Royal Lanta Resort and Spa

The Royal Lanta Resort looks palatial from the outside, with several buildings that feature soaring temple-style triangular tiled roofs. Its lobby is contrastingly simple, with an ordinary tiled floor and plain wooden benches to sit on, along with a few tables stacked with tourist brochures. The shaded grounds are full of tropical foliage and have Buddhist statues interspersed throughout, as well as a wooden walkway leading through the trees and over a fish pond. The traditional bungalows and villas are situated along the path -- with swimming pools at either end -- and the main facilities are at the beach end of the resort along with the spa and the restaurant. There's a vacant terrace above the restaurant, but it lacks seating and only serves as a spot for taking photos of the dramatic sunsets over the sea. The resort is particularly popular with vacationing families. 

The Royal Lanta Resort sits smack in the middle of Khlong Dao Beach, one of the most happening spots on relatively subdued Lanta island. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along this area, and it's only a 10-minute walk out to the main road where there are lots of restaurants and shops. The resort is also just a five- to 10-minute drive from the ferry pier and Saladan town. 

The Royal Lanta Resort offers 48 rooms in several categories, all of which have Thai decor, teak furnishings, and wood floors. All rooms have large terraces that sit facing the shaded garden walkway and come with safes, kettles, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, which have reportedly poor reception. Family Rooms come with bunk beds and cribs and extra fold-out cots are available. The Grand Deluxe Villas and Pool View Suites have DVD players, four-poster beds, jetted tubs, and even chess sets in the extra-large living spaces. 

The Royal Lanta Resort and Spa sits right on Khlong Dao Beach, a popular spot with a pristine sandy beach opening onto flat turquoise water. A line of rust-colored cushioned loungers and umbrellas sit on a grassy spot right where the lawn ends and the sand begins. There are two swimming pools, one in a garden surrounded by the hotel's suites and villas, and the other at the far end of the property, right by the beach. Both of the pools have children's sections, and the garden pool has a hot tub. The resort also has a small fitness room, as well as a spa and beauty salon with nail services, massages, and facials. 

The Sala Thai restaurant has both an indoor area and outdoor section right by the beach, and serves free breakfast buffets along with Thai and international cuisine at lunch and dinner. There's also a small bar in the restaurant, and drinks can be delivered out to the swimming pool. Additionally, during high season, the resort opens up a bakery/cafe -- the Sea Cow -- with fresh pastries, coffee and tea, and light meals available throughout the day. Wi-Fi is free in the restaurant and lobby, but it doesn't reach most rooms.