It was an unusual day for the end of April and supposedly the middle of Thailand's hot season. Grey clouds which had lingered threateningly all morning suddenly broke, letting loose a ferocious downpour, of the sort that windscreen wipers barely manage to hold back. The two hour drive I had started from Bangkok to Pattaya now seemed like not such a good idea. After all, the attraction of Pattaya was sun, sea and sand.

I was to stay at Sugar Hut, a resort located between Pattaya and Jomtien beach, but---as I was to find out-pretty much hidden away from it all. Only a very small, modest sign takes you off Tapraya road and along a tree lined lane, giving little indication of what you will find at the end.

The rain had subsided although the clouds refused to budge as I was led to my bungalow down a small path into an increasingly thick body of vegetation. A distinct fragrance filled the air, a sweet smell only found in the jungle after the monsoon rains, Traditional, Thai-style huts soon came into view largely secluded by tall trees and scattered around a swimming pool that was set in a clearing.

My hut was elegant in its simplicity. Lifted by stills above the ground, it had a wide balcony and solid wooden doors that opened outwards to reveal a spacious room with a high ceiling and a bed sunken into a base on the floor. Although seemingly bare, everything that you would expect from a luxury hotel was there. Air conditioning, cupboards and a hanger for your clothes and even a safe. The adjacent bathroom was large, with two giant earthenware jars for Thai style bathing that offered an alternative to the modern shower. The whole room was brightly illuminated by rays of sunlight entering through wide slats in the sloping roof.

The theme was most definitely " back to nature", something almost unheard of these days in Pattaya, Thailand's most popular - and developed - seaside resort. However the Sugar Hut's owner, Doctor Sanya Viravaidya, is supremely confident that it has a future. He believes that as Thailand continues to industrialise, both nature and Thai culture are suffering. A long-lasting project such as the Sugar Hut. Which is based on a natural and traditional concept is, according to Dr. Sunya, both out of the ordinary and increasingly popular:

" Here we have created what I believe to be the ideal resort. It is peaceful. Natural and unpolluted but with all the necessary modern amenities. We have gone to great lengths with the smallest details to make sure that the resort is unlike any other, so that people can really get away from their everyday lives and rejuvenate the spirit. This is what more and more people are looking for".

In fact, nearly everything about the Sugar Hut distinguishes it from the run-of the mill resort. A team of respected builders and artists from Ayuthaya were employed to construct the bungalows in order to achieve the authentic traditional Thai style. All the wining was laid underground so as not to spoil the natural beauty of the resort and

The three swimming pools are surrounded by beautiful wood panelling, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also means that your feet will not bum on a hot day. And a touch which has hone down extremely will with children is the animal population. I was at first slightly disconcerted by a rustling noise under my bungalow only to find a rabbit nibbiling away at some leaves. Peacocks, turkeys and chickens can also be found scratching around in the undergrowth.

The Sugar Hut is the perfect resort for families. The deluxe bungalows provide two bedroom accommodation with a lounge equipped with satellite TV. As if the grounds of the Sugar Hut were not plenty for children to explore, there is also a playground set aside from the rest of the resort and a communal lounge with games. TV and video. Meanwhile parents can simply relax at one of the three swimming pools and jacuzzis of in the excellent restaurant. The more active can take advantage of the well equipped fitness centre and a one kilometre long jogging track which meanders through the lush forest.

As I discovered, weather conditions are almost in elevant when it comes to the Sugar Hut. To a certain extent it does not even matter that you are in Pattaya either. The beach and bright lights of South Pattaya are only 5 minutes away but everything that you could possibly want from a stress free holiday is at the resort and it is hard to pull yourself away from it; for it takes a stay in the Sugar Hut for you to rediscover that life is indeed sweet, and you will always want to return for more.