Caribbean, India and Thailand: Paradise holiday destinations

There’s a small neighbouring village with enough eating and drinking establishments 

to keep you occupied for a few days, plus several shops offering cheap but satisfyingly back-cracking massages. However, if you’re after something a little more soothing, try Manathai’s serene spa. I adored the Chillax treatment, which used aromatic oils (unlike traditional Thai massages) and ironed out my knots without leaving me wincing.

From Phuket you can book a day trip out to the nearby Phi Phi islands, but they’re so pretty you’d be mad not to stay for a few nights. The hotel we chose, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, has its own boat service that runs daily from Ao Po Grand Marina – the 90-minute scenic journey is completely hassle-free.

Situated on the beach in front of soaring green mountainsides, Phi Phi Island Village is sprawling and has plenty of restaurants and activities on offer. Its 200 “rooms” come in the form of thatched bungalows on stilts which are in fitting with the surrounding natural environment, and even the cheapest are spacious and private. 

We found it easy to spend most days floating around the two big, beautifully designed pools that look straight out on to a little beach and warm, shallow, turquoise waters. But if you fancy getting off-site, there are daily boat trips to nearby points of interest like Maya Bay where The Beach was filmed.

I quickly learnt that spas are something Thailand does especially well, and the resort’s Wana Spa is no exception. Set high up on the hillside with stunning views of the bay, it’s a total oasis of calm. Its signature massage uses a combination of Thai and Western styles, which left my muscles feeling stretched and de-stressed, and finished with a hair braid and a cup of sweet ginger tea.

There’s obviously much more of Thailand to see but if you’re after perfect beaches, stunning views and a relaxing holiday, these two beautiful islands are an excellent place to start.

Laura Mulley

Hayes Jarvis (01293 762456, hayesandjarvis.co.uk) offers a seven-night bb holiday at the four-star Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort from £1,049 per person. Price includes transfers and return flights from Heathrow with Malaysian Airlines, leaving on May 21, 2017. Rates at Manathai Surin Phuket (manathai.com/phuket) start at £68 a night in a deluxe room with breakfast for two and transfers.