Avoid the post-Christmas blues! Grab your bikini and head for Khao Lak, Thailand
Still haven't had a chance to wind down after the frantic festive season? It's time to ditch the new year's sludgy snow for sun, sand and sunset cocktails by the pool bar... far, far away from your local frozen lido. And the best thing is you can catch up on lost sleep getting there!
WHERE TO GO? For sun, all the celebs are heading to Barbados and for snow, to Aspen. But if you really want to treat yourself to a relaxing week away that won't break the bank, head no further than Khao Lak, on Thailand's palm tree dotted south-western coastline.
WHERE TO STAY? Avoid the touristy island areas of Phuket and Ko Phi Phi, and head north until you reach pristine Khao Lak, situated about an hour's drive from Phuket Airport. Still trying to shake its reputation as one of the coastlines hardest hit by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, where 3,000 people died, resilient locals go out of their way to make you feel comfortable... and then some.
The JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa, built on the site of a former Sofitel where 300 guests and staff were killed, opened as a 298-room five star resort in mid-November. Five years since the tragedy struck, prices are still cheap - but won't always be. Now is the time to take advantage of deals most mere mortals would only dream of affording. New hotels pop up all the time, but the brand new five-star palatial resort is in a league of its own with the biggest lagoon-shaped pool in South East Asia. Even staff who survived the horror tidal wave that took their friends and family have stayed on despite its new ownership to restore holidaymakers' faith in the area.
Imagine over-the-top saluting security guards who somehow make you feel like royalty, pillows so perfect they will take up a serious chunk of your daily sunbathing gossip, and 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton linen. Then there's the three-kilometre-long lagoon pool you can slip into from your own private balcony, barbequed king prawns bigger than your hand during sunset seafood BBQs on the beach, and breakfasts so pretty (think tropical fruit sculpted in to mouth-watering shapes) they keep you smiling all day.
Hard as it is to contemplate life outside the kilometres of beachfront at your fingertips... you might start to feel a little guilty for spending too much time on cushion island (your luxurious king size bed). So pull yourself together, and channel the lemongrass-infused cold towel staff hand you upon your return to the resort, and book yourself in for an hour-long massage (which for a limited time only are being thrown in for free with some deals).
WHAT TO DO: Throw on your bikini or boardies and hit the Andaman Sea, where snorkelling and diving between the nine uninhabited Similan Islands is a must - it's the undisputed best location for diving in the 'country of smiles', and one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. Once you've sorted a ride to the jet boat jetty (about 10 minutes drive unless your driver gets lost like mine), relax for the next 70 minutes and let the professionals take care of all the essentials - sea-sickness tablets, eskies full of beer, clean, dry, fluffy towels aplenty, goggles, flippers and snorkles - they even know where to find ancient sea turtles. And here's a hint - nab an extra banana from your brekkie spread and throw half into the water. They LOVE the taste and before you know it, you'll be quoting scenes from Finding Nemo and hoping to catch a tube all the way along the eastern sea board. To join a small boat group of six for a day's snorkelling 50 kilometres from Khao Lak, will put you back only about 2,900 Baht (£55). Try it during the dry season between November to May when the sea is calmest - and ask to have lunch at 'Donald Duck' island.
Get off the beaten track through palm and rubber plantations to see the natural wonders and traditional life of Phang Nga Province. If you're a real adventure seeker, try Best Rafting 4 U down nearby Phang Nga river. They take amatuer and professional group lessons, with humour. Don't be afraid if your teacher declares "The worst thing that could happen out there is you could lose a few front teeth", you're not left to battle the ride by yourself. Two instructors will ride along with your group of four so when the force of the rapids take you screaming down the river dodging rocks and splashing through the waves, you just have to hold on for dear life.
If the thought of damaging your pearly whites is too much - try an elephant trek. There's loads to chose between from about 600 Baht (£11) - but make sure you find a company using healthy, well-treated elephants.
WHERE TO RELAX? Coming home without a full-body massage is a sin. So whether you want to brave a full hour of contortion with a Traditional Thai Massage, which blends yoga and Buddist spiritual practice, or opt for a gentler aroma treatment, you will convince yourself you should treat your body to more of this at home. The difference is the pay scale for an hour's treatment - which varies significantly from 50 quid in London to just 300 Baht (5 pound) at a makeshift beach hut.
WHAT TO EAT? If you think the hardest decision you'll make on your romantic getaway is factoring which bikini to wear snorkelling to avoid dubious tan lines, well, think again. It's all about deciding whether to stop at one plate of barbequed lobster, or five. Just do it - we assure you, gorging is nothing a healthy midnight swim to the sea from your room can't fix. Plus, the more you have in your stomach, the less the hangover will hurt.
Flavours in southern Thailand are influenced by neighbouring Malaysia and boast plenty of fresh coconut and turmeric. Whereas in the north, lime is everywhere. Be it a tried and tested Thai green curry, Pad Thai noodles, or trying something new like mango and coconut sticky rice pudding (the locals insist you try it - and it's soooo worth it), see how the dishes compare to your favourite take-away back home.
You can eat on little road-side stalls (locals can point you in the right direction), a bevy of seaside restaurants as far as the eye can see, or if you want to treat yourself to one of seven restaurants within the JW Marriott - then do it because prices are much the same as you would pay anywhere else in the area, and the cuisine - all sourced locally - is to die for. Choose between watching a cooking demo of local, regional and international cuisine on the Waterfront, or opt for traditional Thai at Ta-Krai - and ask for prawns.
HOW DO I GET THERE? Flights via Bangkok to Phuket aboard Thai Airways are super cheap - starting from £329 return from London to Phuket with Come Fli. Your hotel will arrange transfers from the airport upon request.
HURRY UP for a special deal for Fabulous readers: Take advantage of a unique opening deal at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa, valid till February 28, 2010. Ask for the 'Stay Five Pay Four' where rates start from 5,300 Baht (that's only £100 per room, per night) but be warned - rates will jump threefold come high season, following the resort's establishment. Click here for the FABULOUS offer
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTY ROSS
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