Thala Beach Nature Reserve

The views were magnificent. Swimming pool was lovely. You are in a rain forest and you do need a car.

Thala Beach is a gorgeous property—the bar, restaurant, and main pool are especially well situated. The bungalow was spacious and well laid out. The porters were incredibly helpful and kind—our bungalow had steep, uneven stairs and we had heavy bags! All of the staff we encountered were extremely helpful and thoughtful.

These are minor points — but a few things did annoy me. This is a 5 star property, but the hair dryer is tethered to the bathroom wall just as in any cheap motel. It’s a terrible dryer, too, and the cord is so short that it’s awkward and uncomfortable to use. And supposedly this is an eco lodge, but they’re still using plastic mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc rather than large refillable containers. Finally, the bed, while comfortable, was weirdly unstable. Any time we moved around, even slightly, the mattress would undulate so much that we were constantly waking each other up. I did not sleep particularly well while staying here.

Beautiful view from our room. Great pool. Really good staff. Very beautiful grounds

Many uneven steps with no hand rails.

This resort is amazing. It looks and feels like paradise.

It was all exquisite.

We absolutely loved the private nature reserve, the walking trails, and the abundance of wildlife. The complementary guided tours and activities were a highlight, and the staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and truly added to the experience. It was a calm and relaxing vacation with plenty of space to ourselves. The swimming pools and private beach were stunning, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the jungle. We also appreciated the reusable bottles provided in the room, which helped avoid unnecessary plastic waste, as well as the ceiling fans in both room and bathroom.

The main issue is how this resort is positioned as a 5-star luxury property- in my opinion it’s not. The cabins are basic and outdated, and the bathrooms are in need of refurbishment. Essential amenities like a coffee machine, a safe, and slippers were noticeably missing. Service was another weak point. Rooms are only serviced every other day under the guise of being “eco-friendly,” but basic tasks like taking out the trash and making the bed daily shouldn’t compromise sustainability. During our 6-night stay, the sheets weren’t replaced even once, despite the hot, humid environment. Laundry facilities were nonexistent, both for guests and as a service offered by the resort - something you’d expect at a property of this caliber. Breakfast was limited to an à la carte menu, which was pricey and lacked vegan options apart from fruit. That said, the oat milk cappuccino was excellent. While the pools and private beach were beautiful, they could use more upkeep. Jungle conditions are no excuse for unclean loungers. Despite the above criticism, this resort is a paradise for nature lovers, offering unmatched wildlife experiences in a private reserve. While it’s not truly a 5-star luxury property, the unique setting and activities make it a worthwhile stay.

Amazing location. Gorgeous cabin, so peaceful and tranquil Loved the rock pool. Staff so happy and friendly.