Phuket has its fair share of seaside hotels, but the just-opened Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort (doubles from US$217) stands out for its secluded perch on Kamala Beach, a quiet west-coast strand popular with families. The first Hyatt-branded property to open on the Thai island, the resort tiers down a forested hillside, its 199 open-plan rooms designed with polished hardwood floors, rattan furniture, and private balconies overlooking the Andaman Sea. There are plenty of ways to keep cool, including an expansive infinity pool and a roster of water sports; speedboats zip guests around the island to explore Phang Nga Bay, while world-class diving and snorkeling awaits just offshore. Don’t miss a visit to the Nahm Spa, where eight ocean-facing suites are dedicated to rituals incorporating local fruits, flowers, and herbs including bearberries, gotu kola, coconut milk, and licorice.–Natasha Dragun

This article originally appeared in the February/March 2014 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Keys to Kamala”)