Kantary Beach Hotel Villas & Suites Khao Lak

While many resorts in Thailand want to be relaxed and peaceful, the stylishly simple Kantary Beach lives up to those claims. This resort is composed of suites in four- and five-story white buildings and individual villas. Walkways connect the various buildings, and golf carts shuttle guests who prefer not to walk. Guests arrive to a bright, open lobby with a soaring ceiling -- this is where check-in takes place. Fans and modern pendant lighting hang overhead, and the restrained color palette -- wood tones, matte black, and white -- is a clue to the sober style of the rooms here. Several seating areas provide places for guests to hang out, and there are plenty of places to retreat and kick back throughout the resort. The resort is quiet, even more so during high season, when children are not allowed. Many guests, mostly couples, are here on long stays of a week or more, and families are seen here during the months when children are allowed. It's a good spot for  enjoying the beach and sun, but travelers looking for nightlife and shopping action should look elsewhere. 

The hotel is situated on the Andaman Sea in an area known as Cape Pakarang in the province of Phang Nga. Several other hotels are nearby, and a few eateries are within walking distance. It takes about 20 minutes to drive into Khao Lak town, and the hotel provides shuttle service for a fee. Sai Rung Waterfall is 15 minutes away by car, and it will take about 20 minutes to reach Khao Lak Lamru National Park. The park is home to beaches, mountains, jungles, and waterfall. During the high season, guests can take speed boat tours to nearby islands, with shuttle service to and from the hotel. Phuket International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive from the hotel. 

The resort offers Suites and Villas, all of which are sharp, if simple. Decor is minimalist, with white tile floors, clean-lined wood furniture, wooden headboards, and white walls. There's nothing in the way of wall art, and the restrained white and black palette -- along with large windows -- keeps everything bright. The rooms are well kept and contemporary, though some rooms have old tube TVs as a second TV and some of the furniture shows a bit of wear. All rooms have separate sleeping and living areas, furnished with attractive neutral couches that are set with subtly colored throw pillows. Some units have Asian pottery-inspired lamps that add a bit of local character, and Villas -- not surprisingly -- offer a good deal more space.

Standard features include air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs in living rooms, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have separate sleeping and living rooms, plus a kitchenette with mini-fridge, sink, tea/coffee maker, and microwave. Dishes and cutlery also are supplied, and dining space with a table and chairs is on the balcony or terrace. Some rooms have lovely views across palm-studded lawns out to the sea. Bathrooms are small and continue the white and black motif. They have separate tiled showers and tubs, hairdryers, vessel sinks, and toiletries. 

Cafe Andaman, the main restaurant, serves all meals including a daily breakfast buffet. Seating is alfresco under a roof overlooking a lagoon. The fine-dining spot, the Similan Restaurant, is closed until the end of October 2016, as is the Garden Cafe -- check ahead with the hotel on the status of these outlets. The rooftop Otter's Bar overlooks the sea -- it's particularly cool at night, with light-up cube tables -- and there's also a swim-up bar at the garden pool. Menus consist of Thai and international dishes, and food gets mostly solid reviews.

The three on-site pools include a free-form pool with a swim-up bar, a kids' pool, and another by the beach. They offer lounge chairs and umbrellas for relaxing poolside, and additional chairs and umbrellas are provided on the wide, sandy beach and grassy lawn. The rectangular beach pool is suitable for swimming laps. The beach itself is lovely and undeveloped, with just a few lounge chairs on the sand. Water sports like sailing and kayaking are offered on the beach (for a fee). 

Given that children are not allowed for several months out of the year, it's a bit surprising that there's a kids' club here that's stocked with toys and games. A mini-mart sells snacks, drinks, souvenirs, clothing, and accessories. The spacious fitness center is quite nice as well, with a good selection of cardio and weight-training equipment in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. There's also a yoga room and bicycles available for rent. Massage services are offered in open-air palapas by the beach. Event space is available, though this area of Thailand isn't exactly a business destination, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. Shuttles run into Khao Lak for a fee.