By Rama Gaind
Let your heart and soul be touched by discovering the wonders of mother nature in southern Thailand!
Khao Lak’s national parks are a treasure trove of nature’s beauty; the Kantary Beach Hotel Villas & Suites, Khao Lak, has a breathtaking waterfront location and bask in the exquisiteness of the Similan Islands, particularly watching the splendour of underwater sea life.
Enroute to Khao Lak, in the Phang Nga province, a stopover is essential at Aleenta Phuket – Phang Nga Resort and Spa. This stunning boutique resort is a ‘kids free zone’. How fabulous!
Opened in 2006, Aleenta means a ‘rewarding life’ in Sanskrit. There’s nothing over-commercialised here. Located on the sunset side of the Andaman Sea and the pristine Natai Beach, the Aleenta is just 20 minutes north of the Phuket International Airport.
This stylish hideaway with clean, white lines has understated, distinctive design that creates a calm, spiritual ambience. An array of accommodations is available: choose from pool villas, ocean view lofts, and luxury private two- and three-bedroom beachfront villas, each within steps from the beach and offering commanding sea views.
The luxury resort scooped the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards 2011 for Best Small Hotel and Best Sustainable Hotel in both the Thailand and Asia Pacific categories. The resort management is also passionate about the environment. It has been awarded the status of Thailand’s Best Small Green Resort. Natai Beach has also been awarded 5 Stars for cleanliness of the beach and water quality.
Khao Lak’s natural beauty
Khao Lak’s national parks feature staggering panoramic views, thundering waterfalls, towering limestone and granite peaks, rare wild animals and endless miles of rainforest.
What differentiates Khao Lak is its lack of crowds, quiet up-scale secluded coastal resorts, a family-friendly environment and the provincial ordinances prohibiting structures to be built beyond the height of a coconut palm.
Situated on one of the few remaining stretches of pristine beach in Khao Lak, north of Phuket, the Kantary Beach Hotel Villas & Suites is simply amazing. The hotel fronts a stunning beach where long walks of discovery are essential. Comprising modern suites and serene and private bungalows, the hotel is surrounded by lush, tropical foliage, hills of Phang Nga and two lakes.
Similan Islands panorama
Khao Lak is also the launch pad to one of the world’s best scuba diving grounds. North-west of Phuket is the Koh Similan Marine National Park, an archipelago of nine granite islands, reputed to be in the world’s top 10 dive sites. The Similans boast not only the richest variety and abundance of reef fish in Thailand, but provide a huge selection of diving topography. The islands are covered in abundant rainforest and a profusion of bird life.
If diving is not your particular passion, then you can get a taste of the beautiful marine life at some snorkelling spots. Enjoy an impressive panorama of the Andaman Sea.
The day’s excursion to the islands for snorkelling, swimming, a picnic lunch, being at one with sea turtles and schools of fish and absorbing the breath-taking views ended all too soon.
The wonderful memories, however, will linger forever!
Rama Gaind was a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand with accommodation in Khao Lak hosted by Kasemkij Group and 3Days Elephant Experience and Lake Safari hosted by Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camp, Khao Sok.
DETAILS BOX
Getting there
Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sydney, on (02) 9247 7549 or visit www.tourismthailand.org
Fast facts, visit: http://www.tourismthailand.org/about-thailand/
Flight details
Thai Airways International flies 42 flights a week between Australia and Thailand
with easy connections to Thai’s domestic network; twice daily from Sydney and
Melbourne, daily from Brisbane and seven-a-week from Perth (including three non-stops to Phuket). Connections are also available with Bangkok Airways domestic network.
Check out: www.thaiairways.com.au
Kantary Beach Hotel – Villas & Suites, Khao Lak
64, 65 Moo 2, Kukkak, Takuapa, Khao Lak 82190, Thailand
Telephone: + 66 (0) 76 584 700
