Nestled along an 11-kilometre stretch of soft white sand on Thailand’s Andaman coast in Khao Lak, The Sarojin has always been about more than a luxury escape. From the very beginning, it has been about meaningful moments, genuine connections and heartfelt service.
Designed in a contemporary Asian style, the five-star resort’s 56 residences are set within ten acres of tropical grounds, complete with private gardens, secluded sala sundecks, plunge pools and open-air bathrooms that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Recognised with Two Michelin Keys – a distinction reserved for hotels that deliver ‘an exceptional stay’ – The Sarojin is ideally positioned just 55 minutes north of Phuket International Airport beside five spectacular national parks and the world-renowned dive sites of the Similan and Surin Islands.
A resort shaped by resilience
In the early 2000s, many considered Khao Lak too ‘unknown’ for a luxury hotel, but a British couple looking to open a boutique resort saw otherwise. Kate and Andrew Kemp fell in love with Khao Lak’s authentic Thai atmosphere, its people, local culture and vast stretches of unspoilt natural landscape – their search for a destination was over.
However, when telling the story of The Sarojin, it is impossible not to talk about the tragedy of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, which devastated Khao Lak and the region just 10 days before the resort was due to open, destroying much of the property. In the aftermath of the disaster, Kate and Andrew immediately focused their efforts on supporting their staff and the wider local community, reassuring employees that The Sarojin, and their livelihoods, would be rebuilt. And it was. At a time when much of Khao Lak had come to a standstill, the resort became one of the first local employers to welcome back its team and begin helping the community recover.
The Sarojin immediately established the Sarojin Khao Lak Community Fund, directing and administering funds to support various aspects of Khao Lak’s recovery. In the months and years that followed, the fund has helped support both the local community and environment. It contributed to restoring the local fishing fleet, supporting childcare and education, funding medical provisions, repairing street lighting, resurfacing roads, ensuring the community’s wellbeing remained a top priority throughout.
Now in its 22nd year, the fund continues to support meaningful local projects focused on education, conservation and generating sustainable livelihoods.
Tribute to the team
The Sarojin opened in October 2005, almost a year after the tsunami. To honour the loyalty, dedication and resilience of the 53 staff members who had remained with them through the tragedy and recovery, the Kemps chose to name each guest residence after a member of the team. That sense of humanity and care still shapes the atmosphere of the resort today. Many team members have been part of The Sarojin family for more than a decade, including members of the original 53 staff, helping create a warm, intuitive and deeply personal style of service. Guests are welcomed less like hotel visitors and more like returning friends, with experiences thoughtfully tailored around individual preferences and pace.
Connected to people and place
While the events of Boxing Day 2004 deepened The Sarojin’s connection with the local community, the Kemps remained true to the vision they always had for the resort – one rooted in connection to both people and place. Over the years, that commitment has continued to evolve, creating lasting support for the local community while offering guests immersive and memorable experiences.
In 2007, the resort introduced Sarojin Cares days, which have since seen guests and staff take part in monthly volunteering activities, from beach clean-ups and tree planting to supporting local social enterprises such as Avautis, which provides employment opportunities for autistic adults and education for autistic children.
In 2022, The Sarojin launched its ‘One Booking One Tree’ initiative, pledging to plant a mangrove or sea almond tree for every booking made. Recognised with the ‘Responsible Thailand Award for Green Steps’, the project runs in partnership with National Parks Phang Nga, helps protect fragile coastal ecosystems while inviting guests to play a direct role in preserving the natural beauty of Khao Lak. The initiative has also become a very popular guest experience, with many visitors embracing the opportunity to leave a lasting, positive mark on Khao Lak.
Wellbeing initiatives have also become an important part of the resort’s community support efforts. Yoga for the Community offers twice-weekly yoga sessions for guests staying at The Sarojin, with all proceeds donated to The Sarojin Khao Lak Community Fund. Building on its success, The Sarojin has also introduced Pickleball for the Community, transforming an unused area of the resort into a pickleball court for guests to enjoy during their stay. Following the same community-focused ethos, proceeds from the sessions also contribute to the fund, while informal guest and staff pickleball socials foster connection and shared moments of fun, helping strengthen the warm sense of community that defines The Sarojin.
Sustainability also continues to evolve across every aspect of the resort, from its in-house water bottling plant and refillable amenities to the use of eco-conscious materials throughout the property, reflecting The Sarojin’s ongoing commitment to protecting the beauty of Khao Lak for generations to come.
Dining beyond the ordinary
Alongside its strong connection to community and sustainability, The Sarojin has also earned an exceptional reputation for its dining and wellness experiences. Thoughtfully designed to reflect the beauty and tranquillity of The Sarojin, the guest experience embraces an unhurried approach to each day, beginning with the resort’s signature all-day à la carte breakfast served until 6pm.
Dining at the resort goes far beyond the traditional restaurant setting. Guests can enjoy award-winning, Michelin-recognised cuisine inspired by Thai, contemporary Mediterranean and international flavours across the resort’s restaurants, including Ficus, Edge and the beachfront Beach Bar. All have a strong emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
The resort also offers immersive culinary experiences, including cooking classes that take guests into local markets to discover regional ingredients and traditional flavours before learning to recreate authentic Thai dishes alongside the resort’s chefs.
The Sarojin has become particularly renowned for its extraordinary private dining experiences, which have earned the resort an exceptional reputation among guests from around the world. From its especially popular candlelit private dinners beside a jungle waterfall and on secluded sandbank dining to barefoot beach dinners under the stars, each experience is individually curated within breathtaking natural settings, creating unforgettable moments that have become synonymous with the resort itself.
Pathway to health
Nestled within the resort’s tranquil natural surroundings and immersed amongst the mangroves and lush tropical greenery, guests will find the award-winning Pathways Spa, offering a deeply calming wellness experience inspired by Asian healing traditions and the rhythms of the natural environment. Open-air treatment pavilions and holistic therapies are gently accompanied by the lullaby of birdsong and the ocean beyond, as nature creates its own soothing ‘sound bath’ to calm the soul. Here, guests are invited to reconnect, fully unwind and embrace a slower pace amidst the gentle rhythms of the tropics.
For readers inspired to experience The Sarojin for themselves, the resort offers something special year-round, with each season bringing its own unique charm to Khao Lak’s beautiful Andaman coastline. The period from November to March is a particularly popular time to visit, while the months from May to September offer a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, with lush scenery and excellent seasonal value.
Today, The Sarojin remains a reflection of the values it was built upon, combining heartfelt Thai hospitality, meaningful connections and a deep respect for the surrounding community and landscape with a quieter, more thoughtful sense of luxury.
Further information
sarojin.com
