One of the most eagerly-awaited launches will be the Central Krabi Bay Resort, which opens its doors in December. Set in its own private bay called Pai Plong, the resort lies on a beautiful white sand beach which stretches 500 metres. All the rooms and suites overlook the ocean and have "living room style" terraces. Backed by verdant limestone cliffs, it seems the resort is worlds away from civilisation. However, Krabi's most popular resort area, Ao Nang, is only a short boat ride away. The resort is connected to the bustling village by complimentary amphibious vehicles and boats operated by the resort.

The new Central Krabi Bay Resort joins a number of exciting top-end hotels which are transforming Krabi from a sleepy seaside resort to a world-class destination. Among these are Tubkaak Resort, the Nakamanda Resort and Spa, the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort and the Phulay Beach Resort. The area is also home to the Rayavadee Premier Resort, long regarded one of Thailand's most exclusive beach retreats.

Lanta Island, which falls into the Krabi region, has also been spawning five-star resorts. The island has a reputation as a great "getaway" destination, with small bungalow resorts dotted along the coast. The luxurious newcomers appear to be keeping to the tradition of ensuring relaxing, quiet holidays - they are just raising the bar a few notches with their decor and facilities.

The new kid on the block will be the Rawi Warin Resort, which welcomes its first guests in December. It joins the island's other five-star resorts - the trendy Layana Resort and Spa, which opened in November last year, and Pimalai Resort and Spa, which is tucked away in a hillside forest overlooking the sea. Other unique resorts, such as Sri Lanta and Costa Lanta, add to the island's allure.

When it comes to luxury beach resorts, Phuket still rules the roost with its magnificent hotels, spas and villas. International jet-setters rub shoulders with wealthy European and Asian families at some of the most glamorous beach retreats in the world. Trisara, Amanpuri and the Banyan Tree lead the pack, but some stylish newcomers like Twinpalms Resort and Treetops Arasia are luring younger trend-setters.

All along the coast resorts are being developed with luxury villas, spas and designer restaurants. These exciting developments seem to have revitalised the entire industry, with mid-market hotels now using top designers and architects to give them an appealing, fresh look. A number of new projects are taking place in Karon Beach, where a host of new hotels have opened.

It was boosted last year when the Hilton group renovated the island's biggest hotel and created the The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa. This year sees the launch of the Crowne Plaza Karon Beach. Besides 168 plush sea-facing guest rooms, the resort boasts 164 secluded villas, all with sundecks, outdoor rainforest showers and sunken plunge pools. With a beachfront restaurant and a vast spa complex, the hotel is great for holidays.

A less pricey option, located on a hill behind the Crowne Plaza, is the Phulin Resort, one of the new mid-market resorts changing the face of Phuket. You don't get a beachfront location, but you get stylish rooms, a swimming pool and self-catering options for those on a budget. Similarly, the new Baumanburi Hotel in Patong Beach offers good rooms and a swimming pool in the heart of this bustling resort town. The beach is only a short stroll away.

At Khao Lak, on the mainland an hour's drive from Phuket, two ultra-stylish resorts which had their launches last year cut short by the tsunami, are back in business this year. La Flora Resort and Spa occupies a prime beachfront location and is set inside a large tropical garden not far from Khao Lak's national parks and the Similan Dive Sanctuary. It offers magnificent beachfront villas and a superb pool overlooking the sea.

Nearby, The Sarojin Resort is designed in a contemporary Asian style. Set in a garden with direct private access onto a secluded 11km white beach, some of the resort's villas have private swimming pools and outdoor baths. You can dine under a magnificent Fiscus Tree, beside a lotus pond, or under a thatched timber pavilion looking out over the sea.

Many people consider the island of Koh Samui to be the ideal family holiday destination. As the number of visitors has soared, so have the number of hotels and resorts. Many of them place great emphasis on their health spas and Samui is now competing with Bali as a great “beach and spa” destination. Older hotels are being forced to upgrade and open their own spas and villas to compete with newcomers.

Two hotels which opened this year have brought luxury accommodation to Bo Phut, home to Samui's lovely Fisherman's Village. This village retains the feel of the “old” Samui and is regarded as the best-preserved place on the island. Old wooden Chinese shop-houses are interspersed with charming bistros, bars and boutiques, it retains a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

The Anantara Resort and Spa offers five-star luxury in a garden setting and one of the best health spas on Samui. Bedroom terraces have sweeping views across the Sea of Siam, while couples can share the large Terrazo bathtubs. You can even sit in the bath and watch a movie on the in-room DVD.

The Bandara Resort on Bo Phut Beach offers great beachfront accommodation, but its fabulous villas steal the show. Full-length windows have beach or garden views, while the villa's private garden has a plunge pool and outdoor bathtub. A fence and pond around each cottage ensure total privacy.