Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort Celebrates Resident Hornbill Couple with New Guest Experiences

Priyal DuttaFebruary 11, 20252 Mins read447

Avani+ Resort’s Hornbill Happenings

As Love Hornbills Day approaches on February 13, Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort is honouring its resident hornbill pair, Gok and Gek. This couple has settled in a tree on the resort grounds, which showcases views of the Andaman Sea. The Avani team refers to this distinctive tree as the Hornbill Hotel. It provides a vantage point above the resort’s Sea View Pool Villas and reflects the property’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism.

Avani+ Koh Lanta is deepening its connection with nature to honour the bird couple by offering guests interactive experiences. The resort provides activities that promote conservation and showcase Koh Lanta’s vibrant ecosystem while paying tribute to the local wildlife. Families can join the Hornbill Heroes adventure booklet with fun, educational, and creative nature activities. Children can explore Gok and Gek in their natural habitats and learn about their significance to the local ecosystem.

AvaniKids sparks curiosity with wildlife-themed arts and crafts and a special bedtime story session featuring “When Gok Met Gek,” a captivating tale illustrated by a gifted Thai artist. To enhance the experience, children will enjoy hornbill-shaped cookies, adding a delightful and tasty element.

Families can forge memories at hornbill-inspired Instagram spots featuring a wildlife mural and a viewpoint near the Hornbill Hotel. As the sun dips below the Andaman Sea, guests are encouraged to enjoy the view with Hornbill Highballs, G+G gin and tonics, or Beaky Blast mocktails—best enjoyed from treetop tables that offer ocean vistas.

John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation for Minor Hotels — *John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation at Minor Hotels*

John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation at Minor Hotels, stated, “At Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort, we focus on nurturing the natural environment while providing guests memorable experiences. The presence of Gok and Gek showcases the robust ecosystem here, and we are thrilled to guide guests in appreciating local wildlife through engaging activities. The Oriental pied hornbill is one species that has adapted to coexist with humans, and its comfort around the resort and guests while maintaining a safe distance certainly illustrates that.”

The enhanced guest experiences align with Avani’s more considerable dedication to sustainability. Avani+ Koh Lanta Resort is actively involved in various conservation initiatives, such as the Dugong Food Survival project, which aids in restoring seagrass beds essential for the local marine ecosystem. Furthermore, the resort’s Edible Flower Farm exemplifies sustainable practices, providing guests unique culinary experiences through in-house cooking classes and innovative menu selections.