Wa Ale Island Resort – Myeik Archipelago, MYANMAR

If you have the choice of only one get-away from everything, the Wa Ale Island Resort is it!

Posted on August 8, 2018

Looking for a romantic, adventurous yet luxurious getaway among unspoiled islands in the Andaman Sea? A luxury resort amidst untouched islands filled with endless memorable experiences. You have found it. Welcome to the brand new Wa Ale Island Resort, located on the remote island of the same name – one of more than 800 islands in Myanmar’s Myeik (Mergui), Archipelago. If you have the choice of only one get-away from everything, the Wa Ale Island Resort is it!

My review after staying a few nights at the brand new Wa Ale Island Resort located amidst untouched islands in the Andaman Sea.

Staring at the website I read: “Savour our kitchen’s farm-to-table dining prepared from fresh produce harvested from our chef’s garden and fresh seafood caught daily from the archipelago” and “This intimate island retreat sits in a beautiful protected cove with luxury tented beach villas overlooking a pristine beach and majestic rock formations”. When my eye caught: “A sparsely inhabited, unspoiled, undiscovered archipelago consisting of no less than 800 heavy forested islands, fringed with mangroves and sandy white beaches where your footprints will be the only prints for days to come”, I was immediately sold.

Myanmar is one of the top 122 countries I have photographed, and unspoiled islands are close to my heart! Tourism is a brand-new term here!

My first contact at Wa Ale Island Resort was Alyssa Wyatt, and I could feel her island-inspired energy in every email!

I approached the Wa Ale luxurious yacht at the jetty of Kawthaung. Alyssa, literally bouncing and leaping towards me, threw her arms around me to welcome me to Wa Ale! What a great, energetic first introduction! The three-hour luxury boat ride past countless islands overgrown with evergreen primary forests was pleasant. Tasty snacks, frosty white and cool red wine, and fresh tropical fruits hinted at what was yet to come.

On arrival at Wa Ale cove, well-dressed staff were waiting with both ice-cold drinks and wet face towels. On the jetty, elegantly constructed from reclaimed wood, I met Chris, the resort owner. I felt instantly at ease with him. Our first stop was the main pavilion, a masterpiece of stone and woodwork, also constructed from reclaimed materials. Chris explained: “the philosophy is to emphasize conservation and be committed to giving back to the surrounding environment and local communities”.

The entire resort is constructed mostly with reclaimed materials from old houses, boats, and even the odd piece that washed up from the sea. All is beautifully and luxuriously done! Not your average resort, it sure took vision to create, and with such panache!

Dining is normally a set menu served in the impressive open-air pavilion with the sight and sound of the breaking waves just a few steps away. Ray, a brilliant and creative chef, truly impressed me with his healthy blend of Asian and Mediterranean flavours.

He proudly served his Myeik Prawn bisque: “a bisque that is inspired by the classic European style bisque made with a rich prawn stock of fresh local Myeik prawns”. After slow cooking the stock, the bisque is finished off with a splash of Cognac, tomato, and cream giving a smooth, elegant and slightly sweet taste.

His “Wa Ale 7-hour Curry”, his version of a Beef Balti, one of his favourite curries made from beef rump, is marinated overnight in a house-spice blend of cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and Myanmar turmeric. It is then seared and cooked with local coconut and yoghurt for seven hours until tender and coated in a rich, aromatic sauce. Topped with toasted almonds and fresh coriander, this is an amazing dish.

For dessert, Ray served us a Lime Leaf Panna Cotta: “our version of Panna Cotta, using coconut milk which we infuse with kaffir lime leaves”. This dessert is light, creamy and floral. To add a crunch it is served with a lime shortbread or coconut sugar biscuit. I could stay here just for the food, and the free-flowing excellent wines and locally grown coffee.

Located inside the Lampi Marine National Park, the focus is on eco-friendly construction, alternative energy sources and eco-friendly water supply and sewage systems. The resort supports Sea Turtle Conservation and Coral Protection and donates to education and medical programs for the local community. There are several turtle nests, the resort their guardian, right in front of the tented beach villas.

When the sun and clear skies return this coming October, the resort will be ready for the first guests. Once the eleven luxury state-of-the-art tented beach villas and two treetop villas are completed, this luxury resort will be top-notch. The treetop villas amidst a canopy of trees blend into the lush tropical beach environment. Managed by Alyssa and hubby Ray, an award-winning chef, supported by their incredible local staff, this is going to be one of the loveliest little paradises you have ever seen.

Activities on offer are almost endless: snorkelling, scuba diving, paddle boating, kayaking, hiking through the thick jungle, bird spotting, boating, swimming, surfing, visiting the tiny villages of the friendly Moken (“Sea Gypsies”) and Burmese fishing communities, and more. The fauna and flora in the Myeik Archipelago remain pristine as this area was off limits to foreign visitors for decades! Swimming at nearby Turtle Beach and the kilometre-long Honeymoon Beach is sheer bliss!

The resort offers the main pavilion with open-air beach restaurant & bar, a river cafe & bar, a dive & activities centre, a spa, exercise facility, and a game & recreation centre.

If you have the choice of only one get-away from everything, the Wa Ale Island Resort is it!

Disclaimer: My stay at the Wa Ale Island Resort was fully sponsored by the Resort in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not dictated by the Resort or any of its affiliates.

For more information about the Wa Ale Island Resort, visit their website: waaleresort.com

For the best rooms rates and to organise your trip to Myanmar, contact Pro Niti Travel or Sampan Travel in Yangon.

These photos show the beaches and nature surrounding the Wa Ale Resort, as well as fishing villages and other beautiful areas which can be visited from the Resort.