For Christmas, our children wrote just one wish in their letter to Baby Jesus – to go on a seaside vacation.
And I have to admit that this wish was really easy for me to fulfill.
However, I wanted to choose dates with both the departure and return ideally in January. In February, I have a partially work-related trip to the USA, immediately followed by the planned launch of another software product. So there was not much time for a longer trip – and honestly, when I cannot work, I do not want to travel for too long.
My mother, who runs the Grand Travel agency, helped me choose the destination. I asked her to recommend a place where it would be easy to swim in the sea even in January, ideally somewhere a little exotic, with animals and, above all, hassle-free travel. At the same time, I wanted to travel with the Čedok tour operator because they are the only company in the Czech Republic with charter flights to exotic destinations departing directly from Brno or Vienna.
In the end, we chose Thailand, specifically Khao Lak, and the Khao Lak Laguna Resort **** with all-inclusive service, which is apparently not entirely common in Thailand.
All in all, we chose a stay of roughly 8 days (I really did not want to go away for longer) departing from Brno, which is ideal for us – the airport is less than 15 minutes from our home.
We flew from Brno with Neos (an Italian airline with which Čedok has a charter agreement). The flight included a stopover in Milan and then continued directly to Phuket.
Specifically, it was flight NO 126 and the return flight NO 127 from Thailand.
Arrival in Thailand and transfer to the hotel
This was my very first time in Thailand.
Honestly, I have traveled a great deal over the past decade, but Asia had completely passed me by until now (apart from four visits to Dubai). I had never been particularly eager to go there, even though many people – including my business partner Štěpán – had been telling me for years how wonderful it was and why they themselves kept returning regularly.
After arriving in Phuket, we went through immigration, which was surprisingly straightforward. They took our fingerprints, photographed us, and we were done in no time.
There were plenty of exchange counters at the airport. I compared the rate later and found that it was about 20% worse than at regular exchange offices on the street near the hotel – so if you are not in a hurry, it is worth waiting a while before exchanging money.
As soon as we stepped outside the airport, we experienced a small culture shock. My first impression was that I had arrived in Egypt or another African country. In places, it reminded me quite a lot of the streets of Zanzibar.
We continued to the Khao Lak Laguna Resort **** by minibus. The transfer took approximately an hour, and even during the journey it became apparent that Khao Lak would offer a calmer atmosphere than Phuket itself.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hotel's welcoming staff, who took our suitcases, carried them to reception, and subsequently to our room.
Because we arrived at around 9 a.m., we were told that standard check-in was not until 2:00 p.m. However, they also said they would try to speed everything up and have the room ready by around 11 a.m., which we appreciated (in the end, it was available just an hour after our arrival).
We also received complimentary vouchers for free massages, which we used.
While we waited, we set off to explore the hotel itself and its surroundings.
The pool area, sea, and beach
Just behind the Oriental restaurant, where breakfast is served every day, there is a small bridge with a calm, still stream underneath it that naturally separates part of the hotel grounds.
This is where we encountered one of the local curiosities – monitor lizards. They are fairly common around the stream and, honestly, I had never seen them roaming so freely in the wild before. It feels very exotic yet natural at the same time – not a tourist attraction, simply part of the local environment.
Overall, the hotel made a very good impression on me. Of course, there were minor technical issues – for example, a light in the pool that did not work or something occasionally being slightly broken. In most cases, however, these were more aesthetic details that did not affect the stay itself in any way.
What I really appreciated, on the other hand, was the poolside service. There were buttons in several places that allowed you to call the staff at any time and order something like a cocktail directly to your lounger.
But judge for yourselves.
Hotel restaurant, lunches, and dinners
Because we had paid for all-inclusive service, we could use the hotel bar and restaurants without restriction, which is more the exception than the rule in Thailand.
The hotel has two restaurants. Oriental, located by reception, is used exclusively for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, we went to the Sundowners restaurant, which is right by the beach and has a very pleasant, open atmosphere – especially in the evening at sunset.
The selection of food was varied and changed regularly.
Thai classics were naturally included – various types of curry, rice, and soups, as well as less spicy options that even the children could eat without any problems. In addition to the local cuisine, there was always a basic “European” selection available, so there really was something for everyone. The dishes did not repeat during the week enough for us to grow tired of them, which I consider a big plus.
A very nice touch was the fresh green coconuts – known as coconut juice. They brought you the whole coconut with a straw, and you drank the fresh coconut water straight from it. Honestly, I drank several of them every day.
Overall, the hotel staff were very helpful and accommodating. Several times, they brought the cocktails we had ordered all the way to the beach, even though they did not normally provide service there. These little details make the overall impression much better than even the finest brochure description could.
Of course, we did not eat only at the hotel – we also enjoyed going into town for local Thai specialties, but I will cover that in a separate article.
Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast was served in the Oriental restaurant by reception, and the selection was very diverse. Every morning there was plenty to choose from, whether you wanted the classics or something typically Thai.
There was an egg station where they prepared omelets, fried eggs, or scrambled eggs to order, as well as classics such as sausages, bacon, and baked goods. For the children (and adults too, in fact), this was always a safe bet.
At the same time, there was also an Asian breakfast section – various Thai specialties, noodles, rice dishes, and hot soups, so if you wanted something other than the European standard, that was no problem.
A major plus was the fresh fruit – pineapple, papaya, melon, passion fruit, and dragon fruit. The fruit was fresh and sweet every day, and ideal for the hot weather. Honestly, it is hard to grow tired of a combination of morning coffee and a plate full of tropical fruit.
Overall, the breakfasts felt high-quality, varied, and never monotonous. Even after several days, we did not feel as though we were eating the same thing over and over again.
Lunches and dinners at the Sundowners restaurant
For lunch and dinner, we mainly went to the Sundowners restaurant, which is located right by the beach. During the day, it had a more relaxed feel, while in the evening it offered a pleasant atmosphere with subdued lighting and views toward the sea.
The menu was fairly extensive and combined Thai and international cuisine. If you wanted local classics, there was no shortage of options – Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Tom Kha, Massaman curry, green curry, noodles, rice dishes, and seafood were all permanent fixtures on the menu. Most dishes could also be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness, which we appreciated especially because of the children.
At the same time, the restaurant also catered to those who wanted something “European.” The menu included burgers, quesadillas, club sandwiches, pasta, pizza, salads, grilled meat, and fish. As a result, there really was something for everyone, whether you happened to want something exotic or a familiar favorite.
There was also a wide selection of desserts – various types of ice cream, milkshakes, fruit shakes, pancakes, banana desserts, and cakes. The same applied to drinks: fresh fruit juices, smoothies, cocktails, and soft drinks. Prices outside the all-inclusive package were reasonable, but if you had a package like ours, all of this was already included.
It is also worth mentioning that the staff took allergens and special requirements seriously – everything was clearly marked on the menu, and there was no problem asking about anything or requesting an adjustment.
Overall, the Sundowners restaurant felt more like a proper hotel restaurant than just a “food counter for guests.” The food was tasty, the portions were sufficient, and most importantly – as I have already mentioned, we did not feel during our stay as though we were eating the same thing over and over again.
Rooms and accommodation
From the very first day, the accommodation at Khao Lak Laguna Resort made a very pleasant and peaceful impression on me. The rooms were spacious, bright, and cleaned perfectly every day.
We had a room with three beds, which provided plenty of space and comfort, and the entire interior featured natural materials – wood, muted colors, and a simple Thai style.
The room also included a nice bathroom with a bathtub and shower, plenty of towels, and basic toiletries.
A major plus was the minibar, which was replenished every day during cleaning – bottled water in particular was always free, which is really appreciated in the local heat. The balcony had a beautiful view of the palm garden, where it was completely peaceful and only the sounds of nature could be heard in the morning.
However, a practical detail regarding the power outlets is certainly worth mentioning.
The room does have universal outlets that you can “somehow” plug a Czech charger into, but it often does not stay securely in place, and the device either does not charge at all or charges only intermittently. I therefore definitely recommend bringing a Thai power outlet adapter; it will save you the frustration of having to prop up your chargers.
Overall, however, I rate the accommodation very positively, and in terms of both comfort and atmosphere it provided everything you would expect from a peaceful vacation in Thailand.
I will also share the opening and operating hours of the individual hotel services below.
Surroundings of the hotel
The area around the hotel was lively, varied, and at the same time very practical for everyday needs.
Taxis were almost constantly waiting directly by the hotel and in its immediate surroundings, so getting anywhere in town was no problem. The prices were also very reasonable, so we used taxis often and without hesitation. For example, the fare to the nearest market, approximately 4 km away, was 100–150 THB.
The surrounding streets were home to a large number of bars, restaurants, and smaller bistros where you could try both local cuisine and familiar tourist favorites.
There were also shops selling fruit, dried fruit, souvenirs, and smaller convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, which remain open late into the night.
There were also massage salons at every turn, offering everything from traditional Thai massage and oil massage to foot massage, often at very reasonable prices.
One interesting (and slightly bizarre) detail that caught my attention was the cable management on the utility poles around the hotel.
Electrical and data cables were literally wound into dense bundles around the poles, which is a typical sight in the local infrastructure.
At first glance, it looks chaotic, but it clearly works and is a small example of the local character that you quickly get used to.
Overall, the area around the hotel felt lively, safe, and very practical – an ideal combination for a vacation where you want everything close at hand while still experiencing the local atmosphere.
I would also like to mention the Sakai Bar, which became our evening retreat of sorts. We very quickly got to know the staff there, who were incredibly friendly, communicative, and always in a good mood.
As a result, we felt almost at home there, and it was easy to chat, laugh, or ask for a recommendation. We went there for a drink practically every evening because the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, making it the ideal place to end the day.
Even though I do not drink alcohol, I could always find something I liked – the selection of non-alcoholic drinks was surprisingly varied. They had no problem making me a Virgin Cuba Libre, for example, or other alcohol-free mixed drinks that tasted great and did not feel like ordinary soda. It was precisely this combination of friendly service, a good atmosphere, and a wide selection of drinks that made it a place we were happy to return to again and again.
In conclusion, how did I like the vacation?
I would definitely recommend a vacation in Khao Lak, whether through Čedok or arranged independently.
We were here with children, and the facilities at Khao Lak Laguna Resort are absolutely fantastic for families – peaceful surroundings, plenty of space, swimming pools, a beach right by the hotel, and an overall relaxed atmosphere without unnecessary stress.
The only thing worth mentioning is the concrete barrier between the hotel and the beach. A protective wall was built here because of previous flooding, so the beach is accessed via stairs at the side. It is nothing major, but it is good to bear in mind, especially if you are traveling with smaller children or a stroller.
The food was excellent throughout our stay, and the staff genuinely surprised us in the best possible way. Thai people are incredibly accommodating, cheerful, and willing to help with practically anything – whether hotel services, small requests, or ordinary communication outside the resort.
As my programmer colleague Dominik would say: “If you want to see paradise on Earth.”
So I definitely recommend Thailand – it is worth it, and we know for certain that we will return.
