Costa Lanta in Krabi's Lanta Island

Chic on the beach

Sirin P Wongpanit

The Nation

Rooms at Costa Lanta are designed for those who like stargazing and the great outdoors, but can't live without modern amenities.

For five years, Costa Lanta has offered both spectacular natural environs and urban necessities. As a result, the resort has been widely praised by international magazines.

Composing 22 rooms on beachfront land, Costa Lanta is a resort like no other. The rooms, which resemble cubicles, are loosely scattered around the grounds, where sea breezes are plentiful. The beachfront strip is reserved for common areas such a bar and restaurant, swimming pool, big green lawn, massage salas and sunbathing chaises.

Costa Lanta was designed to make guests feel like they are simultaneously on a rustic camping trip and enjoying a vacation at a plush seaside resort. A standard room has a big bed with mosquito netting and a big foldable door which can be opened or closed when you sleep. Outside the room is a terrace where you can lounge around doing whatever you want. At night the terrace offers a great views of the stars. A superior room is flanked by glass-paned walls which are covered during the night with retractable blinds. Rooms have a CD player, telephone, lamps, and a big, naturally ventilated bathroom and a safe box.

I had heard quite a lot about Costa Lanta before I had a chance to check it out. The resort has been reviewed in many magazines, which have praised the resort's unique and stylish design. Costa Lanta is known for its rough, rustic, and stylish ambience.

Mornings should be spent lazily munching on their delicious breakfast. Choices include French toast with maple syrup, shrimp rice soup, and American breakfast. I usually judge a resort by its coffee and at Costa Lanta, they are good enough to serve freshly brewed coffee with properly warmed milk!

Their outdoor terrace is excellent for lazing away the hours. Their specially designed swimming pool with a shallow reading area is a nice creation for those who want to lie in a cool pool with a book in hand.

Costa Lanta's bar and restaurant is also a highlight, with its high ceiling. It serves food all day long. In the evenings, it plays club music. Their food is quite delicious.

----------------------------------------

High point: A quiet atmosphere pervades, thanks to the hotel's location on the top of Klong Dao Beach. The decor is rustic and stylish. Nice environs, especially the beautiful bar and restaurant.

Low point: While the design is stylish, the architect should have done a better job attending to basic human ergonomics - although the rooms look chic and perfect, they are not all that comfortable.

Find it: 212 Moo 1 Saladan, Klong Dao Beach, Koh Lanta, Krabi.

Pay for it: From May 1 to October 31, the rooms range from Bt3,025 to Bt4,730. Promotions are offered for Greyhound members on food and rooms until May 31.

Phone it: (02) 662 3550-1

Browse it: www.costalanta.com