Rooms

The 121 rooms, suites and villas are spread over 100 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, split in 2 by a small road. The décor throughout follows the same contemporary Thai style: solid teak floors, ochre-coloured Thai silk, floor-to-ceiling windows with bamboo blinds, occasional Siamese artefacts, carved wooden furniture, and art-deco style seating out on the veranda. Bathrooms (functional, but a tad dated) come with a tub (many with a nice view) and separate walk-in shower decked out in ochre-coloured tiles.

There are 64 Deluxe Rooms and while they may be the cheapest, they're not far from the beach and they certainly aren't pokey. Those on the upper floors have partial views of the sea through the trees, and all have balconies; from our room we enjoyed some memorable sunsets over the bay.

The 4 Bayfront Deluxe Rooms are slightly larger, though we didn't feel the additional space was worth the extra cost. However their standalone design and elevated views of the beach make them popular with honeymooners.

The 7 Pavilion Suites (sleep 2-6) are located near the beachfront and come in 2 sizes (1 or 2 Bedroom). The Beachside Pavilion Suites have full sea views and direct access to the beach, while the Garden Pavilion Suites, set back further from the shore, only have partial views of the beach and bay but feel more private as they are immersed in tropical greenery. All have a living-dining area and a large wooden deck with loungers.

Similarly, there are 7 Beach Villas (sleep 2-14) that also come in different categories (1, 2 or 3 Bedroom). These are set within landscaped gardens with direct access to the pristine beach just a few metres away. A cluster of four 1 Bedroom Beach Villas, which share a pool, can be taken individually or together to sleep a party of 8-14 people. If all 4 villas are taken, a communal living room, dining room and kitchen facilities are available to complete your own little estate. The larger villas each have 2 private pavilions, one with a large bathroom equipped with outdoor bathtub and the other with a living-dining area and kitchen facilities, these overlook the private infinity pool that offers views of the Andaman sea. Note that these may not be suitable for families with young kids as the pools have a steep-drop off and aren't fenced.

The 39 Pool Villas sit high on the hill above the existing Pimalai resort. These 1, 2 and 3-Bedroom Villas, with ocean views, are perfect for those who want complete privacy. You get a sizable infinity pool, an outdoor sunbathing deck, spa treatments in your own sala, a living room, a full kitchen and your own private chef if you desire - there is little reason to venture out! The Pool Villas are a short walk up a steep hill, and furthest from the beach and main breakfast restaurant (however, cars are available to ferry you around and there's a large, spectacular infinity pool, as well as cafe and restaurant on this same level). Note that these may not be suitable for families with young kids as the terraces and infinity pools have a steep-drop off, and the pools aren't fenced.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

There are no less than 4 restaurants at Pimalai. Breakfast is served in the main restaurant Spice 'n' Rice, a huge room set under a soaring thatched roof and 3 sides open to the outside with sweeping views of the resort's pool, landscaped gardens and bay beyond. It's an impressive buffet, catering both to Thai and Western tastes: tropical fruits and freshly squeezed juices, continental and English breakfasts, eggs however you desire, as well as more exotic Asian fare. Lunch and dinner menus offer traditional Thai dining choices.

Rak Talay is the beach side restaurant which serves light meals and snacks including an abundant array of fresh, succulent seafood caught locally and grilled or steamed to your liking. You sit in huge rustic chairs made out of chunky driftwood while sinking your toes into the sand. Located up by the Pool Villas are Banyan Tree Poolside Cafe and the Seven Seas Restaurant both with truly stunning views of the bay. The former serves fine wood-fired pizzas, the latter offers decent fusion cuisine at 5-star prices, alongside which is an award-winning (Wine Spectator) wine list and an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work.

Guests in the Pool Villas and larger Beach Villas have their own kitchen (with oven, microwave, and fridge) and can buy simple ingredients in the local 7/11 store. A private barbecue chef is available to cook ensuite.

For those who want to go beyond the resort and eat out, we highly recommend a 5-minute stroll (heading South along the beach) to Same Same but Different, a welcoming bar and restaurant which offers cheap but excellent Thai food. In the opposite direction the Why Not Bar is a popular backpacker hang out.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Pimalai Spa: the fabulous spa is one of Pimalai's highlights. Imaginatively designed in a lush sloping valley, the 7 thatch-roofed treatment salas are joined by wooden walkways set over a waterfall and koi carp ponds. A range of aromatherapy massages, body wraps and scrub treatments are on offer, but don't miss the hour-long traditional Thai Massage given in the imposing open-air pavilion, followed by fresh ginger tea. This was the best massage we had in Thailand. Instead of whale music you hear real birds and rushing water; there's also an outdoor Jacuzzi and a herbal sauna (free to use, prior booking required)
  
  
• Beach and swimming pools: Pimalai has direct access to 900m of unspoilt, clean, white sandy beach - a quiet stretch with a dozen or so sunloungers and parasols, and thankfully no hordes of hawkers, noisy long tail boats or day trippers so often found on the more developed islands. There are also 2 large infinity edge swimming pools with great views and comfortable loungers where guests tend to spend most of the day
  
  
• Snorkelling: available all year, subject to weather and sea conditions. The Lanta Marine National Park features a number of small protected islands where a vast coral reef with brightly coloured fish and sea life can be seen. Pimalai has 7 modern speedboats offering regular excursions to Koh Rok (1.5 hr boat trip away) and other islands. Koh Muk is renowned for its emerald cave (Morakot Cave); a 60m long tunnel that runs through a mountain to a lagoon at the bottom of a sheer vertical shaft. Trips include snorkelling equipment and picnic lunch
  
  
• Diving: available all year, but best November - April, weather permitting. Pimalai is well placed for reaching some of Thailand's best and most remote dive sites. The hotel has its own small PADI dive centre with both English and German dive instructors and 2 luxury dive boats. Dive trips are offered to Haa Island (an hours boat trip away), 5 small limestone islands, and to the world class sites of Hin Deng and Hin Muang (2 hour’s away). Visibility is typically 20-35m. Rainbow runners, giant barracuda, jacks, tuna, manta rays, and sharks (including occasional whale sharks) are seen regularly

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Dive centre
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Well being
• Windsurfing

Kids

Children are welcome at this resort and there's plenty to keep families amused, from building sandcastles on the beach (sometimes the simple things are the best) to snorkelling to nearby islands, learning scuba diving, and playing outdoor games at the sport centre.

From May to October only, a room can be arranged for day care if needed. Note that this is not a kids' club but your child can be dropped off here for a couple of supervised hours of play. As Pimalai attracts couples and honeymooners as well as families, there are a few areas reserved for over 12s only. Children are only allowed in one area of the upper hillside pool near the Pool Villas, but are welcome in the lower main pools near the beach.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms have day beds that can be turned into an extra bed. There's plenty to choose from, with 1, 2 and 3-Bedroom Villas and Suites. All have baths, and some of the larger rooms have kitchens.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport 2 hours
• Hospital: 20 minutes
• Nurse: 24 hours service in resort

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Pimalai Resort and Spa is located on the south west coast of Koh Lanta Yai on Thailand's west coast.

By Air:
From Bangkok fly to Krabi (94km), Trang (146km), or Phuket (235km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines. Transfer time is approximately 1 hour 40 mins from Krabi International Airport to Pimalai (Nov-April), 2 hours (May-Oct) by minivan and hotel's cruising boat. Time varies due to road conditions and route taken by the boat.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers - see Rates. Note that transfers to/from Krabi Airport/Jetty are scheduled to coincide with the resort's boat timetable.

By Car:
It is possible to get to Pimalai Resort and Spa, using your own car and most roads are now paved and are suitable for any type of car.

More on getting to Thailand