Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga - the perfect place to get away from it all

There are some resorts that have the perfect vibe: places where it is easy to switch off, do as little as possible and re-charge the batteries. 

Aleenta Resort and Spa Pukhet-Koh Phang Nga (below) is just such a spot - remote and unspoiled but just a 20-25 minute-drive from Phuket International Airport.

It's the antithesis of Patong - which is  big and brash, loud and lively - but within easy striking distance should you fancy a night on the town. 

Here you’ll find girlie bars in their hundreds, transvestite cabarets, touts encouraging you to enter drinking establishments of dubious repute and tuk-tuk drivers all too willing to rip you off.

It’s boisterous and a lot of fun – as are bustling Phuket Town and the Fantasea theme park, while the world-class Blue Canyon golf course is also close by.

My bet, however, is once you settle in at Aleenta you won't want to stray too far away. 

This is an all-suite eco-friendly property offering a range of suites and villas all facing Natai Beach on the Andaman Sea, which has been awarded five stars for cleanliness and water quality.

All the suites, all of which have direct access to a pool, and the villas, which have their own private pools and butlers, are in private settings. At this time of the year, the wet season, the beach is all but deserted. 

On-site facilities include Spa IV, a holistic health and well-being centre where the massages leave you floating, the award-winning Level 3 restaurant with stylish European cuisine, casual all-day dining with Thai specialties at 33Mu5, or The Edge lounge right on the beach offering drinks and snacks throughout the day. There is also a fully equipped gym and (my favourite) complimentary wi-fi internet access throughout the resort. 

There is also an excellent cooking school - and you can visit the local markets to pick up fresh produce. 

I shared Grand Villa Satis (below), a luxurious four-bedroom villa with all modern amenities and full western kitchen facilities, with a couple of other visiting journalists. The open-plan villa overlooks a pool and outdoor lounge area with a huge deck with sun loungers and umbrellas and has a grassed area for playing games as well as a barbecue area where guests can enjoy cocktails served by their own barman.

Think Egyptian cotton sheets, a pillow menu and the chance to release a turtle back into the wild at the nearby Koh Kloi Turtle Sanctuary, supported by Aleenta’s Pure Blue Foundation. A chef can come in to cook for you if you don't want to schlep to the main resort. It's hot and cold running luxury, I tell you. 

The rates for the villa start at around $1200 per night. Have four couples or a family group who enjoy sharing and you have yourself a real bargain. Suites start at around $220 per night including breakfasts for two depending on the time of year.      

Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga has a range of villa packages known as "Great Mates Escapes" that can be tailored to any visitor's own specifications - and marketing manager Paul Counihan wants me to get the message out to my readers, who need to just quote the code "Winsor" to get a special deal.  

You might want to go out and explore on the resort's complimentary mountain bikes, or hire one of the resort's flashy BMWs (with driver) to take you out exploring, take a cooking class (my fish cakes turned out rather well)  or maybe do tai chi and yoga, both available on site.

The Phang Nga Bay national park, one of southern Thailand's most scenic areas, Similan Island National Park and Khao Sok National Park are right on the doorstep and the resort can arrange for the rental of a variety of sail boats, with or without crew. 

As is so often the case, however, it is the smiling, efficient staff that make the family-owned Aleenta stand out from the crowd. It's as if nothing is too much trouble for them. 

Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket Phang Nga, 33 Moo 5, Tambon Kok-Kloy, Amphur Takua-Tung, Phang Nga 82140.  Bookings: http://www.aleenta.com/phuket/ or email reservation@aleenta.com. For a special deal email director of sales and marketing Paul Counihan at paul@ahmshotels.com 

Thai Airways International, Asia’s largest full-service carrier, flies 40 times a week from Australia to Thailand with easy connections to a network within Thailand and to over 70 destinations worldwide.Visit thaiairways.com.au for the latest special deals and promotions or ask your travel agent. Travellers from Western Australia can take advantage of non-stop flights between Perth and Phuket until Oct 19 2013.  THAI’s Winter Escape Sale is on now until the end of August with fares to Bangkok starting from $880 return from the East Coast ($794 ex Perth) or $890 return to Phuket ($802 ex Perth).  Discounts also apply for travel in pairs with Companion Fares from $861 return to Bangkok (book by August 31, travel by November 30).