La Vela Khao Lak ★★★★

The seafood buffet was exceptional!

Hard to get to restaurant if stairs are an issue.

I stayed at La Vela for two weeks during low season. The hotel is directly on the beach, at the end of a street dotted with small shops and restaurants that are decidedly better and much cheaper than the ones inside. The complex is built from stone, wood, metal and immersed in a tropical garden, giving it a minimalist, eco-friendly atmosphere. It has banned single-use plastics and provides two free glass water bottles per day, which you can refill in the public areas. Breakfast is a real banquet held at the Spice Cafe, elbow-to-elbow with tropical birds. It's truly spectacular - honestly one of the best I've experienced at a hotel of this level. There's an entire room just for 20 types of breads, pastries and brioches; two huge buffet lines where they make soups, noodles and every possible egg dish you can imagine on the spot; a sushi corner; a station for hot and cold beverages. In addition to the Spice Cafe there is a bar with a library (which makes great coffee and terrible cakes, even though they look nice) and a restaurant and cocktail bar on the beach. The hotel has two beautiful pools plus one near the beach. It also offers a small gym, a fabulous spa, a skate park, equipment for water sports (for a fee), free beach towels, and a daily program of free soft activities like yoga on the beach, which I highly recommend. The room was equipped with every possible comfort: a beautiful tub on the balcony (not a hot tub), a walk-in shower, a huge bed that was almost as tall as me, a minibar area with a large fridge and kettle, wine glasses and various amenity kits. You can adjust the lighting with a panel. During the day you can hear some noise from the nearby hotel under construction, at night just the music of the waves. Outside the hotel, as I said, there are many shops and excursion stands. I also recommend taking a taxi to the most beautiful beaches, since the one at the hotel is a bit disappointing. The staff is incredibly kind and helpful.

During the low season, the common areas flood and there is a real risk of slipping on the stone steps and in the corridors. The sea was muddy and rough, so to swim I had to go to the nearby beaches. What bothered me the most though was the strong musty smell in the room, as you can read in other reviews. I think it comes from the air conditioner filters that are never cleaned and it's so intense that it makes it difficult to enjoy staying in the room. Which is a shame, because the rooms are beautiful. Opening the windows or deplying dozens of candles and essential oils is completely useless: the smell will come back the moment you turn on the AC. I think it's urgent that the hotel resolves this problem, because it ruins an otherwise magnificent experience.

luxuries and spacious

The high tech light system wasn’t manageable, this needs simplifying or at least explained when shown to the room. Breakfast although a wonderful visual spread the food was not as warm/hot as it should be. The glass partition in the bathroom adjacent the sliding door is potentially dangerous as one could easily walk into it and cause a serious injury.

Big room and clean, a lot of choices for breakfast, resort is next to the beach and big swimming pool.

Our first time in Khao Lak and definitely not our last. What a stunning area and La Vela didn't disappoint. Fantastic location right on the beach. Our room overlooked one of the stunning pools with a partial sea view where we could enjoy the beautiful sunsets. The room was very spacious and well equipped with a good size balcony and seating area. A very comfortable bed and a large shower.. The staff were very friendly and nothing was too much of a bother. Excellent buffet breakfast with plenty of options. We didn't try the lobster dinner which is held twice a week but it did look amazing and good value for money. We would definitely stay at La Vela again . Thank you to all the staff.

Only a couple of things really but it didn't spoil our stay. The toilet in our bathroom had a leak. Reported it to reception and the issue was solved immediately. One of the swimming pools had a large sign saying Adults only unfortunately some parents ignored this. We used the swimming pool near our room which was perfect. Some of the public areas near the lifts were a little tired and not cleaned as often as other areas.

Excellent location, very clean and great service. Breakfast was fantastic, anything you could possibly want was available.

Only small niggle, the pool at the beach clearly said adults only no children allowed however everyday there were lots of children in it. Not a drama as such but unsure why it states adults only if it isn’t!

Perfect location, on the beach yet close to all shops, restaurants etc

Very clean and the food was really good

Excellent location: easy to walk to lots of restaurants and supermarkets outside the hotel. Good quality breakfast especailly egg/ coffee live station and local fruits section. Well designed room: spacious room, with shower and tub. Nice balcony to sit outside, and a place for you to hang beach clothes. The main swimming pools are perfect for family with kids, and for those who want to chill out on the beach, you can enjoy your happy hour drinks at the adult pool. I think this hotel is good for both short stay and long stay.

For the Management, please provide medium size towels for drying hair everyday.

breakfast and kids pool

Huge swimming pool next to the beach Good breakfast

Bad smell from air conditioner

Everything

Nothing

Good location, very nice room and bathroom, very large room.

prices at bar too expensive, happy hour is buy two get one free, so you have to share a bottle? Dont be be petty, it should be buy one, get one free. Some staff shout at each other from room to room to communicate, i dont expect shreeking at a hotel of this standard. There should be a free tuk tuk service to the main resort road, we wasnt offered one

Facilities are really nice and the food is good. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and modern. Pools are great and the beach club really relaxing, especially for sunset drinks. Atmosphere is super relaxing and comfortable. Location is perfect; walking distance from resto's and shops, but still quiet.

- The hotel could do better offering interesting deals/extra's for regular customers. When I booked I asked for a offer for 2 oceanwing rooms and I got a higher rate directly at the hotel than through booking.com. This was my third time in the hotel within 3 months and I brought friends. We booked 2 ocean wing rooms for 3 adults and 2 children. Although the rooms easily fit 3 pax as it has a sleeping couch, still they let us pay extra for 1 child and breakfast. If the hotel wants guests to keep coming they could do something extra for regularly returning customers. Even a small gesture would do. - Customer service at the lobby is a bit disappointing for a 5-star luxury hotel. Although staff is polite, it misses a bit of the "wow-experience". Check-out is a bit like: "Here is your bill, give us your money and now please go. Bye Bye."

La chambre grandiose pool access

Pool is really good, food is good. beach pool is too noisy for family, but for single people will be good.

There was no stroller way anywhere around hotel: way to beach, to pool, to breakfast. Not much stairs still, but was uncomfortable.

We had the Oceanside delux room, it faced partial ocean so next time we will definitely book complete ocean view. The sunset view is just spectacular. Lots of variety for food etc walking distance. Absolutely loved the kokulo beach club, the room, breakfast.

Options for tv channels were limited.

This is a great property to relax and unwind. My wife an I really enjoyed our stay here. The swimming here in the pools and the ocean is superb! The daily breakfast is excellent followed be lots of relaxing beach time. My wife and I are 64 years and we easily walked into town every evening for dinner and night market - this is a special place - enjoy!

We loved it all!

breakfast fantastic. sets you up for the day.

The location of the hotel is excellent, beach to one side and everything else on your doorstep.

a lot of steps.