Pimalai Resort & Spa

"Wet Season" or "Green Season" and Koh Lanta empties out and prices reduce. But the rain tends to be brief, and keeps things fresh. Pimalai at this time of year becomes a bargain for what you get. The resort is divided into colloquially Upper and Lower - the upper generally...

"Wet Season" or "Green Season" and Koh Lanta empties out and prices reduce. But the rain tends to be brief, and keeps things fresh. Pimalai at this time of year becomes a bargain for what you get. The resort is divided into colloquially Upper and Lower - the upper generally regarded as the better option. This review is for a upper house, and they really are houses - full kitchen, huge lounge separate from the huge bedroom, with an infinity pool between them, all overlooking the Andaman. I'd recommend staying for a week - we got a discount for 7 night stay, as the journey there is long (though not arduous), and there's no way you'd be able to take advantage of everything with a stay of only a few days. The place has a number of places to eat on site, and they are all very good. The walk down the beach to the village takes about 10-15 minutes. Golf cart style vehicles transport you around the resort - usually the wait is only a few minutes, but unfortunately it can take 30 minutes or more, which is unacceptable. It took the local monkeys a few days to discover us - but you must leave doors closed, because they know exactly where the food is kept, and they will steal it. Overall this is easily a 5 star establishment - high season prices might be a little overboard, but low season prices are a bargain for what you get, and the weather is still pretty great.

Wonderful place on beautiful coastline service was faultless and the fantastic staff are a credit to this resort the app system worked everytime we used it quickly and efficiently sent buggies straight away and answered any questions We ate outside of hotel and in hotel all meals were excellent more...

Wonderful place on beautiful coastline service was faultless and the fantastic staff are a credit to this resort the app system worked everytime we used it quickly and efficiently sent buggies straight away and answered any questions We ate outside of hotel and in hotel all meals were excellent more expensive in hotel but worth it for the views We enjoyed the happy hours at 5.30 and 9.30 The transfers were included as booked direct and were punctual and slick with no hassle to us

Another excellent stay at the Pimalai. Still number one in Koh Lanta. Regarding the last review complaining of the noise of children we didn’t see or hear them as there are more than places to hide away indeed the seven sea pool is hardly used. Perhaps they needed to stay...

Another excellent stay at the Pimalai. Still number one in Koh Lanta. Regarding the last review complaining of the noise of children we didn’t see or hear them as there are more than places to hide away indeed the seven sea pool is hardly used. Perhaps they needed to stay longer and relax more😍 Well done Brice and your excellent team who support you so well. Very friendly and attentive. Lovely to see Kuun Gun again. Hope to see you next year. …. Perhaps we’ll bring the grandchildren !

We were picked up by complimentary hotel taxi from Saladan Pier and on our departure were taken by complimentary water taxi and taxi to Krabi airport. The hotel is fabulous and leads directly onto the beach, our bedroom was very comfortable and spacious for our stay which we really enjoyed....

We were picked up by complimentary hotel taxi from Saladan Pier and on our departure were taken by complimentary water taxi and taxi to Krabi airport. The hotel is fabulous and leads directly onto the beach, our bedroom was very comfortable and spacious for our stay which we really enjoyed. Breakfast buffet was excellent and all staff were super friendly. The only negative for us personally was the lack of parental supervision regarding children this was particularly apparent at breakfast with very young children running around the breakfast buffet unsupervised playing hide and seek, on more than several occasions little hands were picking up pastries and putting them back, now I know this may sound petty but for a 5 star hotel this is not ideal not withstanding unhygienic. Similarly at times the swimming pool was full of screaming children at one point I counted seven in the pool at same time with one even climbing up the stepped fountain. I am not against the hotel policy of having families however if management wish to pursue this type of client either provide a completely separate swimming pool for children as well as a separate breakfast buffet for families. The hotel is large enough to incorporate these areas if it wishes to do so. Potentially the hotel could end up losing business to adult only hotels like the 5 star Layana in Lanta. I hope management find this feedback constructive.

We loved Pimalai. We booked the one of the lower category rooms and thought it was charming, with sea views from the balcony and plenty of space. Where you choose to book will depend on your budget, but also what type of holiday you prefer. We prefer to be on...

We loved Pimalai. We booked the one of the lower category rooms and thought it was charming, with sea views from the balcony and plenty of space. Where you choose to book will depend on your budget, but also what type of holiday you prefer. We prefer to be on the beach, so the lower resort was perfect for us. The upper resort, although beautiful, felt somewhat cut off from the main hotel. The food was fabulous, and good value for money. Be warned, they have a theme night with buffet every evening (my idea of hell!), so pick your restaurant carefully to avoid this, or if you like this kind of thing then go for it! There are also a couple of great informal restaurants/bars a few minutes walk away, and we enjoyed eating at these too. Two things that I think could be improved:- 1. The wellness offering could be enhanced with complementary morning yoga. This was chargeable for a maximum of 6 people, which is the first time I’ve experienced this at a hotel of this standard. They have plenty of room to build a fabulous sea facing yoga shala, which I think would increase the appeal of the hotel. 2. The hotel, while emphasising its eco credentials sells Italian bottled water. What on earth is eco about flying in water from 10,000 kilometres away? I appreciate that at 10 dollars a bottle this is a nice little money earner, but it does not fit in with the ethos of the hotel. But apart from these minor grouches, a fabulous hotel that I would recommend without hesitation.

The Pimalai Resort is one of our favorites in Thailand. We love Koh Lanta. The water is pristine. There is not any debris on the shore. We are picked up at the airport and driven to a port where we are taken by speed boat to the resort. Upon arrival...

The Pimalai Resort is one of our favorites in Thailand. We love Koh Lanta. The water is pristine. There is not any debris on the shore. We are picked up at the airport and driven to a port where we are taken by speed boat to the resort. Upon arrival you are given a welcome lei and taken to registration and given a refreshing drink. From there you are taken by buggy to your room. Whenever leaving your room you can call and a buggy will take you where you would like to go or you can walk. The resort has several restaurants that are very good specializing in various types of cuisine and 2 bars. Each day there is a very large breakfast buffet and you can order dishes as well. The rooms are beautiful. We have stayed there twice and always get a room with a pool. The views are wonderful, and we love the privacy of our own pool. However, they also have 2 pools within the resort that you can use. There are also tennis and pickleball courts, boxing, yoga, and a workout room. They have a spa or you can walk down the beach to the little town and get a Thai massage there. We had one every day. There isn’t really much in Old Town Lanta. If you want to shop I suggest you go to a larger city like Bangkok or Chang Mai. There are great markets there. This is a resort where you go to relax and enjoy Thailand’s beauty.

Overall Nice stay. Friendly staff , spécial thanks to mr Ambus from seaside restaurant for always providing wonderfull service. Rooms are well équiped and clean. We could suggest to have a « quiet pool adults only » as some afternoon was really noisy with children running around. For the dining we really...

Overall Nice stay. Friendly staff , spécial thanks to mr Ambus from seaside restaurant for always providing wonderfull service. Rooms are well équiped and clean. We could suggest to have a « quiet pool adults only » as some afternoon was really noisy with children running around. For the dining we really think that they have to propose each Evening a continental buffet as choice is limited after few nights there. So overall à Nice stay but do not expect an exclusive Resort as probably a management strategy but when hotel is full it become a usual resort without sunbeds, and no table ready at breakfast …

Our hillside villa was beautiful with glorious views over the bay. It was spotless and had everything you might need. This included beach flip flops and a beach bag as well as all the usual hotel toiletries. The staff without exception are friendly and professional, nothing is too much trouble....

Our hillside villa was beautiful with glorious views over the bay. It was spotless and had everything you might need. This included beach flip flops and a beach bag as well as all the usual hotel toiletries. The staff without exception are friendly and professional, nothing is too much trouble. Their attention to detail is amazing. Special thanks to Beam, Lai, Mai, Meen, Yoling, Yok, Paan and the rest of the team in the Spice & Rice restaurant. We ate there 3 times. Breakfast buffet in the Seven Seas Restaurant was full of western and Thai dishes, fruit, freshly baked bread and pastries as well as fruit juices and smoothies. The food in all the restaurants was of a very high standard. Admittedly you can eat for less if you go outside of the hotel but for the service and setting it's well worth the extra. The spa was also excellent. It's very useful to download their own app so you can order a buggy to get around the complex, order room service, tours, services and keep an eye on your balance. Overall an amazing week being spoilt in paradise. My one complaint is that we only stayed a week!

For the 8th time after 60 + Hotel Stays in Thailand , Still No 1 ! We were fortunate enough to get married here in 2022 after visiting every year since 2017 . Every year we feel the anticipation that this year may feel different,maybe won’t be as good maybe...

For the 8th time after 60 + Hotel Stays in Thailand , Still No 1 ! We were fortunate enough to get married here in 2022 after visiting every year since 2017 . Every year we feel the anticipation that this year may feel different,maybe won’t be as good maybe things have changed , day 3 and as always definitely nothing to worry about still the most amazing hotel , my happy place . Last year we decided to go from pimalai to Layana resort just because this hotel rivals Pimalai ,and we were curious, even though it’s a lovely hotel it’s not a patch on pimalai ( we did spend our whole time asking guests to check out pimalai) 😂 This year Thailand is super busy and even though this is a large hotel it never seems to feel busy ,staff are excellent, food is excellent and all areas stunning and I promise u this hotel shows no signs of aging . Housekeeping excellent, turn down came a little early one evening but happily took our request to come back later and has since . Lots of foods to choose from at hotel but also some great restaurants within a walk along the beach to nearby village . Big shout out to the best Indian restaurant ever K .Himalya in the village , I promise u won’t be disappointed. Views 5* Service 5* Breakfast 5*(good coffee, fresh juices and so much choice ) Beach 5* exceptionally clean and clean warm calm sea water to swim . Pool areas / Sunbeds 5* and always available with staff quick to reset beds after guests leave them . We are also now Gold members and we get all the extra benefits, very generous Thankyou . One thing I did notice this year is the soaps / shower gels which are my absolute favourite ( always buy to take home ) has changed sent 😩 never mind still good ( that’s it my only grip 😂) Value , well you pay for what you get , I have stayed in more expensive hotels in Thailand and been disappointed as u can see by this review this hotel never disappoints. No doubt we will return for many years to come Thankyou to all the team as always . Mr & Mrs Briscoe From our favourite room with the best view 214 ❤️

Having travelled the world in many 5* hotels, we rarely if ever find one that despite the initial wow factor, after a week you can’t find some niggle or reason for perhaps a slight dissatisfaction. With the Pimalai, after 10 days we were just as impressed as we were on...

Having travelled the world in many 5* hotels, we rarely if ever find one that despite the initial wow factor, after a week you can’t find some niggle or reason for perhaps a slight dissatisfaction. With the Pimalai, after 10 days we were just as impressed as we were on the first day. This place has to be experienced to appreciate the levels of service and hospitality on offer. The transfer for us from Phuket's airport to Krabi, although long, was seamless and in comfort. We were lucky to be the only passengers for the speedboat transfer to the resort and the boat crew were superb and professional. It would be impossible to pick out one member of staff at the hotel for special praise as they are all superb at what they do. Always on hand to assist whenever they can and they do it with a genuine smile. Even the service on the beach is of the same high standard as everywhere else. Breakfasts are fabulous as you would expect in a 5* hotel in this part of the world with a special recommendation for the eggs Benedict. The choice is extensive and refreshed constantly but chefs are always on hand and will only too happily accommodate special requests. We stayed in a Hillside Pool Villa (715) and would suggest these Villas are the ones to book if you are able. The online videos although great, do not do them justice. Don’t be put off by their position in the resort some like ours, being high up on the hillside, buggies can be summoned and we didn’t wait more than 10 minutes but often half that. There are reports of the cicadas being loud and annoying but this is not a problem when high up, but do take heed of the staff when advising about monkey protocols. You may regret it if you don’t. Great views of the local wildlife especially the dozens of Kites soaring on the breeze. A special mention for the General Manager Brice which exemplifies the levels this hotel will go to, in order to please guests. We responded to a short survey three days before our departure, in which we were asked if there was anything that would improve our stay. We only suggested that for future guests, it may be worth considering another step into the pool which would make it easier to get in and out. Within 2 hours of submission, a team arrived at our Villa with Granite steps, and builders stuff, offering to build the said step for us. We declined and explained it was only a suggestion for the future but had we been out, we would have returned with the job having been done. How many hotels would go to this amount of effort to please guest with only 3 days of their stay remaining, if ever? Now home and after 1 day, already planning flights for next January.

Fabulous resort. Everything was perfect. The staff incredibly friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Kwang at breakfast for being extra attentive. The pool, beach and restaurant were all fantastic. The room also, very private. The only slight gripe we had was the price of the food in the restaurants. We...

Fabulous resort. Everything was perfect. The staff incredibly friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Kwang at breakfast for being extra attentive. The pool, beach and restaurant were all fantastic. The room also, very private. The only slight gripe we had was the price of the food in the restaurants. We realise they would have to be more expensive than local restaurants, however they were often 3 times more expensive plus 17% then added. This encouraged us to eat in the local village much more. But apart from that this is a wonderful experience.

My husband and i first stayed at Pimalai 8 years ago. We had a wonderful stay then and just as good stay in November. Its a stunning resort and staff are a credit to the hotel. We stayed in a pool villa high on the hillside with sweeping sea views....

My husband and i first stayed at Pimalai 8 years ago. We had a wonderful stay then and just as good stay in November. Its a stunning resort and staff are a credit to the hotel. We stayed in a pool villa high on the hillside with sweeping sea views. The villa was well maintained and beautifully clean. We ate breakfast at Seven Seas everyday, the view was amazing and the food and service were excellent. We had excellent meals at Spice & Rice and Rak Talay, unfortunately the Steak & Wine night at Seven Seas was a big let down. The steak had not been rested so there was a lot of juice on the plate, this was served with soggy frozen chips. We did mention it to our waiter and although he apologised we still had to pay the full price. The App works well for some things but 3 out of 5 of our restaurant bookings were not correct or not made at all. Everytime we turned up for dinner, the restaurant did not have us on their lists, meaning we ended up on emergency tables. Not great. We used the buggies when going to the beach and they were always on time and plenty of them. The beach is beautiful and we loved spending time down there. We did the Ko Rok tour which was excellent, the crew were very experienced and were patient with people who were not confident at snorkelling. We also did a half day tour to "Following Giants" 20 minutes from Pimalai. Its an ethical elephant rescue program and well worth a visit. They pick you up and drop off back at Pimalai. All in all another wonderful holiday, will be back for sure. I must finish my review by giving a big shout out to Wee at the airport, we've met him before and he is still as wonderful as ever. What an incredible Ambassador for Pimalai he is.

Had a lovely stay at the Pimalai but wanted to give a special mention to Wee, who went above and beyond to help us at the airport. Even at the end of our trip, Wee noticed us queuing at the check in counter and came over to ask if we...

Had a lovely stay at the Pimalai but wanted to give a special mention to Wee, who went above and beyond to help us at the airport. Even at the end of our trip, Wee noticed us queuing at the check in counter and came over to ask if we needed bag drop only; thanks to him a few people realised they were in the wrong queue and he even insisted on helping us carry our bags. Thank you so much, Wee - it was much appreciated with the long journey we had ahead of us!

We enjoyed our stay very much, especially due to Pimalai’s very special hospitality, the serene atmosphere with often only the sounds of birds, insects and waves surrounding us, its prime location with its well-groomed beach and the quality of accommodation and cuisine. We shall revisit. Thank you to all at...

We enjoyed our stay very much, especially due to Pimalai’s very special hospitality, the serene atmosphere with often only the sounds of birds, insects and waves surrounding us, its prime location with its well-groomed beach and the quality of accommodation and cuisine. We shall revisit. Thank you to all at Pimalai for giving us lasting memories.

The Villa was amazing the staff are so friendly and attentive. Noy on the front desk could not of done and more. The Seven Seas restaurant again is stunning the food is delicious and the staff again are amazing. We can't rate this place higher. The location, the views everything...

The Villa was amazing the staff are so friendly and attentive. Noy on the front desk could not of done and more. The Seven Seas restaurant again is stunning the food is delicious and the staff again are amazing. We can't rate this place higher. The location, the views everything we will be back soon!

We had a lovely stay at Pimalai. Our private pool suite overlooking the ocean offered a spectacular view. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout our visit. We had the opportunity to experience a wonderful Loy Krathong celebration, which was culturally immersive and featured a delicious Thai buffet. Another highlight...

We had a lovely stay at Pimalai. Our private pool suite overlooking the ocean offered a spectacular view. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout our visit. We had the opportunity to experience a wonderful Loy Krathong celebration, which was culturally immersive and featured a delicious Thai buffet. Another highlight was sailing out to Koh Haa for snorkeling and witnessing one of the most beautiful sunsets of our trip. The restaurants/bars onsite were lovely as well. The hotel is conveniently located near a small village, within walking distance along the beach to a 7-Eleven and local shops and restaurants. We also rented a tuk-tuk for just under $15 to visit the nearby national park for the day. A few things to note: the resort is spread out across a large hillside. Our villa was located at the top, so we had to rely on a buggy to get around, as walking the switchbacks in the heat would have been challenging. We never had to wait long though and the staff were always kind and ready to take you where you needed. The cicadas were quite loud and persistent during our stay especially at the top of the hill where our villa was located; although we were informed the hotel would be spraying for pests in the following week so this may help those staying after us. Additionally, the hotel does show some signs of aging, but overall, we had a nice and relaxing stay.

Believe what you read from my previous review and from the terrific comments from others. This is truly a little bit of paradise. Once again, the staff make this hotel really special. Everyone we encountered during our stay went out of their way to be kind, friendly, and absolutely genuinely...

Believe what you read from my previous review and from the terrific comments from others. This is truly a little bit of paradise. Once again, the staff make this hotel really special. Everyone we encountered during our stay went out of their way to be kind, friendly, and absolutely genuinely hospitable. The hillside pool villa are exceptional. The views. The privacy. The peace and tranquillity make this a place that will hold very special memories in our hearts. Breakfast is a sumptuous affair - more of brunch, which easily keeps you satisfied until dinner. Sundowners at the beach each afternoon shouldn't be missed, and the Koh Ha sunset snorkelling trip is amazing. Use the spa - the therapists are wonderful.

A pleasant sea journey by fast boat to get to the island to be met by the welcome team on the beach. I have to say that the floating pontoon key was enough of a challenge in calm waters, but it would have been quite tricky if the sea had...

A pleasant sea journey by fast boat to get to the island to be met by the welcome team on the beach. I have to say that the floating pontoon key was enough of a challenge in calm waters, but it would have been quite tricky if the sea had been rough ! We were whisked up the hill to reception where the staff gave us another warm welcome. We were then driven by buggy to our room where we were met with the most fabulous flower welcome for our golden wedding anniversary. Fortunately it had been put on a separate sheet on the bed, so we were able to carefully lift it off and kept it for a few days. Spacious room (404) with wooden floors and an extensive balcony overlooking the beach - and sunsets. We used both the beach and the ‘spice and rice’ restaurants, and took advantage of the special theme nights. My wife is allergic to spicy food , but they chefs were always able to accommodate with a great selection. Our room was ideally situated just a short walk to the main restaurant (spice and rice) where breakfast was served, and then on down to the beach. About 100 steps from room to beach. There were kayaks, a hobby cat and small sail boat all available, as well as quality snorkel gear to use. One evening we had a meal at the ‘same same but different’ beach restaurant which was fun, and there is a village with beach restaurants the other side. All within easy walking distance. The staff , as our experience everywhere in Thailand, were friendly, courteous, and kind. Nothing was too much trouble. We had an early start to leave, but again, everything just worked seamlessly with great efficiency and thoughtfully, even down to supplying an early packup breakfast. It was a wonderful end to our special celebratory holiday. This is a large area, in reality two resorts - one upper and one lower. A buggy is needed most of the time for the upper resort, but what a view from the restaurant and infinity pool! .

Amazing stay – highly recommended! We had a fantastic experience at this hotel! The staff were welcoming and professional, the room was spotless and comfortable, and the amenities were top-notch. Breakfast was fresh and delicious with plenty of variety. Everything exceeded our expectations – we will definitely be back!