On the rocks

Serene as it is spacious with coconut trees.

As we turn left at the Rocky Point Resort sign and drive down the gravel-covered track towards the sea, a small cluster of blue-roofed bungalows comes into focus.

From a distance it looks a little tacky but as we enter Rocky Point, we are pleased to find the resort is actually serene and spacious with coconut trees providing welcome shade. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic and the blue roofs are soon forgotten.

There are 16 guestrooms at Rocky Point Resort, each of them right by the sea and the rocks from which the resort gets its name.

Our room is quite simple, equipped with the features essential to a beach holiday. There's a double bed, satellite television, big wooden wardrobe and a spacious bathroom with both indoor and outdoor garden showers and hot water.

Ban Nam Sai, as our deluxe room is called, is big enough for two people and an extra bed could be added without our feeling too cramped. The walls are white, the furnishings wooden and a few silk cushions add colour to the bed. There's no telephone in the room, though there is a fridge, safety box and hair dryer.

Each room also has a large veranda with a view of the swimming pool and the sea. It's quiet on this Friday afternoon, even the wind has fallen. I sit down on a lounge chair and test the efficiency of the wireless Internet connection from the veranda; it works fine as well.

Rocky Point is devoted to relaxation and that theme is reflected in the décor. Looking around, the only decorative items I can see are the seahorse sand sculptures by the swimming pool.

Guests can also enjoy the lush tropical garden but should remember to cover themselves with insect repellent in the evening to combat the mosquitoes.

Breakfast is served at the one and only restaurant in the middle of the resort until 10am and guests can choose between Thai-style rice soup and American breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages and salad. Tea, coffee (instant) and bread with toaster are provided for guests to serve themselves.

Next to the breakfast counter, you'll find a map of the area. There's plenty to see so if you have a car, you can start planning your trip for the day. If you prefer to do nothing, head for the pool. The beach here is not spotlessly white and clean but full of rocks. You can also opt to go cycling or have the staff call a local Thai massage therapist to tend to you.

At night, green neon boats are out everywhere fishing for squid, a local delicacy and a must-try.

AT A GLANCE

High Point:  Rocky Point Resort is a great place for who want to get away from it all. If you don't have a car, it's only 5km from Thap Sakae train station.

Low Point: It's not a resort for those who want to swim in the sea or lounge on the beach.

Pay for it: The weekday rate is Bt1,600 a night, with rooms going for Bt2,000 on a long weekend. A VIP room is slightly more expensive at Bt2,500 for a long weekend and Bt2,200 for weekdays. The resort also has a family type bungalow with two bedrooms and a living room at Bt5,500 a night.

Find it: 90/1 Moo 7 Nohoo  Gwang, Thap Sakae, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77130

Contact it: (032) 815299300, email: Rocky.Point@hotmail.com

Browse it: www.RockyPointResort.net