Panta W.

Featuring an impressive, mountainous backdrop, and situated by a secluded beach alongside the Gulf of Thailand, it's easy to see why Centara Chaan Thalay Resort and Villas offers a perfect seaside getaway.

Trat province is located about 318 kilometers to the southeast of Bangkok and shares a border with Cambodia. While some folks might think this is a bit of a trek, it's probably the price you have to pay these days amid unrestricted development if you really wish to “get away from it all”.

This mid-range resort features 44 villas, located in lush, tropical gardens. During a stroll along the beach, I noticed few other footprints around, demonstrating just how secluded and peaceful it really is. It's also very close to the increasingly popular islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kut.

Unlike some other coastal resorts, where rapidly rising land prices sometimes hamper hotel developers' plans, Centara Chaan Thalay Resort and Villas' accommodation is nice and spacious. The villas offer a range of suites, suitable for singles, couples, or families, and the smallest villa still offers a very comfortable 62 square meters of space, as well as an outdoor area.

Each villa comes with a television with access to cable channels, air-conditioning, a living room area, coffee and tea-making facilities, a refrigerator, a mini bar, a personal DVD player, and a hair dryer. The bathrooms are particularly well-designed and each one comes with a tub. I personally enjoyed the 'oversized' king-size bed.

If you have a slightly bigger budget, you can check into a Nature Spa Villa. These villas enjoy a view of thriving mangrove and feature an outdoor jacuzzi shaded naturally by trees. The Beachfront Spa villas offer stunning ocean views.

Like several other parts of the country, mosquitoes can be prevalent in Trat, so always make sure you take appropriate action in the form of applying some form of mosquito repellent before heading out.

If you're feeling particularly hot, you can always go and chill at the resort's beachfront infinity pool. Breezes' Beach Bar serves cocktails and other drinks by the pool, while there are also some beachside salas where you can enjoy a pleasant meal. The resort's Azure Restaurant offers all-day dining, and is particularly well-known for its Thai seafood dishes and Italian cuisine.

Guests with a taste for watersports won't be disappointed either since the resort is perfectly placed for windsurfing. The resort can also arrange snorkeling trips during certain periods of the year to Koh Chang or Koh Krut. Otherwise, you might just choose to indulge yourself at the resort's Cenvaree Spa, which features several open-air pavilions used for aromatherapy and therapeutic massage.

Guests looking to learn a bit more about this part of the country might also be interested in signing up for a unique excursion to local neighborhoods, including the small town of Khlong Yai and a border market at Ban Hat Lek.

Whatever your individual requirements are when planning a luxury break by the sea, keep Centara Chaan Thalay Resort and Villas in mind. While it may take a bit longer to reach than other resorts, the beauty and benefits on offer mean the adventurous seeker of tranquility will be amply rewarded.

The resort is currently offering a special 'Hot Deal' package through October 31, under which room rates start at just 1,530 baht (US$45) ++ per room, per night.

For further information, contact Centara Chaan Thalay Resort and Villas on Tel: +66 (0)2 101 1234 extension 1, or visit http://www.centralhotelsresorts.com.

Transport connections:

Air: Bangkok Airways operates a daily flight from Bangkok to Trat. The duration of the flight is one hour, while it takes a 45-minute journey to reach the resort. For further information on flights, contact Bangkok Airways on Tel: +66 (0)2 265 5678.

Car: You can reach Centara Chaan Thalay by car from Bangkok in about four hours. Probably the most direct route is to get on to Highway 7 out of Bangkok. When you reach Chon Buri, switch to Highway 344, which means you can avoid Pattaya and Rayong. On reaching Klaeng, head left on Highway 3, which will take you all the way to Trat.