Hidden Thailand

Two hours by road south of the popular resort town of Krabi lies Koh Lanta. If you're looking for a more authentic Thai experience but would still prefer the sophistication of good standard hotels then Koh Lanta is worth a look. It's been a favoured destination for Scandinavian tourists for many years and it has only recently opened up to the general European market, but it is unspoilt by western influence and offers a laid back atmosphere, great beaches and towns and villages redolent of by-gone times.

It's easy to twin centre with Krabi, its bigger mainland sister to the north, and although Koh Lanta is an island the transfer buses use two ferries to get there each of which takes no more than five minutes and run numerous times per hour.

I stayed at the Rawi Warin Resort and Spa which is set into the hillside down to a sandy beach with few tourists. It's a good base and less expensive than properties of a similar standard in the more popular resorts.

It's possible to visit the Phi Phi Island on a day trip by boat if the mood takes you and there are numerous alternative excursion possibilities.

Flights to Krabi from Bangkok take an hour and 20 minutes and operate 5 times a day - most hotels on Koh Lanta offer a meet and greet service to take you straight to your hotel.