Scenic Kata Beach has just welcomed Nook Dee (www.nook-dee.com), a luxurious new boutique resort that incorporates plenty of local charm. 

Named after the Southern Thai term for "fun," the resort is decked out in playful-yet-warm colors and features lots of teakwood walls, floors and furniture. Other classic Thai touches include woven mats. handcrafted ceramics and colorful Sino-style tiles in every bathroom, and intricate silk patchwork weavings in the bedroom. 

The resort offers three types of bedrooms—the Jacuzzi sea view room, superior sea view and deluxe sea view (that's right, they all face the sea!). Each come equipped with rain showers and outdoor balconies, too.

Rates starts from B4,418 for superior (Yoo Dee room) and deluxe (Lub Dee room) and B5,437 for deluxe jacuzzi (Fun Dee room) and panoramic seaview room.