Aleenta Resort & Spa, Phuket

Phuket’s no longer the untamed paradise it was, but a place like Aleenta proves that, if you pick your spot properly, you can still get that old desert-island feeling. Not quite the Robinson Crusoe feeling — the architecture sees to that, with urbane little villas and contemporary-styled loft suites replacing the more stereotypical thatched-roof huts — but a private and secluded feeling nonetheless.

Some of this is the scale — just fifteen villas and fifteen suites — but some of it is the sheer luxury of the place. Every room faces directly onto a private beach, looking out through floor-to-ceiling windows over the Andaman Sea. You’re 40 kilometers from Phuket town, close enough for a day trip but far enough to ignore it completely if you wish. And the physical comforts are impeccable: the custom-made beds are covered with sheets made from a custom-milled variety of Egyptian cotton. Rooms come with DVD players and pre-loaded iPods as well as, in some cases, outdoor showers, jacuzzis or even private plunge pools.

The cuisine is suitably light, a health-conscious approach — you’ll eat seafood and local organic produce, just like a real castaway would. However, unlike a castaway, you’ll have access to massage, aromatherapy and beauty treatments in the spa, in addition to outdoor diversions like scuba diving, sailing, even big-game fishing. Or just enjoy the low-tech charms of Natai Beach — soft white sand and crystal blue waters prove equally appealing for castaways and luxury travelers alike.

How to get there: Aleenta Phuket–Phang Nga is located on Natai Beach, a 20 minutes drive north of Phuket International Airport.