Taking Thai roads less travelled

It is getting harder to find an authentic Thai experience in busy resorts in destinations like Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, but adventurous travellers can opt for a trip to Koh Lanta.

I visited what was then called Crown Lanta Resort a few years back.

It took a 90-minute drive from Krabi and two ferry rides to make it to Koh Lanta, a delightful step back in time where local fishermen still ply their trade and there are very few go-go bars and nightclubs.

Set high on a peninsula above Klong Dao Beach, what was Crown Lanta is now known as Avani+ Koh Lanta.

This hidden gem in southern Thailand offers a playground for those dreaming of a more remote island escape with pristine beaches, natural parks and mangrove forests close by.

Island hopping is popular. Consider a slow boat ride in the Tung Yee Peng Mangrove forests, or a dive in the crystal waters of Koh Haa. 

Avani+ Koh Lanta Resort is 70km south of Krabi International Airport and still demands a 15-minute ferry crossing.

 

The resort has been redesigned and features 92 guest rooms and private pool villas (above) overlooking the Andaman Sea.

There's a pool, spa, gym and free wifi and all team members are fully vaxxed. 

There are three on-site dining and drinking spots, including the signature Reggae Bar (a survivor from the previous incarnation) that sits on the rocky beach, offering sunset vista.

Pantry by Avani offers freshly brewed coffee and pastries while the main poolside restaurant - The Cliff - features a range of fresh seafood sourced from the local fishing villages in line with the resort's commitment to sustainable dining.

There are also plenty of authentic eateries in slow-paced Lanta Old Town. 

Avani Hotels & Resorts currently operates over 30 properties in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The brand has a strong pipeline of new properties in exciting destinations such as Vietnam and the Maldives, including the upcoming launch of another Avani+ in Khao Lak, Thailand.

www.avanihotels.com/koh-lanta-krabi