The Sarojin, Khao Lak
‘We don’t want to trap people in our resort, we want to show them what Khao Lak has to offer, give them a glimpse of local life, private dining experiences surrounded by amazing landscapes and seeing the real rural Thailand.’ Kate Kemp
The Sarojin opened in 2005, a long-held dream of husband and wife team Kate and Andrew Kemp. They had fallen in love with the friendly locals and stunning landscapes of Phuket during a holiday in 1998 but wanted to find an untamed wilderness to open a boutique resort that perfectly captured the Thai ambiance they were searching for. They found that on the beaches of Khao Lak.
‘Thailand has got such a good heart. We wanted to create a home from home, where it’s like staying with a good friend. We serve breakfast all day and one of the best ways to start the day is a walk on the beach before having something to eat. There’s nothing here to dictate what you should be doing at any particular time.’
The Sarojin is based on a prime swathe of pristine beach, the definition of barefoot luxury. Here, you can swim all year round and enjoy the superb sands without anyone else there.
‘Khao Lak has an endless beach where you can just walk and walk. I’ve always joked you can walk to Burma (Myanmar) from this beach! It hasn’t changed in 20 years.’
Despite its brilliant beach, The Sarojin also recognises Khao Lak offers an authentic glimpse into Thai life. The resort’s deep connections with nearby communities mean you can take part in classes to cook street food for local children, head out into the sea with fisherman to help them with their day’s catch and mangrove boat tours.
‘It is an amazing feeling to come out of The Sarojin onto the beach, turn left or right and just walk, observe the locals and just not get hassled. Here you can stay in luxury and go local and I think that’s a wonderful way to experience Thailand.’
Rest your head
Enjoy 7 nights in a Garden Residence at The Sarojin from £1,175 per person, on a bed and breakfast basis, including international flights and transfers
