No shoes, No shirt, No problem on Koh Phangan

I arrived during the calm before this storm and Koh Phangan felt more like a laid-back Kenny Chesney country music video than the scene of a giant dance party.

As I waded barefoot through the clear-blue water to get to the beach I could almost hear Kenny. “The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom. No shoes, no shirt, and no problems.’’

It is a 40-minute boat ride from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan island. Once you check your luggage in at the boat transfer desk you won’t see it again. That is until you arrive at your suite at the Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa.

The boat ride is a fun and relaxing way to arrive at your destination. Make sure you wear shorts though as you will need to wade through the shallow waters. Once there you are met with a warm welcome by the staff – including the general manager.

The ocean-view from the infinity pool.

I’m helped up the beach and a staff member rinses my feet before escorting me to the reception lounge.

Leave your shoes back in the room

Front office manager Zita says “you won’t need your shoes again until you leave’’. Even the dining room floor is sand – I can’t wait to enjoy a meal in the restaurant and sit and sift the sand through my toes.

The Anantara Rasananda is a little gem nestled among tall coconut trees on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach in the Gulf of Thailand. The resort is intimate with 64 villas and guest suites. I choose a beach-view suite but after a stroll around the resort I come across the garden villas and suites. Set in a tropical garden and overlooking beautiful ponds filled to the brim with varying colours of koi fish, I wonder if I should have opted for the garden-view accommodation.

My spacious suite is on the top floor (second floor) with polished timber ceilings and floors. The suite’s neutral palette of white and taupe walls is complemented by a red feature wall. The comfortable beds are adorned with floor-to-ceiling gauze mosquito nets while the well-appointed bathroom has a large shower that overlooks the plunge pool.

Large sliding doors open to your private deck with a plunge pool overlooking the sandy beach and the warm tranquil waters of the bay.

The beachfront at the resort.

The stone plunge pool, which sits in the shade of overhanging palm fronds, is refreshing and just the perfect temperature to cool off.

If you feel the need to do a few laps you can head to the resort’s stunning horizon pool which overlooks the beach. The pool also features a well-stocked wet bar.

Plenty of dining options

The resort offers a couple of dining options – Bistro@The Beach, is the signature restaurant, which offers both alfresco and covered dining, and dining by design experience, where you can choose to have a romantic meal in your villa or on the beach. For me, it was Bistro@The Beach every night.

I couldn’t get enough of the enchanting Koh Phangan setting. The comfy wicker chairs and smart timber tables are dotted through the whitest sand and numerous coconut trees swaying to their own beat. To my left is the stunning blue-lit horizon pool. Ahead I can just make out the flash of white foam as the sea caresses the sand and soft lights wax and wane as I sift the cool sand through my toes. It’s mesmerising and I couldn’t think of anywhere else in the world I would rather be.

The menu has a fusion of world-class Thai and European cuisine to tempt you. Twice a week the restaurant offers a full Thai buffet for dinner, which is delicious.

No Asian holiday is complete without trying out the spa and the Anantara Spa brand is well known for its luxe ambience and service.

Enjoy a relaxing massage.

You will find the spa next to the reception area. Stepping through ancient timber doors, you will find yourself gazing across a large koi fish pond covered with water lilies. Raised stepping stones lead you through a tranquil garden to the reception pavilion.

Spa setting is soothing

The spa has six treatment rooms that are perched at intervals clinging to the side of a tropical embankment. I was in treatment room two, which I reached by a timber staircase.

It’s a bit of a steep climb but on entering the classic Thai-style treatment room I realised the climb was worth it. The room has a glass wall that takes in a panoramic view across the bay.

As I collapse on the massage bed I feel so relaxed I could sink through to the floor. Spa treatments start at 2700 baht ($A90) for a 60-minute massage or 3500 baht ($A115) for a 60-minute facial. There are spa specials each day from 11am to 2pm but get in fast as these appointments go quickly.

The interior of the pool villa terrace.

Getting there

Staying there

For hotel bookings go to anantara.com

The endless oceans views.

This story was written by Alison Crisp.