Dusit Thani Laguna, Thailand

Dusit Thani Laguna Standing high amidst tropical gardens of feathery casuarinas and shady coconut palms, the Dusit Thani Laguna is a charming and stylish hotel with a stunning setting, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Set right at the heart of the upscale six-hotel Laguna Phuket complex, it is considered the jewel in the crown of the Laguna portfolio. Guests are welcome to all the restaurants and facilities of the entire resort, and complimentary shuttle bus and boat services link all six hotels. The charm becomes evident as soon as guests first enter the high-ceilinged lobby, where goldfish swim lazily through indoor pools, overlooked by large statues of mythological birds, and a baby grand piano in the corner. At reception next door, guests are greeted by silk-clad staff amidst trailing greenery, plush sofas and a myriad Thai artefacts, with a background of music from the kim, the Thai dulcimer. Throughout the neo-colonial style interiors with vaulted ceilings, traditional Thai motifs are seamlessly blended in, with antiques scattered freely, and walls filled with carvings and textiles. The charm extends to the beautiful grounds, where you can come upon intriguing touches like orchids in coconut husks strapped to trees, or a gazebo or sala over a pond. In the centre is the lovely free-form pool, which has a whirlpool, and a separate section for water polo and basketball. Tropical lagoons flank the gardens on both sides. The beauty of the buildings and gardens is matched by the superlative restaurants, including the extraordinary Ruen Thai, serving mouth-watering Royal Thai cuisine in an enchanting old teak house with Thai decor and design, beside the lagoon and looking towards the mountains. The fabulous award-winning La Trattoria seems to embody the soul of Cucina Italiana, with a mission to offer a truly memorable Italian dining experience in a gleaming all-white environment. Meanwhile the unique Casuarina Beach Restaurant provides an air-conditioned space just feet from the waves, for enjoying an international menu while taking in the golden sunsets, and the Laguna Café specialises in a range of Asian and Western delicacies, to be sampled from Thai-style wooden tables and chairs set beside the pond and the waterfall, providing a special dining ambience.