Koh Lanta, Thailand, January 7, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Eco-sensitive five-star sanctuary in Koh Lanta named as “World’s Top Best Hotels” and “World’s Best Hotel With a View”, while also achieving prestigious UNESCO and Green Globe certificates for sustainability. Pimalai Resort and Spa, the five-star sanctuary on the southern Thai island of Koh Lanta, is celebrating one of the most successful years in its stellar 21-year history, including six highly prestigious awards and accolades. Not content to rest on its past successes however, the resort has also now revealed plans to embark on series of exciting new developments for the year ahead!

In 2022, Pimalai was named as the World’s Top 1% Best Hotels by Tripadvisor’s “Traveller’s Choice 2022 – Best of the Best Awards” – an impressive honour that was based on the genuine reviews and ratings of its guests. Another of the world’s biggest online travel sites, Agoda.com, gave Pimalai a superb “2022 Customer Review Award” score of 9.4 out of 10.

Condé Nast Traveller, one of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle publications, revealed its “Readers’ Choice Awards” for 2022, placing Pimalai in its “Top 15 Resorts in Thailand” list. These awards are voted for by this glossy magazine’s readers, who are among the world’s most discerning travellers. In addition, the Boutique Hotel Awards 2022 honoured Pimalai with two illustrious titles: “Best Hotel with a View Asia 2022” and “World’s Best Hotel with a View 2022,” which reflect the breath-taking vistas Pimalai’s guests can enjoy from its stunning hillside setting, across Kantiang Bay and the Andaman Sea beyond.

A haven of sustainability, Pimalai is dedicated to operating in complete harmony with the environment and community. This focus on conservation was also recognised in 2022 as the resort achieved its “Green Globe Certificate,” which followed the latest independent audit of its business practices. Finally, Pimalai was presented with the “UNESCO Sustainable Travel Badge,” which underscores the property’s enduring pledge to the pillars and principles of responsible travel.

“We are delighted and deeply humbled to receive such a large number of honours and accolades this year. The fact that so many of these awards were based on the opinions of our guests makes them extra special. We are also gratified that our commitment to sustainability has been recognised by two of the world’s most respected organisations: Green Globe and UNESCO. I would like to thank everybody involved in making 2022 such a successful year for Pimalai, including our customers, partners, team members and our friends in the community. We look forward to enhancing our experiences with fantastic new facilities and activities in 2023,” said Brice Borin, General Manager of Pimalai Resort & Spa.

With just 121 stylish rooms, spacious suites and spectacular pool villas spread across 100 acres of unspoiled jungle, cascading gently down to a 900-metre-long stretch of sand at Kantiang Bay, Pimalai is a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility. Guests can soak up ocean and mountain views from their private balconies or elevated infinity pools, or unwind with kayaking, cycling, Thai cooking classes, muay Thai boxing, yoga and more. Small-scale excursions allow explorers to uncover idyllic offshore islands and world-class diving and snorkelling sites, including Koh Haa and Koh Rok, or take a jungle trek to Klong Chak Waterfall, with the chance to visit a giant wild banyan tree. The award-winning Pimalai Spa offers deeply soothing therapies in the midst of the lush jungle, and two outstanding seafront restaurants – Rak Talay and Seven Seas – embrace local and seasonal produce, including organic herbs and southern Thai seafood.

Sustainability is a core element of the Pimalai concept and travellers are invited to take part in many eco-sensitive activities, such as beach cleaning, turtle release programmes, mangrove tours and more. Pimalai’s tours and excursions also directly support communities, including the chance to visit Lanta Old Town, purchase authentic handicrafts, dine at local restaurants and more. And of course, Pimalai has abolished single-use plastic throughout the resort. This multi-award-winning resort forms part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) Considerate Collection, an exclusive community of socially responsible and eco-conscious five-star hotels.

Looking ahead to 2023, Pimalai is preparing to enhance its guest experiences with beach villa renovations, additional spa therapies, fresh culinary concepts;
– Thai Night Buffet: every Wednesday night at Spice N’ Rice restaurant
– Surf and Turf: every Sunday night at Rak Talay Beach Restaurant
and more sustainable initiatives – including a fresh drinking water programme.

About Pimalai Resort and Spa
Koh Lanta’s first five-star resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa has been redefining luxury hospitality on this idyllic Andaman island since it launched almost two decades ago. Voted Southeast Asia’s second best resort in Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards”, this award-winning property cascades through 100 acres of tropical jungles easing its way towards one of Thailand’s best beaches: Kantiang Bay. It’s here that guests while the days away lounging on what often feels like a private beach or spend action-packed afternoons out in the cerulean sea scuba diving, snorkelling or simply relaxing on a sunset cruise. A smattering of local bars and restaurants line the beach, but its Pimalai’s onsite eateries that tend to steal the show. The legendary Rak Talay beachfront bar and restaurant is as loved for the sumptuous Thai-style seafood as it is its sunset setting, while nestled in the resort’s jungle interior, Seven Seas serves up Michelin-chef-conceived menus throughout the evening. Guests can also indulge in an array of onsite wellness experiences, ranging from traditional Muay Thai classes to early evening tennis matches and pampered afternoons at the signature Pimalai Spa. With no immediate neighbours, the 121-room resort is a serene sanctuary where guests can feel completely at peace in their private surroundings. From Hillside Ocean Pool Villas that command vistas of the stunning scenery through to the Beachside Villas, situated only a few short steps away from the shoreline, rooms at Pimalai cater to all tastes with spacious layouts and designs that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings.