5 BR pool villa suite, Ba Ba beach club by Sri Panwa, Natai beach, SW Thailand

On the south side to Aleenta, a vast land has been purchased by a Hainan group.  Some 3-5 room pool villas plus a big compound of resort are under way.  In attracting the buyer and investors, a model villa was built next to the site.  This resort complex is named as Ba Ba beach club under the management of Sri Panwa.  Seems like quite many beach clubs are built along this Natai beach.  Quite strange that Natai has been nominated as the 5th sexiest beach around the world.

Akyra beach club, Natai beach, Phang Nga, SW Thailand

Aleenta has taken over this old resort Ranyatavi (about 0.75km north or Aleenta) on Natai beach.  Not many changes on the whole resort but just the rooms and some furniture got refurbished.  Some staff there recognised us and offered to get us a brief tour inside the resort.  Certainly they hope that we would try this new resort.  After the visit, I wasn't too impressed.  The pool is a bit too old and the restaurant's deco and the room's deco. aren't too appealing.

Grand Deluxe Pool Villa, Aleenta Phang Nga, Natai beach, SW Thailand

Across the street from the original Aleenta, there is a new section of about 30 something Grand Deluxe Pool Villa.  Previously I was a bit interested in this new villa but then found out it's not on the beachfront.  When visiting this villas, the front office had some negative note about the mosquitoes issue - quite discouraging. 

La Perla, La Coral Hideaway resort, Natai beach, SW Thailand

In taking the convenience of getting a stop here, why not take a meal after a 30 min. biking.  The service is pretty good.  Since it was 2:30pm, supposed the staff should take a break, but instead they warmly welcome us and got a nice table with a big sliding door to get some fresh air in.  Got some basic Thai dishes like pineapple fried rice, stir fried flat noodle and some vegetable.  They are a bit heavily seasoned but that's the local flavour.  The pineapple fried rice is very aromatic with strong tumeric.  The iced coffee is unexpectedly good.  

La Flora Hideaway resort, Natai beach, SW Thailand

The last time I stayed around this area (Mai Khao Dream resort), this place was still a construction site.  Now this La Flora resort is there.  The resort is considered as a 4 star with a pool and rooms facing the river.  Checked on the hotel site and the room range is about US$60-100.  However, the view is somewhat not too nice, as the river isn't maintained in a better look.

Another bicycle ride on Natai beach, Phang Nga, SW Thailand

It's been about 2 years I haven't rode a bicycle here.  Last time Aleenta insisted that I should wear a helmet.  I am not that type of person who wanna put on too many things for a sport, just like I don't wear a glove for the gym, no heavy equipment for scuba diving, no special clothing for riding bicycle.  This is my personal environmental way.  This time Aleenta didn't ask me to wear a helmet.  It's arguable if a helmet could help, but simply I would enjoy the breeze passing thru' my head when I ride on a bicycle.

1. Happy to see a bicycle track has been there along Natai beach.  This told this place is getting more popular, thanks to Aleenta.

2. Mai Khao Dream resort Natai beach now changed their name to Natai beach resort.

3/4. Natai beach

5/6. Iniala resort (just next to Natai beach resort) has been the hot pages of many travel magazines as it has some very unique design and of course at a "designer" price.

7. Supposed to be a new resort called Akyra Phuket beach club (about 500m. north of Aleenta).

Breakfast at the Edge, Aleenta Phang Nga, SW Thailand

Aleena has put their breakfast place at this new restaurant on the beachfront.  Besides, it gave up the trays for those cold cuts and dessert.  Instead, it's on the buffet table.  More choices of bread, fruits and variety of eggs.  Interesting that I take egg benedict for those mornings but I seldom take it at other hotels.