Situated in the laid-back environs of Khao Lak, The Sarojin offers a luxurious and tranquil retreat on Thailand’s Andaman Coast. The boutique beach resort opened in 2005 and has been at the forefront of Thai hotels championing responsible tourism and sustainability. That ethos was once again recognised in the Responsible Thailand Awards 2022 with The Sarojin winning the award in the hotel category.
One Booking, One Tree
The judges at the Responsible Thailand Awards lauded The Sarojin’s ‘One Booking One Tree’ initiative. Launched in October 2022, the hotel commits to planting at least one tree for every booking made. The forecast for 2023 was for an average of 1,200 trees per month to be planted with approximately 14,400 trees in total for the year.
The One Booking One Tree initiative complements The Sarojin’s ongoing commitment to the Mangrove Forest Planting Project. Located in Ban Nam Kem in Phang Nga province, the project was established by local fishermen following the 2004 tsunami. Guests can also assist in planting new trees which helps restore and protect the vital mangrove ecosystem.
Sarojin Cares: Supporting the local community
The issue of responsible tourism is a subject that is close to the hearts of the hotel’s founders, Kate and Andrew Hemp. One of the main factors that initially drew Kate and Andrew to Khao Lak was the natural beauty of the area and they have always aimed to try and preserve this.
The resort’s eco-friendly programs are designed to limit energy use and water consumption and reduce waste. This starts with small, but easily implemented changes like replacing plastic straws with sustainable lemongrass alternatives. This extends up to bigger changes such as the decision in 2019 to invest in an on-site water bottling plant to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint.
The Sarojin provides practical support for the community who live and work in the Phang Nga area via the Sarojin Cares initiatives and The Sarojin Khao Lak Community Fund.
Kate says, “One of the wonders of tourism and travel is the coming together of two different worlds. When this is done respectfully, fantastic things can happen. The Sarojin and our personal guides help guests and our local communities to meet. The impetus is always to bring together these two worlds in a highly meaningful way; providing an unforgettable holiday experience for guests while actively giving back to the local community.”
Since 2011, staff members at The Sarojin have volunteered in the local community as part of the hotel’s monthly Sarojin Cares days. And since 2019, guests staying at the resort have also been invited to join and help support the Khao Lak community. Amongst the different activities, the hotel has organised ‘Big Cleaning Days’ to help clean up coastlines, waterfalls, and town areas.
Sarojin Cares has also actively supported the Camillian Centre, a day care facility for disabled children. Guests at The Sarojin can join with the youngsters to hand paint the designs on recyclable bags. These bags are then made available at the hotel with guests encouraged to take the bags with them on their beach walks to remove any washed up plastic or litter they may come across.
Stay at The Sarojin
To find out more about the responsible travel initiatives established by The Sarojin, visit their website and social media channels. Better still, visit in person to discover why this boutique resort is such a firm favourite for the many repeat visitors who stay here.
The Sarojin is located in the quiet beach area of Khao Lak in Phang Nga province. The most convenient option for overseas visitors is to fly to Phuket with The Sarojin only an hour’s drive north of Phuket airport.
The Khao Lak area in general is ideal for a relaxing beach holiday. There is also plenty to see and do nearby with Khao Lak handily placed to explore the gorgeous Khao Sok National Park and Phang Nga Bay. The diving and snorkelling paradise of the Similan Islands and Surin Islands are also close by, making Khao Lak a great choice if you are visiting the Andaman Coast and looking for an alternative destination to Phuket or Krabi.
Photos from The Sarojin Khao Lak Facebook page
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