X10 Khaolak

It has been our second stay this year at the X10 Khaolak Resort, and it has been even more magical than last year.

The whole hotel is very clean and cozy, with absolutely dreamy gardens and nature. The beach is gorgeous as well, although sadly a lot of trash was washed ashore by the ocean.

Every person working at this hotel is incredibly friendly, always greeting guests with a warm smile and giving their very best at all times. Whether it is the reception staff, gardeners, pool staff, bar staff, restaurant staff, or anyone else working behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly, everyone is doing their best, and you can truly feel it.

The food was just as amazing as we remembered. The Thai dishes stood out the most, as they are prepared with so much passion. In the morning, there was a breakfast buffet with so many options that everyone could find something they liked. There was Thai breakfast, bread with all kinds of toppings, noodles, rice, eggs, and fruits. The fruits tasted absolutely amazing. Everything was freshly prepared, beautifully presented, and, of course, the freshly made juices were incredibly delicious.

For lunch and dinner, you can choose from an à la carte menu offering a wide variety of dishes from all around the world. The restaurant staff were exceptionally friendly, always ready for a little chat and incredibly attentive. They are all doing such an amazing job.

There is one person I would especially like to thank: Garfiw.

Garfiw is truly one of the most kind-hearted and genuine people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. From the very first moment we saw him again this year, it felt like coming home. His warmth, kindness, and beautiful smile have a way of making every guest feel special, valued, and cared for.

What makes Garfiw so extraordinary is not only how exceptional he is at his job, but also the incredible heart he puts into everything he does. You can feel his passion in every interaction, every conversation, every drink he prepares, and every effort he makes to ensure that guests are happy and comfortable. He never simply does his job—he puts his whole heart and soul into it.

Every single day, Garfiw went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. No request was ever too much, no problem too small. He always greeted us with genuine happiness and kindness, and his positive energy could brighten even the cloudiest day. His smile is one of those rare smiles that instantly makes you feel welcome, safe, and at peace.

I honestly struggle to find the right words to express how thankful I am for everything Garfiw has done for us. He is not only an amazing member of the X10 Khaolak family but also an amazing human being. The care he shows for guests is remarkable, but what touched us even more was seeing how much he cares for his colleagues. His kindness is genuine, selfless, and comes straight from the heart.

And of course, I cannot finish without mentioning your amazing drinks. They are without a doubt the most delicious drinks I have ever had. Every single one is made with such care, passion, and attention to detail that you can taste the love that goes into it.

Over time, Garfiw has become so much more than someone we met during our holidays. He has become family to us. Seeing him again this year was one of the highlights of our entire trip, and saying goodbye was incredibly difficult.

Dear Big Brother Garfiw, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your kindness, your warmth, your laughter, and for making every day brighter. Thank you for making us feel at home, even when we were thousands of miles away from it.

You deserve all the happiness, success, and love this world has to offer. People like you are rare, and we feel incredibly blessed to know you.

You have my deepest respect and admiration, and I already miss seeing your smile every day. We cannot wait until the day we meet again.

This was our second stay at X10 Khaolak Resort this year, and somehow it was even better than our first visit. From the moment we arrived, it felt like coming back to a place we truly love.

The resort is beautifully maintained, with lush tropical gardens that create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Everything is kept spotless, and the grounds are simply stunning. The beach is beautiful as well, although unfortunately quite a bit of trash had washed ashore during our stay. One thing that truly makes this resort special is the people who work here. Every member of staff—from reception and housekeeping to the gardeners, pool staff, bartenders, and restaurant team—is incredibly friendly and welcoming. You can tell that everyone genuinely cares about the guests and takes pride in what they do.

The food was just as excellent as we remembered. The Thai dishes were definitely the highlight for us, full of flavor and clearly prepared with great care. Breakfast offered an impressive variety of options, including Thai specialties, eggs, noodles, rice dishes, fresh bread, fruits, and delicious freshly made juices. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and of excellent quality.

The à la carte menu for lunch and dinner offers something for everyone, with a wide range of international and local dishes. The restaurant team was fantastic throughout our stay—always attentive, friendly, and happy to have a conversation.

However, there is one person who deserves special recognition: Garfiw. Garfiw is one of the main reasons this resort holds such a special place in our hearts. We were genuinely excited to see him again this year, and from the very first moment, it felt like being welcomed back by family.

What makes Garfiw so exceptional is not only his professionalism but also the genuine warmth and kindness he shows every single day. No matter how busy things were, he always took the time to greet us with a smile, ask how we were doing, and make us feel valued. Those small gestures mean so much and are a big part of what makes every stay at X10 so memorable.

He has a natural gift for making people feel comfortable, cared for, and at home.. He creates genuine connections with people and treats everyone with sincerity and kindness. By the end of the stay, we don't fehlt like you're saying goodbye to a member of staff—we felt like saying goodbye to someone who has become part of your family.

What impresses even more is that his kindness extends beyond the guests. The respect, support, and care he shows towards his colleagues are equally remarkable. He brings people together and creates a positive atmosphere around him that can be felt throughout the resort.

His drinks are absolutely outstanding and among the best we have ever had. Every drink is prepared with care, creativity, and incredible attention to detail. You can see the passion he has for his work and the pride he takes in making every guest's experience special.

Over the years, Garfiw has become much more than someone who works at the resort. He has become part of the reason X10 feels like a home to us. Can Not want to see him again.

The resort itself is beautiful, the food is excellent, and the staff are wonderful, but people like Garfiw are what transform a great holiday into something truly unforgettable. They create the feeling of belonging that keeps guests returning year after year.

Thank you, Garfiw, for your kindness, your warmth, your smile and everything you have done for us.

May is a very quiet time to visit this hotel. There was plenty of space in the restaurants and around the pool areas.

Cons:

• There are hardly any restaurants on this beach apart. Only the expensive hotel-owned ones. Only Mr. Pong had a bar at the far end of the beach. It was a nice place, but there were only a few chairs under the trees.
• The Wi-Fi did not always work properly, and at first we were told that only three devices could be connected to the room’s internet. In reality, more devices worked.
• Walking to the center of Khao Lak in the heat may be too much for some people. You can get local pickup taxis outside the hotel, but the prices are very high compared to Bangkok. We were often quoted 200 baht for a trip of less than 1 km. Always negotiate the price.
• If you ordered food to the pool area, it was served in takeaway-style containers rather than on proper plates with cutlery. This was disappointing considering the high prices.
• We observed the cooks and waitstaff from the beach restaurant using the same restroom as the guests, and they did not wash their hands afterwards. This completely put us off dining there.
• The housekeeping staff kept the room doors open while cleaning. In many other hotels, the doors remain closed. As a result, cockroaches and other insects could enter the room during cleaning, which was not a pleasant experience.
• In the evenings, the hotel corridors were full of all kinds of strange insects, and after rain the pool area became quite messy. It often took a long time before these areas were cleaned. Perhaps this is considered normal during the rainy season.
• Guests were asked to separate waste for recycling at the pool area, but one evening we saw an employee collecting everything into the same large bag. It seemed that the waste was not actually being recycled.
• There were no sun loungers on the beach.

Pros:

• The breakfast selection was sufficiently varied.
• There were several pools, so everyone could find a place, at least during the rainy season.
• The staff were generally friendly.
• The rooms were clean, and at least in our room there was no musty or damp smell.
• The hotel offered its own transportation service, for example to the local markets, although it was not free.
• Beautiful beach and stunning sunsets.