You can truly define a hotel by the welcome that is received upon your arrival. As they say, first impressions always last. At the Le Meridien Beach Resort Phuket, you will be welcomed by management, seated in their comfortable lounge area, given chilled fresh fruit juice to drink, a cooling towel to ease the heat and layered with garlands of flowers. All the while you complete the check in process with an attentive and friendly staff by your side.

Located in the appropriately named Relax Bay, the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, set amidst 40 acres of landscaped gardens, is one of the largest secluded beachside resorts in Phuket and contains 470 rooms ranging from Superior, Superior Pool or Ocean Rooms, Junior Suites and the Royal Suites all decorated in traditional Thai décor with each room containing its own balcony.

Days can be spent luxuriously wading in their oversized pool or if you can bear to tear yourself away and walk 20 paces, you will find yourself an equally satisfying proposal along their 550m private beach.

For those that prefer a slightly more vigorous holiday, there is an abundance of activities provided by The Le Meridien Beach Resort for both land and water enthusiasts. Fancy a game of tennis, squash, volley ball or table tennis? Maybe a quick practice of your golf swing at the driving range with the assistance of a golf pro is more your cup of tea? Lessons are also provided on sailing, windsurfing and diving if you’re feeling slightly more adventurous.

The Penguin Club at the Le Meridien Beach Resort is a respite for traveling families with children aged between 3 to 12 years old. Supervision and a range of fun filled activities are provided from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm daily.

Once all the journeys of the day have taken their toll, it is time to wind down and pamper yourself at the Spa & Massage centre. Open between 8am and 11pm daily, the Spa offers more than 15 different massages and a range of sumptuous facials and body treatments utilising Jurlique and Dermalogica products.

A gastronomic platter of 9 mouth-watering eateries ranging from traditional Italian, sushi, wood fire pizzas, traditional Thai and a beach BBQ is enough choice to ensure you will never go hungry or grow tired of choice. Appetising creations can also be found within their in-room dining service.

Take a wander down the corridors of the Le Meridien Beach Resort during daylight and you may come across an old friend – one with very large ears and a long trunk. Don’t be shy and ensure you say hello, just make sure you have a copious amount of peanuts on hand.

Essentials

Where: Le Meridien Beach Resort, Relax Bay, Phuket Thailand.

Details: (66) (76) 370 100, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien

Stay and costs: Rates from around AUD$200 per room per night (online rates)

The Le Meridien Beach Resort is part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts