The Ultimate Romantic Couples Hideaway at Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in Krabi

Ritz Carlton have certainly got it just right for romantic Flashpackers who want to rediscover each other.

When is a hotel not a hotel? When it's a Reserve.

No telephone, no computers, no concierge, no front desk. Where do we check in? We don’t. It’s exhilarating; stepping across stone pathways, floating on pools of water, surrounded by a thousand candles.

Our 24 hour personal butler, buggies us to our Reserve Villa with giant glass doors. We gasp at the enormous white bed in the midst of such luxury.

Here is the best of Hollywood mixed with Thai, Middle Eastern and Morrocan cultures. Artfully designed to trigger the sensual senses is a lotus shaped marble bathtub, surrounded by mirrors, for lovers happy to reflect their desire.

Our butler seeing us raise our eyebrows, swivels the mirrors to reveal intricate hand-painted erotic Thai art. I note that there are also plenty of fragrant freebies to double the foam factor and mask the ravages of time.

The Buddhists say the highest state of being is doing nothing and we are learning how to do so here in our private palace.

An early morning rainforest shower among the trees; breakfast on the terrace. A dip into the plunge pool, drying off  in the sun, listening to the crickets.

We’re now Flashpacker Buddhists meditating in a mindless state, but we find doing nothing all the time is very tiring. So, we venture out of the peaceful realm of our villa to swim in the magnificent infinity pool and stroll on the long beach stretching across the bay.

Cocktail hour is at the Sunset Bar and later, romantic dining under the stars at the Sri Tang restaurant. It happens to be the first night of the new menu.

Highlights are the Prawn Satay served on it’s very own portable ceramic heater, Philip’s fiery Thai Chicken Green Curry, my fruity roasted Duck Breast and a blissful Banana Fritter, served with a kind of green custard.

Next morning we take a short trek to the Phulay Bay Espa Spa, where Philip has an invigorating Thai Massage without oil and I have a rejuvenating aromatherapy session.     

And so it goes on, until sadly our stay is over. But with no reception, where do you pay the bill? After an early breakfast, our gracious Thai butler appears at our Reserve Villa carrying a briefcase. Placing it on the desk he removes a credit card machine and ceremoniously hands us the account. After the bill is paid, in true butler tradition he packs our clothes.

Elegant General Manager Estelita Sebeto is passionate about the resort:

"Phulay Bay is like a flower, I nurture it and watch it bloom,” she purrs. “It's a private place for lovers who are happy to be together." Room rates at Phulay Bay Ritz Carlton Reserve start from $575 per night excluding tax.