With its second luxury boutique resort of the finest pedigree in Thailand – Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas – this brand has made its mark on the Khao Lak holiday destination scene (a 75-minute drive north of Phuket airport), with a distinct nod to the region’s ancient history and by–albeit with some local competition–raising the bar there for design, exclusiveness and hospitality excellence.

In Khao Lak, Devasom is situated on its very own isolated strip of beachfront, among coconut groves and adjacent to a natural lagoon, is with its 69 units understandably ranked among Thailand’s best small luxury resorts. This is so because of its distinguished architecture and overall attention to detail concerning everything from the accommodation to the Thai hospitality – including butler service!

Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas in historic Khao Lak

This is also a hotel for the curious traveller. Already upon checking in, the open lobby with its sloping ceilings breathes character – here reminiscing the glorious days of Takola, the significant historical port of Takuapa (just north of Khao Lak) that was once part of the Maritime Silk Road between the 6th and 7th century. Thus, the resort features elements of this ancient Takola (Khao Lak’s name back then) culture as well as Southeast Asia-Thai heritage flairs, art, artefacts, architecture and charm of bygone times. It’s all intricately incorporated into contemporary design that truly makes this resort a fine example hospitality celebrating heritage!

And guests who book a stay at Devasom unknowing of the resort’s nod to the region’s history will no doubt become curious as they get to experience a stay and see all the defining details. As one strolls around the resort and conducts various activities the architectural details that are revealed seem even more intricate – as indeed also turn out to be the case.

Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas makes an impression from the get-go, comprising a destination unto itself. The beautifully expressed retreat also immediately feels intimate and calming.

As part of the arrival proceedings guests can hit a large gong – as a ceremonial signal.

The relaxing and cultural getaway boasts spacious, fully equipped and thoughtfully designed pool suites and pool villas. There are 24 Seaside Grand Deluxe rooms, 21 Seaside Junior Suite with jacuzzi bath rooms, 12 Seaside ‘Pool Paradise’ Suite rooms, 8 Beach Pool Villas and 2 Two-bedroom Beachfront Family Pool Villas – all with some form of seaview.

And then, for the ultimate getaway, there are the two astounding Devasom Sky Villas, which consist in two-bedroom panoramic oceanfront pool penthouse lodgings, spanning 430 square meters and accommodating up to 6 guests. These marble-clad units sit on the rooftop of the beach-facing building (which is divided in two by a step walkway) and with an unobstructed panorama sea view.

Each features two bedrooms, a separate living room, dining pavilion, private lap pool (17m) with spa jets and a large private courtyard complete with sun loungers.

Talking of marble–the key material that strongly indicates any hotel’s level of luxury–is used in abundance at Devasom in Khao Lak. The red richly-veined white marble dominates the premises, including the entire main pool, as well as for all private pools, bathrooms, large parts of the spa and other features.

Design that sets Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas apart

What sets this resort apart is undoubtedly the design, where the architecture is also dominated by wood; featuring handicraft, wood carvings by artisans and furnishings representing Southeast Asia’s rich heritage (focusing on the Thai part of the peninsula). This includes Takola restaurant’s entrance door, custom furnishings, the villas’ rocking chairs and poolside wood screen slide doors, and the wood carving banisters along the resorts walkways that are, paired with antique-style porcelain wall lamps, also reminiscent of the area’s Sino-Portuguese architecture.

What is also striking in the landscaping is a large cloister at the centre of the resort, with some 3-storey wings on the side facing the lagoon, and the fort-like, relatively high building beyond it (housing more rooms and those two Sky Villas). On the cloister-side this ‘fort’ is more or less windowless.

One last remarkable architectural reference, and that connects to the Silk Road, are certain features that has drawn inspiration from India’s stepwells (thousands of them are dotted around the country): magnificent architectural structures dating back to India’s glorious past and the same era as historical Takola.

After dark, pyramid-like blocks, and their shadows, form a pattern on the illuminated facade. Elsewhere, protruding bricks from an in-villa wall surface peculiarly replicates this pattern! Only when looking at photos on the Internet the stepwell resemblance becomes evident regarding certain parts of the fortress-like facade and the backdrop of the swimming pool, being part of the formula that the resort like to call ‘cultural contemporary’.

Oceanfront, and besides the Devasom Beach Grill Bar and the main pool, the stuff that honeymoons are made of can be found; namely the pool villas! Here exclusivity is the mantra and guests can enjoy semi-private outdoor sunbathing and cool off with dips in their respective private villa pools (which also come with a sunken bench). A roomy, dark brown timber sundeck is furnished with a rocking chair and a hardwood coffee table and a sofa with mustard-hued upholstering and comfy pillows.

The one-storey villas are surrounded by lawns, and hedges help each villa retreat to be more hidden havens.

During midday, when needing a respite from the hot tropical sun, the living room (separately via a private outdoor passage) is the perfect place to while away the time (equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass slide doors to open up to the terrace).

Aside the blonde wood furniture muted earthy tones dominate the interior, outfitted with a rocking chair, a mosaic table and sofa decorated with chocolate brown and white pillows. A round beige braided carpet decorates the sandy floor.

Tech devices consist in a flat screen TV and a bluetooth Bose player/speaker.

Aside a fruit basket, there are more complimentary items: dried kiwi and banana and durian chips in glass jars; a well-stocked mini bar with beer, Schweppes, vodka drink, freshly pressed juices (pineapple and orange); and ginger tea etc. There is also an espresso machine.

Continuing with the bathroom and bedroom section it pushes the envelope in terms of overall resort quality, and can only be seen as top-ranking in Thailand. The delight is in the detail and so much love has gone into that here, and indeed forms a fabulous blend of modern interior and heritage. Even the air conditioning in the hallway is partially hidden by a bespoke detailed latticework.

All bathroom fittings are made of brass and the suspended porcelain lamp hung above the tub is also in antique style, while the wooden blind is painted modern silver, and so on.

The bedroom also has sliding glass doors to the pool terrace and a fan hanging from the stepped ceiling.

A wide stretch of beach front at Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas is only steps away from one’s villa and one can swim laps in the main pool situated next to the restaurant. A pool deck is styled after a wooden ship at the back end of the pool, with multiple marble stairs leading into the marble pool.

Devasom Beach Grill Bar

The dinner restaurant Devasom Beach Grill Bar comes with a bar section with UV fluorescent lighting through the floor along the bar stools, while the arched windows and ceiling adds character to the restaurant section. Brown wall lamps and very high bronze-mosaic vases with faux ferns line the oblong dining hall. Seating choices include a blonde-wood long table but also comfy semi-private dining with semicircular sofas and round tables. For drinking in the view of the setting sun over the ocean, and for enhanced romance, al fresco seating by the blue and green illuminated pool is also attractive. Candles in lanterns enhances the ambiance.

For pre-dinner drinks there is a ‘Special Devasom Cocktail’ on offer as well as Devasom Signature cocktails such as Takola colada and Devasom sunset. If not from Thailand it may be of interest to try the Chalong Bay Rum distilled on Phuket (a ‘Cocktail of the day’). There are of course also plenty of other cocktails, single malt whiskeys and also ‘Devasom healthy boosters’.

From the comprehensive wine list these are some picks: Freixenet, Pitars Cuvee (prosecco) for sparkling; Zeni Bardolino Classico Chiaretto or L’Ostal Cazes Rose IGP Pays D’oc for rosé; Garofoli Verdicchio Del Castelli Di Jesi Classico, Mcmanis Chardonnay or Delheim Chenin Blanc for whites; and Zonin Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore, Carpineto Dogajola Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon, or Clarendelle Inspired by Haut Brion-Bordeaux for reds.

For starters choose among Seared scallop, Quesadilla, Crispy calamari, Grilled vegetable quinoa salad, Mediterranean platter etc. There are also soups: Crab bisque, Rich tomato soup pesto, mushroom cappuccino or Minestrone a la Milanese.

From the main courses the ‘Grill & Chill’ section is extra appealing: Sea bass with tapenade (puréed or finely chopped olives), Chargrilled tuna with avocado salsa; Olive oil Poached salmon; Grilled yellowfin tuna with truffle crème sauce etc.

There are also a selection of pasta dishes and pizzas where the Devasom Pizza is recommended (with smoked salmon, Milano salami, chorizo sausage, ham, black olive, caper…).

Oh, and course, desserts and ice creams: Chocolate lava with icecream, Crème brûlée, Affogato (vanilla gelato topped with espresso) or Grilled mango gelato should as selection fit most taste buds.

A five-star breakfast is served at the all-day restaurant Takola Restaurant Wine Bar (situated below the lobby and with a garden overlooking the lagoon), with all the hot food cooked à la minute, such as Grilled tomato with cheese, Braised chicken with rosemary sauce, Penne pesto or Red curry in coconut milk with chicken.

There’s the favourite Miso soup, there’s Salami Milano, Smoked salmon…

In chilled glass jars there are: Cold Bircher muesli with fruit, Cold oats porridge, awesome Blueberry and Mango yoghurt and various nuts and dried fruit to go with it: kiwi, strawberry, pineapple…

Takola Restaurant serves Thai as well as international cuisine, and the resort of course offers room service, for instance Stir fried asparagus with prawns, Fresh Tomato Bocconcini cheese salad, Smoked salmon salad, Bismarck hamburger, or Pomodoro pasta.

Devasom Spa Wellness

All in all Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas is tailored to a more grown-up clientele (though for families there are a Children’s swimming pool and a Kids’ Club too) and also offers wellness in the form of the spa treatments at Devasom Spa Wellness and its fabulous marble surroundings, with these striking outdoor Thai salas placed in a water pond.

Body massages include ‘Touch of Heaven Massage’, specially designed to reduce stress and relieve muscle pain to restore balance of both physical and emotional well-being; and ‘Deep Tissue Massage’, to relieve pain and release chronic muscle tensions, using natural based oil to tackle tangled and tired muscles and tendons; or ‘Royal Siamese Massage’. There is Indian Head Massage as well, which is based on ancient holistic Ayurvedic healing, focusing on the pressure points on the neck, shoulders, head and scalp.

Body treatments include: ‘Nourishing Coconut Delight’and ‘Rejuvenating Black Sesame’. Wraps include: ‘Calming Alove Vera and Cucumber’, ‘Nourishing Coconut Delight’ and ‘Brightening Tangy Tamarind’ etc.

In between spa sessions one can also work out at the resort’s well-equipped gym, and there is a yoga studio as well.

The resort also offer an immersive ‘7-days 7-activities’ programme including ‘Kanom Krok’ Thai snack demo class; ‘Alchemy Bar’ hands-on wellness workshop; yoga and mindfulness sessions for beginners; a guided ‘Spice Route’ tour of the resort; kayaks, paddle boards and mountain bikes at disposal; Devasom Sunset oceanfront cocktail evenings, a ‘Takola Thai’ cuisine and Fisherman’s Grill Seafood dinner, and a Thai cuisine cooking class.

There are also excursions to the surrounding nature, as well as visits to a market and temples for the cultural buff. In many ways a truly luxurious and enriching experience awaits the visitor.