Aava Resort Khanom Thailand (Hidden gem!)

✈️ Onwards to Khanom!

Spent 2 nights in Bangkok. Next stop: flight to Surat Thani. 55 minutes

I was a little nervous about flying with Thai Vietjet, as I‘d read some unfavourable reviews and had experienced problems trying to check in online.

I needn't have worried! The airline was very efficient, and the flight was only 55 minutes.

I also loved the crew's uniform. Red polo shirts with checked shorts that reminded me of Burberry! ❤️

Aava Resort offers complimentary transfers for stays of five nights or more, which is a lovely bonus. The drive takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

The journey was interesting, passing enormous palm trees and rubber plantations. Palm oil and rubber are important local industries, and everywhere looked so lush and green.

Then, suddenly, the ocean came into view. 💙

So blue, so calm and absolutely beautiful!

On arrival at Aava Resort, I was greeted by the lovely team with a cold drink and a cold towel. I was definitely getting used to this Thai hospitality!

🏝️ Aava Resort – a little piece of paradise!

I stayed in a stunning pool villa, with the bed facing the sea. Imagine waking up to that view every morning!

Breakfast is included, with fresh fruit, bread and a choice of cooked breakfasts, including healthier options, alongside juices, tea and coffee.

I also managed to work my way through quite a few cocktails and smoothies from the extensive menu! 🍹😂

Breakfast was so plentiful that I often didn't need lunch. When I did eat at the hotel restaurant, the food was excellent and very reasonably priced.

Honestly, I have never stayed somewhere quite so idyllic, peaceful and relaxing. I took my laptop with me as I had some work to do, and it was so easy to get on with things in such beautiful surroundings.

It was low season, so there weren't many guests staying, which made the experience even more special.

The sea was like a warm bath, with shallow water and the purest white sand. Temperatures were in the 30s, with a gentle breeze.

The spa was wonderful. I had 3 treatments, very reasonably priced.

There are complimentary canoes, comfortable sun loungers, cabanas and bean bags, all with umbrellas for a little shade.

It's the sort of place where you can completely switch off, detox, relax and forget about the outside world.

❤️ The people make this place so special!

One of the things that really stood out for me was the staff.

They are genuinely delightful, always smiling, friendly and kind. When they speak to you, they smile at the same time, and you can feel how passionate they are about the hotel and their Thai culture.

The hotel has been open for 15 years, and many of the team have been there since it first opened.

There's actually a lovely story behind Aava Resort, too.

I met the owner, Atte, at WTM London last year. I went over to the Thailand stand and asked if anyone was representing Aava Resort.

A smiling man came towards me and said, "You're Ally from Designer Travel, and you're staying in my hotel next year!"😂

We ended up chatting for ages!

Atte is from Finland and was backpacking around Thailand with his wife when they fell in love with Khanom. They bought land and built Aava Resort.

I also interviewed Sa, the hotel's tour guide, and Emelie, the resort manager; they have some lovely stories to tell. (will post on my business Facebook page)

Emelie explained that, when the resort first opened, there were no local people with hospitality experience, as many worked as farmers. Atte took the time to train local people with no previous experience, allowing them to work in the hotel industry.

I thought that was lovely. ❤️

I was shown around the resort, which has 33 rooms with 4 categories.

4 glass bottles of water per day

Cake or biscuit left in your room.

Zero plastics

Small children’s club is complimentary,y with complimentary babysitting.

Board games and books available.

I got sunburnt. Lovely lady who worked in the restaurant cut aloe Vera from the plants around the resort. It was so soothing. She checked on me each day. Natural kindness.

🌙 Saturday night market – a real taste of local life!

The hotel arranged a complimentary transfer to the Saturday night market along the river.

What a great experience!

It was buzzing with colour, sounds and the most incredible smells from all the food being cooked. There were so many stalls, and the locals were incredibly friendly.

I bought the most delicious mango smoothie from a young lady, and her mum was cutting up all the fresh fruit. Such a simple thing, but it was these little interactions that made the experience so special.

And then I stepped outside my comfort zone…

I tried insects! 🦗😂

Very salty, and definitely not something I'll be rushing to eat again!

The local children found it absolutely hilarious watching me try them. At least I gave them a good laugh!

🐬 A very special experience – the pink dolphins!

Another highlight was a half-day excursion arranged by the hotel to hopefully see the rare pink dolphins.

Sa, the hotel's lovely tour guide, introduced herself the day before and accompanied me on the trip. She drove me to the port and looked after me throughout the excursion.

The water levels were low, so a temporary mooring had been put in place. It was incredibly wobbly to walk across, and I wasn't taking any chances. I held on to Sa! 😂

We then boarded a long-tail boat, which was a first for me. It was pretty rocky, so my life jacket went straight on!

The captain took us to an area where two other long-tail boats were waiting. He switched off the engine, and we sat quietly, hoping the dolphins would appear.

I was really impressed by how respectful the experience was towards the dolphins and their natural habitat. The boats kept their distance, the engines were switched off, and we waited patiently rather than chasing them around.

And we were lucky enough to see a family of dolphins! 🐬

The baby dolphin was grey, which was fascinating to see.

We also sailed around Pancake Rock, named after the unusual layered formations of the rocks, before stopping at a sacred Buddha island with a monument and altar.

On the way back to the pier, we visited a fisherman who keeps pigs and fed them with papaya. There were also some rather cheeky monkeys getting involved! 😂

It was such an interesting morning and a wonderful way to see another side of Thailand. Uncommercialised, natural and peaceful.

🛍️ Local markets and exploring Khanom

Sa also suggested a complimentary trip to the Wednesday morning market, where locals sell their fresh catch and cook traditional food.

Went to Khanom town, with its colourful temple and local shops.

I loved seeing everyday life rather than just the tourist side of Thailand. It's these experiences that really help you understand a destination and what makes it special.

On the way back to Aa, Iva stopped at a Buddhist temple where the monks live. A monk was happy to see us and opened the temple.

✈️ Back to Bangkok

Sadly, it was time to leave Khanom.

The journey back to Surat Thani Airport was easy, and as a domestic passenger, getting through the airport was straightforward. For a large airport, I found it clean, easy to navigate and very stress-free.

People in Bangkok had not heard of Khanom. It is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, near kKohSamui. A ferry operates from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui; the journey takes 45 min to 1 hour.

I am planning a trip back next year. Idyllic, peaceful, not commercialised, a detox from busy life..........