With the launch of seasonal direct flights between Dubai and Krabi, from July to September 2023, this natural five-star sanctuary has created a package exclusively for visitors from the Middle East
A natural paradise, Pimalai is nestled in 100 acres of lush forest that cascades down to a 900-metre-long sandy beach
KOH LANTA, THAILAND: The summer months present the perfect opportunity for Middle Eastern residents to experience the stunning scenery of southern Thailand. As temperatures soar in the Arabian Peninsula, the idyllic Thai island of Koh Lanta becomes an environmental paradise that blooms with vivid colours and heady fragrances. Flowers blossom, waterfalls flow, wildlife thrives and the entire region exudes a sense of freshness.
As an increasing number of Middle Eastern travellers seek a revitalising summertime escape in the “Land of Smiles,” local airline flydubai is launching a new seasonal service direct from Dubai to Krabi, between July and September 2023. Now, Pimalai Resort & Spa, the five-star haven of tranquillity nestled in 100 acres of lush jungle on Koh Lanta, has created an enticing package exclusively for Middle Eastern visitors.
From only AED 430 per room per night, couples or families can stay in a spacious 48-square metre Deluxe Room at Pimalai, including daily breakfast for two people and roundtrip transfers to and from Krabi International Airport. Guests will also be treated to a wealth of complimentary resort activities, including water sports such as kayaking and paddle-boarding, football and volleyball on the soft sands of Kantiang Bay, exercise classes including yoga, circuit training and TRX at the resort’s fully-equipped fitness centre, and a choice of wellness classes at the award-winning Pimalai Spa – the ancient art of Thai massage, the skill of making an aromatic herbal compress, or the techniques of a traditional neck & shoulder massage.
Guests can stay in a choice of spacious rooms, suites and villas, all nestled in the jungle-clad hills
Throughout their stay, guests can also choose to embark on small-scale and sustainable excursions to exotic offshore islands and cultural sites. While parts of the local marine reserve are closed to visitors at this time of year (to allow the flora and fauna to be replenished), adventure seekers can still head out to the island of Koh Talabeng, which is famous for its caves, beaches and clear water, embark on an immersive exploration of Koh Lanta’s lush mangrove forests, or soak up the local culture in the island’s Old Town, which has a rich and historic Islamic influence.
Deeper discoveries of the underwater world can be experienced with snorkelling and PADI-certified scuba diving trips to Phi Phi Island, the Bida Islands and a pair of shipwrecks that teem with colourful marine life, including large schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks and rays.
Back at the resort, Pimalai offers a selection of world-class restaurants that serve halal cuisine, including Rak Talay, which specialises in Andaman seafood by the beach, Seven Seas, a spectacular international fine-dining destination nestled in the hillside overlooking the bay, and The Banyan Tree Poolside Café, which serves light bites and daytime refreshments.
“The launch of non-stop flights between Dubai and Krabi is a game-changer, as it will provide our Middle Eastern clientele with a unique opportunity to escape the heat and fly direct to our natural, ecological paradise. July to September is a wonderful time to explore Koh Lanta, as the entire island feels fresh and vibrant. The rains usually only fall for an hour or two each day – and sometimes overnight – so guests don’t need to worry about being stuck indoors, and there is an amazing array of activities, attractions and excursions to enjoy. We look forward to introducing even more of our esteemed Middle Eastern visitors to the wonders of Koh Lanta,” said Brice Borin, Pimalai’s General Manager.
Pimalai forms part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) Considerate Collection, an exclusive community of socially responsible and environmentally conscious luxury hotels. It was also named as the second-best resort in Southeast Asia in Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards”, which honour the finest travel experiences on the planet.
About Pimalai Resort & Spa
Koh Lanta’s first five-star resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa has been redefining luxury hospitality on the Andaman Island since it launched almost two decades ago. The award-winning property, located on the laid-back southern tip, cascades through 100 acres of tropical jungles easing its way towards one of Thailand’s best beaches: Kantiang Bay. It’s here that guests while the days away lounging on what often feels like a private beach or spend action-packed afternoons out in the cerulean sea scuba diving, snorkelling or simply relaxing on a sunset cruise. A smattering of local bars and restaurants line the beach, but its Pimalai’s onsite eateries that tend to steal the show. The legendary Rak Talay beachfront bar and restaurant is as loved for the sumptuous Thai-style seafood as it is its sunset setting, while nestled in the resort’s jungle interior, Seven Seas serves up Michelin-chef-conceived menus throughout the evening. Guests can also indulge in an array of onsite wellness experiences, ranging from traditional Muay Thai classes to early evening tennis matches and pampered afternoons at the signature Pimalai Spa. With no immediate neighbours, the 121-room resort is a serene sanctuary where guests can feel completely at peace in their private surroundings. From Hillside Ocean Pool Villas that command vistas of the stunning scenery through to the Beachside Villas, situated only a few short steps away from the shoreline, rooms at Pimalai cater to all tastes with spacious layouts and designs that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings. In keeping with Koh Lanta’s low-key, laid-back mindset, Pimalai Resort & Spa offers guests from all corners of the globe the opportunity to savour a truly authentic Thai island experience in their very own private sanctuary
