Making memories at Santhiya Resort & Spa - Koh Phangan, Thailand

Sigh. I've been day dreaming about an escape to one of my favourite islands in the world - Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. And after staying at Santhiya Resort & Spa for a week of tropical bliss a little while back, my mind has been wandering to that luxury little villa we had, set in the jungles in the hills surrounding the perfect crescent beach of Tong Nai Pan. 

Santhiya really embraces the natural beauty of such a stunning position - the resort has a very strong eco chic ethic, and the beauty of Thai culture and architecture shines through in the glorious teakwood accommodations. We even had our own private pool complete with outdoor bath tub and lush tropical gardens bursting with the sounds of wildlife. 

Cascading waterfalls run in to the amazing pools that stager the walk down from top of the resort to the beach below, which is calm and quiet - perfect for lazy days lying on lounges and dashing in to the ocean for dips! There's an amazing spa where you can bliss out, and the staff here are just so friendly. As for the ambience, couples will really appreciate the total privacy and peace here - romance is always on the agenda!

And though there is little reason to leave the comfort of the resort - everything you need for a holiday is right here - if you do feel like getting out to explore, the main beach of Tong Nai Pan is just a short stroll away over the headland. It makes for a lovely way to spend the afternoon sunsets, wandering along the shoreline to find the perfect little beach bar to pull up some sand under a coconut palm and enjoy the view (cocktail optional!), before wandering back to your resort retreat for a candlelit dinner by the beach or at the hilltop restaurant with a view of the bobbing lights of fishing boats below and the starry sky above.

Santhiya is only 30 minutes by speedboat from neighbouring island Koh Samui, so it's easy enough to tie it in to a longer stay and go island hopping around this incredible part of the world. 

Seeing these images makes me wonder .... what's taking me so long to book my next holiday? Time for another idyllic escape I think!

A little slice of luxury on Koh Phangan, Thailand

I'll tell you a well known secret. My favourite destination has, for the past 14 years, been a little island in the Gulf of Thailand called Koh Phangan. When I arrived there for the first time back in 1997 it was a minimalist version of what it is today. The kind of place where hippy backpackers flocked to live in rustic, ramshackle bungalows on the sand and swing in hammocks all day, every day. Or dance on the beach under the full moon at the now famous Full Moon Parties of Haad Rin. I was one of them (and always will be!). I go back every year (sometimes more) to spend as many days as I can allow for, chilling on the beach, dining out with friends, swimming in crystal seas, and doing daily yoga sessions at the delightfully rustic, family run Yoga Retreat at Haad Salad, my favourite place to awaken my body, get some reiki and massage before walking back down to the beach to while away the rest of the day doing as little as possible. And I've watched the island evolve on each trip back there. It's a strange mix of nostalgia and excitement to watch as Koh Phangan follows in the steps of its neighbour, Koh Samui, in becoming a luxury travel destination. 

See, the Koh Phangan of today has all grown up. While you can still rent out those shacks on the beach for a cheap rate, it's now also got some fantastic luxury options for accommodation, including private villas and some seriously luxe resorts.  Like the Rasananda Resort & Spa, which was built by the world class Anantara group of luxury hotels, set on the pristine beach of Tong Nai Pan. Contemporary yet uniquely Thai in style, Rasananda is an ideal beach hideaway for those seeking comfort and luxury with their tropical bliss. These beautiful, stylish suites and villas epitomise that modern exotic style that Thailand does so well. For the ultimate in romance, rent yourself one of their amazing private pool villas, so you'll never feel like leaving once you've checked in. Though, with the sands of Tong Nai Pan right there to be enjoyed, why would you stay indoors? This is all really enticing me back to yet another return visit to my island home away from home ... and this is where you'll find me!