You’ve been running around to get every detail perfected before the wedding, while trying not to unleash the hormones on your husband-to-be, in addition to maintaining a good relationship with the in-laws. The last thing you need after months of planning is to continue putting on the party animal persona.

We’re not telling you to avoid vibrant destinations, just to save them for the second half of your trip. Start off with a relaxing destination to prep you for the more action-packed destinations.

The Racha

After our wedding my husband and I headed to Racha Yai island in Phuket, and lodged at The Racha Hotel; the main attraction on that tiny, secluded island.

If you’re looking for adventure, steer away from The Racha, you have to take a bumpy 30 minute speedboat ride to get to the mainland and the last boat leaves at 6pm. But if you, like us, are looking for a place to put your feet up and listen only to the sound of waves, then this is the place for you.

The Hotel: Overlooks Batok Bay and is 35 minutes away from Chalong Bay. It hosts several luxurious villas and suites with private pools. The white sandy beaches are scenic with turquoise, sleepy shores framed by green hills. The buildings and one-story rooms were designed to blend in with the surroundings, yet with a modern twist.

The Rooms: We stayed at the Grand Deluxe villa with a private pool, an outdoor shower and a terrace overlooking the sea. Honestly, we could have opt for the standard villa as we only used the pool once — with an infinity edge overlooking panoramic views of the island, a private pool is a waste of time.

The rooms are spacious, with sleek, minimal furnishing and equipped with iPod docks and an iPod with chill-out music; ideal for watching the sun set from your patio.

When you’re checking in, you will be asked to choose from three scents for the shower gel, shampoo and infuser; jasmine, lavender or lemongrass. Our advice is to consult your husband first to avoid any complaints regarding the chosen scent.

A word of advice: When visiting the Far East, always keep your door shut and use the repellents provided; you never know what lizard might sneak in.

Activities: There is a gym and tennis courts, and if you’re up for snorkeling, the hotel provides snorkeling gear and kayaks at no charge. If you’re feeling extra energetic, take a beginner’s diving lesson with the resident instructor. Don’t expect a full-fledged diving experience, the lesson is just enough to get you through a 10 meter dive. Make sure you take the complimentary bike and tour around the island.

The Water: Day trippers visit the beach between 10am to 3pm, so if it gets a little crowded, head to one of the three infinity edge pools; did we mention the pools have underwater music? You can also walk 10-15 minutes to the more secluded beaches.

Eateries: There are three restaurants to choose from, and while they don’t exactly provide a mind-blowing culinary experience, it is good value for money. The first night we opted for the more relaxed, outdoors Sunset Beach Restaurant, which turned out to be my favorite restaurant there. Set up on the beach, it offers Thai food and barbecued delicacies. The Fire Grill is a fine-dining spot with a live band, and Earth Café, where the open-buffet breakfast is served, has an outdoor terrace and serves Western and Thai cuisines.

The Service: The staff is exceptionally helpful, as are most hosts in Thailand, really, and the general manager Khun Gerard oversees everything in person. Gerard, bless him, offered us a place on the early speedboat even though we were scheduled for a later one.

Get Pampered: We were scheduled for a Thai massage and I was worried that an authentic Thai massage might be a tad bit rough for me, but it turns out, it was just what I needed; pressure was perfect, mood serene and the staff friendly and professional.

The Downsides: The only downside was that we arrived at 10am after a long flight, a 50-minute bus ride and a 35-minute boat ride to find that we can’t be checked in until 2 pm. Make sure you book the right boat slot to arrive in time for check-in.

The lodging is rather pricey, although the restaurants are moderately priced, so we recommend you stay no more than two nights. Too much chilling is not good for your health.

Prices start at $380 (LE 2,400), including taxes, for the standard double rooms, breakfast included. The best time to visit is December through March and the rainiest season is September to October.