Can anyone tell me their opinion of Pimalai? We have reservations at Rayavadee, but after a couple of negative things I have read (and positive ones about Pimilai), I am having second thoughts.<BR>Is Pimalai as nice as it seems? How's the food, Pavilion Suite rooms, setting/scenery, and activities.<BR>Any help would be appreciated!!

I initially had reservations at Pimalai for this January but decided to go to Rayavadee. I was concerned that althought Pimalai looked nice, Ko Lanta didn't seem as spectacular as the area around Rayavadee. Wondering what negative things you have heard about Rayavadee?

One post said the food wasn't that great, once post said it wasn't worth the $$, one post had a really bad experience with their room (things not working), the food, and the staff, and several posts talked about all the backpackers who hang out on the beaches.<BR><BR>How was your experience? The place still seems pretty fabulous. Plus maybe Starwood has shaped the place up.

We're going there in January. They did completely renovate the hotel this spring so hopefully the rooms are ok. I got some good rates on Starwood's web site by the way. They do not allow beach chairs or umbrellas on the beach and you do have to share it with the &quot;masses&quot; since it's a national park.

We had 6 nights at Pimalai mid November. We loved it, the location is great, very peaceful (the beach was pretty much deserted) The resort has been very well thought out, sitting watching the sunset by the pool was quite breathtaking - food was a little expensive but there's a great place along the beach - Same Same But Different - (a lot of the guests used it for dinner - best Thai food I've ever eaten)- I couldn't find fault with anything.

David,<BR><BR>When you get back from Rayavadee, please give us an update about the resort. I'm planning to go there in December but would like to know about the beach condition whether too crowded with none guess on the beach &amp; also service, room conditions and overall ambience. Thank you.

I'll be glad to do that. We're leaving for Bangkok on tuesday and will be at Rayavadee the 22nd to the 27th.

Stayed at Rayavadee 12/20-12/25. Lovely, Pavilion Suite out of a magazine, food very good,not great. Breakfast and dinner were included in our package with no restrictions. Service excellent, pool beautiful. Level of service way beyond what you get at normal hotels. It is very expensive and maybe nothing could be worth all the money they charge in high season. But...if you accept that fact, it was splendid. When we needed minor medical attention, a nurse (dress in nurse's attire complete with starched cap) came to our breakfast table, discussed the problem and provided medicine before we finished breakfast. Of course cold towels, water, occasional fruit kebobs at the pool. Free snorkling equipment and sea kayaks, with bottles of cold water. Nice, but pricey.

Hi Scott - I stayed at the Pimalai and loved it. I have written about it previously on this forum. I did not visit the Rayavadee, however, and don't know much about it, except that it was much more expensive.