Behind the tall laterite wall that separates the Anantara from the outside world lies a wonderland of tropical gardens and lagoons with secluded pool villas and a stretch of beach shaded by casuarina trees. The villas are artfully designed, with lots of traditional Thai ornamentation and the utmost in creature comforts—and they each include a private pool plus sun loungers, a sala, a huge outdoor bath, and a choice of indoor or outdoor showers. The two restaurants are both extremely stylish—La Sala serving Thai and Sicilian cuisine all day and Sea Fire Salt specializing in seafood, with a resident salt sommelier sharing his secrets with diners. The signature treatment at the nature-inspired spa uses warmed bamboo sticks with aromatic oils to ease muscle tension. The beautiful grounds are a delight to stroll around, and there’s even a thatched villa on a tiny island for the resident population of ducks.