In the late afternoon, we would either go for a walk on the idyllic island or hire a bicycle and travel down the sandy lanes that link the beaches. My wife and I had wanted a holiday away from the crowds, but without sacrificing any luxury. We finally set our hearts on a new island resort in Thailand. The Racha Resort, set on Racha Island about 45 minutes boat ride from Phuket, was named as one of the 100 "hottest" new hotels in the world by the respected Conde Nast magazine. It was the place we had long dreamt of.

Accommodation is in white-walled villas. Your every need is catered for - there's a TV and a DVD in the room, a daybed on the terrace and a spectacular indoor-outdoor bathroom in an enclosed garden. The hotel boasts three restaurants, bars, a magnificent swimming pool and a spa. You can even have a massage on the beach, looking out over the gentle waves.

The Racha Resort is one of a new breed of exclusive beach retreats springing up throughout Asia. The region has always had great hotels, but the trend has moved towards smaller, boutique resorts with specialised service and top-notch facilities. There's no fuss, no bother and certainly no queues.

The islands of southern Thailand can boast some of the very best resorts. On Phuket Island there are many world-class resorts, but some of the smaller, more intimate retreats include the Andaman White Beach Resort on Naithon Beach, Villa Royale on Kata Beach, the Chedi near Surin Beach and the legendary Amanpuri resort. There's also the fabulous Banyan Tree Hotel and Spa in the Laguna complex, recently voted the best resort in Asia. Superb villas have their own pools and spas, and you can dine or take cocktails in private salas overlooking the tranquil lagoon.

Only an hour away from Phuket is Phi-Phi Island, which became famous as the setting of the movie, The Beach, featuring Leonardo da Vinci. If you want to be in the centre of the action, Ton Sai village, your best choice is one of the beachfront villas at the PP Princess Hotel. This is for those who enjoy mingling with young backpackers from around the globe and partying in the host of bars and nightclubs that clog the island. For those who prefer quieter surroundings rather opt for a luxury beachfront bungalow or one of the new villas at the Pee-Pee Island Village Hotel.

For an even more relaxed vibe, you can always head for Lanta Island. A rustic tropical fisherman's island, it is still relatively undeveloped. However, it boasts two excellent boutique hotels. My favourite is the very modern Costa Lanta, with 22 bungalows built in an "open-box" style. The resort is designer heaven - every detail combines to form a breathtakingly simple, but elegant, resort.

For a totally laid-back holiday, the island of Koh Yao Noi provides a total escape. Here you are a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of commercial life - there are no tacky curio shops, no nightclubs and no timeshare vendors. Your days will be spent exploring quiet little bays, strolling through coconut plantations or just dozing on the patio of your bungalow. It is set in Phang-Nga Bay, an area of spectacular limestone cliffs and uninhabited islands. Stay at the Koyao Island Resort, where only 15 luxury villas blend graciously into the coconut palm plantation setting. Each villa is located directly on the beach and offers a private tropical garden - a true unspoilt paradise.

The island of Koh Samui is gaining a worldwide reputation for its excellent hotels, health spas and relaxed holiday feel. This palm-fringed jewel includes the 250-square-kilometre Ang Thong Marine National Park and a host of beautiful white beaches. One of the best resorts is Napasai, a secluded villa resort. Set on a dramatic hillside overlooking the sea, the resort's fifty-five luxury Cottages have been arranged “village style” around a large central pavilion that features two gourmet restaurants, a dramatic sunset bar and a large free-form swimming pool shaded by coconut palms and cashew nut trees.

If you like the idea of taking a bath on a private terrace overlooking the ocean, you'll love the The Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui's Choengmon Beach. A bathtub on the bedroom terrace is the first thing that strikes you when you arrive, but it is the privacy and discreet, friendly service that you will remember. It's located on the beach and every corner of this hotel has a magical view of the bay, blue skies and lush gardens.

At the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, the rooms will bowl you over. All the spacious Thai-style villas have massive outdoor terraces with a private plunge pool or jacuzzi, your own sundeck loungers and dining area. Even the deluxe rooms have their own jacuzzis on their balconies. If you want to be near to the action on Chaweng Beach, but still have peace and quiet, the best choice is the Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Hotel.

Another of Thailand's relatively untouched islands is Koh Chang, the largest of the 52-island Marine National Park in the Gulf of Siam. As nearly 75% of the park is protected by law, it has managed to remain shielded from mass development. Although it is a dream escape and far from bustling city life, the island is only about four hours from Bangkok by road and ferry.

There are two hotels that classify as dream beach retreats, Aiyapura Resort and Spa and the Panviman Resort. Aiyapura has a spectacular swimming pool with 500 metres of beach frontage and some of the rooms have stunning views of the bay. Panviman, which features traditional Thai architecture, nestles on Klong Prao beach and is ideal for swimming.

Whatever your choice, the new boutique hotels on Thailand's islands offer a totally different beach experience. You won't feel like you're just one of the throng crowding a resort and you will find that the personal service you receive is only matched by the stylish design and ambience of these very classy retreats.