Hot spot: Sala Talay resort, Thailand
Kate Walker discovers Ao Nang's newest contemporary boutique resort - the Sala Talay resort in Thailand.
Ao Nang's newest contemporary boutique resort is the Sala Talay. The
property is actually located opposite Nopparat Thara Beach, only the
coastal road prevents it from being right on the sands. But with the
famed Ao Nang beach a mere five-minute walk around the resort's
neighbouring headland; it's safe to say visitors would be holidaying
within Ao Nang's peripheries.
The cusp between the two beaches is actually the best spot for those
who are not necessarily seeking a hub of bars, beach clubs,
base-thumping tuk tuks, touring outlets and shop after shop.
Ao Nang's social scene is incredibly easy to access whether by foot,
bike or tuk tuk, but Nopparat Thara Beach's quieter stretches lined with
casuarina trees is what lured my partner and I.
Part of a National Park, you won't find rows of deck chairs, umbrellas
or hooning jet skis. Instead the beach runs long and unadorned for 3km
with only the odd beach mat, local picnicker and strolling beachcomber.
Come sundown long tail boats, returning with island day-trippers and
local fishermen, switch off to rest in sheltered waters; joggers pace it
out in the soft sands and a handful of local bars and shacks on the
beach come to life with folk delighting in the peachy twilight and
incredible sunsets that this part of the world throws up.
In fact it was in Luna Bar, right on Nopparat Thara Beach, where Hansie
and I sipped sweating Chang beers and revelled in the knowledge that we
were far from London's mayhem and would remain so for some time to
come. What a reprieve.
Sala Talay is contemporary, industrial and minimalist in design
-however the varying levels of traditional wooden roofs (typifying a
fishing village) ensure the resort retains its Thai character.
The open design and high ceilings allow a constant sea breeze -
essential to one's comfort in the height of summer and also to bowl over
any rogue mosquito.
Reception is really the heart of the place. To access most resort
areas, including the outdoor library, you have to pass through the
spacious reception.
Cushioned couches, bamboo chairs, fish carvings, glassed upper walkways
and the largest swinging chair you've every laid eyes on will see you
content to relax and watch street life go by.
Or, position the other way and take in the comings and goings of pool
loungers, daiquiri sippers, calabash trees and the impressive sweep of
Ao Nang's largest and longest swimming pool.
Sala Talay's pool wraps the front of each ground floor room. Our pool
entry room was a delight as it meant you could step over the threshold
of room onto decking and with another three steps be descending into
cool waters.
There was no need to leap out in the morning and claim the best pool
Chaise Longue as we had two of our very own and - luckily - shaded for
the most part of the day.
The position of our room also meant that post the three steps into the
pool, it only took four breaststrokes or two swift freestyle propulsions
and you would be gliding atop sunken bar stools and within reach of
those aforementioned daiquiris and a whole array of other pool yum yums.
Happy hour around the pool kicks off in the early afternoon for a few
hours and sadly the property is filled with the sounds of Enrique,
Britney Spears (of all things) and other poppy tunes.
One of the key selling points for this resort is, outside of happy
hour, how quiet and enjoyable the space is. You have hours to listen to
your own thoughts (and if this is tough - an iPod or your partner's
chatterings) as you bask in the sun.
We read book after book, eaves-dropped on swimmers' conversations,
ordered salty potato fries - which always taste delicious after fooling
around in a pool - and catnapped most days.
For those bored of the horizontal pool or beach life, Sala Talay is
equipped to a assist in booking guests onto tours, whether they be into
pre-arranged group departures or totally private, and at a time that
suites the guest(s). The resort runs its own Thai Cooking course too and
given the intimate size of the property, any person signing up is more
than likely to be privileged with being part of a small group, if a
group at all..
All sorts of palates can be satisfied between the Breeze Grill &
Wine Restaurant and the Wave Bar and Pool Bar. Western dishes are
abundant, but what should not be missed are the local dishes. Sala
Talay's sate skewers are super tasty for the peckish and the green curry
with baby aubergines/eggplants is just moreish.
Solid sleep, fat shower heads, the privacy of our own pool lounges,
quiet evenings around the open bar and incredibly friendly staff are
memorable markers for Hansie and I.
Sala Talay is a thirty-minute drive from Krabi and the same again in a long tail boat to many of the Andaman Islands.
The region is often overlooked as a mid to long stay holiday spot, with
travellers preferring to overnight, at most, before moving onto the
more popular islands.
The resort's nestled location, proximity to most well trodden places,
staff consideration and friendliness as well as the quiet of Nopparat
Thara Beach - this is definitely a spot to linger in for longer than a
couple of nights.
by Kate Walker