Banyan Tree Krabi, Krabi & Koh Lanta, Thailand, Asia

If Banyan Tree Krabi Hotel only had a solitary trump card to play, it would be this: location, location, location. Wedged between the golden-hued Tubkaak beach and the jungle-wrapped hills of Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, it can lay claim to one of Krabi's most idyllic corners. Not only that, it has a prime view of Phang Nga Bay's dramatic limestone karsts.

With such an incredible vista on your doorstep, you'll want to admire it at every available opportunity and we have good news for you: there will be plenty of them. The rugged karst formations can be spied in full from every room and restaurant, while the all-pool suites and villas give you another way to soak them up properly.

Banyan Tree is a brand well-known for its teakwood elegance but here the design is much more modern in its appearance. The feel of the resort has been inspired on the legend of the naga, a serpentine dragon that is once thought to have prowled Krabi's rainforest. The lobby resembles a glamorous dragon's lair, the wavy wall panels mimic the naga's snake-like movements and the wallpaper, carpets and bathrooms all feature scaly patterns. There's nothing beastly about your stay at the Banyan Tree – far from it. But when you're relaxing in your private pool and looking out at Krabi's epic limestone karsts, you might understand why the naga wanted to claim Krabi for itself.