Sugar Palm Karon Resort

Sleek, modern and trendy, Sugar Palm Karon Resort exudes confidence and cool. With its white, Zen-like serenity and contrasting jazzy bolts of colour, it takes design and attention to detail to a new level. And better still, it's just a few steps from one of Phuket's best beaches. The focal point of the resort is the huge swimming pool, a theatrical flourish surrounded by the rooms and overlooked by balconies. With mosaic columns and a deck extending out over the water, it's certainly eye-catching, and the ideal place to soak up the sun. The gardens, full of stately palms, make a wonderful place to stroll and switch off. The rooms are oases of calm and modernity, with light colours and plenty of space. The liberal use of glass in the rooms, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, create light, airy and contemporary interiors. Service throughout the resort is impeccable, and the cuisine in the restaurant is exceptional.

All rooms have views onto the central swimming pool or the mountains, near-silent individual air-conditioning, flat-screen television with satellite channels, DVD player, refrigerator and complimentary coffee and tea-making facilities. You also have complimentary Wi-Fi internet access throughout the hotel, including in your room. The bathrooms are the last word in stylish luxury, spacious and full of natural light. If you fancy a night in with a film, try the well-stocked DVD library. And if you fancy cooling off, head for the half-Olympic-sized swimming pool with Jacuzzi, right next to the large, verdant garden. Above, on the sundeck, you can grab a lounger and drift off with a book. The hotel also has an all-day restaurant, offering a mouth-watering selection of Thai and international dishes.

The hotel is very close to Kata Beach, bordering the turquoise Andaman Sea. This area has long been a popular destination for families, couples, and anybody else looking for sun, wonderful surroundings and good restaurants and nightlife. The nearest international airport is Phuket, about 40 km away; it can be reached either by car or taxi (about 45 minutes), or by the Airport bus to Phuket town, and then a local bus to Kata Beach.