Amanpuri
Accommodation consists of traditional Thai-style pavilions and villas scattered amongst the towering coconut palms; all rooms feature king-size beds and private outdoor terraces.
Facilities include a 27-metre infinity pool, a lap pool, a gym and six floodlit tennis courts. The beach club offers watersports such as windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba-diving, and the Aman Spa offers a range of massages, therapies and beauty treatments, as well as yoga.
The Amanpuri also has an extensive collection of boats, from small dinghies for picnicking at a nearby beach to 90ft luxury cruisers. Excursions include Phang Nga Bay with its array of spectacular limestone outcrops, and the Similan Islands with their excellent dive spots.
Last but not least, the resort's two restaurants serve excellent Thai and Italian cuisine, and there are torch-lit beach barbecues in the evenings.
Why We Love It
The flagship Aman resort, on the island of Phuket, is built on a verdant headland overlooking a white-sand beach and the Andaman Sea.
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
Anantara Phuket resort and spa is located on a quiet stretch of Mai Khao Beach in Phuket's more secluded and natural sunset coast.
The luxurious pool villas and gardens unfold over to the rugged coastal landscape. The gardens are designed by Bill Bensley and fuse the colourful tropical flora with age old traditions of Thai architecture creating a serene environment with vibrant culture.
Why We Love It
Anantara invites you to explore a more authentic side to Phuket's natural and historic coastal beauty.
Trisara
Overlooking a private bay on the quiet, northwest coastline of Phuket, the ultra-luxurious Trisara has arguably surpassed the Amanpuri as the finest resort on the island.
The 42 pool suites and villas are scattered amongst 40 acres of tropical forest, with views over the Andaman Sea. All have private infinity-edge pools, teak decks for sunbathing, and are fully wired with all the latest technology, including plasma TVs, DVD players, surround sound stereos and high-speed broadband internet.
The resort's white-sand beach is sheltered by two headlands and a coral reef provides great snorkeling and protects against the intrusion of noisy jet-skis. Sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are among the watersports on offer, and a dedicated PADI dive centre offers professional instruction and excursions to the region's best dive sites. Luxury motor yachts are available for half or full-day cruises to explore the beautiful coastline and islands close to Phuket.
The spa offers a variety of treatments and massages, as well as yoga and pilates. Other facilities include a 45-metre saltwater swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym and two floodlit tennis courts with a professional available for private coaching. Last but not least, Trisara serves excellent Thai and international cuisine, which you can enjoy in the restaurant, by the pool, on the beach, or in the privacy of your own villa.
Why We Love It
Every villa comes with its own private infinity-edged swimming pool.
Pimalai Resort & Spa
An hour by boat from the mainland, this secluded resort on the island of Koh Lanta is worlds away from the crowded beaches of many Thai islands.
Pimalai sits in 100 acres of tropical rainforest and has direct access to over half a mile of pristine white sandy beach. Accommodation ranges from deluxe rooms to two bedrooms villas and all have been decorated in a contemporary Thai design, with dark wood furniture, polished wooden floors and bamboo blinds.
There are eight restaurants and bars from which to choose, offering an extensive variety of cuisines to suit everyone's tastes. Each has its own style and ambience ranging from the relaxed Banyan Tree Pool Side Café to the elegant Seven Seas Wine Bar.
Facilities include two infinity pools, two tennis courts, a fitness room and a library. Guests can also enjoy a number of activities at the resort, from kayaking, sailing and diving to Thai cooking lessons, elephant trekking and excursions to the Lanta Marine National Park.
Why We Love It
For a more unusual activity, why not try the resort's Squid Safari. You'll be taught how to hook one of the slippery creatures and if you catch one, the staff will barbeque it for you!
The Surin, Phuket
Slip off the sandals and put your feet in the sand - The Surin Phuket brings a new level of luxury to Pansea Beach. This elegant resort is set on the shores of the Andaman Sea, with Phi Phi Island and Phang Nga Bay just around the corner.
The 103 suites and cottages are the image of understated elegance, surrounded by the lush nature of Phuket and decorated in cool neutral tones. Don't get too distracted by the white sand and turquoise waters before you, there are swaying coconut trees up above.
Offering a selection of international cuisines, guests at The Surin are spoiled for choice. Lomtalay Restaurant serves extensive buffet breakfasts with a view of the Adaman Sea, while the Sunset Cafe and Poolside serves Mediterranean and International fare. Alternatively, enjoy a romantic dinner al fresco under the stars serenaded by the soothing waves at Beach Restaurant, which offers authentic Thai cuisine and freshly grilled seafood.
Switch off and unwind at the Surin Spa, where you can leave the stress behind and melt into holiday mode. Yoga and meditation classes are also availble to help restore an inner (and outer) balance. For those feeling a bit more agile, there are a range of activities to delve into, including swimming, golfing, tennis and a selection of water sports.
Why We Love It
With only one other resort sharing the private bay, The Surin Phuket is as private as it is peaceful.
