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Hotel picks

Hotels in Koh Lanta: the two we would book

A 100-acre beach resort on Ba Kan Tiang in the south, and a beachfront resort with plunge-pool villas on Long Beach.

By Kylian Dev

In short: Pimalai Resort & Spa (Ba Kan Tiang Beach, southern Koh Lanta, Luxury) and Lanta Sand Resort & Spa (Long Beach, Mid-range) are our two hotel picks in Koh Lanta. Each address below lists its official name and website, its facilities as published by the property, a map and practical tips.

LuxuryBa Kan Tiang Beach, southern Koh Lanta

Pimalai Resort & Spa

Photos: Pimalai Resort & Spa — official website. Tap a photo to enlarge.

A 100-acre beach resort on Ba Kan Tiang with two pools, a jungle spa, diving and cooking classes.

  • Beachfront
  • Swimming pools
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Pimalai Spa
See pricesOfficial website

Why we picked it

What convinced us is the scale of the site: 900 metres of beach and 100 acres of forest, with two pools, a spa in the jungle and an activity list that ranges from diving to mangrove tours. We would book it for a long stay on Lanta’s quieter southern coast.

Best for

  • Families
  • Couples
  • Divers
  • 900 metres of beachfront on 100 acres of tropical forest
  • Two pools: a beachside pool and a hillside infinity pool
  • PADI diving, Thai cooking classes, mangrove tours and beachfront yoga

What the hotel offers

As listed on the property’s official website.

  • Beachfront900 metres of beach on the Andaman Sea
  • Swimming poolsA beachside pool and a hillside infinity pool
  • Restaurants and barsSeveral restaurants and bars on site
  • Pimalai SpaThai massages, body wraps and facials; open 10:00–21:00 from October to April
  • Sports centerOn the resort grounds
  • DivingScuba diving including PADI certification, and snorkelling
  • Thai cooking classesOffered to guests
  • Mangrove toursPlus bird-watching and forest hikes
  • Beachfront yogaOffered to guests
  • Airport transferComplimentary from Krabi Airport
Mid-rangeLong Beach

Lanta Sand Resort & Spa

Photos: Lanta Sand Resort & Spa — official website. Tap a photo to enlarge.

A beachfront resort on Long Beach with pool-access rooms, plunge-pool villas and a spa.

  • Beach access
  • Pool-access rooms
  • Air-conditioning
  • Wi-Fi
See pricesOfficial website

Why we picked it

What convinced us is the choice of rooms on a long beach: pool-access rooms, plunge-pool villas and family rooms, with a spa and an excursion desk on site. We would book it for a beach week on Lanta’s west coast.

Best for

  • Couples
  • Families
  • Beach walkers
  • Direct access to Long Beach, one of the finest beaches in the north of the island
  • Seven room types from 40 to 155 sqm, with pool-access rooms, plunge-pool villas and family rooms
  • The Grain of Sand Spa and an excursion desk for diving, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing

What the hotel offers

As listed on the property’s official website.

  • Beach accessDirect access to Long Beach
  • Pool-access roomsDeluxe Pool Access, Beach Front Pool Access and plunge-pool villas
  • Air-conditioningIndividually controlled, in every room
  • Wi-FiIn all rooms
  • Mini-fridge and tea/coffeeIn every room, with a safety box
  • Grain of Sand SpaOn site
  • RestaurantWine & Dine
  • Family roomsFamily Plunge Pool and one- or two-bedroom Junior Suites
  • Transfer serviceListed among the resort’s facilities
  • ExcursionsDiving, snorkelling, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and sightseeing

Choosing between the two

Ba Kan Tiang or Long Beach: how to choose

Lanta stretches over 30 km, so the first choice is where on the island you want to stay.

Ba Kan Tiang: a quiet southern beach

Pimalai Resort & Spa has 900 metres of beach on 100 acres of forest, two pools, a jungle spa and activities from diving to mangrove tours. Choose it for a long, quiet stay with everything inside the grounds.

Long Beach: a west-coast beach close to Saladan

Lanta Sand Resort & Spa has direct access to Long Beach, seven room types with pool-access rooms and plunge-pool villas, a spa and an excursion desk. Choose it for a beach week with the pier close by.

Not sure which beach to pick? Our where to stay guide compares Lanta’s beaches, and the complete Koh Lanta travel guide covers the islands and the best months.

Where to stay in Koh LantaComplete Koh Lanta travel guide

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Hotels in Koh Lanta: the questions we hear most.

Which part of Koh Lanta is best for a hotel stay?

The south, where Pimalai stands on Ba Kan Tiang Beach, is quiet and spacious. The west coast’s Long Beach, where Lanta Sand Resort sits, is closer to Ban Saladan Pier. Our where to stay guide compares every beach.

Read where to stay in Koh Lanta
How far ahead should I book a hotel on Koh Lanta?

Book as soon as your dates are fixed if you travel between November and April, or around Christmas and New Year, and if you want a pool villa. Use the See prices button of each hotel for live availability.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?

November to April is the dry season, and many places close during the May to October monsoon. Rates change with the season and the room category, which is why we show categories rather than prices.

See the month-by-month weather in Koh Lanta
How do I get to my hotel on Koh Lanta?

Pimalai offers a complimentary airport transfer from Krabi Airport for guests. Lanta Sand Resort lists a transfer service and says it is about 120 minutes from Krabi International Airport.

Which hotel offers activities on site?

Pimalai offers PADI diving, Thai cooking classes, mangrove tours and beachfront yoga. Lanta Sand Resort has an excursion desk for diving, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing trips.

Which hotel suits families?

Lanta Sand Resort has Family Plunge Pool rooms and one- or two-bedroom Junior Suites. Pimalai’s grounds have two pools and 900 metres of beach, with plenty of activities for guests.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under Pimalai Resort & Spa opens the resort’s official website. For Lanta Sand Resort & Spa it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.

More hotel picks

Our hotel picks in other Thai destinations.

These are editorial picks: we have not been paid for them and we do not claim a stay we did not make. Booking links to Trip.com are partner links.