Heading to Thailand and looking for somewhere to stay? I could wax lyrical about all the fabulous amenities at the beautiful Angsana Laguna Phuket – pristine white sand beaches, emerald-green water, luxurious family villas – but there’s one thing that really stands out. One thing that Angsana Laguna Phuket has that no other resort has. And that is… 

…a baby elephant. Yes, Angsana Laguna Phuket has a resident elephant. Lucky (the elephant) is unquestionably the star of the resort. He makes daily visits to the Tree House Kids Club where he’ll gladly pose for photos as well as taking daily strolls along the Bang Tao Bay beach and baths in the Andaman Sea with his mahouts (full-time caretakers).

So, what to do while waiting for your photo opportunity with Lucky? Start with the pool – a massive three hundred and twenty-three metres long, the pool wraps its way around the resort. Take a long swim or relax in one of the two spas, enjoy the swim-up bar or plant yourself on the artificial beach or by the children’s pool.

There’s also yoga classes, including Kid’s Yoga for children aged five years and over, bike tours, Muay Thai lessons, private karaoke rooms, kayaking and sailing along the beach of Bangtao Bay. For something thoroughly relaxing, head to the Angsana Spa Laguna Phuket where family spa packages are on offer – kids will enjoy hair braiding and henna tattoos while parents indulge in massages and beauty treatments.

The Tree House Kids Club is open to children aged five to fifteen and offers all sorts of activities from treasure hunts to lessons in coconut leaf folding. The Kids Club also has three different playgrounds and a video corner stocked with the latest electronic games.

Angsana Laguna Phuket is located on Bang Tao Bay in the northwest of Phuket Island in Southern Thailand. The resort has more than four hundred guest rooms, lofts, suites and private villas. Laguna Premier Rooms, accommodating two adults and two children, begin at approximately $338 per night. For families of up to six, the Angsana Pool Residence begins at $440 per night. For ultimate luxury, the four-bedroom Angsana Grand Pool Residence accommodates eight people and boasts a private pool and extensive living areas – prices begin at $1590 per night.

You can book your stay at Angsana Laguna Phuket online and organise flights to Phuket, Thailand online at Goldman Holidays. The resort also offers special packages such as the Summer Family Festival. Don’t forget to share your happy snaps of Lucky when you return!