A tranquil tropical hideaway on a paradise island

Well-known to visitors to South East Asia for its laid-back vibe, vibrant parties and unspoilt beaches, Koh Phangan is the jewel in the crown of Thailand’s picturesque islands. On the quiet north-eastern tip of the island, set within lush tropical gardens on a hillside overlooking a sandy bay lies Santhiya, a superior four-star property boasting accommodation and service of a standard unparalleled on the island.

Unlike it’s neighbour Koh Samui, the island of Koh Phangan enjoys a slower pace of life – it is a place where the crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and a pristine natural environment captivate visitors in search of paradise.

Opened in July 2006 as the first property to bring a touch of luxury to Koh Phangan, Santhiya is a boutique property of just 76 sumptuous rooms and suites, all blending seamlessly into a verdant hillside of swaying palms and tropical vegetation. Santhiya’s traditional Thai heritage and commitment to nature are evident throughout, creating calming environment perfect for escapism and relaxation.

Scattered across the hillside, each room boasts a generous private patio, balcony or terrace, each shaded from the tropical sun by a canopy, allowing guests to enjoy enchanting views over the fertile gardens or the glittering waters of the bay. All accommodation features intricately carved teak furnishings, rich Thai fabrics and authentic craftwork, which combine to create a traditional oriental ambience, complemented by modern facilities.

Inside, all rooms feature double, twin or king size beds; air conditioning; personal safe; satellite television; DVD/CD player; IDD telephone; LAN connection; mini-bar; bathtub with separate shower and
bathroom amenities exclusive to the resort.

For guests seeking to get a little closer to their natural surroundings, room categories from the villa suite upwards offer the choice between an indoor or outdoor bathroom. In addition the pool villa suites boast large free-form private swimming pools in an enviable position overlooking the secluded bay. From July 2008 all villa suites will also be upgraded to ‘Hideaway pool villas’, to feature secluded private pools.

For larger parties or families with children, Santhiya offers three grand villa suites nestled amidst the trees and providing ultimate privacy, whilst still enjoying dramatic sea views. Each suite boasts two bedrooms that open onto a central courtyard with decked terrace and can accommodate a maximum of four adults and one child.

Guests at Santhiya can enjoy mouth-watering cuisine to suit their mood, from light snacks to exquisite Thai banquets. The resort’s signature restaurant Chantara, run by executive chef Khun God Keawpeth, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serves an extensive menu of both authentic Thai cuisine and modern European dishes.

Occupying a commanding position overlooking the bay, Chantara derives its name from “Chan” (moon) and “Tara” (water) and offers a serene environment with both a large outdoor dining terrace and an airconditioned indoor dining room. Santhiya’s second restaurant, By The Sea & Bar, is located on the beachfront, a few steps from the main pool and is the place for barefoot dining. Serving a lunch and dinner menu of fresh local fish, sushi and sashimi, tasty salads and juices this is a perfect venue for light lunches or an intimate dinner under a full moon.

The ideal complement to Santhiya’s restaurants, Mahkok-Wine, is a laid-back café serving herbal teas, fresh coffee and snacks throughout the day, and providing shade from the tropical sun under the boughs of a large mahkok (olive) tree. For guests who prefer to escape from the world and barely leave the sanctuary of their room, in-room dining is available throughout the day and meals are served on the terrace or balcony.

Deriving its name from the Thai for “essential circles of life”, the Ayurvana Spa at Santhiya offers guests the opportunity to rejuvenate body and soul with a menu of traditional pampering spa treatments. In a large open-air sala overlooking the bay, traditional Thai massage and reflexology treatments are carried out accompanied by the gentle sounds of the waves on the shore. In addition three indoor treatment rooms are available for individuals or couples to experience a range of body wraps and scrubs, facial treatments and heavenly aromatherapy massages.

Following treatments, guests can retire to the spa’s sun deck or herbal sauna for complete relaxation, while for those who truly wish to revive body and mind, yoga and meditation classes take place in a traditional Thai pavilion under the swaying palms.

While some guests at Santhiya wish to relax and completely unwind on their holiday, others prefer to stay active and the resort’s extensive leisure facilities offer something for everyone.

The huge freeform main swimming pool, a major feature of the estate, is located at the heart of the resort and measures over 1200 square metres, with a 30 metre high waterfall plus adjacent children’s pool and Jacuzzi.

Bookable through the Guest Relations office are numerous non-motorised watersports such as kayaking, sea canoeing, sailing, snorkelling, dive courses and private catamaran charters which provide guests with an opportunity to explore the clear, calm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Santhiya also offers a calendar of events throughout the year intended to give guests a further flavour of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. These include an introduction to the secrets of delicious Thai cuisine; Muay Thai (Thai boxing) displays; traditional Thai dance and fire dancing shows.

Santhiya also provides an excellent base from which to explore this idyllic paradise island. The resort’s tour desk can arrange a wide variety of excursions including day trips to the neighbouring island of Koh Tao and the tiny Koh Ma, connected to Koh Phangan by a sand bar, both of which are particularly renowned spots for diving.

The picturesque beaches of Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach are close by and for guests seeking more adventure, trips to the Phaeng Waterfall, Ang Thong National Marine Park and Than Sadet National Park can also be arranged. The latter is particularly popular for those keen to get close to some truly impressive wildlife, including giant monitor lizards, as the tropical rainforest remains relatively untouched. Santhiya is also able to organise trips for guests to the island’s world-famous ‘Full Moon’ parties.

Couples dreaming of tying the knot on a true paradise island need look no further than Santhiya, where the resort offers a complete wedding service for ceremonies of up to 200 guests. Couples may choose between a Western or traditional Thai ceremony; including Thai dancers, a traditional Thai band, full Buddhist blessing and an elaborate celebration banquet for all the guests.

All guests arrive to Santhiya via Koh Samui and transfers can be arranged to the resort either by speedboat direct from Koh Samui, or by ferry to Koh Phangan followed by taxi transfer across the island.

For more information, visit Santhiya.com.