When most people consider a beach getaway to Thailand, they think of Phuket, which is favoured by celebs such as Kate Moss, Liz Hurley and Michael Kors. But just one hour north of Phuket is the much quieter, and serene option of Khao Lak. What makes this area special is that it sits along the Andaman Sea, and also borders the jungle so visitors can spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon on an elephant trek””as well as dive the nearby Similan Islands. While there's no shortage of hotels in Khao Lak, the newest and most luxurious is the Sarojin.

The Sarojin is owned by British couple Andrew and Kate Kemp, who dreamed up the idea of the hotel over a bottle of champagne in a South African airport. Their vision was to create a hotel that felt more like a home away from home, with all the creature comforts but imminently more stylish- and with more amenities. But just days before the hotel was set to open, the devastating tsunami struck and the Kemps had to start over again from scratch (thankfully no one at the resort was seriously hurt).

The Sarojin re-opened on October 1, 2005 and the result is a gorgeous, stylish boutique hotel where nature is the central design element. The resort was built around an ancient ficus tree, which is now the focal point of its restaurant and standing under its gnarled branches is a perfect place to have afternoon cocktails.  One of the best aspects of the Sarojin is its manageable size. I'm not a fan of resorts which are so big you need to take a golf cart everywhere. Spread over 10 acres, everything at the Sarojin s a short walk away, whether that's the spa, the restaurant, the beach or your hotel room.

Although the design of the Sarojin is sleek and chic, the overall the vibe is casual. While we were staying at the hotel, we noticed one guest who appeared at breakfast every morning in his Chinese silk bathrobe and slippers. No one batted an eye. At the Sarojin, you could go barefoot all day or dress up; it's up to you and all part of making the hotel feel like a home. In keeping with the home theme, the Sarojin also features a library. I love this idea and why don't more hotels offer this? Guests can borrow books, cd's, magazines and newspapers from the well-stocked shelves.

The resort's 56 guestrooms are all open plan and modern- and would only feel like staying at a friend's home if your friend happened to be very rich, and chic. The rooms are clustered around a giant infinity pool- get there early in the morning and claim one of the chic, floating platforms for the day. Guests can choose from garden, beach front or pool side rooms although there is no bad room in terms of location or decor. Our room, a garden suite, was reached via a short bridge. The bathroom was separated by the living area by a dividing wall, and featured a huge oval soaking tub and open shower set in a dry garden of rocks (although I imagine keeping those stones muck free in the future will be a nightmare). Each room has a small semi private deck area where you can lay out on a day bed. As the vegetation grows in, the decks will become even more private. Other fabulous touches inside the rooms included complimentary snacks that you'd actually want to eat, such as taro chips and rolls.

The Sarojin has two restaurants- the waterside Edge serving Thai and Ficus, where high-end Italian fare is on the menu. If you're looking for something more romantic, the Sraojin can also organize beach barbecues. If you want a break from the resort without traveling too far, just next to the resort is the tiny The White Sands restaurant, with just a few tables in the sand. For about $10 (£5) you can feast on an entire steamed snapper, with fried rice and steamed vegetables, washed down with plenty of Singha beer with your toes stuck firmly in the sand.

Activity wise, there's plenty to do. There's a spa and the beach is a huge draw. The hotel offers complimentary water sports (kayaks, Hobie Cats) as well as a complimentary 10 minute massage by the spa staff. During our one week stay at the Sarojin, we tried to sample as many of the activities as possible. One day we took a cruise on the resort's Lady Sarojin yacht to the Similan Islands for a snorkeling trip, and another day was spent on an elephant trek. The resort can also arrange a trip to Phang Na, home to infamous James Bond Island, which is a must-see for any 007 aficionado. Or you can simply do nothing at all, and sit back and relax- which sure beats staying at a friend's house, no matter how chic it might be.

Rates start at 12,500 Thai baht (approximately $350 or £179)

The Sarojin
Khao Lak, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0)76 427 900-4

www.sarojin.com