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Khao Lak is a funny place. With beaches as long as a flight
across the Pacific Ocean backed by stacks of mountains, there’s
no questioning its allure. It’s beautiful, and –
from certain vantage points – even awe-inspiring. Its
close proximity to Phuket, Khao Sok, Krabi, and the Similan
Islands means the limitless activities those destinations
offer – be it elephant trekking, speedboat tours, rock
climbing, whitewater rafting, or kayaking – are never
more than an hour or two away.
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| Kukkhak Beach. |
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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
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| Viking Steak House
in La On Village. |
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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.
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Mix it up
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| Happy Snapper, La
On Village. |
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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.
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The game plan
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| Chong-Fah Bar, Bang
Niang Beach. |
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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.
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Where to stay in Khao Lak
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Special Offer in Khao Lak
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Photos of Khao Lak
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| Click here to read
our complete guide of KHAO
LAK |
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