Travel Made Joyful

The Basics

Who & Why: I was invited on a work trip by the agency responsible for promoting Pimalai Resort, along with two other travel advisors.

What: five days exploring the beautiful island of Koh Lanta and the offerings of the resort to help understand and promote it to my clients

When:  mid-December – the weather was sunny or cloudy, and the temps were warm but not too hot, which made it ideal for being outdoors!

Where:  Koh Lanta island is south of Krabi, in southern Thailand. It’s located in the Andaman Sea. The resort is on the southwestern side of the island and is ideally situated in a calm bay, and right next to a national park!

Learnings

What I’d Do Again

I loved how much this property had to offer. I think sometimes people worry that if they’re on an island and not near other places that they might “miss out” on exploring, but I’ve never found that to be true. The beauty of being on an island was that it felt private and calm, but there was still plenty to do. We stayed five nights and I could have easily stayed another two or three, as there was plenty we didn’t have time to do.

• Snorkeling at Koh Rok: this was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, much less snorkeled. I’ve been fortunate to visit the Great Barrier Reef, Zanzibar, and countless places in the Caribbean, but the combination of the clear water (which was a perfect temperature!), vibrant corals and anemones, marine life, and the nearby beaches with soft stretches of golden sand, made this the perfect day! We went in the morning, too, which was much quieter than in the afternoon.
• Spa: I tried several spa treatments, and they were all fantastic. Plus, the spa itself is gorgeous, an indoor/outdoor spa with impeccably clean facilities, a great variety of services, and even kids pampering options! And the prices were much more reasonable than comparable services in Europe
• Cooking Class: I loved our Thai cooking class! It was 2.5 hours, and we went to their on-site gardens to pick many of the plants, fruits, veggies, and herbs we used. Making traditional Thai dishes was such a treat, as I haven’t done much of this type of cuisine.
• Activities: there were so many activities on offer here – from yoga and kickboxing to sound healing, meditation, and guided hikes. They had a beach watersports center, as well as a PADI dive certification center. This was in addition to activities available to be organized on other parts of the island, so you could pick something new every day for weeks!
• Thai Night at Spice n Rice Restaurant: we got to try all three of the main restaurants for dinner, and each was great in its own way. My favorite meal though was the Thai night at one of the restaurants. They had a buffet with only Thai foods, and there was so much to try! They also had traditional Thai music and had a local group of dancers perform several different types of Thai dance. It was awesome to be able try so many different foods in one place!

What I’d Change

I feel like a broken record saying it, but I wish I could have stayed longer! There was so much you could do on property and on the island itself that it would have been very easy to extend our stay. I will be coming back with my family in April, and I already know three nights won’t be enough.

I would have also loved to explore more of the national park next to our resort – there were trails filled with waterfalls, beautiful views, and hidden beaches that we didn’t have time to visit. There was also a small community-run elephant sanctuary, so if you were visiting Thailand and didn’t have time to go to Chiang Mai, this would have been a great opportunity to observe elephants. I loved the ethos of this place, as it was “observation only” – meaning you don’t interact with the elephants unless they come to you.

Tips for Travelers

Thinking of a visit to Thailand? If so, here are a few of my top tips:

• Flights and Timing: Most travelers will need to fly in to Bangkok before taking a short 1.5 hour connecting flight to Krabi. The airport in Bangkok is HUGE, so don’t cut your connection short here, as it takes awhile to get through the airport and passport control, as well as a security check. You’ll also want to time your flights to/from Krabi appropriately, since the crossing to the island by boat is only available during the daylight hours.
• Transfers and Transportation: the great thing about the resort is that they include the private transfer in the price of your stay. It’s a 45 minute drive, then a 45 min. boat from the airport. I had one afternoon/evening in Bangkok before flying home to London, and I organized a private transfer to/from the airport with my hotel, too, which I would recommend if you’re a first-timer to Bangkok, or you’re arriving early or late.
• Length of Stay: we stayed five nights, and ideally I would have done two more. I think the absolute minimum should be three nights.
• Type of accommodation: Pimalai offered a lot of different stay options. Even their entry-level deluxe rooms were great and very centrally-located near the pools, beach, and restaurant. They only have four of the beach villas, and I can see why those would be in super high demand – but I loved our hillside pool villas. It was perched high up on the hillside with a great view, but I had my own pool, living area with a small kitchen, and a separate bedroom and bathroom (which was HUGE). They have 1-3 bedroom varieties, so these would be great for families.

Final Words

Koh Lanta and Pimalai 100% exceeded my expectations. It truly offered something for everyone, and I can vouch for Thailand’s motto as the “Land of Smiles.” The people were so kind and welcoming, and that permeated the entire environment. I felt completely surrounded by a tropical paradise, but with all the comforts and opportunities to truly relax and pursue activities I enjoy.

This would be an ideal place for honeymooners, families, couples of any age, and multi-generational groups as well, due to the variety of room configurations and options. The golf cart paths make it accessible too for those with mobility issues or injuries. When you consider the restaurant and bar options, the spa, the fitness activities, nearby national park, and endless watersport activities and day trips to nearby islands, there’s literally nothing I could think that would make it any better.

I’m counting the days until I return already.