La Vela Khao Lak

La Vela Khao Lak is a great hotel located right on Bang Niang beach and a five minute walk from Khao Lak's restaurants, bars and shops. This is a modern and striking resort with a lively atmosphere, not for someone who is looking for a traditional Thai property or somewhere quiet and chilled. We stayed in a Pool Access Room which was very spacious and clean with direct access to the pool in the Poolside Wing.

Food and drink at this resort is incredibly well priced and they have many happy hours throughout the day where guests can get a bucket of 3 beers for approx. £6 and 2 for 1 cocktails for £6. They have a fantastic app where you can look up spa treatments, restaurant opening times and get notifications for the happy hour. Breakfast was great with a variety of Asian and Western food. I loved the egg station!

In general, Khao Lak is a fantastic place to stay before or after Elephant Hills. The drive is only about an hour away and there is less traffic than travelling to/from Phuket.

Top tip: Upgrade to a Pool Access Grand Room – they are closer to the beach and quieter than the Pool Access Rooms that are located in the Poolside Wing opposite the kids play area.