Stayed in a Standard and Beach Room at Lanta Garden Hotel.
Not much difference except the proximity to beach and pool. Pool always full of guests. This is a beach side town where mostly Swedish/European families and couples come to have their beach side holiday.
There are very swanky hotels with modern architecture, Costa Lanta looks sublime. There are also resorts and small hotels like ours. All varieties.
Our hotel, Lanta Garden Hotel was good value. Full of lovely families and children of all ages having a great time. It is a spirited and happy atmosphere. Reminiscent of Byron Bay 30-40 years ago. There is no starbucks, only family run village restaurants and many bars on the beach. We did a cooking course, which was great fun. Also diving, scuba and fishing available.
Klong Dao is more middle market, a long swathe of a beach reminiscent to those in Australia with refreshing water and clean sand. Further down is Long beach its more hut like accomm in small camps onto the beaches and very rustic.
Our hotel was run by lovely, friendly and helpful muslim women with fantastic senses of humour. There is a beach massage hut by the pool with friendly and happy Thai girls, who provide great facials and massages. I had a massage every day…and i've never had them before.
Very chilled and very relaxed. FAR from the madding crowd. You will be reluctant to leave.