Thailand Stay Guide: Best Hotels & Areas

Thailand is a top vacation spot with beautiful landscapes and great tourist facilities, making it tricky yet exciting to decide where to stay.

In Thailand, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations catering to various preferences, from luxurious international hotels to rustic jungle camps in the north and upscale beach resorts in the south. Thailand offers something for every type of traveler.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a lively city in Thailand that’s a great place to start your trip. It’s a mix of tradition and modern life, full of energy and interesting things to see. It might feel busy at first, but it quickly becomes fascinating. You can explore great shopping, markets, tasty street food, and historic sites like temples and old buildings. While the city has lots of traffic and no clear downtown area, many attractions and nice hotels are along the Chao Phraya River, offering beautiful views and easy transportation options.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: This historical luxury hotel has been standing alongside the Chao Phraya River since 1876, making it Thailand’s oldest luxury hotel. Known for its exceptional service and elegant design, it offers a blend of classic Thai charm and modern amenities. With river or city views and renowned dining options, this iconic hotel is a favorite among travelers.

The Siam Bangkok: A unique boutique hotel inspired by art deco aesthetics and classic Thai influences, it is known for its private collection of antiques and art. Set in lush gardens near the Chao Phraya River, it provides a luxury experience in Bangkok’s historic Dusit district. The hotel offers a complimentary cruise boat to explore nearby temples, palaces, and markets.

Phuket:

Thailand’s largest island, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. With a range of activities such as water sports and cultural attractions, Phuket is a popular destination for tourists. The island offers a mix of lively beaches like Patong and quieter spots in the north.

Amanpuri: Located on Phuket’s western coast, this luxury resort offers a serene escape on Pansea Beach. With traditional Siamese design and spacious villas, it’s ideal for families and couples. The resort features a beach club and wellness sanctuary, providing a tranquil retreat.

The Slate: A trendy five-star resort in Phuket, inspired by the island’s tin mining heritage. It boasts stylish suites and villas surrounded by lush gardens and lagoons. The resort offers unique dining experiences and luxury amenities, catering to families and couples.

Krabi

Krabi Province in Thailand is famous for its stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and many islands in the Andaman Sea. To reach these islands, you can take a boat from the towns of Ao Nang and Krabi or from Phuket Island. In addition to relaxing on the gorgeous beaches, you can enjoy activities like rock climbing, kayaking, and snorkeling in the marine parks filled with colorful sea life.

Two of the most popular spots in Thailand can be found in Krabi: Koh Phi Phi with its unique limestone cliffs and the picturesque Phranang Peninsula surrounded by tall cliffs. These areas have breathtaking beaches, such as the well-known Railay Beach, and are great for day trips. If you get the chance to stay overnight on these islands, consider yourself lucky  but be sure to book in advance!

Rayavadee: Nestled on the Phranang Peninsula in Krabi, this luxurious resort offers breathtaking views of limestone cliffs and white sand beaches. Guests arrive by speedboat to this private paradise surrounded by natural beauty. The resort offers luxury pavilions, dining in a cave, and outdoor activities like kayaking and snorkeling.

Phang Nga Bay:

Situated northeast of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay stands as one of the Andaman Sea’s primary attractions, captivating visitors and earning its place as one of Thailand’s top destinations. This stunning location boasts a breathtaking natural landscape characterized by towering limestone karst islands and cliffs that emerge dramatically from the mesmerizing emerald-green waters.

Within this marine national park, the ideal method to explore the bay and navigate the area efficiently is by watercraft. Whether opting for traditional longtail boats, tourist cruisers, speedy speedboats, or luxurious chartered yachts, the options abound. While most of the islands remain uninhabited, a select few provide accommodations. Among them are the quaint and untouched Yao Noi island and its larger, undeveloped neighbor, Koh Yao Yai, situated on the outskirts of Phang Nga Bay. These islands lie equidistant from Phuket and Krabi airports, requiring further transportation by car and boat. Peaceful Koh Yao Noi features serene stilted fishing villages, pristine secluded beaches, and easy access to exceptional diving and snorkeling spots.

Six Senses Yao Noi: Situated on Yao Noi Island, this eco-friendly resort offers private pool villas with stunning views of the surroundings. Guests can enjoy nature activities and authentic spa treatments in a serene setting. The resort is known for its sustainable practices and luxury accommodations.

Koh Samui:

Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, is a tropical paradise known for its palm-fringed beaches and lush interiors filled with coconut groves and rainforests. It has become a top vacation destination, popular with couples and families, offering world-class resorts, spas, and an international airport. Visitors can enjoy various activities like sunset cruises, water sports, wellness treatments, golfing, and yoga retreats.

Four Seasons Koh Samui: Nestled in Laem Yai Bay on Koh Samui’s northwest tip, this luxurious beachfront resort provides a peaceful escape among coconut palms. The resort offers sumptuous accommodations with private pools, ranging from one to five-bedroom residences ideal for groups or families. Guests can savor memorable dining experiences and engage in leisurely activities like spa rituals and snorkeling at the nearby marine park.

Koh Kood:

If you want to avoid big crowds, visit Koh Kood (or Koh Kut) in Thailand. It’s the country’s fourth-largest island, but it’s still really natural and beautiful. It’s not super touristy because it’s far away from the main tourist spots. Koh Kood is the last island before you reach Cambodia, about 49 miles from the mainland, and you can get there by boat or flight from Trat.

Koh Kood has some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches and old forests full of plants and animals. The island has only a few thousand people who mostly work as farmers or fishermen. There aren’t many buildings or services like banks, nightlife, or fancy hotels. On this calm island, you can enjoy snorkeling, exploring tiny islands by boat, relaxing on quiet beaches with palm trees, hiking in the jungle, and watching the sun go down. It’s a peaceful place for a simple and relaxing vacation.

Soneva Kiri: Located on Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri offers barefoot luxury for families, couples, and nature lovers seeking an authentic Thai experience. Accessible by a flight to the resort’s private airport island followed by a short speedboat transfer, this eco-friendly resort blends seamlessly with nature. The spacious pool villas, personalized service, and unique facilities like a treetop dining pod and overwater cinema provide a truly luxurious experience.

Chiang Mai:

Situated in Thailand’s northern region, Chiang Mai is a charming city surrounded by mountainous landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Known as the ‘Rose of the North,’ it offers a mix of historic sites, Buddhist temples, local markets, and vibrant street food scene. Visitors can explore the city’s old town, lush countryside, and national parks offering activities such as trekking, golfing, and visits to elephant sanctuaries.

137 Pillars House: This boutique hotel in Chiang Mai offers a blend of bygone charm and modern luxury. Set in a restored heritage property, the hotel features elegant suites with home-style residential concepts and dedicated butler service. Guests can relax in landscaped gardens and enjoy the hotel’s tranquil ambiance while being close to the historic Old City.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai: Surrounded by rice paddies and mountains, this resort provides a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Offering traditional Lanna-styled pavilions and palatial residences, guests can indulge in elevated dining experiences, spa rituals, and family-friendly activities like rice planting. The resort’s picturesque setting and luxurious amenities make it an ideal place to unwind and connect with the natural beauty of northern Thailand.

Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle:

Chiang Rai, a historic city known for its strong cultural heritage, offers a relaxed atmosphere and vibrant arts and dining scene. The region, including the legendary Golden Triangle, is home to diverse landscapes, indigenous wildlife, and hill tribe communities. Visitors can explore the countryside on foot or by bicycle and enjoy scenic longtail boat river trips at the convergence of two rivers and three countries.

Pa Sak Tong: Hidden in the serene countryside of Chiang Rai, Pa Sak Tong offers an exclusive Thai luxury estate experience. With only two all-inclusive villas available for rent at a time, guests can enjoy unparalleled privacy and estate access. The property features beautiful gardens, Koi ponds, and rice fields, providing a tranquil retreat. Guests can choose between the five-bedroom Thai Chalet villa and the four-villa Luxurious Longhouse complex, with modern amenities, solar-heated pools, and dedicated staff. Situated near Suan Doc village, guests can experience the local culture and interact with traditional farmers and hill tribe communities.

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort: Located north of Chiang Rai in a remote jungle setting, this rustic-luxe boutique camp offers a unique and adventurous stay with stunning views of the Golden Triangle. Surrounded by bamboo forests, rice paddies, and native flora, guests can immerse themselves in nature at this tranquil retreat. The resort’s Thai-inspired deluxe rooms and suites provide a secluded getaway, with exceptional facilities including an Elephant Camp where guests can interact with Anantara’s rescued herd and enjoy remarkable elephant experiences like dusk-to-dawn observations from an elevated ‘Jungle Bubble’.

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If you prefer to book a luxury hotel in Bangkok, please contact Absolute Asia Tours. We will help you secure the best price!