The Thai vegan retreat where Israelis go to zen out

Once through the gate, however, all concerns I had about this (and indeed everything else) quickly evaporated. If I hadn’t already been won over by the star-studded skies and the sparkling sea in the distance or the super chilled out atmosphere in the open plan reception, the chorus of frogs, birds and monkeys on the way to our bedroom would have done it.

To call it a bedroom, however, is to seriously underplay the place we called home for three nights.

Kapuhala hosts five “tented villas,” two of which my family were lucky enough to stay in for three nights. You might think glamping, but even that upscale version of camping does not really do the villas justice. There is furniture, a fridge, coffe-making facilities, a freestanding shower in a luxury bathroom and - most importantly here in southern Thailand - air conditioning.

The resort's tented villas give a whole new meaning to the word glamping[Missing Credit]

The company’s tagline is “in the luxury of nature,” which could not be more accurate. Each ‘villa’ - as well as the more budget-friendly “farmhouses” - is nestled in the lush greenery of the hills of Chaweng Noi, where you find yourself immersed in the surround sound of the jungle.

The only thing that topped drifting off in the four poster bed to a backdrop of nature’s best playlist, was peeling back the “walls” in the morning to reveal a wraparound balcony which overlooked a panoramic view of the ocean in front of us - and the lush rainforest behind us.

Once I took in the surroundings in daylight, I realised that getting to the beach was going to be less of a concern than previously thought.

Kapuhala pitches itself as a long-term stay for digital nomads who are making the most of the remote working revolution, while the website describes it as a “boutique wellness resort” whose motto is “eat well, train well and live well”.

Ahead of our stay, I was a little unsure as to whether we were quite their target audience, and was even more uncertain about how the carnivores in my family would feel about the “plant-based restaurant” Halapua.

But this is a place where the reality far exceeds the promises of its slick website. The wonderfully chilled out lounge and restaurant - open to the elements, besides some much needed shade - is lined on one side by a 25m infinity pool against the backdrop of the ocean. Over the course of our stay, we lazed around here, swimming, reading, writing, playing cards and even doing a bit of work.

The infinity pool[Missing Credit]

Much to my surprise, the restaurant was a massive hit with my family - so much so that they asked to eat there again the following night. Kapuhala has a sister site in Sicily and the Italian influence is ever-present on the menu, which draws on produce grown on site. Among our favourites were the bruschetta, the arancini and the caponata, as well as the zingy fruit cocktails.

Kapuhala has 100 per cent plant-based restaurant, which is popular with kosher guests[Missing Credit]

I’m told that Kapuhala is especially popular with Israelis, who are perhaps drawn by an environment that lends itself well to those keeping kosher or who just want to take in the off-the-beaten-track vibe.

But there are no requirements for booking - and no expectations once there. Whether you come to work, get fit or just lounge around, Kapuhala is a haven for perfect peace - and my new happy place.

For further details or to book visit https://kapuhalasamui.com/

Tree top villas cost £100 per night, while the smaller “farmhouse” apartments are priced at about £78 per night.