Hotels in Ko Lanta

Koh Lanta has been the best island we've visited in Thailand and is now one of the only places on Thailand we'd go back to. It's quiet (unsure whether it's the time of year) but a few people said the same who had visited before. Would go back in a heart beat. I would avoid long beach as its a lot more westernised and more like Koh Phi Phi etc, and stick to Klong Nin beach and Kantiang Bay - just as they were the two beaches we stayed on, much more family/couple/honeymoon like location, can have a fun late night out or a romantic chilled one without imposing on anyone else! We ate at a few places along Klong Nin which were great, and staff always welcoming and polite. If you visit old town or just generally in Thailand tourist hot spots, I'd suggest the smaller family run restaurants to eat at, they take much more pride in their food and service and almost always tastes better than the larger tourist ones with the sea views and fancier looking places where they're just after money. The national park is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, well worth a moped trip to. Mopeds are easily available in Lanta and is a safer location to ride them as its quieter and less cars about. We got a A/C mini van from Krabi airport (arranged just on the way out) directly to our hotel for 400 baht each which compared to the ferry ride back, though picturesque views en route they are a nightmare to get off of, van seemed quicker and much easier! I wanted to try some island hopping excursions but didn't get chance but heard great things about them! Maybe next time though! We love you Koh Lanta!

If you're looking for rather relaxing holidays away from the crowd Koh Lanta is the answer. Beaches aren't crowded. It's easy to get around it but also easy to get to other islands/places. Most of the resorts are along the western side which gets greener as you go further south. Though there's couple of places on the eastern side worth visiting, like Old Town (great for shopping and very fresh sea food), Sea Gypsies village and Mangrove forest. We had an amazing dinner (obviously seafood!) in a restaurant by the sea called Shine-Talay. Saladan town, where all the ferries arrive/depart, is also a pleasant (particularly in the night) place with nice spots for shopping and eating. I'd recommend Catfish for nice breakfast! Though there's plenty of other nice restaurants by the sea. There's lots of massage places on the street by the sea leading to the port. Most of them are pretty good so you can head in assured you'll get a good service. Another nice spot for romantic dinner and sunset watching is Diamond Cliff. You should try their strawberry shake!

Katiang bay had a most lovely beach and we only went there for a brief moment when we were riding our motorcycles around the island to the national park in the south. The roads are really easy to navigate and there is not much traffic so it was a great opportunity to ride a motorcycle in Thailand with out the scariness. We ride to the south and we're going to check out the cave but it wasn't open. There is a lighthouse at the national park so that was lovely. The beach at the national park although lovely is very rocky. Lots of wild monkeys at the park. We spent time at the hotel bar freedom bar which was so amazing. Lovely and ambient, great music and atmosphere. Delicious buckets. The food at the restaurant was really delicious and they even had tacos. We also went on the fours island tour with everyone in or hotel which was a great opportunity to meet everyone there and make friends. The tour was very touristy & very busy. We went snorkeling, and swam through the cave to the lagoon which was awesome. Regardless of the 1000s of tourists there. Still very beautiful.we also checked out many viewpoints all over the island.

Great food choice and lots of adventure/activity choices from snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, trekking. The people are really warm, friendly and efficient. I stayed at the New Coconut Bungalow and hung out at Kwan's Eatery and Flin Stoned Bar. Rented scooters and 7 Elevens make it easy to get around and get stuff 24 hours. Visited Ko Roc for some stunning snorkeling and the Talabeng sea caves in a sea kayak, apart from the mangrove sanctuary at Tung Yee Peng. Also took long walks at midnight for stargazing under amazingly clear skies at Long Beach. Could see the complete Milky Way. The only problem is the sometimes lengthy traffic jams for the ferry between Lanta Noi and Lanta Yoi which can sometimes add upward of an hour to and from Krabi International airport. Otherwise, a perfect getaway from Singapore!

Koh lanta is the place to stay if you want to avoid the crowds and noise (and expense) of koh phi phi but still get a beautiful island, lush beaches and actually better snorkelling!! Koh lanta is known as the second best dive sight and has fun 4 island tours for snorkellers or trips to the outstanding koh rok which blows away the completion with it's corals, fish diversity and monitor lizards! The old town in koh lanta is a must see with little cafés stood above the clear waters and fun little shops The sun sets will dazzle you and there's plenty of party if you want to find it or loads of little hide aways for those looking to relax It's well priced and has plenty of little resorts to pamper in Overall if your on that side of Thailand and thinking of where you should go........koh lanta has to be given some serious thought

Southern beaches are much more tranquil and "tropical", then nothern. Check Nui Bay (Nui Beach, which is on the south, is also fine) - just go down the stairs from Diamond Cliff restaurant, and you'll find yourself on a beautiful hidden tropical beach; Waterfall Beach (calm and wide, sunbeds for free!) and small, non-crowded Relax Bay which is just next to Klong Khong if you go from south to north. Both Nui beaches have some fish swimming around the rocks, so don't forget your snorkelling equipment! Good swimming on all these three beaches in guaranteed during the whole day (at least, in January), while Klong Khong may be rocky and shallow, so do Klong Dao. By the way, someone ("small fish" as described by Thai men) bites you when you are swimming around nothern beaches, so be careful! No bites detected when go out from the water, but the feeling is like a bite of small jellyfish. Southern bays seem to be free of this "small fish" :) When you are tired of exploring the beaches, go to Four Island excursion - but choose longtail boat, speedboats are very loud and uncomfortable (and cost twice more than longtails!)