Resorts in Thailand

Staying in a resort in Thailand is a great choice for a completely relaxing holiday. At a resort you can enjoy the country’s beaches and jungles, usually while being gently catered to. You’ll find all sorts of resorts in Thailand, from luxury 5-star, all-inclusive resorts, to a backpacker hostel with its own private beach. Though most are upscale, almost all resorts in Thailand are extremely good deals — your money can go a long way here.

Popular resort destinations include Phuket and Ko Samui, which cater to vacationers on shorter holidays. Both islands have small international airports, making travel to and from very simple. Naturally, Thailand’s islands and beaches are the most popular resort destinations, but you’ll also find many resorts hiding in the mountains and jungles of the interior.

Tip: Ko Kut (also called Koh Kood), south of Ko Chang and close to the Cambodian border, is Thailand’s third-largest island and yet isn’t very well-known. Rugged and jungle covered, with gin-clear water, the island’s accommodation is mostly resorts with private or semi-private beaches. It’s not as easy to access as Phuket or Samui, but the mainland has an airport (Trat) with regular flights from Bangkok, and speedboats to Ko Kut are readily accessible. It’s a great off-the-beaten path destination, where your speedboat delivers you to your resort — the road infrastructure is lacking.

Here are a few of our recommendations for resorts in Thailand; we’ve explored both ends of the budget range. For lots of options be sure to check our our booking widget below!

Baan Talay Resort, Ko Samui

This affordable resort is on Samui’s Chaweng beach, and is filled with brightly colored bungalows. Chaweng beach is popular with partiers and budget travelers, so head to Baan Talay if you’re looking for action. The resort has three types of bungalows: beachfront, pool view, and garden view, and prices run from 3200 baht ($108 USD) to 8000 baht ($275 USD) during the high season. Longer-stay packages are available as well, and rooms are significantly cheaper during low and shoulder seasons.

Banyan Tree, Phuket

The Banyan Tree on Phuket sits in an enclave of other 5-star resorts, but this one stands out from the rest. Luxurious villas have individual pools, and each bungalow is extremely private. The spa is one of the best in Asia, with a renowned massage school training experts in all types of treatments. And the dining is divine: choose from the award-winning restaurant Saffron, dine in your villa, take a dinner cruise, or choose from one of the other four restaurants on the grounds. A night at the Banyan Tree will set you back anywhere from $600 to $3000.

Away Resort, Ko Kut

Located on Ko Kut’s west coast, Away Resort sits close to a small canal and has its own beach. A spa and the largest activities offerings on the island add to the offerings, but the biggest draw is the diving instruction: get certified in SCUBA, or rent equipment to explore Ko Kut’s crystal waters. Bungalow villas have sea views and private terraces. A night here will cost you around $75-85 USD.

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[Photo credit: Vibin, Fickr]