Interesting reputation tour in Thailand

We spent just one night on Barra on at the start of a weeks holiday leading up to a wedding in Stornoway. The MacNeil Room was spacious clean and very well presented with a wonderful ocean view. Unfortunately the ferry from Oban was 45 minutes late so we missed dinner, we knew this would be a close call even if the ferry was on time.

We were greeted by Catherine who quickly got us to our room. 15 minutes later she personally made sandwiches for us that were delicious, particularly with a well chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio. Catherine was happy to chat and give us further ideas for our trip. Breakfast was tasty with a varied offer being available and cheerily served by Catherine.

The hotel is just by the ferry slip so very convenient for a latish arrival and with service as we experienced the Castlebay has a winning combination


Fantastic weather for me with many sun in the day time and most time rain in late night when I was sleeping. How can I know?! The sun beds and tea table in my balcony were wet when I woke up.

Miles and miles of coastline, jungle, waterfalls, cheap fresh food, friendly people, snorkelling, diving, elephants, monkeys, temples, buddisht monks, massages...

Khao Lak is a great introduction to Thailand. Not very touristy but loads to do. It is often described as quiet but there are plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. We stayed at the Ramada and there were some great places to eat and drink nearby. Check out Pirahna Bar and Song's bar. Lovely people, great drinks, great prices and lots of fun.

Hire a car (£20 per day) or some mopeds (£5 per day) while you're out there and do your own touring. You get so much more freedom and it's not hard to find the local attractions...Sairung Waterfall, Oawthong beach, the market, Muay Thai stadium etc.

Take a trip to the Surin or the Similan islands for snorkelling/diving and definitely invest in one of the temple tours. You can also camp out on the Surin islands. We were tempted but didn't get chance in the end.

If you like luxury, tranquility, nature, new experiences and a splash of adventure then you'll love Khao Lak


For the five years preceding the tsunami of December 26, 2004, Khao Lak, Thailand was the up-and-coming destination in SE Asia. For travelers who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok or other overcrowded locations (ie: Patong, Pattaya, Koh Samui, etc) Khao Lak was the answer.

Just 80km north of Phuket International Airport, the beaches of Khao Lak are most inviting with its beautiful clean beaches and secluded resorts lining the coastline. Since that fateful day in 2004, Khao Lak has rebounded with full force to rebuild their lives and recapture the beauty that this region offers. You won't find debaucherous go-go bars, open use of drugs, littered gutters, children hawking trinkets, or much that usually is prevalent in other destinations.

What you will find is peace and traquility. Often you can be the only one on the beach, enjoying the sun and surf without loud jetskis or sourvenir hawkers bothering you. The beaches are clean, safe and quiet. And unlike most resort areas in Thailand, the resorts are ON the beachfront, and are not separated by a coastal roadway (ex: Patong Beach). The nightlife is still abundant, but not "in your face". You'll find souvenir shops with friendly staff, hotels with your every wish in mind, and the locals full of smiles and most accomodating.

The Similan Islands are just two hours off the coastline. In fact, its a better place to launch at Thap La Mu pier (just south of Khao Lak) as the trip is faster, and the direction of travel makes the boat ride less wavy. I suggest Sea Dragon or IQ Dive, but many of the shops offer great dive/snorkel packages to cater to your itinerary.

Hotels line the main highway and are also tucked away in obscure locations. Le Meridien, Sarojin, Merlin and Royal Baan Sak Beach resorts offer high-end rooms, while Khao Lak Inn, Tony's Lodge, Emerald Guesthouse offer cheaper rates. All have great rates, and you can find many in between.

I've been here for nearly two years and can say first-hand that Khao Lak is a wonderful place to visit. Bring your children, too, as Khao Lak is family-friendly. No worried about your children witnessing things that are counter-productive in raising healthy children.

Come to Khao Lak! We hope to see you soon!!

Having visited Thailand a number of times I can tell you that if you want to book a trip, the best way is to look around a few of the plentiful local agents to get a feel for what's on offer and at what price. Some have air conditioned premises while others just a road side kiosk.
Always ask for their best price. The discount you are offered will be coming off their commission so expect a bigger reduction if there are more of you.