Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a trip to Khao Lak for the first time in November. We have been checking these forums for info and the Orchid Beach resort gets mostly favourable reviews.

The remoteness sounds good in terms of beach, noise hassle etc. The problem is we like to eat at different places and like to get a massage each day and it seems that these are not available without a taxi/shuttle.

Is it possible to walk from the resort to the main town along the beach?

If so how long would it take? Also is it safe to walk at night eg after dinner.

Any help much appreciated

Cheers

Craig

Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort

take a look at Khoa Lak Bayfront Resort. more convenient to restaurants etc and very favourable reviews.

bkk3

Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort

Hi Craig,

Walking from the Orchid to Bang La On, which is the nearest township where restaurants, bars and shops are situated is doable by day as a nice beach walk but even then with difficulty. There is an inlet which separates Khuk Khak Beach on which the Orchid is situated from Bang Niang Beach where there are massage places on the beach which can get up to neck high and swift flowing when the tide is running high and fast. Not recommended for a night out! Someone had set up massage on the Orchid side near the inlet when we were there last March, which had closed by the time we left, and there was another about 100 metres across the inlet with bar, great fruit drinks and Som Tom (spicy papaya salad) which was under threat too. Hope that one survives as it is our local! Plenty more all along the beach in that direction though so plenty to do while you wait for the tide to go back out! :))

The main centre of Khao Lak at Bang La on is certainly not within walking distance. The hotel does provide a free shuttle though.

Khuk Khak Beach where the Orchid is situated, though isolated, is beautiful and the ocean often wild. We love walking down it. I just didn%26#39;t enjoy giving the wife a piggy back across to ';our side!';

I particularly like the quaint name of the inlet between Khau Khak and Bang Niang beaches!

Best to walk it in the day, in the evening I would recommend the shuttle to town and a taxi back, so you can return when you%26#39;re ready!

';I particularly like the quaint name of the inlet between Khau Khak and Bang Niang beaches!';

Go on, put us out of our misery! What is it?

According to the Khao Lak Map Summer 2007 (www.khaolakmap.com), Grid Ref C11 and not wishing in any way to put people off this fantastic location...............................................it%26#39;s the Pong Canal!!!!!

Ignoring the ';pong'; for now,and back to the original post, from the Orchid Beach Resort along Khuk Khak Beach, across the ';Pong Canal'; (and it doesn%26#39;t smell!), along the full length of Bang Niang beach, then across another inlet (you pay some local ';entrepreneurs'; 10 baht for ferrying you across) then half way along Nang Thong Beach to the road upto Bang La On Centre is a wonderful walk - if you have the odd two hours and beach attire to do it!

But for an evening out in Bang La On? I%26#39;d catch the hotel shuttle there and a taxi back.

Actually, Khao Lak is not allowed to have any sunbeds or umbellra on the beach. Since there is one hotel on Khuk khak beach and the beach is about 3 kms from the main road, it keeps the beach very quite and peaceful. However, there is no choice for dinner out apart go to Khao Lak centre (8 min) or Bangnieag (5 min).

Orchid offers the shuttle at the reasonable price. Last year it was 50 Baht/Person/Way. For this year I am not know since the gas price is higher. As their shuttles are the locals, it might be 20 Baht more. (not many hotel allows the local run the shuttle from the hotel lobby)

Hello Khaolaker,

The Orchid shuttle, even if it increases to 60 baht, seems extremely good value compared to the charges made by some other hotels. What is the latest rate for a taxi back from say Bang Niang or La On and is there still a board with the rates to various hotels still on display by the 7/11 in Bang Niang?

Your %26#39;on the spot%26#39; information will be much appreciated.

To Sanuksanaan

The latest rate is 50 Baht. However, the hotel runs free shuttle at the moment since there is the construction (building + adult pool) in their site. What I have learnt it will finished by 15 Oct 2008.

The prices on the Bang Niang board is different (more expensive). This hotel shutlle, something like, are asked to collect only 50 Baht for the fee only because they do not need to pay the commission to the hotel.

Thanks to all who replied. You are all amazingly generous with your time and advice.

River(Pong)crossings to get to town by foot may be a little extreme for us so we are now looking at something closer to Bang Niang or Bang La On.

We thought the seclusion is still available if we want to hike the other way occasionally or we can always hire a bike and ride.

Any recommendations for similar places in these locations are most welcome.

Cheers

Craig