Krabi / Rayavadee

We won’t exaggerate, but when the boat slips between the gateway of jungle-topped cliffs and slows upon reaching Rayavadee, well, let’s just say a gentle pinch may be in order.

Obscured beneath what seems to be their own bit of rainforest, kindred spirits to Robinson Crusoe feel right at home in their solitude. So intimate is the relationship between hotel and jungle, the domed villas snuggled between the greenery – not to mention the monkeys that swing overhead –  make life here feel blended with the endless flora and fauna.

At the tip of the Phranang peninsula, on Thailand’s Andaman coastline, Rayavadee is all about its unique environment and its restaurants are no exception. Unlike Crusoe, foodies dine on a fusion of Asian-meets-western fare both beach and poolside; but The Grotto restaurant takes the cake, sitting in a cave under an ancient cliff that makes the perfect frame for the beach and the waters beyond. Overindulgence finds it’s nemesis in the 26 acres of lush, tropical landscapes; where hikes up Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park’s highest peak, Hang Nak, and kayak trips around Ta Lane work off some calories. But, incidentally, also work up an appetite.

Travel notes:

• 94 double-storey pavilions; 7 luxurious villas with butlers
• 4 restaurants, including barbecues at The Grotto each evening, with advance reservation
• Spa offering extensive range of therapies based on ancient Thai healing
• Activities centre offering land, sea and cooking excursions
• Founding member of the Enlive Foundation working to protect Krabi’s fragile ecosystem