Pimalai Resort & Spa has stepped up its commitment to responsible travel with a 10-year plan that will preserve the precious environmental surrounds of Koh Lanta and empower the local community.
The Koh Lanta resort was granted a coveted Green Globe certification in 2022 after an independent audit of Pimalai’s practices and has no plans to slow down on its environmental initiatives.
“We have made considerable inroads over recent years in reducing our carbon footprint but it is important, not only for our property but the local communities that we are working with, to achieve environmental targets and sustainability,” said Pimalai Owner Charintip Tiyaphorn.
Nestled in 100 acres of lush, native forest on Koh Lanta, the five-star resort offers eco-sensitive luxury escapes showcasing some of Thailand’s best-kept natural attractions. The location is home to a haven of wildlife, where monkeys, monitor lizards, eagles and hornbills can be seen among in the trees, while a rich diversity of marine life resides offshore.
The resort’s 900-metre-long beach is where sea turtles come to lay their eggs every year and Pimalai recently helped to release 50 endangered turtles and millions of crabs into the Andaman Sea. This forms part of the resort’s commitment to conserving the coast with guests also able to join in regular beach cleaning activities to keep the shoreline and local islands free from litter.
Operating a zero-food waste policy, with excess organic food being used to fertilise the resort’s organic gardens, the resort’s responsible, zero-waste approach includes an island-wide waste management program (with Pimalai collecting refuse from local villages), a zero single-use plastic policy and extensive recycling.
The resort forms part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) Considerate Collection, an exclusive portfolio of socially responsible and environmentally conscious five-star hotels. It has also signed onto the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge.
While no motorised water sports are permitted at Pimalai, there are plenty of opportunities to feel the spray of the ocean waves with eco-friendly activities including complimentary kayaking, paddle-boarding and wind-surfing. Koh Lanta is also a dream destination for snorkelling.
Pimalai is dedicated to keeping the coral reefs healthy. Further offshore, curious explorers can enjoy PADI-certified scuba diving trips to spectacular sites that teem with colourful sea creatures, including large schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks and rays.
Travellers can embark on small-scale, sustainable excursions to exotic offshore islands. The Koh Haa Sunset trip showcases limestone islets which enclose a dazzling aquamarine lagoon, a technicolour reef and a pure white beach, while the Koh Ngai & Emerald Cave itinerary offers the chance to explore a limestone cave that shimmers and shines, swim in a stunning hidden lagoon and relax on a pristine beach.
The Mangroves Tour transports visitors into a lush coastal forest where wildlife abounds, while the Talabeng + Koh Lanta Old Town tour uncovers the dramatic limestone karsts and cliffs of Koh Talabeng Island, before heading to Koh Lanta’s Old Town, a quaint port with more than 100 years of heritage.
Pimalai guests can unwind in 121 spacious rooms, suites and villas, plunge into infinity pools that appear suspended in the jungle canopy, enjoy soothing therapies at Pimalai Spa, play tennis or enjoy immersive activities such as yoga, muay Thai, cycling, fitness and Thai cooking classes. Four dining options include Rak Talay, which specialises in fresh Andaman seafood by the beach, Seven Seas, an international fine-dining restaurant perched in the hillside overlooking the bay, Spice & Rice, the authentic Thai restaurant and The Banyan Tree Poolside Café, which serves light bites and daytime refreshments.
Under the Little Scientist House program, which was founded by Thailand’s Princess Sirindhorn, students from local schools are invited to learn scientific skills and Pimalai also offers three-to six-month internships for Thai students, with the option of future employment. This community commitment is part of Pimalai’s ‘Our People = Our Family’ philosophy, which has underpinned the resort’s operations ever since its foundation.
“When our founder, Khun Anurat Tiyaphorn, discovered this enchanting plot of land in the 1990s, he immediately fell in love,” said Pimalai General Manager, Brice Borin.
“Chinese feng shui philosophy says that ‘a house leaning against the mountains and facing waters can bring good luck for people living in it’,” he said.
“So Pimalai was born with the aim of preserving nature and creating benefits for the local people. We are proud to share that vision with our international clientele, who need to know that they are making a difference. At Pimalai, every guest can rest assured that they are having a positive impact on the environment and the community, while also enjoying a luxurious vacation in paradise.”
The Unique Tourism Collection represents Pimalai Resort & Spa in Australia and New Zealand. Contact Svetlana Jovanovic on svetlana@uniquetourism.com or visit www.pimalai.com
