PIMALAI RESORT AND SPA
The Pimalai Resort and Spa was developed in two separate phases, divided by a public road. The seaward site of the site was established first.
Four years later, by which time the resort had acquired a very good reputation, work on the landward and more hilly side of the site commenced.
Located on the western coast of Koh Lanta, the resort enjoys magnificent views over the Andaman Sea, as well as direct frontage onto a fine white-sanded beach.
During the regular season, guests arrive by boat directly onto the beach in front of the resort, keeping true to its island location. During the monsoon season, guests arrive at the island’s main pier and transfer to the resort by land.
The arrival area and reception lobby are located to provide a sweeping panoramic view of the sea and hence provide guests with a breathtaking first impression.
In the first phase, villas were clustered into groups of four to sit gently into the terrain and avoid removal of any existing trees on the site. The style of these two-story villas is a homely tropical southern Thai style, with hipped clay tile roofs. A beachfront pool and restaurant was also included in this initial phase.
The second phase was located up on the hill in among many large, tropical trees. To compensate for the relative distance from the beach, each villa has its own pool. Also, building on the reputation and popularity of the first phase, these villas are all stand-alone units and are generally designed to be more luxurious than the first-phase accommodation. Also included in the second phase were additional main facilities, including a restaurant and lounge.
The architecture of the second phase also featured more complex roof forms and finer detailing.
Reflecting not only the more luxurious nature of this part of the hotel, but also the meaning of the word Pimalai, which means ‘Heavenly Place’ in Thai.
- LocationKoh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand
- Date2002 (Phase I), 2009 (Phase II)
- Interior designerP49 Deesign & Associates
- Landscape designerInside Out Design
