Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa

Thai-style architecture and a garden setting give Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa a distinct sense of place, without turning the resort into a museum piece. You have a choice of rooms and bungalows, a pool area with its own bar, and enough on site to keep the evening simple when the day has already involved boats, salt and too much sun.

English is spoken by the hotel team, so practical conversations about your room, transfers or dinner are straightforward. The resort suits divers who want a proper base rather than a bare room: somewhere to swim, eat, book an excursion, or disappear into the spa while a non-diving companion has their own plans.

The resort is in Takua Pa, in Phang Nga province, on the Thai coast. It sits in a seaside setting, with Nang Thong Beach, Bang Niang Beach and Pak Weep Beach among the nearby places to explore. The town centre is a ten-minute walk away, which puts local shops and everyday essentials within reach without making you sleep in the middle of the action.

The address is also useful for a mixed holiday. You can stay close to the coast, walk into town, or use the hotel as a base for excursions arranged through the tourist information service. Free parking is available if you arrive with a vehicle, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.

The room choice is mainly about how you want to live during the stay. The Thai Style Deluxe Double room is the natural fit for a couple, while the twin version keeps sleeping arrangements simple when two divers would rather not negotiate for the same pillow. The bungalow categories add a more separate, resort-like feel, with double and twin layouts available.

Air conditioning matters in this part of Thailand, particularly when you return warm, tired and still carrying the day's humidity on your skin. Room facilities include a private bathroom, television, refrigerator or minibar, hairdryer, safe, bathrobe, slippers and mosquito net, although the full set varies by room. A kettle and coffee are available in the Thai Style Bungalow category.

There is also room service, along with wardrobes, toiletries and an alarm clock listed among the room facilities. The practical point is not gadget count: it is having somewhere cool to shower, store a drink, and reset before dinner. Family rooms are available, while the listed double and twin room options are designed for two guests.

Breakfast is served as a buffet at Bhandari Restaurant, which also covers lunch and dinner. The morning starts with a proper spread rather than a hurried coffee, useful when a boat departure has already claimed the best part of the day. The restaurant works with Thai cuisine and serves its buffet daily.

Le Siam Dining Restaurant takes the Thai focus further, with classic and more unusual dishes from around Thailand alongside international food. You can eat indoors or on the outdoor terrace, looking towards the gardens and frangipani trees. It serves lunch and dinner, so there is no need to make every meal a town expedition.

There are two named bars. Big Tree Bar is the place for cocktails or sparkling wine under the night sky, while Lotus Pool Bar stays close to the large pool with light appetisers, snacks and drinks. The resort also has a snack bar, a restaurant buffet, dietary menus on request, bottled water and tea or coffee facilities.

The large free-form outdoor pool is the obvious headquarters for a non-diving afternoon. It has a separate children's pool and a jacuzzi, with Lotus Pool Bar close by for drinks and light food. Pool and beach towels are available, and a sun terrace gives you somewhere to stretch out without planning an excursion.

Bhandari Wellness & Spa is the more deliberate route to recovery. Treatments include massage, facials, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and body wraps. There is also a treatment room designed for two, which makes the spa a useful option for couples who want to do the same thing at the same time rather than take turns vanishing.

For something more active, the air-conditioned fitness centre overlooks the pool and includes multi-gym equipment, cardiovascular machines, a treadmill and exercise bikes. A Thai cooking class offers a more local activity, while the library is there for the classic post-dive ambition of reading a few pages and waking up much later.

Phuket International Airport is about an hour's drive away. Airport transfers are available through the hotel, either privately or as a shared shuttle, and should be arranged with the property. Car hire and excursion assistance are also available, while parking is free for guests arriving by car.

Check-in runs from 14:00 until midnight, and check-out is at 12:00. The reception can help with transfers, excursions and practical requests; concierge, luggage storage, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are also available. The resort accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

The hotel has accessible facilities, smoking areas and non-smoking accommodation. Pets and service animals are not allowed. For arrival in Thailand, foreign visitors entering by air, land or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online three days before arrival.