Twin Bay Resort

Other than its pretty location between two bays, Twin Bay Resort doesn't win any design awards. It's a fairly standard and non-descript looking resort, with its most attractive feature being its swimming pool. The lobby is very small (it's basically just a front desk), with a table and a few chairs. The thatched-roof bungalows are pleasant, though, and all are set in tropical grounds, with flowers and plenty of greenery. The bungalows and pool run right along the beachfront, and it's a quiet stretch of beach here, popular with families and couples looking to escape the crowds. Overall, Twin Bay is a relaxed and unpretentious spot, with swimwear and shorts being the dress code.

Twin Bay Resort is, as its name promises, located on two bays. The front of the hotel entrance is on the quiet side road that runs along the northwest-most point of Koh Lanta, and then the bungalows, pool, and rest of the resort sit on what is the other side of a headland, right on Klong Dao Beach, one of Lanta's best. While the stretch of sand right in front of the hotel is not as nice as those further south, the resort has the benefit of sitting alone here, with plenty of space and quiet, and it's a good spot for families or couples seeking quiet. While the resort is just a five to 10=minute drive from the ferry pier and main town of Saladan, it is a long hot walk, so guests need to depend on tuk tuks for transport (or they can rent motorbikes). There are no restaurants or shops right next to the resort.

There are several different categories of rooms to choose from at Twin Bay Resort. The top tiered quarters, the newer Deluxe rooms and Beach Front bungalows, are the best as they both sit right next to the beach with sea views from the sitting areas out front. The Deluxe rooms have fancier wood floors, pleasant contemporary Thai decor and bedding, and feature huge bathtubs along with separate showers in the bathrooms (all showers, however, lack doors or curtains). All rooms come with mini-fridges, safe boxes, air-conditioning, and electric hot water thermoses for tea and coffee. The rooms also have free Wi-Fi (with poor signals in those away from the lobby), and free breakfast is included in the high season rates. The Beach Front rooms don't have bathtubs or fine wood floors, but they do feature giant shower heads and are well-located. The Standard rooms are the entry-level choice, and fall off considerably, as other than being spacious, they don't have any extra furnishings other than small desks, and their terraces face away from the beach with no views. The Family rooms are a good bet for those with kids, as they have bunk beds to go with a double for mom and dad. Some rooms have flat-screen TVs while others have ones that have flat panels.

The top feature of the Twin Bay Resort is its lovely swimming pool, which almost looks like an infinity-edge pool the way it sits just off the tranquil Klong Dao Beach with the sea behind it. The pool has a small selection of sun loungers; signs read "No reserving loungers" because there are often not enough during the high season. The pool also has a small kids section along with a whirlpool next to it as well. There is also a pool bar here, so guests can quickly quench their thirst as the need arises.Other than this, the resort's only other feature is its small restaurant, which serves free breakfast to guests in high season only (it comes with a fee at other times), as well as lunch and dinner, with Thai and Western food on the menu. There is also a small internet room at the resort, but it only has one computer. Just next to this is a shelf of used books left by guests, in case one needs something to read.