Just as mountaineers trust their Sherpas in a Himalayan base camp, experienced travelers choose The Sarojin in southern Thailand as a base of operations to access the region’s best adventures.
There are many reasons for this.
The Sarojin is located one hour from Phuket International Airport in Khao Lak. Once there, be forewarned: This 56-room luxurious resort is difficult to leave. A 6.8-mile-long, white-sand secluded beach kisses the nearby peaceful Andaman Sea. Landscaped gardens with the sights, sounds and fragrances of a rainforest jungle surround an infinity pool that reflects stunning themed luxury rooms. Guests can anticipate lotus-water baths and massages on a nearby floating spa. I even hoped for physically exhausting days just so I could delight in recovering each evening.
The Sarojin features 56 luxurious guestrooms.
Credit: 2018 The SarojinThe Sarojin has a tour “imagineer" on staff, who integrates Thai hospitality with rugged adventure or sensual romance, based on the desires of the guests. English-speaking guides produce a custom adventure that is beyond expectations.
“There’s not much that we can’t do, based on what our guests want,” said Kanchanida Tansup, sales manager for The Sarojin.
Below are some of The Sarojin’s offerings that I tried. Whatever adventures you choose through the hotel, though, be sure to allocate time for recovery. As a base camp, the property has its own luxurious adventures that offer indulgence at the highest level.
Thai Cooking Class in the Jungle
During another excursion, The Little Amazon Safari experience whisked me upriver in a single-passenger, long-tail boat, and the skipper and I stopped to observe jungle wildlife, fauna and historical sites. At the end of the safari, a mobile cooking classroom on a grassy bank in the jungle awaited us. The chefs taught the secrets of Thai cooking, and each person in our group prepared three dishes on our own stoves. A certificate of graduation proudly hangs in my kitchen, and my skills have progressed to impress even local Thai friends.
Guests can take a Thai cooking class in the jungle.
Credit: 2018 The SarojinSea Adventures to Phang Nga Bay
For a saltwater adventure, I boarded the luxury yacht Lady Sarojin to Phang Nga Bay, where I paddled a sea kayak along the base of karst monoliths, made famous by James Bond movie “The Man With the Golden Gun.” I expected Bond himself to pop out as I explored familiar sea caves, hidden grottos and abundant marine life. Phang Nga Bay is also a coveted international destination for rock climbers who wish to ascend one of the monoliths that overlook an old sea gypsy village. I was told that the view — featuring a bay of emerald-green water below — is unlike any other from a climb in the world.
Bike Riding in the Countryside and Old Takuapa Town
On the historic Old Takuapa Town trek, I rode a mountain bike through the Thai countryside and talked to local farmers, gave merit offerings to passing monks and checked out Buddhist temples. I went to markets and restaurants seldom visited by other tourists and negotiated one-on-one for genuine Thai handicrafts not found in gift stores.
The Details
The Sarojin
www.sarojin.com
