When we think about Thailand, most of the travelers dream about a clear blue water island, palm trees, and massages. It’s not surprising that one of the most visited places in Thailand are the islands and beaches and there is a perfect one for all tastes.
If your thing is to be in crowded places and live the Full Moon party, Koh Phangan will be your favorite place, but if you prefer a quiet place, with good food and the possibility of outdoor activities, Koh Lanta could one of your favorite islands in Thailand.
I was invited to visit the Crown Lanta hotel on the island of Koh Lanta and this was my experience.
CROWN LANTA HOTEL CONCEPT
Since arriving at Crown Lanta we were greeted with the characteristic Thai friendliness.
The place is decorated in a simple way and located in between lush vegetation, with well-kept gardens and a forest that surrounds all the facilities.
It is a great four-star hotel that looks like a big All-Inclusive but that maintains the size and the proximity with the passengers of a smaller hotel.
The Crown Lanta is a luxury hotel but at very affordable prices (starting at 110€) and is perfect for visiting as a family, as a couple and even among friends.
THE PLACE AND LOCATION
Located near the port of Saladan and very close to the sea it’s a privileged place to have as a base point to explore the island of Koh Lanta and the surroundings.
The hotel is on a small peninsula and has a private beach area that, while is not a paradise beach for sunbathing or bathing it surely gives a beautiful view of the Andaman Sea coast that overlooks the Phi Phi islands.
To move to and from the hotel you can use the free shuttle with fixed schedules to Saladan or hire a Tuc-Tuc for 50 Bath from and to the town, where you will find shops and restaurants with food specializing in fish and seafood.
You can also rent a scooter for 300 Bath for 24 hours and tour the island on your own. We filled it with 50 Bath of gasoline and with that we were all day touring the island.The good thing is that you park in the same hotel and the price is the same as in the rest of the island.
The latter was our favorite option since in the same day you can visit different beaches and have a general view of Koh Lanta which is quite interesting and the route near the sea has beautiful views.
THE FACILITIES
The Crown Lanta has everything you need to relax and spend a few days near the sea.
Far from the noise and chaos of any beach or busy city, it is a place that exudes peace and tranquility.
The property is quite large and the distances within the complex include some quite steep hills, but it has a transfer service to the interior for those who have mobility problems or are just too tired to climb the small hill that leads from the reception to the room area.
The Crown Lanta hotel also has a complimentary service of Kayaks, bicycles and snorkeling equipment that you can occupy, a Fitness Center and they offer live music, fire shows, and Thai cooking classes.
It has two main areas that group independent departments and two large, clean and beautifully designed pools. They have a bar inside the water where you can order your drink, favorite beer or some snacks while you enjoy the water.
THE ROOMS
Organized into three-story apartment buildings, the rooms are almost an entire apartment.
It has five types of rooms to choose from according to the preferences of each passenger:
- DELUXE POOL VIEW
- DELUXE POOL ACCESS
- DELUXE SEA VIEW
- OCEAN VIEW POOL VILLA
- GRAND PANORAMA POOL VILLA
The room we stayed in was a Deluxe Sea View and is one of the largest I have seen in a hotel in Thailand. It had in addition to the main area, a huge huge balcony overlooking the pool and a little sea. Unfortunately, we couldn’t watch the ocean from our balcony as vegetation was covering it from every angle.
The bathroom is also very spacious, with a shower with natural light and the most pleasant is the small adjoining dressing room where you can access the cloakroom.
A television, mini-bar equipped (not included in the price) and complimentary water accompany an almost perfect bed, wide, with good support mattress and soft white sheets of good quality.
THE GASTRONOMY
Within the Crown Lanta Hotel complex you will find several options to enjoy good food without having to leave the place.
The Cliff Restaurant
A restaurant located very close to the sea and right next to the main pool, with simple decoration and very relaxed atmosphere.
The offer of the menu is varied and mostly based on specialties of traditional Thai cuisine. It offers a Thai dance show and fire show once a week.
Abundant portions and fast and friendly service, the Cliff restaurant is open during lunchtime and for dinner.
The Peak Restaurant
The ideal place to enjoy a nice dinner when you are already tired of Thai food as it offers a menu based on international preparations, especially the meats are excellent.
It’s also the perfect place to start the day and enjoy breakfast every morning. It includes a buffet of Asian dishes, fruits, natural juices and a sufficient variety of pastry and bakery in the most western style.
The Reggae Bar
Considered one of the best bars in Koh Lanta, the Reggae Bar is located in a perfect place to enjoy the sunset and the sunset looking at the Andaman Sea.
With a very relaxed design, the tables are organized as small private cabins with cushions on the floor.
The happy hour is really worth it and they also include olives and fried chips to accompany.
TIP: Don’t forget to bring repellent! Although they have a soft one available at the bar in case you need them.
INFINITY SPA
With a simple design and a very cozy atmosphere, the Infinity Spa is the perfect place to recover the body after a day touring the island by scooter or swimming next to the fish in the adjoining islands.
The treatment rooms are somewhat small and with a very simple design, but they have enough to enjoy a good treatment. Maybe the massage beds are a bit hard and narrow for my taste but it was not an impediment to enjoy my treatment.
The therapists were very professional and kind to us and asked at all times if the pressure was adequate, a very important point since Thai massage can be quite intense for those who are not used to them.
They offer not only traditional massages but also facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, special baths and saunas. You can hire 15-minute massages up to four-hour treatments and programs for three, five or seven-day stays.
HOW TO GET TO CROWN LANTA HOTEL
To get to Koh Lanta you can do it by sea or by air.
From Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands, you can get there by ferry.
If you go from Bangkok, the most convenient thing is to get to Krabi airport and from there take a transfer that takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs 300 Bath.
You can also arrive by minivan or bus but check well the options and values because with the new low-cost airlines sometimes the time and value are not justified to take a bus.
WHEN TO GO
While the weather in Koh Lanta is quite unpredictable, the best months to visit are between November and April.
The months of the high season are December, January, and February, in which the climate is more stable.
We were at the end of October and although it is still low season and the weather can be a little unstable, the beaches are almost empty and it is a pleasure to enjoy a destination almost for you alone.
To find the best prices you can check here or directly on their website
Buenos días Gloria
Gracias por su valioso consejo sobre el Crown Resort de Koh Lanta. Tenemos que hospedarnos en este hotel en marzo de 2020 y estamos deseando ir desde que leímos sus consejos.
Muchas gracias otra vez
Jean Paul