In 2016, the two islands became linked by a short bridge (it’s all of 650m), essentially creating one big ‘Koh Lanta island’. But despite this, they remain strikingly different. Virtually untouched by tourism, Noi is home to small fishing villages, rubber plantations, mangroves, and deserted beaches. Which is all fine and dandy for intrepid backpackers, but for a luxury holiday in Koh Lanta, you must head to Yai, where all tourism is based.

Your Fast-Track Koh Lanta Travel Guide

Koh Lanta Yai (or Koh Lanta as we’ll call it from now on) was ‘discovered’ by backpackers in the late 1980s. Nowadays, the predominantly Muslim island is far more prepared for visitors (for starters, the west coast has a proper road), but it’s stayed true to its roots, and over-tourism is not an issue. So, yes, you’ll find accommodation ranging from hostels to luxury resorts in Koh Lanta, together with excellent local restaurants, rustic beach bars, and enough activities to keep you entertained. But what’s missing (phew) are the crowds and over-commercialisation associated with tourist hotspots like Phi Phi and Phuket.

Life moves gently here, and even in high season, the island never feels overrun. Stretching some 25km or so, the ‘sunset’ west coast—where most hotels are based—is lined with postcard-worthy beaches. While you won’t find high-end beach clubs in Koh Lanta (Koh Samui, this ain’t), each sandy stretch has a unique vibe. The northern beaches, Khlong Dao, Long Beach, and Khlong Kong, together with the island’s small capital, Saladan, are the busiest, most ‘touristy’ spots. But as a rule, the island becomes more serene the further south you go, and it’s here, near its southern tip, that you’ll find stunning Kantiang Bay.

Credit: Abigail Flanagan

Where to Stay on Koh Lanta: Luxury Travel

Although the oldest 5-star hotel on Koh Lanta, Pimalai Resort & Spa has aged beautifully and remains the island’s ultimate escape. Backed by limestone mountains and offering gobsmacking views over the Andaman Sea, the 100-acre resort flows through monkey-riddled tropical forest to the sands of Kantiang beach.

Boasting the most idyllic location of Koh Lanta’s beach resorts, Pimalai has all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a deluxe hotel. Whether you want sundowners and satay or tenderloin and Tattinger, its restaurants and bars cover all bases (although the gargantuan breakfasts might mean you never eat lunch). The award-winning jungle spa, with its waterfalls and carp ponds, is both brilliant and outstandingly beautiful. And while you’d be forgiven for spending all day by one of the infinity pools or glorious beach, if you can summon the energy, you’ll find plenty of activities and excursions to throw yourself into. Service is excellent, too: the incredibly kind, friendly team here can’t do enough for you.

Pimalai’s accommodation and facilities are split between its Hillside and Beachside estates (buggies ferry guests between the two). Beachside rooms and villas have a contemporary Thai feel and, given their location, are popular with families. One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts in Koh Lanta, Pimalai is Nirvana for older kids. From mountain bikes and paddleboards to pickleball and Muay Thai, the resort’s sporting facilities (many complimentary) will keep tweens and teens from bouncing off the walls. However, while the gently shelving beach is good for younger children, it’s worth noting that bedrooms don’t interconnect, and all pools are unfenced—so, not ideal if you want little ones to have their own room. For advice on the best accommodation for your brood, just give ETG a call on 0203 993 4433 .

If it’s a romantic getaway in Koh Lanta you’re after, head hillside to the private pool villas. (An understandable hit with Koh Lanta honeymooners, I met one newlywed couple who confessed they’d only left their villa twice!). Enveloped by jungle, these huge, walled properties are also fab for wildlife watching. Lazing in my infinity pool, watching a monitor lizard lumber up the hillside as macaques sashayed across my villa’s roof, was my idea of heaven. But if uninvited visitors (including ludicrously loud cicadas) aren’t your thing, you may be happier beachside.

Sustainable Travel in Koh Lanta

Leading the way for eco-friendly luxury resorts in Koh Lanta, Pimalai is the island’s first resort to achieve Green Globe certification and works to reduce, recycle, or reuse waste wherever possible. Water comes from the resort’s own well and reservoir, and wastewater is treated before being reused in the gardens. There’s zero food waste, too, with all leftovers transformed into garden fertiliser. The ‘plate-to-plant’ composting process takes months, but while you won’t get a whiff that it’s going on, I’d recommend booking a free nature walk around the estate to see the benefits.

The resort’s community conservation plan includes educational initiatives, recycling points across the island, weekly garbage clean-ups, and an inspired ‘sea trash’ sculpture competition. Held around March as part of the annual Laanta Lanta Festival, the thought-provoking winning artworks (many created by local schools) are displayed in Old Town in the weeks afterwards. Diving deeper, Pimalai also works with marine biologists on coral propagation and clownfish, turtle, and flower and hermit crab release programmes. Take a snorkelling tour and you may bump into some of them.