Everything is gathered in one place so it’s simple to download and explore. And of course, if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly. We’d be more than happy to help.