Spoiling Myself in Paradise (or What I Did on Koh Lanta)
At some point, every traveler needs a break.
A break from hostel dorm rooms. A break from the heat. A break from travel partners. Just a break.
I, too, have hit the wall on more than one occasion while traveling. I get to a point where I just can't stand the thought of another bus ride, another uncomfortable bed, another sweaty day of sightseeing. This isn't strange, though — in fact, I think it's NORMAL for most frequent travelers.
After exploring Bangkok, volunteering with elephants, hanging out in Chiang Mai, and doing some heavy sightseeing in Ao Nang, I was ready for a break in Thailand.
So when I began looking at accommodation options on the island of Koh Lanta (my last stop in Thailand), I decided to throw any concept of a budget out the window. I decided that, instead of a cheap bungalow or crowded hostel on the beach, I would treat myself to something a little more fancy.
And that's when I came across Sri Lanta.
Located at the end of quiet Klongnin Beach, this resort promised a beachside infinity pool, bungalows in the jungle, and a ton of relaxation. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for.
And the price? About $130 per night.
This is ridiculously expensive for accommodation in Thailand; I knew someone staying in a hostel on the same island for less than 1/10 this price. But, sometimes you just need to splurge.
Now, before you start thinking that this is a hotel review, let me disclose that I did NOT receive a free room or anything from Sri Lanta. I found them on booking.com, paid for my room, and enjoyed 3 blissful nights here on my own.
It was JUST what I needed.
Originally, I had figured that I would do a day trip or two while on Koh Lanta. There's a popular four islands tour here, as well as opportunities to go kayaking, rent motorbikes, and hang out at beach bars.
But here's what I ACTUALLY ended up doing:
Hanging out at the quiet beach.
Reading in the comfy beach chairs.
Taking dips in the infinity pool.
Eating seafood and Thai dishes at the restaurants that line the beach with new friends.
Enjoying my wifi-free jungle bungalow.
And just taking time to really appreciate where I was.
Too often I know I get wrapped up in taking photos and tweeting and Instagramming; I get too caught up in sharing what I'm doing with other people that I sometimes forget to take time to just appreciate things for myself. I LOVE being a blogger. But sometimes I need to step back and take a break.
And that's exactly what I did on Koh Lanta.
It was the perfect way to end my time in Thailand.
Check out the Sri Lanta Resort for yourself here.
Would YOU splurge on a place like this on your travels?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Hi Amanda!!
I have been reading through your website about anything/everything to do with thailand. I absolutely love it! I have booked ENP for 2 weeks and I am super excited. But after I was trying to decide if I should do the beachy areas. I really want to I was just a tad apprehensive about doing the beach part alone- do you have tips for the the best beach/area I could stay as a single female?
Did you every feel uncomfortable? There are so many beaches to choose from and I am just so confused right now with trying to decide with what I would want- so your website really helps!
Thanks!!
Awesome that you’re headed to ENP! You will love it.
As for the beaches… I spent about a week on the Andaman Coast. I stayed in Krabi/Ao Nang for a few nights so I could do some day trips to some of the islands, and then I stayed on Koh Lanta for the last few nights of my trip. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all!
Which beaches/islands you head to totally depends on what you’re looking for, though. Koh Lanta is really chilled out and perfect for relaxing. Whereas an island like Koh Phangan is made more for partying. I didn’t go to Phuket because I’ve heard not-so-great things, but lots of people go there.
[…] cost $2 or $3; transport costs next to nothing. “Splashing out” on a luxury hotel or beach resort will only set you back about $60-$100 per […]
[…] spent my last few days in Thailand chilling on the beach in Koh Lanta. I spoiled myself at a nice resort, and barely did anything other than swim and read. It was […]
That looks so good! I could so do with a few days on those beach loungers right now. There’s definitely a time and a place to budget and one to know when to splurge, the contrast always makes those times feel more special, I’m sure that if I ever ended up as a five-star traveller it would never feel as good as it does now!
I agree, I think splurges feel more indulgent because they contrast with everyday travel. Sometimes a little relaxation helps me discover new insights and certainly gives me more resiliency for everyday life.
It was such a great end to my trip! But yeah, if I stayed in this sort of place ALL the time, I’m sure I wouldn’t appreciate it as much.
Absolutely! I plan to do just that when we return from our travels. We will be going to Thailand and Indonesia and since I’ve already the $2.00 per night thing, we will be flashpacking with pre-teenager in tow LOL! I’ve found a lovely artistic enclave in the Chaing Mai hilltop for $35 per night for all three of us so you can be sure that when we get back to Bangkok, I’ll be looking for some cocktails and sushi LOL!
Nothing wrong with any of that! Enjoy!
Mid travel breaks are the best. I just spent some time in India and had a couple of splurges myself, it gets so hectic over there you need some relax time. Its amazing how cheap it is to stay like royalty in India.
It’s very similar in Southeast Asia – it’s not difficult to to treat yourself, even if you are on a budget.
In less than 2 weeks I will be going away on my Big Summer Trip, and I have a night in Barcelona which I am spending in a 5* hotel. It’s just one night, it didn’t cost me a great deal of money. I’m getting to the city at around 2pm and just visiting one site. I plan on spending the rest of the day hidden in my hotel room, taking a bath and reading. I think out of 21 days, taking one night to myself is necessary. I love travelling, and I love meeting new people, but I definitely need a break! I am so looking forward to that night!
I’m sure you will appreciate it even more once it rolls around! Enjoy!!
When I travel I love being on the go-and yet pictures like these reinforce why I also love stays like this. Sheer paradise! Sometimes you truly do need a break-mental and physical and treating oneself is key to that 🙂
I love the fact that in SE Asia, $130 is considered pricey! Get me there asap!
Haha, I know, right? Anywhere else in the world this place would cost SO much more.
Looks positively blissful. It’s definitely nice to treat ourselves every now and then
As far as I’m concerned, treating yourself every now and then is required!
Great pictures!.I Hope you enjoyed your me time. I think every traveller (not just bloggers) will know this feeling. Getting so caught up in taking pictures that you don’t even look at where you really are anymore.
Definitely. Especially now with digital cameras and smartphones – it’s so easy to get caught up and spend most of your travels staring at a tiny screen.