I arrived in Krabi on a beautiful August morning. The temperature outside was a warm 30 degrees Celsius — typical weather for the rainy season, which runs from July to October.
Words: Krittiyawadee Pongpanich
Luckily, the island of Koh Lanta offers perfect weather all-year round. The blue sky and gentle breeze confirmed this, and as my vacation mode kicked in, I couldn’t wait to reach the award-winning Rawi Warin Resort & Spa for my weekend escape.
Located approximately two hours southeast of Krabi airport, Rawi Warin on Koh Lanta Yai (Big Lanta Island) is accessible via two ferry transfers. The first ferry transfer is from Krabi to Koh Lanta Lek (Small Lanta Island) and the second one is from Koh Lanta Lek to Koh Lanta Yai.
Koh Lanta Yai is popular with divers, snorkellers, island hoppers and families due to its pristine beaches, abundant marine life and serene atmosphere. Unlike other more well-known islands, Koh Lanta is not as commercialised and maintains a peaceful vibe; this is where people retreat when they need to escape the full moon parties and bustling nightlife of the neighbouring islands.
The most convenient way to get to Rawi Warin is via the resort’s VIP pick-up service from the airport, which allows you to remain in your private van, even during the ferry transfers.
After a quick check-in, I was led up a flight of stairs to an open area that offered a scenic view of the resort grounds. Straight ahead, beach umbrellas lined the deck of the main pool, where guests were spending their sunny afternoon.
I was booked into one of the resort’s Villas. Nestled among trees, each villa measures 50 square metres and stands alone for maximum privacy. My villa had a magnificent Southern Thai-styled double bed but what really held my attention was the stunning view from my spacious balcony – a gorgeous turquoise ocean and clear blue skies, which I could view even from the cosy sofa in the corner of the villa. The spacious ensuite bathroom, much to my delight, had both a rain shower and a large bathtub. Natural light poured in through the open blinds, which also revealed a splendid-view of the ocean.
Rawi Warin has 185 rooms in six categories. Apart from my Villa, other options include the Deluxe Room, Pond Room, Sunset Pool Villa, Baan Warin Suite and Baan Rawi Suite. All rooms and suites feature rich wood flooring and marbled bathrooms.
For weary travellers and those who love pampering, a trip to Warin Spa is a must. Highly recommended is the heavenly 90-minute Warin Signature Massage, an aromatherapy oil massage that combines both Eastern and Western healing techniques. I enjoyed my massage in a traditional Thai-styled pavilion; the private treatment room had two beds (perfect for couples!) and was equipped with a luxurious outdoor bathtub and shower area for a romantic dip.
My weekend getaway at Rawi Warin involved lots of good-quality sleep, fresh coconuts by the pool and an abundance of delicious food. Most of my food adventures were had at the all-day dining Golden Pond Restaurant, with its international and Thai dishes. My dish of choice here was the panang goong, a Thai coconut curry with succulent shrimps, tossed with lemongrass, galangal and chillies. Iconic Thai dishes and desserts to try here include pad thai (stir-fried glass noddle dish), tom yam goong (sour and spicy soup with shrimp, lemongrass, chillies and kaffir lime leaves) and khao niao mamuang (sticky rice with mango).
For dinner, the Watermark Restaurant offers a set menu option of either Western or Asian cuisine. My personal favourite was the pan-fried salmon fillet, served with wilted spinach and basil pesto linguine – a dish not to be missed!
During the day, guests can keep busy at the resort’s many facilities such as the library, private mini theatre and state-of-the-art music room, while children can enjoy themselves in the playroom or Ozone Infinity Pool that boasts a large water slide.
After a weekend getaway at the Rawi Warin Resort & Spa, I felt rejuvenated and ready to return to my city life and busy job. Rawi Warin combined the best views with five-star hospitality. For those looking for an extraordinary escape and some quality time with loved ones, this is the perfect place to be!
RAWI WARIN RESORT & SPA
Address: 39 Moo 8, Koh Lanta Island, Krabi 81150
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