Island in the sun

All the villas are made from natural-shaded wood and bamboo, and decorated with wooden furniture. Nation photo/Ekkarat Sukpetch

An island that's often maligned due to the bad behaviour of the foreign tourists that flock to its famed full moon parties, Koh Phangan has plenty to offer the discern¬ing visitor - it's merely a question of heading to the spots where the party-goers don't go.

For total serenity, there are few places better than Rasananda Resort on the Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, where you can soak up seclusion surrounded by the rich tropical rainforest and looking out at the turquoise sea.

The resort is totally cut off from the world by steep and rutted roads so the most feasible way of getting there is by private speedboat from Samui.

Opened seven months ago by Khemchai Rasananda, the five-star resort is designed along the lines of a fishing village spread over 20 rai and fronting on 200 metres of beach. It features 44 spacious villas, connected by a long wooden bridge and surrounded with tropical plants and a narrow canal.

All the villas are made from natural-shaded wood and bamboo, and decorated with wooden furniture shaped like fishing tools and marine creatures. Though the concept is simple, each villa has an individual pool with terrace or private pavilion.

There's a large communal swimming pool with bubble beds and massage jets, a library that's well-stocked with magazines, books and free Internet, a restaurant serving international and local dishes, wine lounge, pool bar, boutique gym and yoga platform.

But the most charming facility is without doubt The Spa, which is perched on the top of hill and surrounded by a tropical garden and rocks. It's home to two cosy treat¬ment rooms, steam and sauna room and out door pavilions.

"Rasananda means the happiness before achieving nirvana and it comes from Khemchai's last name, which was bestowed by King Rama VI on his family," says resident man¬ager Sutathip Thongsongsri.

Seven room types are offered to the well-heeled guest, varying from Ocean Front Pool Villa to Thai Villa with Pool and Garden Suite with Pool, with sizes varying from 130 to 260 square-metres.

We stay overnight in the 200sqm Ocean Front Garden Suite in a room that's painted red and white and furnished with a king-size bed with snowy white linens and a sofa that doubles as a comfy extra bed. For entertainment, there's a 32inch LCD television with satellite, DVD player and home theatre with iPod access and a dozen Hollywood movies.

There's also a separate dressing room with a big mirror, clothesline, wooden drawers, safe box, slippers and robes. Alongside the mini-bar, we find a coffee maker and teapot plus snacks and a fridge well stocked with beverages. A choice of coffee and teas along with selected bottles of gin, whisky and vodka with deep-fried bananas and taro are complimentary.

The large bathroom has a shower with two washbasins and all toiletries you could possibly need. If you want a change in ambience, you can opt for the outdoor shower in a small garden. Our accommodation also comes with a pool and pavilion with sofa bed and pillows, from where we enjoy a scenic view of the sea and white beach.

The next morning, we pass on the traditional English breakfast, instead opting for French toast, pancakes and egg Benedict.

For those staying for a few days, there are several complimentary activities to stave off beach boredom including classes in Thai language, batik painting, yoga, napkin folding, aqua aerobics and basket. Kids can have fun with painting.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Convenient with full facilities and good service. 

Low point: The beachfront villas have no fences.

Pay for it: Rates start at Bt20,000 for a Garden Suite with Pool Villa and go up to Bt40,000 for an Ocean Front Pool Villa.

Find it: 5/5 Moo 5 Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani.

Phone it: (077) 239 555, email discover@rasananda.com.

Browse it: www.Rasananda.com