Outrigger Khao Lak beach resort, Thailand

Both the service and friendliness in all areas of the resort are excellent. I was often surprised when smiling staff I hadn’t previously encountered addressed me by name with the Thai greeting – sawadee ka khun Sharron.

Check-in occurs in an attractive open lobby where stairs lead into an open space with a reverse V-shaped wooden roof that throws shade over the lobby.

Who for:

Outrigger Khao Lak offers holiday-makers in need of some time out, both couples and families, a truly relaxing experience. It’s easy to shift down several gears and bond in this environment.

Accommodation

Outrigger Khao Lak resort comprises 151 spacious rooms and elegant suites, all with a balcony or terrace. Room decor blends contemporary design – white walls and wood floors, with traditional Thai accents to a pleasing effect.

The most luxurious is the seven secluded villas featuring a private plunge pool or an outdoor terrace with lush tropical gardens. Ours was garden pool villa 705, and waking up every morning to a tropical scene with views of the beach just beyond is a superb experience. Every day, there are two turndown services, and a smiling person turns up with a cute sculpture, such as a basket or pineapple made of banana leaves.

Other amenities include air conditioning, a TV, a hair dryer, a minibar and kettle and a spacious bathroom complete with a bathrobe and slippers.

Food & Drink

The Edgewater restaurant is the place to eat for a la carte cuisine. It’s not a vast menu comprising several Thai and some European dishes like a smashed burger and even a middle eastern Shakshuka. We were there for ten days and tasted most of the dishes, and they were fantastic – including the spaghetti bolognese. The only gripe was the pizza, but hey, this is Thailand, and what was I doing ordering a pizza anyway?

Every morning I started with a fruit plate of exotic Thai fruit, followed by a sublime omelette. Lunch was sometimes a chicken wrap or sticky mango rice. Dinner was a tangy Thai dish, perhaps a Pad Thai, Khao Pad Gai, or my favourite Gai Pad Med Ma Muang – a stir-fried chicken with cashews and rice topped with a fried egg. The attached bar reliably kept us plied with cheeky tipples.

At the helm is the talented Chef Tao, who became endearingly bashful when praised.

Facilities

There is, of course, a fabulous beach, but there is also a beautiful and substantial infinity pool with its own jacuzzi and section for young kids. It’s located just before the beach and right by Edgewater restaurant. Every morning, if you can make it to the beach by 8 am, you can join the yoga or Thai boxing class or grab a kayak – I just stayed on my balcony sipping a coffee to enjoy the views.

A gym is small but well equipped, and I shunned that for morning swims and afternoon massages on beachside cabanas.

There is a well-developed Kids Club. It opens daily from 8:30 am-5:30 pm and offers plenty of fun activities for children from 4-12 years old: plenty of arts, crafts and beach games such as building a sandcastle to flying a kite to keep them busy.

The Wi-fi is fast and reliable.

How much?

Premium Rooms start from £70 depending on the season.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

What’s Nearby?

Outrigger Khao Lak is 90 minutes from Phuket International Airport – they can arrange transfers – and 30 minutes to Thap Lamu pier, the main pier for boats going to the Similan Islands. Khao Lak town is a 10-minute drive, and reception can sort out a taxi. The Khao Lak elephant sanctuary is 20 minutes away, and the concierge can arrange a guided tour.

---

Verdict: Outrigger Khao Lak is a lovely 4-star resort, pristinely clean with fantastic service. The location is good if a little out of the way for nightlife. We only left a couple of times to visit a nearby elephant sanctuary and the town. Time just whizzed by.

Please also read: When is the best time to go to Thailand?