There is a valid explanation for its industrial edge. In redesigning the popular Pearl Village Hotel, (which reopened as the Indigo Pearl in December 2006) architect Bill Bensley and Australian industrial artist John Underwood drew inspiration from Phuket's 100-year-old tin mining heritage. Exposed wooden beams, smoked glass, polished cement floors, blackened stainless steel benches with brass rivets, floral art combined with raw silk touches the spectrum of a memorable holiday sunset adds texture and lustre to this five-star beachside hideaway.

Hi-speed wireless internet access, flat screen TVs, mini-bar and 24-hour room service are complimented by a range of public resort facilities including a DVD library, and gym offering pilates, fit ball, stretching, yoga and tai chi classes. Home-grown coconut milk, sea salt crystals and seaweed dominate the IN-DI-Go Spa's range of body wraps and scrubs but don't miss a massage. Just book well ahead on wet weather days or you'll have to try your luck at one of the small massage parlours wedged between rows of cheap and cheerful bars and restaurants, dive and tour shops lining the road you have to cross to get to the beach (the resort's only significant downside). A massage in Thailand is like afternoon tea in Devon, a broadway show in NYC or betting on Australia's Melbourne Cup - it's a must-do.

If shopping is more your style- you don't need to drive an hour into Phuket's main town for a healthy dose of retail therapy. But come prepared for excess baggage. The resort's Stock Room's must-have souvenirs range from Thai antiques, silk, artwork, china, exquisite jewellery and glassware. Like so many hotels these days, chances are if you like the furnishings you can buy it - and that's also true here, right down to the designer tableware and cutlery.

There's a wide choice of dining options from the casual Rivet Grill, to the dazzling silk and silverware affair in Black Ginger restaurant. Don't just come for the food but the setting - the restaurant is exotically housed in a dark timber pavilion guarded by elephant sculptures and surrounded by tranquil lotus ponds. For casual drinks head to the open-air Rebar - above Rivet Grill - especially at sunset. The Tongkah Tin Syndicate, a designer bar/snooker hall, is a hip spot to enjoy a cold beer or a colourful cocktail, catch a major sporting event on TV, sink a ball, and yourself into a lounge chair to share the day's events and twitter over the walls crammed with more antiques gathered from the island's tin mining heydays .

Check in: Nai Yang Beach & National Park, Phuket, 83110, Thailand. Tel: +66 (0) 76 327 006.

Ultimate Luxury: The Bensley Suite with private pool, garden courtyar or the new Private Pool villas.

Most Indulgent Moment: Have staff prepare a milk bath on your balcony with a range of essential oils and romantic rose petals plus a glass of bubbles

Insider Secrets: 007 Roger Moore visited the region during the filming of The Man with Golden Gun (1974) in nearby Phang Nga Bay. Other famous names to grace these shores include Leonardo di Caprio -during the filming of The Beach, Renee Zellwegger (Bridget Jones Edge of Reason) and 007 Pierce Brosnen and his bond girl Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies).

The Little Things: Sandals and beach bags are provided in rooms. If you want to try to recreate your favourite meal for friends at home, Moo's Kitchen offers cooking classes

Junior Luxies: Kids Club. Open seven days for ages four and up with activities like forest walks, sand sculpture and batik painting.

Dress code: Smart casual resort wear - cool (preferably) uncrushable fabrics.

Perfect luggage: A silver Vapour carry-on from Tumi. The industrial look suits the destination.

Dent in the platinum:

Luxury Resorts Links: www.indigo-pearl.com www.worldhotels.com www.tumi.com