Khao Lak
Competent information about Khao Lak,
a wonderful destination in the South of Thailand,
compiled by travel writer Richard Doring

 

 


Updated:
07/24/2011

 

A dream beach in the tropics...

 
 

 

 

...Bang Niang Beach
(Khao Lak)

 
...at the beautiful
Andaman Sea

Swimming in the sea
around the clock,

natural and comfortable bungalows,

 

cool beach restaurants and beach cafes,

many activities in an unspoilt nature,

 

memorable excursions to fishing villages, coral reefs, bizarre rock formations, islands, caves, and waterfalls in the nearby jungle.

 

 

 

 

Bang Niang Beach (Khao Lak)

The beautiful beach of Bang Niang stretches for one mile between two rivers. The fine golden sand is free from rocks, stones or coral. Just a few sea shells are swept ashore during the high tide -- a nice gift to be found in the morning. Swimming is possible any time of the day, during low or high tide. Most of the time the water is not very clear due to the fine sediments that are moved by the waves.
The beach is wide at low tide, but only 5 to 10 yards at the height of the high tide.
Near the mouth of the Bang Niang River picturesque rocky outcrops make a beautiful backdrop at sunset.

 

 

You may walk undisturbed for 5 miles to Coral Cape in the north, or even for 10 miles to the beach of Bang Sak -- loneliness for hours, just passing a small fishing village and three resorts among the coconut palms. If you are longing for less solitude -- Nang Thong Beach is hardly an hour to the south, with more restaurants and shops strung along the rim of the sand. Beware though: at high tide you may have to swim through the river!

There is an extensive coral reef just a mile away breaking the power of the waves. During the monsoon season from May through October though, swimming is only rarely possible at this beach. Despite the overcast sky many tourists love the special beauty of these months and enjoy a calm and peaceful beach holiday at Bang Niang Beach in Khao Lak.

The 60 houses of Ban Bang Niang are scattered among the coconut and rubber gardens in the vicinity of the highway. Only lately many shop houses were constructed along the H4.

 


Not an easy choice among these picturesque bungalow villages...

 Bang Niang Beach (one mile of sandy beach, access at KM 62.1):
 

Ramada Resort Khao Lak
(76 rooms and 8 Ocean Front Villas)

High occupancy
in the low season.

Post-modern
japanese style
(or contemporary Thai?),
arranged in
horse-shoe shape

4200 - 9200 Baht

(April-October:
2100-5100 Baht)

105 - 230 Euro

(42-102 Euro)

 Tel: +66 76 427777
Fax: +66 76 427784
rsvn@ramadakhaolak.com
http://www.ramadakhaolak.com
sawadee.com:
5650-11650 Baht/room

Richard Dorings information: New resort in postmodern Japanese style in the excellent location of the former Palm Andaman Beach Resort. Two- and three-storey buildings are arranged in horseshoe shape around a swimming pool with open view towards the Andaman Sea. Well appointed rooms with all facilities including free WLAN.

La Flora Beach Resort & Spa
(138 rooms in bungalows and in the hotel wings)

High occupancy
in the low season.

5200 - 7200 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service,ABF)

130 - 180 Euro

Tel: +66 76 428000
Fax: +66 76 428029
http://www.lafloraresort.com 
sawadee.com:
5900-11900 Baht/room

Richard Dorings information: A Summit Hotel. The La Flora Resort & Spa is designed in contemporary Asian style. Guests can enjoy an infinity pool and a freeform pool featuring Jacuzzi jets and underwater music. There are Pool Access Rooms with daybeds, a private Jacuzzi, and a direct connection into the pool area. The Spa offers treatments with natural Jurlique products and locally sourced oils, a fitness centre, tennis courts and a beach club offering water sports. Wireless Internet is available in all rooms and hotel public areas as well as a library full of books and computers.

Mukdara
Beach Resort

(64 Villas and 84 rooms)

High occupancy
in the low season.

4300 - 9000 Baht/Day
(incl.Tax,Service,ABF)

107 - 225 Euro

Tel: +66 76 429999
Fax: +66 76 420098
http://www.mukdarabeach.com
sawadee.com:
2000-5000 Baht/room

Richard Dorings information (June 2007): New true 4-star resort catering for package tourists and for individual tourits, 64 big bungalows, that are called Villas, several hotel buildings with 84 rooms and suites, furnished to a very high standard, imposing reception building, spa, many restaurants and bars, gigantic poolscape and glorious gardening.

Sita Garden
(Special internet rate)
(Special opening in July and August 2011 -- 1600 Baht)


To the website

2400 - 2800 Baht
per day

(min. 1 week)
(incl.Tax,Service)

60 - 70 Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

sitagarden08 (at) khaolak.de

Richard Dorings information: Summer cottage arrangement, very family friendly, located directly on the beach. 5 attractive small houses (ranging from 2400-2800 Baht) with fan and aircon, tastefully decorated, shower/WC, kitchenette, large terrace with sea view, 4 bungalows with 3rd bed or separate children's room with bunk bed. German owners, there is a restaurant next door, no hotel service. Prior reservation is necessary, only in the months from February to August with a chance of success.
For the first time Sita Garden was open in the Green Season in July and August 2010. The first guests who had booked for 10 days extended their stay for another 9 days. And they loved it very much here, having the garden and the beach all for them alone. As the bungalow C1 is used as an office with permanent staff, they were not lonely, but had all the privacy they wished for.
The special summer rate is 1600 Baht per bungalow per night for 2 persons PLUS 300 Baht per night for each child.
Sita Garden is bookable any day for at least 7 nights.


Chong Fah Beach Resort  -  Sita Garden  -  Wassana Restaurant  -  Chong Fah Restaurant  -  Mukdara Beach Resort                  

Chong Fah
Beach Resort

(30 rooms)

4000, 5000, 7000 Baht

100, 125, 175  Euro

Tel: +6676486056
Fax +6676486055
Direct email

Richard Dorings information (July 2009): The very popular Chong Fah Beach Resort seems to be built in postmodern Japanese style. The resort consists of 4 Beachfront Double Bungalows, 3 Garden Double Bungalows, 4 Double Storey Houses with 4 rooms each, all rooms are very tastefully decorated. The swimming pool is tiled with black granite. An upmarket restaurant overlooks the beach, a second restaurant in local style is 100 m away right on the beach. Advance booking highly recommended. Open all year.

Sudala Beach Resort
(24 rooms in double bungalows,
54 hotel rooms)

Open all year!

3000 - 4900 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service,BF-Buffet)

75 - 123
Euro

Richard Dorings information (July 2009): 80 to 140 m from the beach, 12 spacious, dark red double bungalows (Seaview Bungalows, Garden Bungalows and Pool View Bungalows) along the concrete beach road, 54 rooms in three 3-storey hotel buildings. 2 pools, Sunny Restaurant and Bar on the beach. Same owner as Mukdara Beach Resort.

Fanari Resort
(4 bungalows, 12 rooms in double bungalows with seaview or pool view, 12 duplex rooms)


5500 - 9000 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service,BF-Buffet)

137 - 225
Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

fanari09 (at) khaolak.de

Richard Dorings information (September 2009): Very spacious bungalows for families right at the beach, only 4 bungalows have seaview, most others have poolview. The rates are applicable for 4 persons, that is inclusive of 4 x breakfast. In the duplex rooms in the new main building up to 6 persons can easily be accommodated. As all rates are per family, the price per person is very reasonable. New owners from FuramaXpress.

The Shambhala Khaolak Resort
(10 rooms in bungalows,
4 rooms in apartment house)

4000, 5000, 6000 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service,BF-Buffet)

100, 125, 150  Euro

Tel: +6676486600-1
Direct email

Room rates are from November to April per room or bungalow for 1 or 2 guests (some incl. American Breakfast),
surcharge for an extra bed 200 to 450 Baht, small children in the bed with the parents are free of charge,
surcharge for "Peak Season" around Christmas/NewYear is 400 Baht in some resorts.
Transfer from Phuket Airport to the resort is available for 1500 Baht per trip.

   

 

Bungalows and Resorts
at Bang Niang Beach in Khao Lak

 

 

 

 

Click your selected resort.

 

  Bang Niang Beach, a little away from the beach (access at KM 62.1):

Riverside Resort & Spa
(27 luxury rooms)

(Markus & Choraton)


Website


Website

5500 Baht

137
Euro

The Sandy House
(10 rooms with ac, TV, minimart)
(Michael & Nok)


Website


Website

 
Open
all year

800 - 1500
Baht

20 - 37 Euro

Tel: +66 76 486224
Direct email

Richard Dorings information (July 2010): 200 mts from the beach, 3 storied town house, big, clean rooms with aircon, TV and shower/WC. Under Thai / English management.
D. & I. McM. from Khanom Beach write about The Sandy House (February 2008): "The room was clean, smelled clean too !! It had twin beds, and air con, which I didn't need, a basic but roomy bathroom, and nice big fluffy bath towels.... and friendly UK owner Michael, his wife, Nok, and his large Thai family - were all very friendly. Price, no breakfast, 800 THB. That was for a single occupancy. Incidentally, I was able to book with them via email/online, the day before I travelled there. In high season, I would recommend phoning in your reservation, as their prices are very competitive."

FX Resort Khao Lak
(38 rooms in hotel buildings and 34 rooms in double bungalows around the pool )

Open

New management

2400 - 3000 Baht

60 - 75 Euro

Tel: +66 76 443473
Fax:+66 76 443475
Direct email

Richard Dorings information (February 2010): 80 to 140 m from the beach, 17 double bungalows around the pool (3000 Baht), 30 rooms in a 3-storey hotel building (2400 Baht) and 8 rooms in the garden building (2700 Baht). Restaurant. On February 1, 2010, the international chain Furama took over the former Bang Niang Beach Resort.

Jasmin Resort
(18 rooms in 9 double
bungalows with ac)

(Paul & Mukda)

 

ac 1850 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service)

44 Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

jasminresort08 (at) khaolak.de

Richard Dorings information (November  2010): Small family resort 200 metres back from the beach in a very beautiful tropical garden.

Baan Bamboo Resort
(8 bungalows and 2 rooms)
(Paeo "Bamboo")

  

700 - 1400 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service)

17 - 35 Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

baanbamboo09 (at) khaolak.de

Richard Dorings information (September 2010): Small resort 300 metres back from the beach with small bungalows decorated with lots of  firstclass bamboo. Equipped with aircon  and fan, warm water and terrace. And 2 nice rooms for backpackers with bathroom (700 Baht).

Amsterdam Bungalows
(4 rooms and 10 small
bungalows, restaurant)

(Kees van Dobben)

 

500 - 900
Baht

12 - 22 Euro

Tel: +66 81 857881
Direct email

Richard Dorings information: Small establishment 200 metres back from the beach, small stone built bungalows with fan and 4 rooms on the upper floor of the main building, restaurant, small bar. Dutch management. Good value for money.


Sea Sand Sun Resort

(7 bungalows)
(Kukai)

2500
Baht

(incl.ABF,tax,service)

62 Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

seasandsun11(at)khaolak.de

Richard Dorings information (October 2010): This new family style bungalow village  is situated 300 meters from the beach right next to the famous Joe's Steakhouse. The 7 modern bungalows are well equipped with aircon and all amenities, one of them a family suite with 2 bedrooms and one living room for 4500 Baht. The resort offers a breakfast restaurant and a small bar. The resort is managed by a young lady from Bangkok who fell in love with Khao Lak. Peak Season Surcharge 500 Baht. Open all year.

Ladda Resort
(8 rooms and 11new bungalows)
(Ladda)


-

1000 - 1500
Baht

(incl.ABF,tax,service)

25 - 37 Euro

Richard Dorings information: Small resort at Soi 4, 300 m from the beach, 8 rooms with aircon in the 2-storey rowhouse, 11 bungalows, small pool, restaurant, family business, nice and quiet garden. Extrabed for small child 100 Baht. Thai management. 

Cousin Resort
(26 rooms in bungalows and double bungalows with fan and ac, restaurant, bar, pool)

(Saeng and San)


To the website


To the website

1500 - 1700 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service)

37  - 42 Euro

Information and reservation from Internet Booking Service Khao Lak:

cousinresort08 (at) khaolak.de

Richard Doring's information (September 2010): 26 clean rooms in modern single bungalows and double bungalows with fan and aircon (ranging from 1500 - 1700 Baht) also rooms in a row house with aircon (1500 Baht) and two family houses (3500 Baht), restaurant, clean pool, friendly management. Extra bed 500 Baht.
An especially nice complimentary note from a recent guest: "The vacation was a dream. We had already heard good reports about Cousin Resort and our expectations have come true, a wonderful small informal arrangement with great staff. Also both our little ones have enjoyed Khao Lak very much, above all was the unbelievable fondness the Thais have for children." Mrs. S.H.

Thupthong Guesthouse
(12 rooms)

 

800 - 1000
Baht

(incl.tax,service)

20 - 25 Euro

Richard Doring's information (June 2010): 3 storied, renovated house, massive building 100 mts from the beach, all rooms with ventilating fan, minibar and terrace / balcony, 6 rooms with sea view, 6 rooms to the back, 4 rooms in 2 double bungalows directly along the road with best seaview, reception with coffee shop.

Sanuk Bungalows
(5 bungalows with
small kitchenette)

(Urs and Bea)

1000 - 1200
Baht

25 - 30 Euro

Tel: +66808843158

(english)
sanukbungalow (at) yahoo.de

Richard Doring's information (September 2010): 5 small bungalows with aircon and fan, warm water shower, brick built bungalows with small cooking area, wireless internet, small whirlpool. Under new Swiss management. Excellent value for money.

Room rates are in season (November to April) per room or bungalow for 1 or 2 guests (some incl. American Breakfast),
surcharge for an extra bed 200 to 450 Baht, small children in the bed with the parents are free of charge,
surcharge for "Peak Season" around Christmas/NewYear is 400 Baht in some resorts.
Transfer from Phuket Airport to the resort is available for 1500 Baht per trip.


Bang Niang Beach: the northern end, on the right the Danish villa

Bang Niang Beach, along highway H4 (from KM 61.2 to KM 62.4):

Loma Resort
(8 Apartments and
2 Family Apartments)

 

2200 Baht
(incl.Tax,Service,Brf.)

55 Euro

Tel: +66 76 485171

Claudia Roessler writes: "Luxurious resort with 8 Deluxe- & 2 Family-Bungalows (2 resp. 3 rooms, fridge, TV, Video, MP3-Player), Saltwaterpool with Jacuzzi, Sauna & Steambath, Restaurant, Chill Out Lounge, WLAN Internet & Internetcafe"
Richard Doring informiert (Oktober 2010): The resort belongs to Loma Diving, owned by Markus and Anotscha. Manager is Ann, who did a very good job at Sita Garden before. Surcharge at Christmas/New Year 200 Baht, Extrabed 700 Baht (children 500 Baht).

Riverside Guesthouse
(10 rooms)

300 - 800 Baht

8 - 20 Euro

 Tel: +66 86 267 9148
Tel: +66 81 963 7243

Chanita Mansion
(29 Zimmer)

600 Baht

15 Euro

 Tel: +66 86 273 2359
Fax: +66 76 486147

Richard Doring informiert: New small hotel behind shop houses at the end of the lane, quiet location, 29 clean rooms with aircon or fan, minibar, TV and hot water shower/WC.

Baan Palm Thong Apartment
(11 large ac-rooms)

800 Baht

20 Euro

 Tel: +66 76 486770

Richard Doring's information: 11 spacious rooms with fridge, TV, aircon and big bath, also suitable for long term rental.

Sinee Guesthouse
(4 ac-bungalows)

With minibar, TV,
water heater

800 Baht

20 Euro

 Tel: +66 76 486772

Richard Doring's information: Four clean stone built bungalows with aircon, big bath and large terrace.

Tony Lodge
(18 rooms with ac)

Fully
operational

all year round

1200 Baht

30 Euro

tttlodge@tonylodge.com
Tel: +66 76 486073
+66 1 8953306
(nur englisch)

Richard Doring's information: A "New Generation Hotel" built from atmospheric bricks, 3 storeys high. Next to the highway.

Motive Cottage
 

Fully
operational

all year round

Richard Doring's information: New 3 storied hotel in a shop house on the H4, much favoured with Thai businessmen.

Khaolak City
(27 rooms with ac, TV)

Fully
operational

all year round

1300 - 2000 Baht

32 - 50 Euro

Tel: +6676423192-3

Richard Doring's information: New small hotel at the main road near the bus terminal. Excellent value for money.

Bang Niang Emerald
(17 rooms)

500 Baht

12 Euro

Tel: +6676486513

Richard Doring's information: Two-storied guesthouse behind the Emerald Arcade in the road leading to the beach. Large rooms with aircon, TV and hot water shower.

Rates are per room in season (November to April) for 1 or 2 guests,
surcharge for an extra bed 200 Baht, small children in the bed with the parents are free of charge.

 May we (Richard and Dagmar) book your holiday bungalow at Khao Lak for you?

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