Hashtag Life sent writer Danielle Willett, author of Aussie Around The World to luxury resort, The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Thailand
November can bring a decent amount of both rain and tourists in most parts of Thailand. So, it’s not a stretch to say that arriving in Phuket airport, with torrential rain and having a private transfer at the ready is a warm way to welcome you to a resort. The Sarojin’s luxury transfer vehicle is equipped with complimentary WIFI, refreshments for the journey, an iPad for music selections, and opportunities to book activities. The journey is approximately 1.5 hours to Khao Lak, so you will appreciate the comfort.
On arrival to The Sarojin, I was greeted with a cold drink and towel, along with a short tour of the gardens and resort facilities whilst shown my room at one of the 28 Garden Residences. Now we all know that most homes don’t have signage on every door and corner throughout, and that’s exactly what the Sarojin prides itself on – no signs at their resort. You know where your room is, your backyard, your swimming pool, and the restaurants of course. It is the most luxurious and comfortable home away from home you’ll find yourself in, amongst the tranquil gardens, and alongside the stunning coastline.
Settling into my room was easy. A beautiful bathtub filled with petals and warm water was just what I needed after my flight. Feeling super relaxed, and with the rain settled, I went on a little adventure towards the beach – only a short stroll from my room. One of the Sarojin’s restaurants, Edge, is also situated overlooking the ocean and their Beach Bar is a perfect spot to grab a refreshing cocktail and some light Thai meals for the afternoon before venturing out. If you’d prefer to sit on the beach instead of in the restaurant, the friendly staff will bring your drinks and snacks to your sunbed on the sand.
The other restaurant on offer, Ficus is tucked away amongst the beautiful gardens, and surrounded by a gorgeous lotus pond and peaceful scenery. This is where you can indulge yourself in fine Mediterranean cuisine, a variety of delicious desserts and listen to great live music. Ficus restaurant also offers all-day breakfast with a glass of sparkling wine, so you can have a sneaky sleep in and not miss the breakfast period!
For ultimate relaxation, why not hang by the absolutely gorgeous poolside? I’d recommend grabbing a coconut water from the poolside bar, as well as a decent book, and laying back in the lounge areas for a day of ultimate chill. If you’re still in relax mode from there – book yourself into Pathways, the resort’s multi-award winning spa. A Thai massage is a must-do while in Thailand, but the staff at Pathways Spa go above and beyond in ensuring your experience is relaxing and enjoyable. They also offer couples’ spa treatments, facials, and a mix of body treatments. To finish of the day, I made use of my room’s facilities. The beautiful outdoor rainfall shower is a great alternative to the bathtub. I kicked back in my room, ordered some room service, while enjoying some drinks from the mini-bar. The room also has complimentary WIFI, a flat-screen TV and a comfortable king-sized bed to relax on in the cool air-conditioning. If you would prefer to take some time outside in the gardens still, make use of your outdoor Thai sun terrace, which is situated directly outside your front door.
I’m an extremely active person, so when I discovered that The Sarojin has a fitness centre, I made good use of that during my stay also. It isn’t open 24/7, but let’s all admit – this isn’t the place you’d come to if you wanted to work out at 3:00am. It’s a comforable sized gym, and has cardio equipment, small weights and machines available. If you are also the kind of person who loves being outdoors and up for a bit of adventure, check out the day trips on offer by the resort. There are snorkelling and diving trips, boat cruises, jungle treks, rock climbing and huge variety of other activities. The friendly staff at reception will help you with his if you haven’t pre-booked anything.
I opted for the bike riding tour, to gain a little insight into the local area and learn about the history of the Takuapa Old Town. Your guide will take you through the quiet streets and lanes in the countryside where you will be able to stop and visit some of the temples in the area. You will be loaded up with plenty of cold water, and the car won’t be far away with a refreshing cold towel when you have your breaks. If you enjoy learning about the Thai culture, then this is the tour for you! It is a half day trip, leaving in the morning – so allows for plenty of time for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities on your return.
Whilst staying at the resort, don’t be afraid to take a nice walk down the beach and enjoy the coastline of Khao Lak. There are plenty of fun and scenic spots to stop at so that you can soak up everything there is to love about Thailand.
Also be sure to make use of the other activities and facilities around. The Sarojin offers complimentary use of their water sports equipment on the beachfront, which include kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and windsurfers. If you are travelling with a partner, you can also take time out for some romantic activities, such as a private dinner next to a waterfall, or a private cruise, cave-canoeing and plenty of other activities. The Sarojin also boasts beautiful Pool Residences and Spa Suites for that extra special getaway.
The staff at The Sarojin will accommodate your every need, and guarantee you have the most relaxing and memorable time at their resort. They will also ensure a swift check-out and a comfortable journey back to the airport or your next destination. I will definitely be visiting The Sarojin again!
Contact: The Sarojin reservations@sarojin.com
Follow: Danielle Willett
