Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa

This is one of the biggest properties in Khao Lak, and it's separated into a main zone with hotel rooms and a separate villa zone. Everything is crisp and modern here, if a bit plain, though a bit of Thai style comes in elephant sculptures, tropical flower arrangements, and stylish wooden details throughout. The main lobby is a bright, open space with blue accents. Black wicker seating inside and white wicker furniture outside give guests places to hang out -- everything has clean, minimalist lines, with glazed concrete and stone adding a bit of urban, rustic style. The villas have their own reception area, and it's a bit more sophisticated, with moody lighting and a dramatic wooden pitched ceiling. The style is certainly a draw for many of the travelers who make their way here. Couples are far and away the most frequent guests -- not surprising given the romance of the place and it's semi-secluded setting -- though some families and tour groups pass through as well.

The hotel is located on Pakarang Beach, well north of Khao Lak town on the Phang Nga province's west coast. It is about a 20-minute drive from the city, and Khaolak-Lumru National Park is also about a 20-minute drive away. The park is filled with wildlife as well as hiking trails and waterfalls. Memories Beach Bar is a popular spot just next door, but otherwise the area is a mix of residences and other hotels, making it quite quiet. There's lots of nature to see in this region, and the hotel can help arrange excursions. The Similan Islands, famed for diving, can be reached in about an hour by speed boat. The closest airport, Phuket International Airport, is an hour and a half away. 

The hotel has two distinct areas -- one with traditional hotel rooms and one with villas -- and while there are differences within features, the style stays relatively similar within each wings' units. Hotel rooms are modern and bright, with white tile floors, beige walls, and gold draperies. Furniture is clean-lined dark wood, and there is minimal decoration. Brightly colored accent pillows and lighting add visual interest to the otherwise plain rooms, and fresh flowers are a nice touch. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, tea/coffee makers, stocked minibars, free Wi-Fi, and robes (these features are offered in Villas as well). Furnished balconies or terraces look out on the garden, sea, or pool. Bathrooms are modern and fresh, with above-counter sinks, modern fixtures, hairdryers, and toiletries. Superior Rooms have showers only, but all other rooms have tubs as well. A glass wall separates the sleeping area from the bathroom -- modest guests can close the blind. Pool Access Rooms on the ground floor open right out onto a lovely pool with elephant statues in the center and tropical greenery all around. 

Villas are larger, more decorative, and have separate living and sleeping areas. Expect to see light wood accents paired with colorful turquoise patterns in wall panels, and shimmering gold details throughout. Glass doors open to private outdoor space, and pool villas have their own private pool as well. Some villas have outdoor showers and tubs. 

Guests can choose between two on-site restaurants for dining, and there are two bars as well. A breakfast buffet is served daily in Kinnaree Restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner buffets. It overlooks the gardens and pool and has small decorative pools of its own. The Napalai Restaurant by the pool serves Thai and fusion cuisine for all meals. Private dinners on the beach under a canopy adorned with fresh flowers can also be arranged. The Zeus Beach Bar is a casual space right on the beach, and the Horizon Bar is next to the Napalai Restaurant. Food gets universally solid marks from previous guests, and various meal plans are available.

There are two pools, one in the main area and one for the villas. Both have separate shallow pools for the kids. The main pool is right on the beach and is suitable for swimming laps. It also has a water slide and an adjacent cabana with porch swings. Cushioned lounge chairs are lined up on the grassy lawn overlooking the wide sandy beach and Andaman Sea, but there are no umbrellas. The lounge chairs at the villa pool are shaded by umbrellas, and there's a hot tub as well. 

The Sukko Spa is an elegant space with six treatment rooms and steam rooms, some of which peek out to the tropical grounds through slatted windows. Guests also can opt to have treatments in pavilions on the beach or in their villas. A library is stocked with books, magazines, and newspapers, and an internet corner offers computers for guests to use. Two fitness rooms offer exercise equipment, and a kids' room helps entertain the young ones while parents take a break. Babysitting services are also available. A meeting venue can accommodate up to 80 people, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel offers a variety of wedding packages, and event venues include the beach and the beach bar.