Made with natural and locally sourced materials, the building blends seamlessly with it’s lush green surroundings capped with cogon thatch roofs and spectacular wooden beams throughout. Two large indoor pools with circulating water keep the house naturally cool, working with the sea breeze to ventilate throughout.

The two guest rooms at La Casita are spacious, light and inviting. The suites are tastefully decorated with local Filipino art pieces, hand woven fabrics and intricate wood carvings. Open bathrooms invite the sea breeze to roll over the bamboo and keep the space cool, whilst sunlight streams in from the outside maintaining the bright and open feel that flows throughout the house.

An abundance of outdoor space invites you to relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the gentle sea breeze that rolls up the hill and cools the house. As the sun dips down into the sea below the forest, the golden hour light floods into La Casita giving a warmth and serene glow. My advice, settle down with a book in the Thai style garden den and listen as the forest comes alive.

Framed by Krabi’s famous limestone cliffs and luscious greenery, Anana Ecological Resort has been designed and built in harmony with it’s natural surroundings.  The grand outdoor pool is surrounded by greenery and hillside views. The pool is large enough to swim lengths, and the swim up bar is ideal for those who want a mid morning smoothie, an afternoon snack, or even a cheeky cocktail. 

Part of Anana’s sustainable endeavour includes an onsite vegetable garden, which provides fresh vegan farm produce for the hotel restaurant and café. Furthermore, the vegetable garden has been built in such a way that it can be enjoyed as a tranquil retreat. Pathways wind through the vegetables patches, taking you through beautiful bamboo structures that create pockets of shade. One such construct is used as a yoga shala, allowing you to take your practice in the peaceful gardens.

“I was standing on the beach looking out to the water and the waves swayed back and forth, it was like the sea was dancing for me” explained Poy, the designer and owner of the property, as he told the story of how Sea Dance Resort came to be. “We wanted to create somewhere that people can really be themselves, to find the rhythm of their own unique beat.” It’s all about letting go and unwinding, finding tranquility in nature, away from the everyday.

Nature is respected here, from the power of the sun and the sea, to the abundance of the local land. “We used as many locally sourced and natural products as possible throughout the resort.” The myriad of hand crafted bamboo structures and roof thatch made from tree leaves reflects the elegance of sustainable design. “The aim was always to blend in with the surroundings, to protect the land and the community, and to be as sustainable as possible.” And you can feel this passion as you walk around the resort, following small winding paths that hug the curves of the earth below, breathing fresh air from the vast variety of plants and trees, and watching the butterflies float by.

146 luxurious guest rooms and suites are accompanied by a large rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre, and 5 incredible themed restaurants. The rooms and suites are impeccably designed, showcasing unique artwork and carefully curated furnishings to create an elegant yet homelike feel. Themed rooms are great for families, maintaining all of the elegance of the hotel and incorporating inspiring themes such as ‘Le Petit Prince’, complete with themed notepaper, cushions, and wall art. All rooms are light and spacious, with Executive, Prestige and Elite rooms, and outstanding Premier and Royal suites. The most jaw-dropping of all is the Mayfull Suite, complete with 250 square meters of space, including a bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room, a private sauna and balcony.

Local culture is incorporated in the most beautiful way, using patterns and designs with historical and cultural significance. Chinese design inspired by the nearby Confucian Temple can be identified throughout the interior, such as the unique calligraphy brush lampshades that take centre stage in the guest rooms. The artwork and artefacts on display have all been carefully selected to bring something special. Local artists and charities are supported through seasonal exhibitions at the hotel, reflecting the hotel values of community empowerment and the importance of retaining Taiwanese history and heritage.

The warming sense of community begins at the door of Silks Place Tainan. Two large Taiwanese ‘welcome drums’ invite you into the grand lobby, while a friendly face offers a comforting cup of sweet tea.

The resort is set in luscious green surrounds that span the hillside to the beachfront. The spacious setting creates a sense of tranquillity that is often hard to find in a holiday resort. Even the villas and rooms are well spaced, with some offering a hillside forest view and others overlooking the sea. It gives the feeling of being in a small hotel or private villa, but with all the benefits and facilities of a high-end luxury resort.

Take off your shoes and turn off your phone. It’s time to reset, reconnect, and rejuvenate. There’s an energy that fills the air at Island Hideout, a peaceful yet invigorating energy. The fresh air, the unbeatable views over the jungle to the ocean, and being surrounded purely by nature. In a world of concrete and technology, it’s a blessing to be free in this way.

Listen to the symphony of cicadas as they sing in harmony, with a mesmerising crescendo and synchronised end to the piece. Fall asleep to the sounds of the leaves blowing lightly in the wind. There’s something so comforting about sleeping beneath a mosquito net within an open air room, and waking up with the sunrise as the morning light illuminates the jungle below.