Tinkerbell Resort @ Koh Kood

There are 15 villa-style rooms here, set beside a secluded stretch of white sandy beach on Koh Kood. The atmosphere is geared towards slowing down rather than filling every minute, which suits you if your ideal evening involves a swim, a meal and not much else after the boat has brought you back.

The resort works particularly well for couples. Detached villas give you your own space, while the beach is close enough for an unhurried walk at sunset. There is also an outdoor pool, outdoor seating and a shared lounge, so you can choose between sand, water and a chair that does not require any further decisions.

A quieter island setting is the main draw. You still have a restaurant, bar and coffee house on site, along with WiFi in the rooms, but the place keeps its focus on the coast and the surrounding landscape rather than trying to become a small town under one roof.

You are on Ko Kood, in Trat Province, Thailand, directly beside the sea. Klong Chao Beach is right by the resort, while Klong Chao Bay is about 0.4 miles away. The setting combines the shoreline with Koh Kood's mountainous, forested interior, so the scenery does not stop at the edge of the sand.

For a change of beach, Ao Ngamkho is about 0.8 miles away by the resort's listed road distance. Ao Noi is around 1.3 miles away on foot, or 1.7 miles by road, and Sai Daeng Beach is about 1.5 miles away by road. Ao Tapao is further around the island, at roughly 3.2 miles by road.

You also have a few places to eat and drink nearby, including Good View Cafe and Chicchomphucafe Kohkood, each around 0.4 miles away, and an Italian restaurant about 0.2 miles away. Khao Kaeng is around 0.7 miles away. Fisherman Village is about 5.5 miles from the resort, while Klong Chao Waterfall is roughly 3.5 miles away.

These are detached villas rather than rooms in one large building, which gives your return from the sea a more private feel. The Beach Front Villa is the obvious choice if you want the coast to be part of the room itself: you can step outside into your own outdoor lounging area and keep the beach within easy reach.

For a couple who values having a private swim without sharing the main pool, the Villa with Private Pool is the more natural fit. Both options are designed for two guests, with a private bathroom, shower, hairdryer, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. There is also a safety deposit box for the small essentials you would rather not leave lying around.

Air conditioning and a fan cover the practical side of a tropical night. The refrigerator is useful for keeping water cold after a hot day, while the seating area, patio and outdoor furniture give you somewhere to sit without turning the bed into a makeshift lounge. A flat-screen TV, DVD player and free WiFi are there for the evenings when the sensible plan is to do very little.

You can eat on site at the restaurant, which saves you from organising transport when you come back hungry and sun-worn. A bar, snack bar and coffee house keep the basics within reach, while fruit and wine or champagne are also available. That is a useful arrangement for a diving day: a proper meal when you want one, and something quicker when your appetite arrives before your patience does.

The food style is not detailed, so the practical point is the choice of places rather than a grand culinary promise. There is a restaurant for meals, a snack bar for something less formal, and a coffee house for the slower part of the morning or afternoon.

There is also a bar on the property, and several cafés and restaurants sit nearby if you fancy leaving the resort for a change. Good View Cafe and Chicchomphucafe Kohkood are around 0.4 miles away, with an Italian restaurant about 0.2 miles away. A breakfast service or board formula is not part of the information here, so you should treat the restaurant as the on-site dining option rather than assume a particular meal plan.

The large infinity pool is the main alternative to the sea, with sun loungers and beach chairs nearby. You can swim there when you want water without sand, or simply claim a chair and let the day lose its urgency. The resort also has a direct beach, sun terrace and patio areas, with sunset views across the water.

On the active side, kayaking and paddleboarding are available on site, and water-sports facilities can be used without leaving the resort. Snorkelling, fishing and hiking are also available, with snorkelling listed off site. These give you options for a non-diving day without turning the place into an organised activity camp.

For something further afield, excursions include Klong Chao Waterfall and the Mangrove Forest. Klong Chao Waterfall is about 3.5 miles away by the listed road distance, or roughly 4.3 miles on foot. Massages can be arranged at the resort, which is the more convincing plan when your legs have already had enough exercise for one holiday.

Trat Airport is about 46 miles away. An airport shuttle and a shuttle service are available through the resort, and car hire is also offered. This is an island stay, so arranging the onward journey before arrival is the sensible way to avoid turning the first day into an accidental logistics exercise.

Check-in runs from 13:00 and check-out is by 11:00. Luggage storage is available, which is useful if your travel timetable leaves you with time between leaving the villa and heading onwards. Daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay straightforward, and free WiFi is available in the rooms and throughout the property.

Parking is available nearby as public parking, and reservation is not needed. The property accepts card payments rather than cash. Children of any age are welcome, with cots and extra beds available according to the accommodation selected; children aged 18 and over are treated as adults. Pets are not allowed, and there is no age requirement for check-in.