Meet your perfect match, holidaymaker: Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort.

An hour north of Phuket International Airport, in Phang Nga province, the resort feels far more remote than it is. Inside the hotel grounds, you see nothing but pools, gardens, sand and sea. The task of relaxing is every guests first order of business, and Le Meridien Khao Lak is a capable facilitator. Occupying nine vast hectares (22 acres) of prime waterfront jungle, there’s no shortage of room to move.

A wonderful welcome

Lobby

On one side of the lobby is the hotel’s Family Wing, the Spa Wing to the other. Each U-shaped structure curves around its own swimming pool. The brilliant blue main pool, centred between the lobby and the Andaman Sea, joins the Family Wing pool via a canal that winds past the children’s centre and wading pool. The pool in the Spa Wing is reserved as a peaceful, adults only haven.

The grounds are expansive enough to feel free and unrestricting, but not so spread out that you wish for a personal pony service to cart you around. White canvas umbrellas dot the landscape, providing guests with just enough shade whether they’re enjoying the beach, pools, or dining on the terrace.

Choice cuts

Café Lilawadee

Being a one-stop holiday shop, Le Meridien Khao Lak offers a restaurant for every taste. Whether you prefer to start your day with fruit and yogurt, an omelette and bacon, or meat and cheese, Café Lilawadee’s (the resort’s something-for-everyone, international dining outlet) massive breakfast buffet will put a satisfying end to the morning munchies. Afternoon eats in the form of pizza, pasta, and seafood are served at the poolside Bangsak Grill, or go for tapas – the trendy food with a trendy name – beachside at the Bamboo Bar. Evenings see the opening of Baan Thai, the Thai restaurant (of course) that guests rave about, Khuk Khak, the Indian food lounge, and the romantic Seafood Grill, where fresh seafood is grilled to perfection and the sea provides the ambiance.

Roomy rooms

Deluxe Pool Room

When it comes to resort accommodation, bigger is always better. And the rooms at Le Meridien Khao Lak are indeed large. Designers didn’t add sitting areas as cramped afterthoughts. Rather, the Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Pools Rooms (which are essentially the same, but the latter is on the ground floor) have big beds, a couch, and a table and chair – and still there’s enough room for a passionate game of Charades. The décor doesn’t try too hard; it’s tasteful and elegant without being distracting.

Of course, if bigger really is better, 25 luxurious villas stand ready to indulge your wildest holiday dreams with 42-inch plasma televisions, comfort filled living areas, and bathrooms you’ll want to take home with you – they’re that nice. Choose from Lagoon Villas, Pool Villas, and Oceanfront Villas – all are secluded, intimate, and they do their names justice.

The showpiece

Le Meridien Khao Lak Hobie Cats

I could go on and on about the beach, because the beach goes on and on. Free from noisy motorboats and throngs of people – and protected by national park status – unbroken solitude is easy to come by. Floating platforms give swimmers a lounge in the sea, and complimentary Hobie Cats and windsurf boards are available for guests to harness a gust and explore the expansive coastline.

Kids love Thailand, and what’s better, Thailand loves kids. Instead of saying, “Goodbye children, we’ll see you in a week,” Le Meridien Khao Lak’s Penguin Club lets you say, “Goodbye children, we’ll see you in two hours.” The resort has plenty of room to roam and is pure bliss for vacationers of all ages.

Accessorize your holiday

View from the lobby

The icing on the cake is sweet; the ‘stuff to do’ list is long. Tennis courts, mountain bikes, beach volleyball, table tennis, and snorkelling are all available onsite, as are a fitness centre, spa, beauty salon, dive shop, tour desk and a bit of shopping. Step outside the resort and Khao Lak’s many adventures await, including golf, elephant trekking, fishing, hiking, rafting, and educational tours that highlight the beauty of Thai culture.

The verdict is in: Families love it. Romantics love it. Leisure travellers love it. Beach boys (and girls) love it. Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort is the complete package; a perfect ten. A first date is destined to lead to many, many more. Call it fate.

Hotel Information and Room Rates

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