The Houben Hotel, Adults Only

As far as we’re concerned, the main thing you want from a Thai beachside boutique hotel is just the right amount of isolation. For while this vast coastline and this sublime seascape are still as stunning as they’ve always been, there are places where it’s a bit of a struggle to see through the crowds to the scenery itself. The Houben Hotel, Adults Only, fair to say, suffers from no such problem. Here on a hillside overlooking the coast of Koh Lanta, the Andaman Sea is the star of the show — beaches are nice, but we all know elevated views are the best views.

The Houben goes out of its way to call itself a resort, and in spite of its very small size — no more than fifteen rooms — it offers a fairly complete, if pleasantly small-scale, resort experience. A small spa, a gorgeous red infinity pool, and a seafood-focused Thai restaurant and bar make up the public spaces, and they’re spaces you’ll spend a fair bit of time in — the beach, while certainly within walking distance, isn’t something you’ll stumble upon straight from your front door.

Rooms and suites are quite contemporary in an understated way, stylish but far from over-designed. There’s something about aggressive modern design that occasionally cuts against the spirit of relaxation, and the Houben chooses relaxation every time. Fortunately it’s a conflict that doesn’t arise often — for most of us, this is right in that sweet spot where the architecture and the environment are perfectly in balance.

Please note: The Houben Hotel, Adults Only does not accommodate guests under the age of 12.

How to get there: The Houben Hotel, Adults Only is located 38 miles from Trang Airport (TST) and 41 miles from Krabi International Airport (KBV).