Lanta Ilmare Beach Resort — Hotel in Ko Lanta Yai

Wonderful hotel - 10/10. Lovely staff & facilities. Very comfortable beds & we slept extremely well. Delicious, cooked breakfasts with plates of cut fruit of your choice. Quiet environs with lovely palm trees & gardens, and lots of outdoor taps & showers. Lovely, polite and considerate staff (thanks in particular to the hotel manager, Bee, for her always excellent recommendations). We also booked a bungalow with a sea view - highly recommend it! It was lovely to sit on the veranda every day.

Above all, the hotel is extremely, extremely well-located for tourists - right next to an incredibly long beach (Klong Nin Beach). From the hotel, you're only a five minutes' walk via the beachfront from tons of beach bars, cafes & restaurants. Handily, there are also a couple of convenience stores & ATMs nearby. And even so, the hotel itself feels like a secluded and peaceful oasis. My partner booked everything, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the location was.

The water directly in front of the hotel is slightly rocky, but you're greeted with soft sands and gentle, warm waters only a short walk up the beach - where you can swim at your heart's content from morning until sunset. It's super convenient to have this at your doorstep, and not have to organise transport everyday to such a popular location. It was also easy to get a beach umbrella/chair (with purchase of a drink) at any time of day. It's also great for families.

For non-beach days (we recommend snorkeling at Koh Ma/Rok, going to the National Park and visiting the mangroves), you can easily organise transport rentals and trips via the hotel.

Minor points regarding the hotel were the lack of shower gel/handwash/shampoo/conditioner in the rooms (we bought these at a local 7/11 - you are provided with soap bars). The quality of toilet paper could've been a bit more luxurious - however these are only minor feedback points & I wouldn't consider either significant enough to change my overall experience/opinion. I don't particularly mind buying my own preferred shampoo, either. I would 100% stay here again & feel great after spending a week there. Did not...

We stayed a week here (after a week in Phrae Ae at Thai House Beach Resort, and before a week in Kaw Kwang at Twin Bay. It was excellent value at £60/night with breakfast in high season). The room was well-equipped with wardrobe fridge, good aircon etc and a good shower, and a nice veranda; rooms were clean with towels and bedding changed daily. Sunbeds, mattresses, toys, beach towels and parasols were available for the beach and the small pool (a big plus). Reception staff were friendly, but 3 of the 4 restaurant and bar staff were often too busy chatting or on their phones, or just surly (our only criticism of the place), so we chose to eat elsewhere. The biggest plus of all is its location, and we preferred it to Phrae Ae (Long Beach). Klong Nin beach is 2.2 km long and Ilmare is at the very northern end by a little rocky headland and klong (small tidal stream), which is very pretty and interesting, with safe bathing (the beach to the south is straight sand until you reach the next headland). There are a few restaurants in the immediate vicinity, and an excellent German Bakery. Then 500 meters south of Ilmare (a 10 minute stroll along the beach or dusty road) is Horizon Road, a line of resorts, bars and restaurants (recommend Kansa for a relaxing time, Richey for a lively vibe, or Otto for western food in a relaxed setting). If you cross the bridge over the klong (or paddle at low tide) there is very friendly place called Klong Nuiy Seafood where the owners may provide a half-price taxi service (500 Baht return to Lanta Old Town). Beyond that is a beautiful little bay called Klong Toab where we often swam; it is dominated by the luxury Rawi Warin resort which picked arguably the best spot in Ko Lanta. It would be hard to find a anywhere better than Lanta Ilmare...

Our stay at this family-run hotel was absolutely fantastic, and cold water bottle upon arrival, set the stage for an unforgettable experience. A big thanks to Bee and the staff, whose exceptional service truly made our trip special. From arranging mopeds and providing fresh towels to offering invaluable tips about local attractions, their warmth and dedication went above and beyond.||||We stayed in two Beachfront Deluxe rooms, which were immaculate, stylish, and comfortable. Sitting on the loo 😬 or the porch watching and listening to the ocean is amazing. Housekeeping was outstanding, maintaining the highest standards throughout our stay.||||Breakfast was excellent, with a variety of options available to order, and the on-site restaurant impressed us with authentic and flavorful Thai dishes.||||The hotel’s location was perfect—peacefully removed from the bar scene but close enough to walk over and enjoy it if desired. The bridge across the protective embankment (designed to safeguard the beach and hotel during monsoon season) leads to a gorgeous ”private” beach, ideal for swimming and relaxation.||||Being family-run, the hotel radiates a welcoming and personal touch that made our experience all the more special. ||||Convenience was another highlight, with a 7/11 and local shops nearby. We highly recommend renting mopeds (Bee is happy to assist!) to explore the area. Dining at Kraken, Shanti, or Coco Tango is a must, though there are plenty of other wonderful local restaurants to discover.||||In every way, this hotel delivered an exceptional experience, with unparalleled service, comfort, and a perfect location. Thank you to the family and staff for making our stay...