Phuket's Centara Karon Resort is bursting with decor ideas

Modern tropical is the vision behind the luxury Centara Karon Resort in Phuket. It links together four separate zones, each with a distinctive design to appeal to guests' different tastes, says Centara Karon's general manager Andre Bruhart. He adds that Bt300 million was set aside for renovations two years ago when the company bought the resort. The results are impressive, but the resort is also a mine of decor ideas for guests to try out at home once they return from their holidays.

Bruhart points out the first zone, the Terraces Superior and Superior Oceanview, which has 120 rooms. Here, a mix of blue, white and dark wood has been used to create a fresh and friendly contemporary style for couples and families.

The ocean-blue in the Terraces zone, adds Bruhart, reminds guests that they are by the sea, while the dark wood accessories in the rooms combine an exotic feel with a more homely, natural look.

From the Terraces, we move on to the Lagoon zone, with 90 rooms decorated in a hot orange. This mango hue keys in with the impressive tropical garden that forms the resort's grounds, for which a budget of Bt10 million was set aside.

As well as the orange, white and light-wood tones have been used in the Lagoon's rooms to encourage a lively and fun atmosphere.

The manager leads us on to the "Tropicale" zone, and a peek into one of its 100 rooms. Here the scheme is a little more subtle and refined, contemporary teakwood with ivory fittings and creamy decor.

We stroll to the last zone, the Cabanas, where 19 pool villas set in a garden show that it's possible to create the atmosphere of a traditional Thai house by using clever designs in wood. Here, privacy and modern comforts have been combined with beautiful surroundings, giving guests the chance to get back in touch with nature.

Three swimming pools serve the four zones and there's also a kids' zone for families.

"The Centara Karon is a family-friendly resort, and that means more facilities, with different designs, to satisfy all sorts of tastes," says Bruhart. "The overall themes - "tropical" and "natural" - inspire a relaxed feeling, something that encourages guests to come back."