This put up might comprise affiliate hyperlinks.
Finest Lodge in Koh Lanta
Pimalai Resort and Spa on the island of Koh Lanta is all the pieces you possibly can need – at the least it’s all the pieces I needed – in a Thai luxurious resort.
(To be honest, my husband most well-liked Layana, the opposite high tier – however very totally different – luxurious resort on the Thai island of Koh Lanta.)
Why Pimalai?
This dreamy 5-star resort has a beachside location, with tasteful villas crawling up the luxurious mountainside and a jaw-dropping infinity pool with spectacular views of the Andaman Sea.
We stayed right here every week and hopefully this Pimalai Resort evaluation will enable you determine if it’s the correct seashore resort in Thailand for you.
Examine costs and availability for Pimalai Resort & Spa right here.
Getting There
Lots of people delay going to Koh Lanta as a result of there aren’t any direct flights to the island. I stored placing it off for years. This implies it’s not overly crowded.
When you keep at Pimalai they are going to decide you up from the airport and prepare transportation at no additional payment.
We arrived on the resort late at evening – it’s a two-hour journey from Krabi airport and we caught a late flight from Bangkok.
After our welcome drink of lemongrass, lemon and syrup, we checked in and stood on the balcony of our Deluxe Room within the balmy tropical air. It was darkish as a bat’s wing.
A Seaside Resort
Peering by way of the shadowy silhouettes of palm timber and ferns, I requested my husband, “Are these waves I hear? Is that the ocean on the market?”
Clearly, whenever you e book a 5-star seashore resort in Koh Lanta you shouldn’t be stunned to be close to the ocean, however, since we’d booked a Deluxe Room, the most affordable sort of lodging (which actually couldn’t be categorized as ‘low-cost’ in any respect), I’d thought we’d be going through one thing much less interesting, just like the again of the kitchen or at greatest a backyard.
Ocean View
However no. Within the morning, the view of pale blue water rolling as much as mushy sand on Kantiang Bay was the very first thing we noticed because it appeared by way of the foliage. (So I’m simply saying that Room 134 suited us effectively.)
The explanation we had a view is as a result of we booked an higher stage room. When you’re staying in a Deluxe Villa I like to recommend you do the identical. Although I’m positive the decrease ones have advantages we don’t find out about.
The Deluxe Rooms are in two stage models in groupings of 4 so there’s lots of area round you. And I may barely see the purple tile roofs of the rooms in entrance of me so we had lots of privateness.
Kantiang Bay Seashore
Pimalai Resort is about on Kantiang Bay. In keeping with a minivan driver we employed to take us across the island, Kantiang Bay is the very best seashore on Koh Lanta.
This didn’t agree with TripAdvisor opinions I’d learn that say the rather more developed Lengthy Seashore is best. In truth, they barely point out Kantiang Bay in any respect.
But it surely’s a sleepy serene place and the longer I stayed the extra content material I used to be.
Kantiang Bay is a stunning seashore – all melt-under-your-toes sand and clear water that’s ideally suited for swimming.
Pimalai takes up many of the seashore with seashore cabanas, a seashore bar (extremely popular for 2-For-1 Completely happy Hour drinks at sundown), some beachfront villas and the Rak Taley seafood restaurant, the place we ate practically each evening.
I did like their Tom Yum Goon soup.
What Can You Do in Kantiang Bay?
Go to the Why Not Bar
When you stroll down the seashore about 10 minutes from Pimalai you’ll discover the Why Not Bar, which has a laid-back vibe and equally good sundown views.
It’s a distinct universe than the understated however very luxe ambiance at Pimalai. Why Not has a extra meditative hippy vibe. And it’s less expensive.
There’s a little village right here the place you will get taxis, lease motorbikes, eat in a few of the eating places or go to the 7-11 for late evening balcony snacks.
About Pimalai Resort & Spa
Properly, it’s attractive and one of many greatest resorts in Thailand. Let me be extra particular. Assume rainforest-meets-beautiful-beach attractive.
It’s loosely divided into three ranges: the seashore, the center stage with reception, pool, spa and restaurant, and the highest stage with the infinity pool and excessive finish eating with a view.
Nature is the star at Pimalai Resort, and it by no means feels crowded because it’s so unfold out and there are such a lot of ranges.
The Seashore
The seashore has loads of cabanas and deck chairs and towels, and workers refresh your ice water consistently. Simply FYI, the again cabanas get fairly first rate shade within the afternoon. (Are you able to inform I like my shade?)
If you’d like a kayak or a paddleboard you ask for it, fill out a type and so they convey you a life jacket and paddle. It was my each day journey.
Predominant Pool
On the center stage of the resort there’s a pool. It’s extremely popular and we began our days there, till Mark fell in love with the higher pool and I grew to become wedded to the seashore.
When you’re on the pool on the proper time the workers convey round little fruit skewers of watermelon and pineapple.
We by no means needed to battle for deck chairs, although it was sometimes a little bit of a scramble for spots within the shade within the late afternoon.
Infinity Pool
The infinity pool on the high of the resort is unfold out like some blue slash of paradise.
Up on the high of the resort there’s a health club (which we really used! I’m so impressed with ourselves). There are additionally some very fancy villas with swimming pools, which we couldn’t hope to afford.
Eating places
On the center stage of the resort, not removed from the reception foyer, is the Spice and Rice Restaurant the place we spent hours on the breakfast buffet within the morning.
It’s an impressive breakfast. Eggs Benedict from the egg station was my favorite, adopted by two big plates of fruit.
Papaya and dragon fruit days had been the very best, in my view, however my husband most well-liked mango and passionfruit mornings. (He additionally favored the chocolate croissants.)
On the high, close to the Infinity Pool, is the deluxe Seven Seas Restaurant. It’s Italian themed, apparently the most effective eating places on the island, and can also be extremely romantic with its sweeping view of the bay.
Is Pimalai Centrally Positioned?
No. It’s not central like its important luxurious resort rival Layana on Lengthy Seashore (the place we additionally stayed, however not on the identical time, clearly).
Many individuals lease scooters, however we spent our time strolling alongside the seashore into the village and as soon as we employed a automobile and driver to take us round.
PImalai is situated close to the southwest tip of Koh Lanta, on Kantiang Bay not removed from Mu Ko Nationwide Park.
Design
The resort structure is Southern Thai.
This is smart as a result of it’s in Southern Thailand, however what it means on this case is teak flooring, white partitions, purple clay-tiled roofs, silk curtains and artwork – at the least in our room – that evokes nature within the fashion of batik-looking leaves.
Rooms
Our room was one among a cluster of 4 rooms with two above and two at floor stage.
It felt very personal and our balcony was an alluring place to linger, besides that we had been so busy lingering by one of many swimming pools or the seashore that it had stiff competitors for our consideration.
One morning a tiny yellow hen with an enormous purple beak landed on our balcony. I swear, its beak was greater than its physique. No marvel it stopped for a relaxation. A reminiscence I’ll always remember.
The room has a big bathtub that was form of in the midst of the room however may very well be walled off with a sliding wooden and glass door.
The washroom space was practically as massive because the sleeping space with separate stalls for each rest room and bathe.
The beds had been divinely comfy and the air-con stored the room cool at evening.
Once we arrived there was a welcome fruit plate and coconut water to drink (and that is after the lemongrass and lemon drink they provide us at reception).
It wasn’t the largest room on the planet however the finishings are first price.
Service
Thai hospitality is excellent at this stage of a resort.
They’ll convey you life vests and paddles whenever you need to take out a kayak and don’t appear to thoughts in case your husband asks for a fifth cup of espresso.
Issues to Do
There are a selection of marine excursions provided by way of the resort, and so they’re high price with transportation on Pimalai’s luxurious speedboats.
Significantly in style are the excursions to the islands of Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Marine Parks for snorkelling and up-close views of the gorgeous surroundings full with clear turquoise water and sheer limestone cliffs.
Different actions embody cooking lessons, health lessons, and a first-class spa in a leafy tropical setting.
(We did a pair’s therapeutic massage, besides that Mark solely needed a head therapeutic massage so actually it was half a pair plus a head. Beautiful anyway.)
Pimalai Resort & Spa Evaluation Verdict
I assumed Pimalai was an impressive, peaceable keep in a James-Bond-like setting. When you’re in search of a spot to unwind, that is it.
If you’d like nightlife and a full of life vibe, you’re most likely greatest to go elsewhere.
Lengthy Seashore has probably the most lodges and resorts on Koh Lanta, and if that’s extra your vibe I’d counsel the adults-only Layana Resort and Spa. (Not, clearly, when you’re travelling with kids.)
Now, after I’m drained and feeling like a worn out dishrag, I consider Pimalai, of that movie-set infinity pool, of the sleepy kayaking journeys (besides as soon as I needed to rescue a French household who had tipped over and weren’t carrying life jackets – true story), and people lengthy drawn-out breakfasts with birdsong, sunshine and recent fruit. Ahh. My comfortable place.
The draw back? 5-star luxurious in Thailand doesn’t come low-cost however for me, it was definitely worth the splurge.
