It takes quite a bit of effort getting to Koh Lanta. From Krabi International Airport, you’ll need to hop onto a car, then a ferry before stepping foot on the island some two hours later. But the trek will be well worth it. Quiet and unspoilt with a slow, mellow vibe, Koh Lanta is the place to be if you want nothing more than to kick back and chill out in a tropical paradise.

While the island is far less gentrified than its Thai neighbours with no big-name hotels, there are a few luxury accommodation options for the well-heeled traveller. For killer views and five-star hospitality, Pimalai Resorts and Spa is second to none. Set amidst a hilly, lush tropical rainforest, the award-winning resort offers a tranquil hideaway close to nature, and you’ll spot a rich variety of plants, trees, and wildlife, including dusky monkeys.

There are over 100 rooms at the sprawling eco-friendly resort, but all are spread out and tastefully designed in contemporary, southern Thai style so you still get a sense of seclusion and privacy. Free of glitz and ostentation, the look is understated and earthy — all the better to blend into its surroundings. In fact, not a single tree was cut down in building Pimalai: “If a tree came in the way of our architect’s design, the architect had to redesign the affected bungalow or change its location so we did not have to cut down any trees,’ says owner Anurat Tiyaphorn, in an interview with MillionaireAsia.

The property’s green initiatives don’t stop there: it actively takes part in conservation efforts like the Clown Fish Release projects; electric vehicles are used to shuttle guests around, and the resort’s private jetty is a floating one so it’s less disruptive to the aquatic environment.

Can’t fathom doing nothing on a pristine sandy beach? Go on a snorkelling cruise to nearby islands, canoe, paddle-board, sail, scuba-dive, cycle, trek, play tennis, and even learn how to cook Thai food at the resort. Then, surrender your tired body to the good hands at Pimalai Spa, which offers a host of serious therapeutic treatments to make you feel like a person again. And this is what getting away actually means. 

Getting to Pimalai

It’s recommended that you book a flight that lands at Krabi airport in the morning or early afternoon. Transport from Krabi Airport to Pimalai takes about two hours, by land via a mini van and via the resort’s speedboat.

For more information on Pimalai Resorts & Spa, including boat timings, visit www.pimalai.com.