Award-winning luxury resort invites Asian clientele to rediscover Koh Lanta and enjoy a series of new activities and experiences, all sustainably created to showcase the destination’s authentic spirit
What do you dream of when you imagine escaping to a tropical Thai island? Do you long to discover unspoiled beaches and hidden coves, and swim in crystal clear seas surrounded by colourful fish? Do you desire to trek through the lush rainforest? Does your body ache for a soothing Thai massage or do your taste buds crave the country’s famous food? At Pimalai Resort & Spa, the five-star sanctuary on the serene shores of Koh Lanta, all of these activities and experiences lie in wait for European travellers.
Unlike Thailand’s busier resort destinations, Koh Lanta has retained its authentic charm. Tourists have been almost completely absent for the last two years, but this downtime gave Pimalai a unique opportunity to enhance its facilities and replenish the environment. Now, this luxury resort is ready to welcome guests back to paradise!
Nestled in 100 acres of jungle, cascading down to a 900-metre-long beach, Pimalai has always strived to preserve its surroundings. Filled with exotic plants and native species such as hornbills and flying squirrels, the resort feels like a private nature reserve. A new free-of-charge walking tour lets guests uncover this eco paradise, including its cashew nut trees, and two trekking trails allow intrepid explorers to hike to Klong Chak waterfall or Lam Tanode, where Koh Lanta’s famous lighthouse awaits. A professional guide can be arranged.
Koh Ngai is a tropical island paradise where the stress and strain of everyday life completely disappears
For those who prefer offshore adventures, Pimalai has crafted two dreamy day trips. The “Emerald Cave & Koh Ngai Excursion” offers the chance to swim in a stunning hidden lagoon and relax on a pristine beach, surrounded by unspoiled jungle, while the “Talabeng Scenic Cruise” lets explorers uncover Koh Talabeng, which has been nicknamed “Little Halong Bay” due to its dramatic limestone karsts, cliffs and caves. Unlike the Vietnamese seascape however, this enchanting archipelago is wonderfully secluded with few tourist boats.
Both excursions let guests swim in the sea, savour snacks and cool drinks aboard the boat, and end in Koh Lanta’s old town, which is filled with traditional shophouses and seafood restaurants. Alternatively, a mangrove tour lets guests head out on a gondola boat and delve deep into this environmentally rich coastal forest.
For travellers who love learning new skills, Pimalai has relaunched its popular Thai cooking classes. The resort’s chefs will escort visitors on a tour of the organic gardens to pick fresh herbs, before using them to craft a delicious dish. Non-motorised water sports, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, are available free- of-charge, Thai boxing sessions offer invigorating workouts and yoga sessions promote mindfulness in a stunning setting, with panoramic sea and sunset views.
Alternatively, wellness seekers can soothe their senses at the award-winning Pimalai Spa, which has now unveiled four new massages that embrace ancient Thai healing wisdom. The 60-miniute “Pregnancy Massage” is full-body treatment that has been used in Thailand for centuries to cater to the unique needs of mothers-to-be, while the 90-minute “Hot Bamboo Fusion Massage” uses gently-heated bamboo to stimulate circulation.
The 90-minute “Hot Stone Massage” involves placing a series of warm basalt stones to promote relaxation, and the 30-minute “Oriental Scalp Massage” is a centuries-old therapy that eases tension in the upper body.
