Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta: An Honest Family Review
Three monkeys watched us eat our pre-ordered lunch on arrival. We were staying in a private hillside 3-bedroom villa with our own pool. The resort had sent a staff member to the airport to escort us personally. This was day one.
We've stayed at a lot of resorts. We are not strangers to nice hotels. But Pimalai Resort & Spa on Koh Lanta, Thailand is the most beautiful resort any of us has ever stepped foot in. I'll say that flat out up front so you know where I'm coming from for the rest of this review.
We arrived during low season, June 2025, rainy season in Thailand which actually works in your favor at a place like this. Fewer crowds, lower rates, and the resort itself is so lush and green from the rain that it feels like a private paradise. The warm welcome at the jetty, floral leis, cold towels, fresh juice, all of this set the tone immediately.
The Villa
We booked a three-bedroom hillside private pool suite. This is the kind of room where you walk in and your jaw genuinely drops. Our pre-ordered lunch was waiting for us on arrival. The private pool looked out over jungle-covered hills. And yes, three monkeys were sitting in the trees watching us eat. It set the tone for everything that followed.
The Pools & Beach
The property has two stunning infinity pools plus whatever's in your private villa if you have one with a pool. Our kids spent the majority of their time between these pools and the beach, where the resort offers boogie boarding, water sports, and a kids' camp program. The beach sunsets at Pimalai are genuinely something and on our last evening we watched a wedding ceremony's fireworks from our dinner table on the beach. Perfectly unplanned magic.
The Food
Dinner at Seven Seas Restaurant on our first night was outstanding. The resort also does a beach dinner experience that we made sure to book for our last evening on Koh Lanta. The breakfast spread was comprehensive and delicious every morning and we made a point of ordering the passionfruit every single day because it's Thailand's best fruit and we're not ashamed.
BOOKING TIP
Pimalai is actually more affordable than you'd expect for a 5-star resort, especially in low season (May-October). The rainy season means occasional afternoon showers, but the resort is so beautiful that we barely noticed. Book directly through the resort's website for the best rates and room selection.
Getting There
Fly to Krabi (KBV), most major Thai cities connect here. A Pimalai staff member will meet you at the airport and escort you to the Krabi jetty for your private boat transfer to Koh Lanta. The whole arrival sequence is part of the experience and feels appropriately special.
The Verdict
If you're planning a Thailand trip and want one truly special resort stay, this is it. The combination of natural beauty, impeccable service, family-friendly facilities, and genuine Thai hospitality is something we haven't found anywhere else at this price point. We're already talking about going back.
