So this is the Sixth Heaven!

Paradee's villa with private pool

Save the best for last, they say. Inspired by and named after the Sixth Heaven, Brahma's home, the Paradee Resort perches on Koh Samet's southernmost beach.

It's the most secluded of the island's beaches, with twin little bays, and it packs as much punch as all of the others on Samet put together.

Yes, it's surprising - and amusing - to discover that the Sixth Heaven of Brahma has Moroccan-style villas, a large pool, a gym and an award-winning spa.

"The Paradee is a perfect hide¬away a few hours' drive from Bangkok," says resident manager Kriengsak Hansa, who doesn't mind dropping the names of a few celebrities and high-profile business people he's had as guests.

"Our powdery white private beach is second to none!"

There are 40 lovely cottages nestled along the east-coast bay.

The Exclusive Beachfront Villas, each with a private pool, occupy the prime spots along the sand. It's a best-of-both-worlds existence being immersed in your own freshwater pool and contemplating the azure salt sea beyond.

The Garden Villas, with and without pools, sit back from the curvy beach. Here I find my white¬washed cottage with a thatched roof and a veranda that's small - but big enough for two daybeds, ideal for a couple with body lotion to share.

Nearby, beneath a canopy, is a set of rustic chairs and a table, perfect for lounging with your favourite drink and gazing eastward across the waves.

This Sixth Heaven isn't as dry as you might expect of Brahma. Guests checking in find a complementary bottle of Monsoon Valley red just waiting to be uncorked.

Inside the cottage the appeal is Arabic, everything tastefully arranged. There's a decadent couch and a big, restful four-poster bed festooned with a mosquito net.

The room's a bit dark, but fling open the drapes on the floor-to-ceiling window on the beach side and daylight moves right in with you.

If you cherish your privacy you might be a bit put off by the lack of a door between the bedroom and toilet. That's easily offset by sliding the closet door across.

The shower is a glass cube with¬out a top, letting in the fresh air and the winks of the stars. On the other side of a clean and rustic bathtub is the toilet stall, shielded by a frosted-glass door.

Sundowners will love spending the day's most dramatic moments with a pre-dinner cocktail in hand at the Sunset Bar, which overlooks the pebble beach on the west side.

The restaurant is called The Restaurant, and it serves Thai and foreign cuisine all day. The Thai food tastes fine.

The decent-sized gym has plenty of weight-training machines, and the Paradee Spa gets busy in the evening with guests taking turns getting aromatherapy massages.

The celebrated spa offers the authentic Thai traditional massage as well as a four-hour head-to-toe treatment.

For livelier pastimes, there are ATV motorcycles and catamarans for rent.

All things considered, the Paradee is the best hideaway for a quick dose of luxury. Its beach vies with Maya on Koh Phi Phi for recognition as the country's best, and those in Hua Hin and Pran Buri don't come close.

But this Sixth Heaven is not the place for everyone - the prices will send some people scurrying.

A Garden Villa without a pool is the cheapest accommodation at Bt17,800 per night. On the next rung up is the Beach Front Villa with pool for Bt30,000.

The top-of-the-ladder Paradee Suite, a spacious villa and a butler on duty, will cost you Bt79,200 for a single night.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Luxury cottages and Thailand's finest beach on the tip of Bangkok's nose

Low point: Though just 15 minutes by speedboat from the mainland, the resort is isolated - party lovers might miss the action at Had Sai Khao on the other side of the island.

Find it: Ao Kiw, as far south as you can get on Samet

Pay for it: Check the website for deals.

Phone it: (038) 644 42838

Browse it: www.ParadeeResort.com