Rayavadee

Although it isn’t that far from the teeming, vibrant cacophony of Phuket — fifty miles as the crow flies — Rayavadee might as well be another planet. This is a place that trades in grand maximalist seclusion; a fact that should be fairly obvious, as the only way to reach the resort’s particular stretch of Southern Thailand’s dramatic Phranang Peninsula is by boat. As you approach, you’ll be greeted by sheer rock walls that seem to rise from the lush greenery of the peninsula. Scattered about the grounds of the hotel are some hundred-odd private pavilions and villas, inspired by the natural beauty of a traditional Thai village.

Although they range from deluxe up to the rather ostentatious Phranang villas, there are no losers among the accommodations. The circular design lends a feeling of airy openness to an already generous space, and large windows accent the interior with the greenery of the surrounding landscape. For guests who crave a type of solitude the white-sand beaches just can’t provide, some pavilions feature private, enclosed plunge pools; at the higher end, this outdoor space expands to include a jacuzzi and deck space for private entertaining.

Rayavadee is isolated, but it’s not a backwater — high-end dining is spread among four distinctive restaurants, while the spa is a luxurious throwback to ancient Thai wellness. Those who prefer a bit of retail therapy need not worry about the resort’s away-from-it-all location: there’s an on-site boutique shopping center, where you can browse the work of local artisans and craftspeople to your heart’s content.