Pimalai Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta

May 9, 2021

This resort had the finest online customer reviews I've ever seen for a resort, so I was anxious to check it out. They offered a free pick-up from Krabi Airport, quite impressive considering it's two hours away. Since I was arriving in Krabi's Klong Jilad Pier via ferry from Ko Phi Phi, I contacted the resort and asked if they could meet me there instead. They said this was possible, but for a fee of 650 baht since it was a half hour ride from the pier to the airport.

My driver was waiting at the pier in a minibus when the Ko Phi Phi ferry arrived at 11 AM, it was a two hour journey to the resort. Ko Lanta actually consists of several islands, the largest are Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. When people refer to "Ko Lanta" they usually mean Ko Lanta Yai, an island about 30 km long and 6 km wide, where all the tourist activity is. There's no bridge connecting the islands, although one is planned, so you have to queue up at the car ferry to cross the channel.

...UNLESS you happened to be a guest at Pimalai Resort and Spa, which operates a high-speed jetty. My boatsman was awaiting my arrival and I was his only passenger. It took only 5 minutes to cross the channel, I should have brought my water skis.

Another driver in a minivan was waiting on the other side to drive me the remaining half-hour ride to the resort and I arrived just after 1 PM for an early check-in.

Pimalai Resort has sea view villas nestled in the mountainside, all with private pools, 120 square meters for a one-bedroom, starting at about 10,000.

I booked one of the cheap rooms they call deluxe.

My room didn't have a sea view unless you looked through the trees. I lived in View Talay 6 for two years, 26th floor on the Walking Street side, and no longer wish to pay extra for a sea view. After a while, you've seen it enough.

I walked down to the private beach and enjoyed the sea view from there. I was the only person using the beach except for the attendant handing out towels, who brought a glass of ice water every 20 minutes. That's the level of service you'll receive at this resort.

The beach was clean but rough until I could get out beyond the white water.

There were two happy hours, buy one get one free. Drinks were 320++ so I only drank during the happy hours, but I can hammer down quite a few mango daiquiris in two hours.

The food was good but expensive. Black pasta with clams and grated cheese on the side for 415++, for example.

Lamb kebabs 495++

Breakfast was included with the room, served up the mountain in the Seven Seas Restaurant. They drove you up from the lobby in one of these golf carts and you could have a choice of three kinds of eggs Benedict. I choose the smoked salmon, and also loaded up on the imported cheddar cheese.

I've been in Thailand long enough to appreciate good cheese.

There were great views of Kantiang Bay from the restaurant, and they served dinner but with a dress code and I didn't bring anything appropriate to wear, so I dined at the Rak Talay Beach restaurant.

The hillside estate also featured the Infinity Pool, another pool was at the beach side estate, but I only swam in the sea.

The resort has a total of 121 units spanning 100 acres.

The Spa had a 999 baht special, normally 2500, but I didn't try it.

I only left the property once, because who can afford to eat at the Pimalai every day? I walked down the main road about 20 minutes until I found something open.

It was the Drunken Sailors Coffeehouse

I ordered the Calamari burger with fries for 190 baht.

The next morning a few hours before check-out, I was enjoying the great view at breakfast, thinking my three days couldn't have been any better, when the staff came over with a piece of cake and started singing "Happy Birthday". They must have noticed on my passport when I checked in. It's these little things that make a difference and how they make you feel like something special.

I took their free transfer to Krabi Airport and caught a shuttle bus to Ao Nang. If you're looking for that perfect getaway, I strongly recommend the Pimalai Resort and Spa.

https://pimalai.com