Pimalai Resort & Spa is the classic Koh Lanta honeymoon resort: a long stretch of sand on Kantiang Bay, warm Andaman water and a range of rooms that runs from good-value garden rooms to hillside villas with their own pools. It sits in the quieter southern half of the island, where the roads get steeper and the bays get prettier, a long way from the backpacker bars of the north.
The resort has about 900 meters of beachfront, which means there is room for everyone and quiet corners for the two of you. Behind the beach, a spa village with a waterfall sits in the jungle. Up on the hill, the Hillside Estate holds private pool villas with views straight out to sea. Four restaurants and two bars cover Thai, seafood and Western cooking, so you will not be forced to eat the same menu every night.
It suits couples who want a proper beach resort with plenty of activities but without the crowds of Phuket. Families stay here too, especially in school holidays, so the hillside villas are the pick if privacy matters most.
Highlights at a glance
- About 900 meters of beachfront on Kantiang Bay
- Hillside Oceanview Private Pool Villas
- Award-winning jungle spa with a waterfall
- Four restaurants including beachfront Rak Talay
- Easy boat trips to Koh Rok and the Four Islands
Why Couples Love Pimalai
The beach is the biggest draw. Kantiang Bay is one of the loveliest on Koh Lanta, a deep curve of pale sand with clear water and green hills behind. Sunsets face west across the sea. The village nearby is small, with a few restaurants and beach bars if you want to wander out for an evening.
Pimalai also has variety. You can spend one day snorkeling off the beach, the next on a boat to the islands and the third doing nothing at the spa. The resort is large enough to have proper facilities but laid out across gardens and hillside, so it rarely feels busy. Couples often remark on the staff, many of whom have worked here for years. The atmosphere is relaxed and a little old-school Thai, in a good way.
Rooms and Villas to Book
The Beachside Estate has the rooms and pavilion suites. Deluxe Rooms, about 48 square meters, sit in the gardens near the main facilities. Bayfront Deluxe Rooms, about 70 square meters, add an ocean view, a bathtub facing the sea and a large balcony. One Bedroom Beachside Pavilion Suites, about 110 square meters, step straight onto the sand.
For a honeymoon, the strongest choice is a Hillside Oceanview Private Pool Villa. The one-bedroom version is about 204 square meters with its own pool and a view out over the Andaman Sea. You trade beach access for privacy, but resort transport runs up and down the hill. The pools are not fenced, which is one reason the hillside villas feel more couple-oriented. A Bayfront Deluxe Room is the best value if you want a sea view without the villa price.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Pimalai has a solid spread of places to eat:
- Rak Talay sits right on the beach and serves Thai and international seafood.
- Seven Seas is the more formal Western restaurant with sea views.
- Spice N' Rice focuses on Thai and southern Thai cooking.
- The Banyan Tree Poolside Cafe covers light meals and snacks.
The Pimalai Heritage Bar is the place for sunset cocktails. A pool bar overlooks the ocean from beside the infinity pool. Ask about a private beach dinner, which is the obvious honeymoon splurge. The spa is set in the jungle with a waterfall running through its spa village. It has won a World Luxury Spa Award and offers a signature package for two, which is a good way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Activities lean toward the outdoors. The resort offers bird-watching, guided forest hikes, beachfront yoga, snorkeling and scuba diving, with PADI courses available on the island. Thai cooking classes are popular with couples who want to take a skill home. There are also Muay Thai sessions, cycling routes and mangrove tours.
Boat trips are the big outing. The Koh Rok islands and the Four Islands area near Koh Ngai are reachable by speedboat for snorkeling in clear water. Mu Ko Lanta National Park, at the island's southern tip, has a lighthouse, trails and monkeys that are best kept away from your lunch. Lanta Old Town on the east coast, with its wooden stilt houses, makes a good half-day trip. Mosquitoes can be active at dusk, so pack repellent; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Getting There
Krabi Airport (KBV) is the nearest gateway, about 2.5 hours by road and car ferry, depending on ferry timing and traffic. Pimalai has advertised a complimentary Krabi Airport transfer; confirm what is included when you book. Krabi has frequent domestic flights from Bangkok and some regional flights from other Asian hubs.
Phuket (HKT) is another option, though it is farther. In high season, roughly November to April, ferries and speedboats also run from Phuket and Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, which works well if you are combining islands. Once at the resort, you can hire a scooter or car, but the roads in the south are steep and winding. Use resort transport or a taxi at night. Wear a helmet if you do ride.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a beach resort with real variety, yes. The beach is excellent, the food covers plenty of ground and the spa is a genuine draw. Room rates start at a reasonable level for a resort of this quality, which makes it easy to spend more on the hillside villas or a private dinner.
The resort is not small and it is not kid-free, so families are part of the mix, especially during school holidays. Couples who want a tiny boutique retreat may prefer a smaller place in the south of the island. The May to October monsoon brings rough seas, fewer boat trips and some closures. It is also the cheapest time to stay. The island is green and quiet.
Insider tips
- Book a Hillside Oceanview Private Pool Villa for privacy, or a Bayfront Deluxe Room for a sea view on a smaller budget.
- Visit from November to April for calm seas and boat trips to Koh Rok.
- Reserve a private beach dinner early in your stay so you get the evening you want.
- Spend half a day in Lanta Old Town for lunch on the water.
