In January 2025, we took some time off during the Chinese New Year holidays to enjoy some dolce far niente in Thailand. This time, we chose Koh Lanta, or the island of Lanta (in Thai, ‘ko’ or ‘koh’ means ‘island’).
In this post, I’ll tell you about our three days there, during which we didn’t set foot in a car or on a boat — we simply made the most of the hotel’s amazing beach! You won’t find detailed itineraries or must-sees on the island itself here, but I can honestly say that these were some of the best beach holidays we’ve ever had. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a relaxing break in a tropical paradise.
At the end of the post, I also share some activity ideas for Koh Lanta, as well as hotel recommendations in both Koh Lanta and Krabi.
How to get to Koh Lanta
In our case, the hotel arranged everything, including the transfer from Krabi Airport, which was included by the room rate.
Upon arrival at the airport, we were warmly welcomed by the team from Pimalai Resort team. We were then driven to the hotel’s private pier in Krabi in a van, which took around 45 minutes. From there, we boarded a speedboat that took us directly to the hotel’s jetty in another 45 minutes.
Photo 1: Private pier of the Pimalai Resort & Spa in Krabi
If the weather or sea conditions are poor, there is also the option of taking the public car ferry from Krabi to Koh Lanta. This ferry operates several times a day from 5am till midnight, and allows vehicles on board, but be aware that waiting times can be long, especially during high season months from December to March. (We saw the queues and they were honestly huge!)
Other ways to get to Koh Lanta from Phuket
Operators such as Bundhaya Speed Boat offer this service, and the journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
This is a possible route, but the drive is too long and tiring, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
The best option is to contact the reservations team at your Koh Lanta hotel – they’ll be able to advise on the most reliable options and may even be able to arrange everything for you.
Although the trip to Koh Lanta is usually quite smooth, it can get a bit choppy – especially in windy conditions. So here’s a simple tip: always bring some sweets or Mentos to suck on during the journey. It might sound basic, but it really helps to prevent seasickness!
Photo 2: On the boat heading to the Pimalai Resort & Spa
Photo 3: View upon arrival at the Pimalai Resort & Spa
Photo 4: Pimalai’s pier, which leads directly onto Bakantiang Beach
There are direct flights from Singapore to Krabi with the low-cost airlines Jetstar and Scoot. In our case, I booked the outbound flight with Jetstar and the return flight with Scoot. As is often the case with budget airlines, there’s no real benefit in booking a return with the same carrier, so it’s worth comparing times and prices and mixing airlines to get the best deal.
Top stay in Koh Lanta at the Pimalai Resort & Spa
When I started looking for hotels in Koh Lanta, I read some amazing reviews of Pimalai and really wanted to stay there. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap, so the only way I could fit it into our budget was to cut one night off our original plan — and that’s what we did! I booked three nights at Pimalai and arranged for our return flight to Singapore in the evening, so that we could still make the most of our last day. The service was so good that the hotel even let us use an empty room to shower and change before catching the boat to Krabi at around 3pm.
This hotel went straight to the top of our list of the best places we’ve ever stayed – everything was just perfect! Maria Rita hadn’t even left yet and was already asking when we’d be coming back 😂 🤣. Every evening, whenever a member of staff came by our room, they’d leave her a little surprise: a teddy bear or some biscuits… how could you not love that? 💙 The hotel also has a kids’ club with organised activities, which is great for fitting in some peaceful time at the beach!
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, the hotel takes care of all the transport from Krabi Airport to your final destination. When we arrived, we were welcomed with a flower garland, a refreshing iced tea, and a cold towel to freshen up.
We were also lucky enough to receive an upgrade to our room! We had a sea view, and the room was so spacious that our apartment in Singapore could easily fit inside it!
Down at the beach, there were kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, beach toys, racquets and much more, all available for guests. We were never short of things to do.
Photo 5: Entrance to our room
Photo 6: Views from our balcony at sunset
Photo 7: The beach with direct access from Pimalai
The only thing that didn’t go quite as planned during our stay was the snorkelling trip, for which I was partly to blame. Knowing what I know now, I’d definitely have booked it before even arriving in Koh Lanta.
To be fair to the hotel, it wasn’t entirely their fault – the trip had been cancelled on previous days due to strong winds. By the time the weather improved, all the spots for the next day has been taken, so we missed out..
So here’s my tip: if you want to go on a snorkelling trip, pick a date and book well in advance – ideally before your arrival date.
Where to eat – at the Hotel
During our stay, we tried two of Pimalai’s restaurants:
Photos 8 and 9: At Rak Talay restaurant
Photo 10: Beach loungers at Pimalai
The hotel also has two more restaurants located higher up the hillside, which serve the villas area. These restaurants offer incredible views over the bay – you can find more details on the Pimalai website.
Photo 11: One of Pimalai’s pools, next to the Spice N’ Rice restaurant
Photo 12: Another pool at Pimalai, by the Seven Seas restaurant
Where to eat – on Bakantiang Beach
There are several great places to eat on Bakantiang Beach, all just a short stroll from the hotel. Prices are much more reasonable than at the hotel restaurants , though it’s worth noting that Thailand isn’t quite the bargain it used to be! On average, a meal for the three of us costed around $40 SGD.
Photo 13: Views from the Spice N’ Rice restaurant at sunset
Photo 14: Happy Hour at Rak Talay restaurant
Photo 15: Where the fire show takes place at Why Not Bar
Massages at the beach
This massage hut is located right next to Pimalai resort, just past the Same Same but Different restaurant. While waiting for my turn, I saw quite a few people pull up on their scooters just to come here, which gave me the impression it’s a pretty popular place.
I went for the traditional Thai massage on the “it hurts but I’ll be brave and say nothing” level of pain. 😅 The truth is that the few times I’ve asked for less pressure, it just doesn’t feel as good afterwards… so I always go for full-on pain, and trust me, it’s worth it in the end!
You can find the location of Minimouse Massage & Spa here.
Another accommodation option in Koh Lanta
This beachside resort-style hotel is located right by the sea in Koh Lanta.
Unlike Pimalai, there aren’t as many local beachside restaurants within short walking distance, but if you’re willing to walk a little further, you’ll find a few small shops and eateries nearby. Of course, you also hop in a taxi to explore other beaches or parts of the island.
Although I read that some of the rooms could do with refurbishing, the hotel has excellent reviews and is more affordable than Pimalai.
Activities to do in Koh Lanta
If you’ve had your fill of beach time and are looking for something a bit different, why not take a Thai cooking class?
This one here comes highly recommended – check it out on Get Your Guide.
And this one is also very popular. Visit the Time for Lime website for more details.
At the Following Giants, elephants roam freely in their natural habitat, and visitors can learn more about their background. Many of these animals were previously used for tourist rides or were mistreated.
You can find out more about the different types of visit available on the Following Giants website. The sanctuary also has another location in Krabi.
Other accommodation options in Krabi
This is the classic 5-star family beach resort is perfect for a few days of pure relaxation. You’ll find a range of water sports available right on the beach, and local restaurants and massage huts are just a short walk along the sand. There’s also a kids’ club with organised activities for the little ones.
The resort has excellent reviews online, so be sure to check it out here!
This is another 5-star resort located on a beach with stunning views of the iconic limestone cliffs for which the Krabi and Koh Lanta region is famous.
As well as relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, and you’ll find a decent selection of nearby restaurants, particularly in neighbouring hotels.
While it’s slightly more expensive than the other hotels recommended in this post, it’s still a great option if your budget allows. Check more details in here.
This hotel is nestled in the Krabi’s impressive forest, with iconic limestone cliffs as a backdrop.
Although it’s not right on the beach, the resort provides a complimentary shuttle service to Ao Nang Beach, which is only 5 minutes away. It’s located in a quiet area but still has easy access to nearby restaurants and shops.
The pool offers stunning views, so it’s definitely worth checking this place out. Find out more here.
Note: The hotel does not serve alcohol and is currently undergoing some renovation work.
This hotel is located in the famous Railay Bay, which can only be accessed by boat. However, getting there is quite straightforward, as the hotel provides its own boats and vans to make the journey easier.
Railay Beach is very popular, so this hotel is a great choice if you enjoy a lively atmosphere. The hotel is also close to plenty of bars and restaurants. Check out more details here.
If you’re looking for a more affordable place to stay while still enjoying the lush Thai jungle scenery, this hotel could be a great choice.
It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Ao Nang beach area, but a shuttle service runs at set times. You can also easily catch a tuk-tuk to get to the beach or town whenever you like. Some of the rooms are located higher up the hill, and a buggy service is available to make access easier.
Overall, it seems like a good choice for a few relaxing days surrounded by Krabi’s stunning landscapes at a much more budget-friendly price.
Note: The hotel does not serve alcoholic beverages.
This resort is well beyond my budget, but I’m featuring it here because it’s widely regarded as the most luxurious resort in Krabi, situated on the stunning Railay Beach.
Take look at their website and you’ll see why! It’s also home to the famous beachfront restaurant, The Grotto.
Got some extra time at Krabi Airport?
If you’ve got some time to spare before your flight, check out this massage centre, which it’s located right inside the airport.
On the day we returned, only one masseuse was working, so we had to wait for her to finish with another customer. Still, we managed to squeeze in a foot massage for all three of us before boarding. I do remember finding it a bit painful at the time😅, but as always, it felt amazing afterwards – highly recommended!
Before travelling to Thailand – a handy checklist with everything you need to know before flying off to Thailand. Includes visa info, health tips, flight advice and more.
Things to do in Phuket – ideas for what to do in Phuket beyond lounging on the beach and taking a dip in the sea. Includes a visit to an elephant sanctuary and much more.
Beach hotels in Phuket – family-friendly accommodation options right on the beach in the Phuket area, with hotel suggestions to suit all tastes and budgets.
*This post contains affiliated links, and if you make a reservation/purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost you.
