The what? The Sarojin - a luxury boutique resort in Khao Lak, Thailand, most conveniently reached by the daily Dragonair flight to nearby Phuket, then by boat. The name, according to the owners (former Hong Kong residents Andrew and Kate Kemp), 'is inspired by the mythical Lady Sarojin, daughter of a prominent Thai nobleman'. Thanks to her, the family home was noted for its hospitality.
What's the place like? There are 56 suites spread over seven two-storey buildings in a horseshoe shape around pools and trees. Most are garden residences with a bedroom and bathroom of roughly equal size (rain shower and pebble floor at the back, high-quality Juku amenities within) and a small garden beside a lounge sala at the front. Pool residences are much the same but, yes, with a pool, offering varying degrees of privacy depending on the maturity of the foliage. Best of all are the 14 Sarojin suites (right). These occupy the top floors and offer better privacy and views. Reserve number 708 for the best of both.
Fun for all the family? Not really, because the resort discourages children under 12. This is a place for couples looking for an amorous retreat, which means it is romantic, especially on the beach. Largely modelled by the 2004 tsunami, which delayed the Sarojin's opening for a year, it is peppered with oddly placed trees and pieces of driftwood, which create a striking ambience at sunset. Grab the beach bag from your wardrobe in the late afternoon, throw in a bottle of wine and wait for the sun to go down and the fireflies to come out.
What's on the menu? A superb breakfast is served under a sprawling old ficus tree for a flat fee of 825 baht (HK$200) a day. Thai food at beachfront restaurant The Edge is authentic and reasonably priced.
What's the spa like? The spa isn't the Sarojin's strong point. All the usual therapies and treatments are on offer but the thin partitions between rooms aren't soundproof and fruit flies from the adjacent mangrove swamps may make their presence felt. That said, all guests receive a free 30-minute spa massage voucher, so try it for yourself.
What else is there to do? The Sarojin is big on excursions. There is a long list of things to do - on the water and inland - and the resort manages it all, so you won't be at the mercy of off-site companies.
