Our trip to Southern Thailand was an amazing and beyond expectations

Thailand | Feb 12 - Feb 19, 2025

Wow! This place is a must-stay. The views at Beyond are breathtaking. The entertainment of watching people posing for social media on the skywalk is comical. We recommend going to the rooftop infinity pool for the best view. The staff is so nice and the food was excellent. The onsite restaurants have a nice mix of quality Western and Southern Thai food. We stayed in one of the Seaview tents and we highly recommend them. You feel like you're staying in one of those over-the-water huts. They were very spacious, the beds were comfortable, and the AC worked very well to keep us comfortable. The views in the morning are a great way to start your day in paradise. There is a nice shop at the base of the resort to grab some gifts, snacks, and drinks for your room.

This place was interesting and a unique experience. We arrived here after 3 nights at a very nice resort so this place was felt a little lower quality and of value than expected. I was aware the typical accommodations our agent selects were sold out. Nonetheless, it was memorable and enjoyable. It felt like a very authentic Thailand experience. We stayed in an Exotic Cliff View tent with a nice view. The tent was spacious and the bed comfortable was adequate. The AC worked great, however the water pressure in the shower and sink could use some improvement. The grounds are adequately maintained. The pool could use some work but it didn't stop us from getting in (definitely didn't put my head under water). The staff was nice and the onsite restaurant had good food. If you're looking for a middle of the road accommodation at a very affordable price, this is a good place. It is located < 10 minutes from the National Park. I'd love to come back and spend more time in this area but I know there are other places to stay if you book further in advance.

Holy cow, this place was great for a family friendly resort (we do not have children). We stayed in a Deluxe King poolside room and this could have been one of the best rooms we have every stayed in. We had a private pool (only shared with 5 other rooms adjacent to us) right outside our sliding door. They have similar rooms on the property but they connect to the family pool. The room was very spacious, clean, and the bed was super comfortable. We enjoyed the big tub and the rain-down shower was so relaxing and refreshing. The staff was the best of our entire trip - so friendly and welcoming. The property is amazing. The oceanside infinity pool has great views and nab a cabana for the day or sunset. The breakfast buffet is vast and bountiful. The food quality was outstanding. We did not eat dinner there as we walked down the beach a few hundred meters to the Blue Sky Restaurant & Bar for a more local experience. This place is located about 20 minutes north of the touristy area of Khoa Lak in a more remote location with pristine beaches. There nearest next resort is the Marriott about a 10-15 minute walk down the beach. We would come back here in a heartbeat.

Do not do this (at least with company we went with). 1) We were staying up in Phang Nga and it was 2 hours each way to the pier (Phuket traffic is AWFUL). If you're staying in Phuket, this is only 15-20 minutes away. 2) We thought we were going out for a few hours nearby in a long tail boat. This was an all day trip (6:30am-7pm). 3) We were on a bottom fishing boat with about 20 people, 2 of them who got sick 10 minutes into the trip. We hardly caught any fish too. I'm sure there are some good fishing experiences there but this wasn't one of them. The best parts of the trip were - lunch, swimming, getting back to the pier to go home.

Again, another must-do experience in Thailand. This is located in the main area of Khoa Lak so very convenient if staying anywhere nearby. The experience started with a visit to the local market where we were immersed in the culture and exchange for fresh food. Wandee's school was only a few minutes away and she delivered a memorable experience. It doesn't matter if you can cook or not, she and her staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We learned more history about the food culture and cooking techniques of Thailand. We always loved Thai food and this has elevated our love for the country and culture.

Another don't miss excursion. Uhm (sp?) was our guide and she was fantastic. Met local people from the village who were so friendly and welcoming. The paddle through the mangrove was memorable. The long tail boat ride out to a private. beach as well. We got to make our own Thai-dye with a local artist. We learned this history of tinning in the area and had a local teach us the art of panning for it. The local provided lunch was so authentic Thai and delicious. We really enjoyed this experience.

Tee was an amazing guide. He took us on a 6 hour, 7 mile hike through the jungle. We had an amazing lunch and fresh pineapple riverside before a nice swim at a waterfall. He told us about the flora and fauna along the way. We saw monkeys, snakes, spiders, small and large lizards, birds, and more. He hand carved small drinking cups out of forest bamboo. He admitted his English wasn't very good but we were able to communicate fine and really enjoy this experience. We would have loved to spend another couple of days in this national park.