The Racha Resort

Romantic hotel on a small tropical island south of Phuket: perfect for weddings, honeymoons and upscale R&R

Forty minutes by speedboat from Phuket lies a coral-fringed island called Ko Racha Yai. It has a small local population, buffalo in the fields, soldier lines of coconut trees, 2 little shops, a couple of beachside bars and a few impromptu massage huts. And, in a small cove backed by a white sand beach, it also has The Racha, a sparkling resort.

The hotel is laid out over a hillside, with white cubes and shingle roofs lining lanes where tuk-tuks deliver brides and bags to their 84 villas (or a quirky 2-bedroom lighthouse). This is a dreamy honeymoon – or even wedding – destination, with sunset-lit arbours and cream satin chairs making an almost weekly appearance on the beach. It has a beautifully secluded feel, and its 2 gorgeous pools, 3 bar areas, roomy library, veritable temple of a spa and 4 very different restaurants keep guests nicely spread out. If you're not here because it's (officially) one of the most romantic hotels in the world, then you're probably here for the snorkelling and diving. It's said to be fabulous, and there's a PADI Dive Centre on site.

Highs

• Stylish, white Zen-like rooms (some with private pools) overlooking a stunning bay
• As a honeymooner, finding kaleidoscopic fresh fruit and wine in your villa, and the bed extravagantly decorated with roses and petals
• Lying on your back in your garden terrace, counting the sea eagles
• Wading out into a crystal clear turquoise bay with not another soul between you and the horizon
• Padding barefoot to breakfast – a sumptuous east-west buffet
• Sipping a sunset Mai Tai in one of the ultra-romantic daybeds

Lows

• Hard to get to: we'd recommend a stay on Phuket first to break up a long-haul journey. You must arrive at Phuket airport before 3pm to make the last transfer
• The speedboat ride to and from Phuket can be bumpy and the eco-pontoon isn't the easiest to walk along
• Flotsam and jetsam can wash up overnight on the beach but there's a daily clean-up
• The beach is public. Sitting on a lounger incurs a charge, in high season there's a constant stream of daytrippers
• The hotel does have a slightly resorty feel – as long as you're prepared for that, you won't be disappointed
• No nightlife – even the hotel's Filipino trio packs up by 9pm