rasananda resort spa: koh phangan hotels beach

Location

The minute you step off the speed boat from Koh Samui and jump off the stern into the turquoise waters in front of Rasananda, you feel like you’ve rediscovered travelling. The difference here is that they afford you every luxury, whilst on a beach that could be a backpackers hideaway.

The idea of this boutique resort is for everything to be on or very near the beach and very few places can claim such beachfront status these days with building regulations as they are. The pool is just a stone throw from the white sand, as is the pool bar and the restaurant and most importantly many of the rooms. None of the rooms are more than 30 seconds walk, its just that some are literally on the beach – very Robinson Crusoe.

Rooms

All the accommodation here, whether suites or villas, are beautifully furnished and have almost every detail imaginable from the standard mini bar and a/c to wi-fi and a specially prepared beach bag with all you’ll need for very short “journey” to the sea. Add to that a TV/DVD/CD home theatre system, a luggage area, balcony or terrace and a plunge pool or swimming pool in each suite and villa and you have facilities and features hard to beat on this laid back island.

And then there’s the size. Starting at a huge 100m2 with the Garden Suites with Terrace Pool and going up to 260m2 for an Ocean Pool Villa, the space afforded is way beyond the normal for a 5* beach resort.

Beautiful linens are used for soft furnishings and circular bed curtain/ mosquito net just round the rooms off nicely leaving you to relax in serene surroundings with the complimentary Gin, Vodka and Whisky included in your room price.

Spa

The Spa is a rustic jungle oasis set back from the resort and built into the natural rock and partial jungle. A very serene pond is dotted with lilies and is traversed by stepping stones which seem to float in the water.

The treatment rooms are dotted around on different levels, all with their own en-suite facilities, built of natural materials and the steam room is aptly built into the rock with the stone face of the hill forming the back wall.

The treatment menu is extensive and they also offer wellness packages which are great value and very tempting. Massage can be taken in your room and they also have Yoga.

Dining

Evening dining is to the side of the pool and with a great view of the beach, especially from the upper deck. On the ground level, most of the tables are in the sand which further enhances the feeling of being on a far away island. The standard of the food is excellent as you'd expect from a kitchen headed up by an award winning English Chef. A good array of Thai and international is on offer for dinner, with a slightly more “snacky” affair offered for lunch.

Breakfast is a real highlight and the most innovative set up and choice of food we've seen anywhere in Asia . The buffet has everything from cereals, smoked marlin, yoghurts, a banoffee pie smoothie (among others), plus banana bread, unusual juices, cold meats and a great choice of fresh fruit.

Then there is the a la carte breakfast menu offering eggs Benedict, miniature bacon and egg butties, mushrooms with tomato marmalade, kedgeree and various vegetarian cooked plates. All in all, a very eclectic mix and a greet start to the day!

Other Activities

Kayaking, diving, elephant trekking, jungle trekking and of course island tours. The beautiful Koh Tao is only 40 minutes away.

Final Word

If you'd like a spot on a far away island to remind you of your backpacking days, but to stay in luxury rather than a hut, then Rasananda is the place.

For those that haven't backpacked, welcome to the ultimate travellers haven with a fast track straight to the luxury end of the market. This is a beach paradise, a toes in the sand retreat and a quiet escape from the real world.

For more information about this hotel please download our printable PDF Fact sheet from here