Tubkaak

Located about 60 minutes from Krabi, and 30 minutes from Ao Nang, Tubkaak looks out onto the dramatic range of islands known as the Koh Hong Krabi Archipelago. To the rear of the hotel rises the dramatic Hang Nak Mountain. Tubkaak is therefore a quiet retreat away from the hubbub of the busier beaches in the Krabi area and is ideal for those who want to get away from it all and experience an informal beach break with stunning views. Also the sun sets directly out to sea, so it magical to wander there in the evening and have a drink as the sun slowly descends.

Tubkaak has a distinctly Thai feel, and each villa contains four rooms with Deluxe Rooms upstairs and Superior Rooms downstairs. When they built the hotel, no trees were felled and therefore it produces a lush jungle effect as you walk around. These rooms generally surround the main pool located within the resort and do not have sea views. Most rooms have a private balcony or terrace as well as a sunken bathtub and separate rain forest shower in the indoor/outdoor bathroom. Rooms are tastefully designed, keeping in tradition with its Thai feel. We generally advise to use Deluxe Rooms and up as the Superior Rooms can feel a little small.

Moving up, the Sea View Villas offer ample space and a private terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea. For those wanting even more room, there are a range of suites offering one and two bedroom options, most with private pools looking out to sea. They have recently completed another selection of Pool Villas, craftily designed to fit in with their natural surroundings, some of which are beach front. What we love are the little touches - in all the rooms they provide a beach bag with towels, flip flops and cold drinks to take to the beach.

The hotel has two restaurants, both located overlooking the beach. The Arundina offers classic Thai dishes and also has a delightful upper deck. The Di Mare restaurant provides excellent Italian fare.

Tubkaak also comes with a range of facilities to keep you occupied from their L'Escape Spa, library and gym. A range of activities are on offer such as mountain biking, sea kayaking and day trips to remote islands. For those wanting to learn a little Thai cookery, they offer lessons on site.

In short, Tubkaak is a laid-back and low key hotel, ideal for those who don't fancy all the bells and whistles you might get at the more traditional 5* hotels - and perfect for 4-5 days after exploring other parts of Thailand or Indo-China. In terms of service, it is friendly and charming, but do note that they will not have been through hotel-school so don't expect to be waited on hand and foot. It is for this very reason that Tubkaak works so well - a little gem tucked away and very different to some of its more stylish, yet less atmospheric competitors.