Joakim Persson

Situated along Khao Lak proper’s Bang Niang beach, the mature Ramada Resort by Wyndham Khao Lak welcomes guests from far and near, for romance and relaxation.

Phuket’s international airport is merely a bit over an hour away, along a (mostly) four-lane highway, crossing the national park’s hilly seafront zone just before entering into the flat coconut palm and pine tree-dominated Khao Lak resort area (that also stretches many kilometres northwards).

Arriving to Ramada Khao Lak takes place via a sloping driveway, lined by lush tropical foliage. And from the open-air lobby one can look past the beautiful water lily pond and contemplate this resort haven that reveals itself before one’s eyes: a green garden with an oval pool enclosed by three low-slung buildings and some villas, with the Andaman Sea panorama as backdrop.

A fountain by the pool comes in the form of curved copper metal art pieces spraying water into it. The oval-formed pool, which also has a small tree island, comes with mosaic coating in blue hues – really inviting when illuminated after dark.

This resort idyll is boutique size, so it never feels crowded and distances between facilities are short, such as the high-quality spa “village” situated only steps from the pool garden.

Romance and relaxation is in focus, with private villas fitted out with outdoor plunge pools, the option to have a private dinner setup on the postcard-perfect beach, or double treatment rooms and outdoor Jacuzzi for two at ’the Spa’.

The Spa offers a comprehensive selection of packages and treatments to high standard, including the ‘Romantic Getaway’ for couples (floral foot bath, body scrub, facial, aromatic Jacuzzi bath and aromatherapy massage) and ‘Inner Balance’ for singles or couples (incl. three massages of different parts of the body). There are body scrubs, body wraps, facials, nail treatments as well, and on the massage front choose from Thai, Ayurvedic head massage or Swedish massage. For the gentlemen there is a special selection to choose from including Deep cleansing back treatment, Royal Siam massage, and the Stress reliever (including sauna).

The outdoor aromatic Jacuzzi is a lovely bubble bath (in a sunken tub on a private timber deck) with the water coloured purple from the edible Butterfly pea flower. Contemporary Thai massage rooms include one with twin massage beds, with comfortable support for head and face.

Post treatment it is perfect to park oneself on the patio’s sun beds (covered from strong sunlight by the distinctly Ramada-red parasols) – which is one of the benefits with the Deluxe Lanai room, with direct access to the resort’s garden. What a fabulous setting to wind down, with a book in hand, a refreshing drink and downtempo music on the player!

The same goes for the Ocean Front villas that have garden seats with foot stools on a deck and also sun beds on the lawn outside! From here the view is unobstructed of the setting sun, when it often turns both sky and sea into a canvas of colours: orange, pink, reddish…

Among the modern, comfy guest quarters in general the deluxe types come with a light palette of blond wood and bright, clean-lined interior, including sandy granite above a white sink counter and beige floor tiles. Pool and Ocean Front villas, meanwhile, come with a veneered black twin sink counter and brown wood blinds behind the mounted bath mirrors, and an espresso machine as extra perk.

The bathroom and its tub is separated from the bedroom with rotatable blonde wooden planks, which forms a wall when closed and is otherwise in see-through mode.

Behind the blond wood bed frame the otherwise white wall is decorated with an equally blond (alternatively dark) timber panel. A beige, alternatively grey, sofa is placed along the window side of the bed. The Deluxe Jacuzzi also comes with neon blue ceiling light along the bedroom and inside the bathroom, generating a cool atmosphere towards the evening.

Pool Villas have their own private plunge pools, and in addition to two shaded sun beds also two armchairs with foot stools under a mini Thai sala.

Other guests can opt for a dip in the ocean or swimming laps in the main pool, which also has several inflatable toys in sizes both for the smaller family members as well as for grown-ups. Other diversions are the water sports available as part of the activities, with surf boards and canoes accessible for guests. Children can also have fun at ‘Playland’.

The scenery enters its absolutely best vibe at sunset, when one can also enjoy Happy Hour (2 drinks for 1), including Passion fruit mojito, Lime margarita and Singapore sling among the cocktail choices, served from Sassi’s Beach Club (the hotel’s restaurant) by the palm-studded beach.

Besides around the pool. grab the hammock or any of the beach chairs for pole position. The beach club also has a bar with rattan bar stools, and dining tables placed also on the sand. Sassi’s also has a cosy, decorated photo shoot corner for two persons to be seated and photographed.

For lunch, and to end your day, dinner at Sassi’s won’t disappoint, as the selection and taste of the dishes is exceptionally good, including the western dishes.

Dishes samples for late lunch: Fritto misto (mixed deep fried seafood of squid, sea bass, shrimp, veggie, chili, and kaffir leaf served with dip), Spicy mixed seafood Salad (squid, shrimp and mussel mixed with local vegetables and spicy dressing), Pineapple fried rice (with curry powder, raisin, cashew nut, pineapple and shrimp served in pineapple shell) and for dessert Mango Cheese Cake were pretty much all awesome dishes!

With Tomato soup Napolitana style (with vegetable broth and in garlic sauted cherry tomatoes, served with crispy rice cracker) and Butterfly fillet of freshly caught sea bass from Andaman sea grilled with house blend spices (with onion, cherry tomatoes, green- as well as black olives and sauted potatoes) for dinner, Sassi’s Beach Club really proved its worth also when it comes to western flavours.

Grilled turmeric chicken (with lemongrass and garlic served with tamarind, jim-jaew and cucumber salad, Prosciutto di Parma Salad (Prosciutto Crudo, with local vegetable and herbs leaves, Thai basil pesto and cashew nuts), and Andaman Seafood pizza (with tomato sauce, shrimp, squid, mussel, cherry tomato, mushroom, mozzarella) are a few more of the sumptuous dishes from the menu.

Sassi’s serves wine by the glass, as well as a wine list with bottles of Stella Moscato Dolce, Sparkling Pedmont, Italy; Pitars Presige Spumante Rosé, Extra Dry, Veneto, Italy; Bandicoot Premium Red, SE Australia; Vina Toldos, Cabernet Sauvignon; Vina Toldos, Sauvignon Blanc, Colchagua Valley, Chile, and Trapiche, Chardonnay, to mention some.

Crafted cocktails can, aside the classics, also be found on the menu: Mango Passion Daiquiri, Ramada Island Ice Tea, and Breakfast Martini being among them.

And don’t miss out on trying this one: the ‘Anywhere Anytime Breakfast’ offer. Having it on the beach is a delight when the morning sun is still slightly behind the resort. Sit down on yellow sacks on the beach (for instance) and have the breakfast served at a low table. Fresh-pressed juices, including guava fruit, in bottles; Eggs Benedict; Vegetable wraps with sesame sauce; Fresh, well-baked croissants; Fried yellow noodles with vegetables and meat – how does that sound for breakfast?! By then you should be in a nice holiday mood, because being on the beach in Khao Lak is a tropical paradise…