highlighted this up and coming destination as a great getaway appealing to high-end travelers. This hidden gem offers a serene tropical escape rich with natural wonders and without the crowds of nearby tourist hotspot Phuket.

Idyllic Khao Lak
The Khao Lak area has the idyllic charm that originally made Phuket famous with its secluded white sand beaches and tranquil ambiance. Surrounded by nature, with five national parks, visitors can go jungle trekking, wildlife spotting, canoeing, kayaking, swimming near waterfalls or just soak up the splendor.

I loved gliding in a canoe in Khao Lak’s “Little Amazon” in the Sung Nae Canal” amid mangroves containing giant banyan trees with elaborate roots. This nature-wonderland is a haven for wildlife with macaque monkeys and brightly colored kingfishers. And a bamboo-rafting excursion through the lush forest accompanied by beautiful bluebirds and butterflies was so peaceful. Lunch at Samet Nangshe with its viewpoint over 2,600 feet high offered breathtaking panoramas of Phang-Nga Bay’s glimmering turquoise waters and backdrop of dramatic limestone peaks.

Phang-Nga Foodie Haven
Phang-Nga’s food and produce are locally grown and the region boasts an impressive dining scene with 12 Michelin-recommended venues. Acclaimed Chef Tam of 2 Michelin-starred Baan Tepa in Bangkok, has led culinary tours in Phang-Nga showcasing the superb local products. www.baantepabkk.com

Schedule a visit to 117 year old Tuangrat Bakery and see locals making a traditional dessert the same way they have for years. You can join in, meet the second and third generation family and taste the yummy treat. Then explore Takua Pa Old town with its Sino-Portuguese architecture and experience authentic local Thai culture. Meander about passing cafes, tea-houses, crafty shops, food stalls, clothing stores and striking street art murals. Perhaps stop at a nearby temple for a monk blessing ceremony.

Stay
With many luxury hotel options, the JW Marriott Khao Lake Resort & Spa is a standout. This stylish 5-star beachfront resort with Quan Spa, features elegant rooms, suites and villas, with handsome contemporary Thai design. Some of the rooms that have not been restyled do need some minor updating, however. Each pool access room has its own terrace and pool with access to the spectacularly long lagoon pool that meanders through the entire resort, covering a distance of almost 1 1/2 miles. It’s feels like Venice. The newly-opened beachfront villas have individual pools and Jacuzzis. Morning walks along pristine Khuk Khak Beach fronting the blue Andaman Sea were sublime.

The resort has an array of casual and fine dining venues that feature Thai, Japanese, Mediterranean and International favorites. I loved having breakfast at the beachfront eatery with its fantastic buffet. The JW Garden, spanning 27 acres, features over 200 varieties of indigenous plants, fruits, and herbs, along with a farm and guests can have guided tours. The Bamboo shark nursery and conservation center are well worth a visit. The resort can arrange off site tours including the ones I mentioned. www.marriott.com

The impressive new La Vita Sana Khao Lake Wellness Center, features an extensive array of wellness treatments and aesthetic offerings along with a farm to table restaurant and mindfulness center. www.lavitasanakhaolak.com

Owners La Flora Group also have hotels: Casa de la Flora (www.casadelaflora.com) and La Vela Khao Lak
(www. lavelakhaolak.com). Another luxe resort, The Little Shore Khao Lak had it’s grand opening just this June.
(www.thelittleshorekhaolak.com)

Phuket Without the Crowds
For those seeking a more serene getaway in this premier beach locale, The Intercontinental Phuket Resort is a welcome oasis. This 5-star stunner is nestled on pristine Kamala Beach, away from the crowds. Luxurious accommodations exude a relaxing vibe and are done in fetching modern Thai-inspired décor with top amenities and free standing tubs that call out for soaks. Spread over two wings, the Kamala Mountain Wing features rooms, lagoon villas and private pool villas while the Club InterContinental Beach Wing, features rooms and suites. The posh pool villas are more secluded and perfect for romantic stays like honeymooners. Guests here access the beach via the art adorned tunnel underpass or a 2-minute hotel buggy ride. The ultra stylish ocean view rooms with scenic balconies offer views of the gorgeous beach and Andaman Sea, as well as the most popular pool. And The InterContinental Club Lounge with its ocean views is a great spot for breakfast.

The resort has five different pools and seven themed dining outlets. After sunset cocktails at Pine Beach Bar along with a dazzling fire show, I was wowed by Michelin recommended Jaras Restaurant’s 9 course tasting menu paired with wine. Esteemed Chef Nui crafted an extraordinary culinary adventure that masterfully blends eco-conscious practices with the art of fine dining with dishes like exquisite blue crab leg meat salad, crab jumbo lump taco, yellow curry mousse, and mangrove fan palm shoot. For unrivaled rest and relaxation head to the stunning Sati Spa, just under the pagoda for pampering treatments and wellness rituals based on ancient Asian Traditions I got blissed-out in this beautiful haven of tranquility.
https://phuket.intercontinental.com

The Elephant Sanctuary and Phuket Old Town
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is an excellent responsible elephant experience where you can feed, touch and bathe these magnificent creatures who have finally found a home where they can be properly cared for and appreciated. After the visit, strolling lively Phuket Old Town with its brightly painted, century-old Chino-Portuguese townhouses and a lunch of superb Southern Thai cuisine at Tu Kab Khao, where the Royal Family eats, makes a perfect afternoon.

Whether you choose a getaway to Phang-Nga, Phuket or combine the two, you will surely enjoy The Land of Smiles with the sweet, friendly, big-hearted Thai people – like my amazing host ‘Bird’. For more info on travel to Thailand:

www.tourismthailand.org/home

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Khao Lake Resort & Spa