If you’ve ever seen a photo of pristine, white sand beaches and wondered where it was, the chances are that it was at The Sarojin Khao Lak. This tropical paradise is one of the most unspoiled places in Thailand. The Sarojin is considered by many to be the most luxurious resort in the area.
The Sarojin Khao Lak
This luxurious Khao Lak hotel was awarded one of the 50 Best Resorts in the World by Conde Nast Traveller and their Readers’ Travel Awards for Best Hotels in Asia & The Indian Subcontinent.
It’s a one hour drive from Phuket airport in Phang Nga Province, with the Sarasin Bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland. You could fly first to Bangkok for a few days as we did, then on to Phuket. You’ll be picked up by one of The Sarojin’s private cars, with complimentary WiFi, cold towels and refreshments.
First Impressions of The Sarojin Hotel
It’s a scenic drive but we were glad to arrive at The Sarojin and to be welcomed by the charming staff. We’d heard before that they are like one big family and there certainly seems to be a real sense of pride in working here.
The Sarojin reception team handed us a pretty orchid bouquet and a refreshing drink. As you enter the resort, you can’t help but be blown away by the lush vegetation and beautiful lotus ponds.
Our check-in was quick and easy, and soon we were guided through the greenery to our Garden Residence.
Accommodation at The Sarojin
All of The Sarojin’s residences have their own private door and outdoor sun terrace. Our one bedroom residence was a spacious 95 square metres, with a clever open-plan design.
The wooden floor was positively gleaming! It was well equipped with complimentary WiFi, air conditioning, a safe and music system.
The highlight of our Garden Residence had to be the indoor/outdoor bathroom. The roof was covered so no bugs could enter but it gave you the pleasing sensation of being outdoors.
There were two showers – an adjustable one and a rainfall one, plus robes, slippers and a handy beach tote. Our bath had been beautifully adorned with flower petals before we arrived.
The terrace had a traditional Thai sala or open pavilion, protecting you from the sun and rain. It was perfect for relaxing after a hard day’s sunbathing
Amenities at The Sarojin
All rooms have complimentary water, coffee and tea as well as a fruit basket. The turn-down service was a nice surprise – first we were treated to a visit from these cuties…
…then a whole aquarium showed up after we took a boat trip ;-). Don’t you just love the creativity?
Facilities at The Sarojin
One of The Sarojin’s most celebrated features is it’s stunning swimming pool. Bordered by floating pavilions, it has a sunken jacuzzi area and looks great by day…
and equally magnificent by night!
Pathways Spa is a great place to ease away any tensions from the journey. It’s near the pool but tucked away behind a leafy boardwalk.
There are four open-air treatment pavilions, equipped with couples’ baths and rain showers as well as an air-conditioned facial treatment room. We enjoyed a couples’ massage and before our treatment, we were welcomed into a shady relaxation area.
We were asked to select a fragrance for our massage before being led to the comfortable treatment room. Our masseuses were very skilled and used a variety of different techniques to great effect.
Both of us drifted off to sleep at some point. You wake up feeling completely rejuvenated and the effect lasts for weeks afterwards. Not only that, our skin was silky smooth and prepped for sunbathing.
If you want to burn off some calories, there’s also a well-equipped gym and an adjacent book library with two computers – handy if you need to check in to your return flight. Complimentary all-terrain bikes are available and many guests borrow them to visit the nearby waterfall.
It’s roughly 15 minutes by bike and although we didn’t get time to go, many people told us how much they enjoyed the experience. On the last day of our visit, some of the staff and guests headed out on a charity bike ride.
The Sarojin are actively involved in the local community and established a Community Fund after the 2004 tsunami. It helps local schoolchildren and many other worthy causes.
Experiences at The Sarojin
Talking of experiences, the unmissable one is of course a walk along the beach. White Sand Beach is famous for being one of the most uncrowded and beautiful in Thailand.
Fishermen still set out from here in their traditional boats and you’ll be able to see them bringing their catches home at the end of the day. Guests at The Sarojin Khao Lak also enjoy complimentary use of paddle boards, sea kayaks, a dinghy boat and a hobie cat.
Snorkelling Trip from Khao Lak
One experience that we’d highly recommend is a snorkelling or scuba diving trip on board The Lady Sarojin to the Similan and Surin Islands’ Marine National Parks. Located an hour away, they are well-known for their exquisite coral and abundant marine life.
We chose the snorkelling trip and headed out via The Sarojin’s jetty onto their awaiting boat. The Lady Sarojin is a spacious and comfy vessel with a covered area to protect you from the sun or any showers. You can book her exclusively or join a group trip.
Soon we arrived at the reefs, and plunged into the water to explore its depths. With up to 30 metres visibility, it was easy to spot many colourful fish as well as sea turtles.
No wonder it’s considered one of the top 10 diving spots in the world. We were fortunate as the marine parks are only open from November to early May each year, in order to help preserve the area.
There are actually nine different islands and we sailed past number 8, with its impressive rock formation, nicknamed Donald Duck Rock. We docked to explore the largest island, Koh Similan. The water is lovely and warm for swimming.
We enjoyed some more snorkelling at the other islands before tucking into a delicious and healthy lunch on board.
Another unforgettable experience would be to get married at The Sarojin Khao Lak. This couple look like they are straight out of a Jack Vettriano painting.
The Sarojin is also a popular Thailand proposal spot, as you can book the whole swimming pool area at night and it’s lit up with candles, making for a very romantic ambiance.
Where to Eat at The Sarojin
The Sarojin Khao Lak offers a complimentary innovative all-day breakfast, a great idea if you don’t fancy eating before midday. Served at Ficus restaurant overlooking the lotus pond, there’s a large selection of pastries and a la carte dishes accompanied by sparkling wine, hot or cold drinks.
By night, Ficus is lit by candles and is an intimate place for an evening meal. We sampled a superb tasting menu here, with an impressive buffet laid out amongst the ficus tree.
They specialize in contemporary Mediterranean cuisine and as you can see, the presentation is second to none. You can choose to sit outside next to the water or inside to benefit from the air-conditioning.
There was a fantastic selection of desserts – the chocolate ones in particular were very tasty. Adjacent to Ficus is a cosy wine bar and cellar with 200 wines from around the world.
For beachfront dining, head to The Edge. The open air pavilion lets the breeze come through but protects you from the sun. This is a great place to enjoy Thai cuisine and to watch the sun set over the beach.
Before or after your meal, savour a cocktail in the Beach Bar. I think they should use this stylish bright blue decor in the hotel bedroom soft furnishings too.
Final Thoughts about The Sarojin Khao Lak
The Sarojin Khao Lak will wow you from the moment you arrive. Whether you’re looking for total relaxation or sporting activities and excursions, there’s something for everyone and the beauty of the area will have you coming back for more!
