Lanta Pearl Beach Resort

Lanta Pearl Beach is a plain resort with few outstanding features other than its small salas -- cabana-like huts with cushions -- located in the garden by the coffee bar. The lobby is just a small standalone space with a check-in desk, a few places to sit, and some folders and signboards with tourist information. The bungalows are tucked out back in a garden with more sand than trees. It's a pleasant enough option for families on a budget who want to be by the beach, but it's far from luxurious. 

Lanta Pearl Beach is located about halfway down Long Beach, which -- true to its name -- is the longest beach on Koh Lanta. While the resort itself isn't right on the beach, it's a one-minute stroll down the road. There are lots of restaurants and bars along the beach, plus a few shops right at the end of the road, making it a good option for those without cars or motorbikes. The main thoroughfare is a 10-minute walk away while the ferry pier at Saladan town is a 10- to 15-minute tuk tuk ride from the hotel.

The resort offers two types of bungalows: A/C Bungalows and A/C Family Bungalows. A/C Bungalows are modern and bright, with polished black or white floors and simple but well-maintained interiors. All have counters with small flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and small mirrored closets. Rooms come with a few bottles of free water, some soap and toilet paper, and a couple of small candles for power outages. The bathrooms are black tiled and have hot showers with minimal water pressure. While the interiors are nothing special, the outside terraces are much more appealing, with large hammocks to lounge in, plus a few chairs.  Family Bungalows feature extra beds but are otherwise similar to their regular counterparts. Neither room category has indoor seating except for the beds. 

Lanta Pearl Beach lacks facilities, and there is no pool, fitness center, or spa (although construction of a swimming pool is slotted for 2016). There is a small restaurant, which serves a free breakfast and has Thai and western food throughout the day, although it closes early in the low season. The Pearl Bar sits separately from the restaurant, and has a bit of a Wild-West-saloon-feel, with a dart board, wooden bar stools, and some lounge areas with cushions, plus a small hut outside. The resort also has a small coffee bar with an espresso machine, tea, and fruit shakes, and there are some salas (cabanas) for guests to lounge in. The lobby area has a public computer and the staff can arrange local transport on request. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.