Beyond Khaolak

“Beyond ... Khao Lak ... Rainy Season! 😊”

We booked our 2-week stay at Beyond Resort via Voyage Prive`(never used them before) as the other tour operators in the UK, who deal with this hotel, had no availability for our dates. I am pleased to say that although we were a little worried about flights, connections and transfers, everything w… more

We booked our 2-week stay at Beyond Resort via Voyage Prive`(never used them before) as the other tour operators in the UK, who deal with this hotel, had no availability for our dates. I am pleased to say that although we were a little worried about flights, connections and transfers, everything went extremely smoothly. We flew with Thai Airways and it was an absolute pleasure to be onboard their aircrafts! On arrival at Phuket Airport, we met the representative of CelTours who took us to our driver - we also received a phone call from Jennifer whom arranged to meet us at the hotel the following morning. Our transfer to Khao Lak was about an hour and a half. When we arrived at Beyond, we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing Thai tea and orange drink and hot flannels. Check-in was a quick process; passports photocopied; card details taken and then we were taken to our room. On route, The Concierge highlighted the various facilities of the resort and on arrival to our Garden Villa, he showed us around and once again explained the facilities within. Although the room was beautifully presented, the outside space was not very private and this compelled us to upgrade. We returned to Reception, who were so accommodating, and organised an Elite Garden Villa for us. An additional cost of 1,800 TB per night. We were immediately taken to the room by The Concierge - we liked what we saw - a very private garden, jacuzzi and lots of additional outside furniture etc. The room-maids arrived immediately to freshen up the room and within about 15 minutes, we were settling in. The room facilities were very good - efficient air-conditioning, an easy to operate safe, Wi-Fi, rain shower, separate toilet, dual sinks, plenty of storage space for our clothes and suitcases and an amazingly comfortable bed and huge pillows. There was a cute, cushioned sofa at the end of the bed too. We had a large mini-bar - some items were chargeable such as the wine and snacks. We absolutely loved the floor-to-ceiling French doors that ran along one wall and the placement of the outside plants by the sinks and around the garden; of course, the beautiful palm trees too. These all attracted a variety of wildlife which were a pleasure to watch - beautiful butterflies, squirrels and birds. There were plenty of plug points and hooks around the room which were very handy for drying wet items. We loved how clean the room was and how tidy our room-maids kept it. We always had fresh towels left, including face, hand and beach towels too, and our bed was always nicely made each morning. Bottled water was replenished daily as well. The only thing letting the appearance of the room down was some of the finishes, i.e., the shower sealant, grouting etc. What we loved about the resort: - The friendliness of each and every member of staff - the Gardeners, Reception Staff, Concierge, Waiters, Waitresses and Bar Staff. They all greeted us warmly 🙏 and really did take good care of us. - The grounds/gardens - absolutely stunning - the cliché that photos don't do them justice, is honestly quite true! - The pools - some were deeper than others; temperature of the water was perfect and there were many sunbeds available at any time of the day. - When the tide was out, the beach was stunning and we enjoyed many lovely walks. However, access to the beach involves a drop down (due to erosion) which was difficult to navigate at times. The sea was very rough (red flag most days) however, we appreciate this is beyond the hotels control and since we were there in the rainy season, this was to be expected. If the management could sort the 'access' issue, I am sure this would make it alot easier for future guests. - We were all-inclusive so thoroughly enjoyed the A La Carte menu at The Beach Restaurant. The Massaman and Thai Green Curries were a huge favourite as well as the Sticky Rice and Mango. Utterly delicious! 😋 The quality of the cocktails were great and were freshly made to order. The Long Island Ice Tea was our favourite - such a long, cool and refreshing drink. Breakfast choices were very good - plenty of pastries, breads, fresh fruit, yoghurts, a variety of choices for cooked eggs, cereals and hot options. Although we stayed All Inclusive, we did not eat lunch as, like all our holidays, we never feel hungry enough to eat it. - The Resident Duo Singers. They sang a variety of genres; slow and uptempo which we enjoyed and even got up to dance on a couple of occasions! The evenings were so much better when they performed. We also enjoyed the traditional dancers and story telling and the fire show on the beach. What we did not like about the resort: - The switch to buffet food in the evening. We struggled to find food that we fancied so felt like we were eating for the sake of it and not for pleasure. I am pleased to say, however, that the lovely, older waiter noticed our struggles. (Who wants to eat Lasagne in Thailand?) He kindly organised the A La Carte menu for us, once again, which we so appreciated. Thank you to him! 🙏 - The rudeness of some guest. We heard a group of Australian visitors say, "Don't worry about them, they are just snobby poms." We are unsure as to why they said this other than that we like to dress up for dinner???? The atmosphere quietened down again when they left. - The puddles!! After every downpour, the paving in some areas (especially entry into The Elite Garden Villas) needs to be sorted - filled in/flattened out. Some areas became slippery/hazoudess and made navigating around the resort difficult. However, there are warning signs everywhere to be fair! 😊 TIPS: - You can exchange higher value notes to smaller denominations at Reception. 🙏 - We had 9 sunny days out of 14 and followed the weather conditions using AccuWeather which was pretty accurate!! - When looking at the coastline, to the far left of the resort, and you see it disappearing under clouds, this is the time to seek shelter - the rain arrives very quickly!! The pool/bar staff made us laugh on these occasions - they spring into action like 'a well-oiled machine' taking down umbrellas, turning up the cushions on the sun-beds and bringing down the shades at the pool bar - all for the safety of their guests. - The on-site convenience store stocks basic medical essentials such as paracetamol, lozenges etc, as well as small souvenirs, items of clothing, toiletries and a mixture of soft drinks/alcohol. These were all reasonably priced too. - We tipped the staff - not to receive a good service but to thank them for their good service. They all work extremely hard and their infectious smiles are never far away. - We used CelTours for our excursions and I will review these separately. We enjoyed these full-day trips but please be aware, they prefer cash payments. ATM on-site. - We paid 400 TB per hour to extend our check-out time as we had a late afternoon transfer to the airport. This worked perfectly for us. - We ate at the on-site restaurant - Motown on Fire - again I will review separately. Overall, our first trip to Thailand was amazing - it is a beautiful country full of beautiful people who want your holiday experience to be perfect. We had a very comfortable stay at Beyond Resort and due to the very relaxed, quiet and serene environment we left feeling we had been there far longer than our 2-week stay. Time really does stand still there! There were many, many staff members that welcomed us with open arms so we wish not to name any in particular. They are all an asset to the hotel - regardless of their role - and we would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending a stay here. We will, for sure, return to Thailand but not in the rainy season! 😂 How could we not? Thank you for a great stay - Tina and Phil, Room 4204. 🙏🙏

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“10 Days at Beyond was extremely Relaxing.”

After our time in Patong and Kata, we spent 10 days at Beyond Khaolak. So different from the beginning of the holiday, it was the perfect Chill Out and only way to spend the holiday. On arrival the Reception area is impressive and the Staff professional and welcoming. We were attended to very quick… more

After our time in Patong and Kata, we spent 10 days at Beyond Khaolak. So different from the beginning of the holiday, it was the perfect Chill Out and only way to spend the holiday. On arrival the Reception area is impressive and the Staff professional and welcoming. We were attended to very quickly. We were given a detailed description of the restaurants, breakfast area, and swimming pools by the reception staff. Very detailed explanation of where we could eat and drink and when. Had a good tour in a golf buggy when taken to our room. The Room. WoW !!!! It's huge. First impressions we knew we were on a winner. Comfortable bed, huge lounge area, very large dressing area with plentiful cupboard space to unpack. Breakfast were the best we had on the month holiday that we had. Huge choice. They even had Vegemite. You name it and they had it. Eggs cooked to order. A great way to start the day of relaxing and doing nothing. Lunch was unique. First time I've ever had lunch and some dinner's in a restaurant with a sandy floor. It was good, and I enjoyed that. I wish to commend the staff down at the Beach Bar and Restaurant. Especially Clarrisa, is worth her weight in Gold. Followed closely by Tu & Neena. While talking about eating, I must say the "Motown on Fire Steakhouse" is unbelievable. It was so classy I nearly felt out of place there. The meals there were the best that I have had in Thailand. The Staff are so well trained by Robert the Manager. I give a special mention to Ked, Kwang, Cha, Koey & Ynnah my favorite. Lots of fun but very professional at the same time. We were sad to leave, and that makes us want to return. Fingers crossed.

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“OUR STAY AT BEYOND”

We’ve stayed at this beautiful hotel four times, and each visit has been exceptional. The property features a stunning garden that you drive through on your way to the reception. The front desk staff are amazing; they greeted us warmly upon arrival and made us feel like VIPs. During our stay at … more

We’ve stayed at this beautiful hotel four times, and each visit has been exceptional. The property features a stunning garden that you drive through on your way to the reception. The front desk staff are amazing; they greeted us warmly upon arrival and made us feel like VIPs. During our stay at Beyond Khao Lak, we got to know several wonderful staff members, including New, Kwang, Orn, Piew, Molly, Wisa, Ake, and Oh, as well as the friendly buggy drivers Cham, Tham, Mhong, Wee, and Paul. They form an incredible team. For dinner, we visited Motown On Fire three times, and each experience was special. Robert, the GM, provided exceptional service, attending to us and other guests with genuine care. The staff—Ked, Kwang, Yannah, Cha, Jub, Eak—and Chef Koey, who offered great recommendations, contributed to unforgettable meals. We enjoyed outstanding dishes like beef cheeks, sirloin steak, pork rib chops, garlic bread, and a delicious bowl of salad. There are many more items on the menu that we look forward to trying in the future. The breakfast was also a highlight, especially on our final day because there was smoked salmon. With a wide variety of choices and a dedicated team working seamlessly together, it was a delightful start to each day. Overall, this hotel consistently delivers exceptional experiences, and we look forward to returning soon.

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“Enjoyable Stay”

Stayed for 12 nights on a Luxury Escapes package which included breakfast, dinner and a cocktail per day. Room - Elite pool Villa (Excellent) large, modern ,clean and comfortable. Bed was super comfy, outdoor area around private pool was great with sunbeds, table/chairs and outdoor bed. Food , Bre… more

Stayed for 12 nights on a Luxury Escapes package which included breakfast, dinner and a cocktail per day. Room - Elite pool Villa (Excellent) large, modern ,clean and comfortable. Bed was super comfy, outdoor area around private pool was great with sunbeds, table/chairs and outdoor bed. Food , Breakfast OK Normal buffet breakfast, would have been good if hot dishes were rotated and the addition of a Thai Noodle soup would be great but overall it was good. Food,- Beyond Beach Bar Dinner Great to Average During the earlier part of our stay it was A La Carte, plenty to choose from and was enjoyable with a live music duo. However when hotel occupancy increased it was changed to a buffet which was far too western for our liking. I am afraid it became a little frustrating but if Hat was working he allowed us to choose from the al la carte menu other staff did not - so thank you Hat. Food, Motown Excellent Couldnt fault the food, service and ambiance. Ate there 3 times and enjoyed a bottle of wine on all occasions. A must try. Beach was nice but weather not. Hence when it wasn't raining you could walk the beach, had a swim just had to be careful as it was a little wild in the surf. Staff were all great - Robert, Ymah, Kwang and Ked at Mowtown, Orn and Deerzy at reception always friendly and helpful, Hat and Sany at Beyond Cafe and Beach Bar. A big thanks though to all staff for helping make our stay as enjoyable as possible even though it was raining for 60% of our stay

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