Kukkhak Beach.

The greater Khao Lak area is comprised of miles and miles of beaches, paralleled by the highway (one kilometre inland) that links Phuket, to the south, to destinations to the north. The exact size of Khao Lak depends on your interpretation. Khao Lak Beach is only a kilometre long, but the name is a long, thin umbrella that covers beaches five, ten, twenty kilometres to the north. A pair of commercial areas have sprouted up along the highway, most notably (and most desirable to travellers) La on Village (at Nang Thong Beach) and the less touristy home of the Tsunami Memorial Police Boat, Bang Niang Village.

Shopping fix

Viking Steak House in La On Village.

In La on Village, you’ll find all the relevant shopping and dining Khao Lak has to offer. Shop signs on any given stretch of road read something like this: bank, restaurant, massage, tour agent, tour agent, 7-11, tailor, dive shop, jeweller, bar.

Mix and repeat, sprinkling in the occasional pharmacy or t-shirt shop for variety.

The area is perfect for cheap souvenirs, sun cream, or great meals at prices lower than the hotels.

Mix it up

Happy Snapper, La On Village.

When (or if) the time comes to break away from the hotel, transportation is easy to arrange. Many resorts provide a scheduled shuttle to and from the popular tourist area and can arrange for motorbike or car rental for the independent-minded. Some also offer complimentary bicycles for adventurous guests, and local-style taxis – trucks with bench seats in the back – troll the highway looking for passengers.

If you find the nightlife in your hotel lacking, the La on Village has a few places to grab a drink, meet new people, and, if you head to the Happy Snapper Bar, listen to live music. The area isn’t big; a few minutes by foot from one end to the other will take you past a collection of bars unified by bohemian names. Lazy House, Freestyle Bar, Ska Bar, and Tarzan Bar are among the most popular.

If you’re ideal holiday destination is a combination of luxurious beachfront resorts, mellow hangouts, and the friendliest of people in a pristine locale, Khao Lak is just the place for you.

The game plan

Chong-Fah Bar, Bang Niang Beach.

But those hotels are where you can – and should – plan to spend the majority of your time. By paying a little more and staying at a high quality beachfront resort, you’re sure to make the absolute most of your Khao Lak experience.

The ability to put on your swimsuit, grab your towel, and be on the beach in seconds is the essence of any beach holiday; no highways to cross, no taxis to catch, and no reason for your shoes to leave your room.

Where to stay in Khao Lak

Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort

Reviewed elsewhere in this issue of Phuket.com Magazine, Le Meridien Khao Lak delivers the quality expected of the Le Meridien brand.

Here you’ll find the choicest qualities of a big resort – restaurants, activities, amenities – wrapped in a boutique-hotel atmosphere.

The Sarojin

The Sarojin is the most luxurious and relaxing sanctuary in Khao Lak. It excels in privacy and attentive service, and with only 56 rooms, lives up to the title given by the World Travel Awards 2006 - Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

It boasts a private luxury boat, two exquisite dining outlets, a world-class spa, and an impressive list of complimentary services, including a shuttle bus, wireless internet access, kayaks, mountain bikes, and in-room snacks. The Sarojin is undeniably the best of the best.

La Flora Resort & Spa

The southern tip of Bang Niang Beach is home to a standing tribute to Asian design - La Flora Resort & Spa. The 70 rooms and villas are awash in decor that is both modern and welcoming, with a Balinese flair.

The sumptuous spa specializes in cleansing both mind and body, and treatments are a bargain for a resort of this calibre.

Royal Bangsak Beach Resort

If the tropical climate and big smiles aren’t sufficient reminders that you’re in Thailand, the open air dining and dramatic peaked roofs of the Royal Bangsak Beach Resort might help.

The infinity pool near the beach is mesmerizing, and large in-room refrigerators mean it’s always happy hour on your terrace.

Khao Lak Merlin Resort

Located on the original Khao Lak Beach, Khao Lak Merlin Resort has nearly 200 inviting, spacious rooms and twelve pool villas.

The lagoon-like pools combined with small earth-tone buildings and an abundance of trees give the resort a relaxing, natural feel.

Best Western Palm Galleria Resort

Simplicity is the key at the Best Western Palm Galleria Resort.

The rooms are comfortable, the views are impressive, and the beach is usually deserted.

Its secluded location makes it the ideal escape for romantics.

Special Offer in Khao Lak

Photos of Khao Lak