The Houben Hotel

From the exterior, the hotel appears out of place: The gray glass-and-steel apartment-style blocks rise up sharply against the tranquil Koh Lanta greenery. An unassuming driveway leads to a sophisticated hotel entrance that echoes the aesthetics of a modern art gallery, with a circular shaded patio area that hosts a water feature with protruding red beams. The entrance leads into a glass box lobby, with bespoke, delicately crafted wooden furniture, and an overall atmosphere of relaxed elegance. This uber-contemporary style continues into the hotel's communal guest spaces, with an unusual red infinity pool that features whirlpool jets and sea views, surrounded by a black-tiled terrace furnished with lounge chairs. Ponds, bamboo, and artsy metal installations are all around. The hotel's handsome and seductive red-and-black motif continues into Red Alert, the restaurant and bar. The space features sleek black-leather high back chairs and red accents in the ceiling, bar, and lamp shades. This boutique hotel almost exclusively attracts couples, and children under age 12 aren't allowed.

Situated in the far south of Koh Lanta, The Houben is a six-minute stroll to Kantiang Beach and a three-minute walk to the sleepy village of Kantiang, with a colorful and charismatic collection of shops, restaurants, and bars. The village is also known as departure point for hikes and island hopping, with a chance to spot tropical marine life including turtles, octopuses, and barracuda at the nearby Ko Haa and Ko Kradan dive sites. For evening entertainment, the beachfront Why Not Bar features fire shows and sea views after dark, and the Aqua Bar offers a wide selection of cocktails -- both are under a 10-minute stroll from the hotel. The resort's south island location is a lengthy commute from the Krabi Airport -- about two and a half hours by car and boat from the hotel. Phuket International Airport is further afield, a four-and-a-half hour journey from the hotel. Journeying to Kantiang Island includes a ferry crossing at Saladan Ferry Pier, just over a half-hour drive away.

The hotel offers 15 rooms, each with a sharp minimalist style that includes funky accents. Guests can choose from sophisticated Deluxe Rooms, Superior Rooms with indoor hot tubs, and Privilege Suites with outdoor jetted tubs. All rooms feature contemporary design, with high ceilings, modern art prints, and hip cushioned daybeds. Some rooms have nearly white-on-white motifs punctuated by pops of brown or blue, while others have sharp hardwood floors, and all are spacious, starting at 49 square meters (527 square feet). Cute hand-crafted elements like the plush whale we spotted in the Deluxe Room are a particularly nice touch. Rooms are flooded by natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to private outdoor furnished balconies with sea views. Other features include large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, coffeemakers, in-room safes, minibars, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers and huge vanities with vessel sinks. 

Unlike many Koh Lanta hotels, The Houben doesn't sit directly on a swimmable beach. There is an infinity pool that's lined with a distinctive red hue and surrounded by a wide terrace with lounge seating and sea views. The hotel's Red Alert restaurant and bar serves a menu of local Thai specialties and international favorites, with fresh produce organically sourced, and an extensive range of imported Belgian beers attributed to the hotelier's Belgian origins. Breakfast is free and comes made-to-order, with eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, potato, and baked beans, as well as waffles, pancakes, and French toast, or more traditional Thai breakfast dishes. There's a fitness room with a bicycle, treadmill, and elliptical machine, and a pampering spa center with beauty, skincare, and massage services on offer. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and in some cases free, depending on the guest's length of stay. Laundry, tour bookings, and airport transfers can be facilitated via reception for a fee.