Amy Adejokun
Section editor
A lovely brand new establishment in the area of Khao Lak, by the Andaman Sea water. With a background of splendid gardens, the option is relaxation, relaxation, relaxation...
North of Phuket island and on the west coast of the Phang Nga province, in the area of Khao Lak, by the Andaman Sea. The first main town, Takua Pa, is 15.5 miles north and the closest airport is that of Phuket, 53 miles south, which is around 1h10 min by car.
The 60 rooms are divided, from the lowest to the highest price, in Mountain View (24 units, in the small 2-floor buildings), Garden View (rooms in bungalows, 26), Seaview (bungalows by the seaside, 8) and Ocean Suites (2). Bright and of a generous surface, they benefit from a simple but nice accommodation: fair wood and wicker furniture, beige fabrics, clear-view shutters, floor-tile floor, access to the terrace from a French window. Only the soundproofing and the opacity leave much to be desired. Incomprehensible detail: the bathroom of the standard entry level rooms is superb (black stone shower, small opening for the light) while that of the most expensive rooms, covered with a terrible brown plate, is particularly unattractive.
Opened in 1999, the Khao Lak Palm Beach is built by the Andaman Sea on a soft slope hill descending down to the beach. Its architecture copies the classic lines of the Thai style (pointed roofing with layered sections). Behind the lovely lobby, the hotel is composed of two rows of three small 2-floor buildings, on both sides of the central swimming pool, then, descending more towards the beach, of a complex of bungalows dotted with splendid tropical gardens. The complex is completed, before reaching the sea, by new common areas, especially gathering the restaurant and the second swimming pool. The spa of the hotel, with a vast Jacuzzi, is particularly welcoming, but the most beautiful success of the Khao Lak Palm Beach remains the extreme care brought to the conception and the good care of the gardens.
The catering services seem to be the main weakness of the hotel: in fact, only one restaurant is offered to the guests. Its cuisine, mixing actual Thai dishes and classics from international cuisine, is of course fair, but considering the isolation of the Khao Lak Palm Beach, which means the lack of gastronomic alternatives in the surroundings, this lack of choice can be felt as a real constraint.
Not very frequented except from the guests of the hotel adjacent to the Khao Lak Palm Beach, the lovely small beach of the hotel seems to be a haven of peace, almost private. Therefore, it is perfectly favourable to relaxation, with a level of cleanliness and a level of water which will please swimming lovers.
Less famous and less popular than Phuket, the area of Khao Lak is also less busy. The Kao Lak Palm Beach, as its surroundings counterparts, suffers then from a certain isolation: there is no town or village nearby.
massage, sauna, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
volleyball, beach volley, basketball, golf, mountain bike, canoe, windsurfing, fitness, sports
The Apsaras Beach Resort and Spa opened in 2007 and became the Lookéa Thaï Beach Resort on 18th December 2008. For its first foray into the Asian market, the tour operator has certainly come up trumps! Furthermore, the hotel's beachfront location in Khao Lak next to the Andaman Sea is the perfect setting for an enjoyable holiday. With stylish decor, well-ventilated areas, and hotel quality up to typical Thai standards, you are sure to be won over!
A natural spot by the water in Khao Lak, in a largely preserved environment. For those who are not worried about a certain isolation, or are looking mainly to relax, the Kao Lak Resort offers convincing characteristics.
The Ramada hotel was entirely rebuilt after the tsunami and has been welcoming guests again for 4 years now. It is an inviting and refined holiday spot with tropical gardens in a corner of paradise. Bordering white sandy beaches not far from the Similan Islands, and with rooms and villas as comfortable as they are modern along with the large choice of activities, make this a great place to stay.
Situated by the Andaman Sea, the Sofitel will seduce all those looking for relaxation and charm with its elegant Thai architecture and gigantic equipped swimming pool.