Pimalai Resort and Spa

Pimalai Resort and Spa sprawls across both sides of the road, on 100 acres of tropical vegetation that's incredibly lush and soothing. Depending on which side of the resort guests are staying on -- the beach or the hill side -- there are two check-in areas, but most guests opt for the beach side. The lobby here is small but decorated with fine teak furniture -- tables and chairs with rattan backing, cushions with Thai design, and several red couches where welcome drinks and cold towels are distributed. Overhead are lampshades made from birdcages, the symbol of southern Thailand, which are seen throughout the resort, along with lotus ponds, expansive greenery, and an abundance of teak. Other features include giant candle lanterns and large ornamental bells set in small shrines in reflecting pools, which look more like they belong in Bali or Japan. (The owners insist they hand-picked all the design elements, basing many of their selections on what they saw in some of their favorite resorts in Bali.)Many of the Pimalai's guests are honeymooners, or those seeking an exclusive private hideaway for a holiday. While it is a beach resort, the romantic restaurant at the top of the estate does have a dress code, so some dapper evening wear is on view, which is suitable for such a luxurious venue.

The Pimalai Resort and Spa is located in the far south of Ko Lanta, taking up much of the beach on beautiful Kantiang Bay. It's a fairly long trip down the island to get here -- it's at least a 25-minute drive from the ferry pier and main town of Saladan. The resort sits by itself right outside the small village of Kantiang, and while there are enough restaurants and bars to choose from, plus several shops, there are fewer choices here than there are farther north in Long Beach or Khlong Dao. The road to Kantiang is excellent, paved all the way, and guests can use free buggy shuttles to get around the sprawling grounds -- Pimalai sprawls two sides of the road, with both a beachfront estate, where most of the rooms and suites are located, and the more exclusive hill estate, which has private pool villas, a gorgeous infinity pool, upscale dining, and a fitness center. The resort is about two and a half hours from Krabi Airport, by car, and a full four and a half hours from Phuket International Airport.

Opulence rules here, and even standard Deluxe Rooms are large. All rooms are decorated in elegant, contemporary Thai style, with teak floors, fine wood furniture, and rattan curtains. Rooms have large flat-screen TVs with music flash drives and a hard drive worth of movies -- available from the front desk -- that can be plugged into the system. They also come with safes, minibars, robes and slippers, electric kettles, and coffeemakers with free filtered coffee and tea. Bedrooms have king-size or twin beds with luxury bedding plus daybeds. Bathrooms have separate bathtubs, and walk-in showers. Pavilion Suites are right on the beach, with a private villa that has a garden shower and an open-air wood deck facing the sea with beach umbrellas and sun loungers. While most of the rooms are in the beachfront area, the estate area has large, private pool villas on the hillside, offering between 700 and 1,000 square feet of living space and outdoor plunge pools overlooking Kantiang Bay.

Pimalai Resort and Spa may be tucked away in the remote end of Ko Lanta, but it doesn't lack for facilities and features. There are two swimming pools, including the hill estate infinity pool, which gives sweeping views over Kantiang Bay -- a nice spot for watching the sun go down -- and another pool down by the beach, tucked away in a garden. The beach is public, but with the abundance of sun loungers, cabanas, and private umbrellas, it feels like the resort's exclusive turf. The Pimalai doesn't lack for activities either, with a fitness center, spa, tennis and basketball courts, garden croquet, and ping-pong, and guests can rent mountain bikes for free. There is also a gamut of cafes, bars, and restaurants at the Pimalai. The Seven Seas is an elegant, romantic fine-dining spot with a dress code that overlooks the entire Kantiang Bay and serves Western cuisine. Rak Talay on the beach serves seafood and Thai food for both lunch and dinner. Spice n' Rice restaurant is where the resort's sumptuous free breakfast buffets are served, although it's not open year-round. For light meals and drinks, there is the Banyan Tree Cafe -- next to the infinity pool, it offers excellent views. For drinking, there is both a pool bar down by the beach, along with the dapper Lobby Bar, which opens in the evening and overlooks the bay.An art gallery, a shop, a dive center, a kids' day care open in high season, and a yoga studio are also on-site, and Pimalai will arrange other activities around the island, such as diving and elephant trekking.