Koh Lanta, Iconic Thai Resort Finds Positives Under Pressure
Koh Lanta, Thailand, April 6, 2020 / travelindex.com / Pioneering luxury Thai resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa is forging ahead with recovery plans despite the recent closure of Koh Lanta island in the southern Thai province of Krabi until April 30.
These are not easy times across the world and certainly for a hospitality industry in Thailand blessed with booming inbound arrivals from across the world for the past decade. But for Pimalai, the key is to stay positive, take care of the team and use this time to create new horizons a property which opened almost 20 years ago. It is something very much in Pimalai’s DNA.
“The vision of Pimalai has always been far sighted,” said Pimalai Resort & Spa general manager, Patrice Landrein, a seasoned hotelier whose former employers include The Savoy in London and the Ritz in Paris. “It is for this reason we do not panic, but think carefully, take care of our people and consider the future.”
“When we first opened a lot of people thought we were a little mad to be honest given the former remoteness of the destination. But look how the world has changed. We came here to create a private, service-driven, nature-inspired experience. This is now more relevant than ever before – and we will continue to move forward with our philosophy and prepare for guests when they travel again,” he added.
Pimalai has started full renovations of 20 of its hillside ocean-view villas with private pools that sit at the top of soaring indigenous Ton Yang trees that are as high as 80-metres tall from the ground up and over 100 years old. The design concept is by Thailand’s P49 and offers bright, modern interiors inspired by marine colours, contours and movement. The resort is also conceptualising the first wedding chapel on the island with appointed designers Habita, whose work includes projects for Six Senses and Soneva, set to confirm designs next month.
To continue to connect with customers and inspire future travel, Pimalai has launched online yoga classes for guests at home to keep in shape and in touch, given by Heart, the yoga master featured the resort’s annual yoga festival, Zynergy. These online classes take place three to four times per week and can be founded on Heart’s Instagram channel (@heartmaher).
Staff training has increased in all departments with regular English classes, folk-design tutorials for unique decorations across the resort and music performance teaching to maintain spirits as well as minds. The resort continues to provide three meals a day for staff, despite the temporary closure of the resort.
A full deep-cleaning and maintenance programme is in progress across all 300 rai (120 acres) of the resort including accommodation, public areas, restaurants, spa and gardens. Alternative energy programmes, composting and organic growing are all in full swing.
Just before closing, Pimalai’s Trip Advisor rating was number one and guest satisfaction reports were strong, a key reason why the resort remains confident of a quick bounce back.
“The loyalty of our guests and the comments we have been receiving has been nothing but outstanding. It has been a true inspiration and encouraged us to make sure the resort is better than ever for when they return,” said Mr. Landrein. “Like all in the hospitality industry we are under pressure due to our temporary closure, but we are positive and we will come back strong. We are Pimalai.”
About Pimalai Resort & Spa
Koh Lanta’s first five-star resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa has been redefining luxury hospitality on the Andaman Island since it launched almost two decades ago. The award-winning property, located on the laid-back southern tip, 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.
In keeping with Koh Lanta’s low-key, laid-back mindset, Pimalai Resort & Spa offers guests from all corners of the globe the opportunity to savour a truly authentic Thai island experience in their very own private sanctuary.