Luxury beach resorts, Thai island style

I slipped out of the villa, dressed only in my bathing costume, and walked across the small patch of grass to the beach. Seconds later, I dived into the crystal-clear water and swam across the bay. For me, this was as close to heaven as one could get. Later I would amble back to the villa, where my wife would be having coffee on our private terrace. I would shower in the little outdoor garden and then head off for breakfast. Our day would be spent between the beach, the pool and the villa.

In the late afternoon, we would go for a walk on the idyllic island or hire bikes and pedal down the sandy lanes that separate the beaches. My wife and I had wanted a holiday away from the crowds, but without sacrificing any luxury. We finally set our hearts on an island resort in Thailand. The Racha Resort, set on Racha Island about 45 minutes boat ride from Phuket, was named as one of the 100 “hottest” new hotels in the world by the respected Cond́é Nast magazine. It was the place we had long dreamt of.

Accommodation is in white-walled villas. Your every need is catered for – there is a TV and a DVD in the room, a daybed on the terrace and a spectacular indoor-outdoor bathroom in an enclosed garden. The hotel boasts three restaurants, bars, a magnificent swimming pool and a spa. You can even have a massage on the beach, looking out over the gentle waves.

The Racha Resort is one of a new breed of exclusive beach retreats springing up throughout Asia. The region has always had great hotels, but the trend has moved towards smaller, boutique resorts with specialised service and top-notch facilities. There is no fuss, no bother and certainly no queues.

The islands of southern Thailand can boast some of the very best resorts in the world. On Phuket Island there are many world-class resorts, but some of the smaller, more intimate retreats include Trisara and the Andaman White Beach Resort on Naithon Beach, the Chedi near Surin Beach and the legendary Amanpuri Resort. There’s also the fabulous Banyan Tree Hotel and Spa in the Laguna complex, recently voted the best resort in Asia. Superb villas have their own pools and spas, and you can dine or take cocktails in private salas, pavilions, overlooking the tranquil lagoon.

Only an hour away from Phuket is Phi-Phi Island, which became famous as the setting of the movie, The Beach, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. This is Thailand at its most beautiful. One of the picture-perfect resorts on the island is Zeavola, a five-star retreat that offers barefoot luxury in traditional wooden villas. This is where you go to ‘get away from it all’.

Phi-Phi, once a backpacker’s paradise, is going upmarket in a big way. A new Sofitel is scheduled to open soon and one of the more established resorts, the Phi-Phi Island Village Resort, recently unveiled luxurious new villas for their discerning guests.

For a relaxed, laid-back holiday, the island of Koh Yao Noi provides a total escape. It is set in Phang-Nga Bay, an area of spectacular limestone cliffs and uninhabited islands, about an hour’s boat trip from Phuket. Here you are a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of commercial life – there are no tacky curio shops, no nightclubs and no timeshare vendors. Your days will be spent exploring quiet little bays, strolling through coconut plantations or just dozing on the patio of your villa.

By Peter Graham, consultant for HotelTravel.com  – a company that offers advice and discounted rates at world-wide hotels, spas, and resorts.”

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