7 Great Beachside Hotels In Thailand
FOR AFFORDABLE LUXURY:
Vala Hua Hin
Vala is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Vala Hua Hin is one of its Thai hotels, located between Hua Hin and Cha-Am, a seaside resort in northern Thailand. The hotel is surrounded by palm trees and everything has been designed with total relaxation in mind – you can do as little or as much as you please, whether that’s relaxing by the main infinity pool or heading on foodie tours of the local village. Rooms are modern, with light and bright decor, though the beachfront rooms have the best views, as well as outdoor bathtubs.
What’s on offer: You could easily spend a week here without needing to leave – there’s an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a tropical garden and a spa pavilion for massages and other holistic treatments. Little ones will love the kids’ club, while adults can enjoy yoga, morning tai chi, cookery classes, cycling and visits to the hotel’s organic farm nearby.
You’ll also find numerous eateries for casual dining and when you want to dress up in the evening. Much of its produce comes from the farm, while the bar has an interesting menu created in collaboration with Bangkok’s award-winning Vesper Cocktail Bar. Make sure to enjoy an in-room floating breakfast during your stay.
How to get there: Private transfers by car take two and a half hours. You can also get a direct train from Bangkok which takes around three hours, and arrives at the historic Hua Hin train station, just a short distance from the hotel.
Price: Rooms from £95 per night.
Visit VALAHUAHIN.COM
FOR WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES:
Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
On the beautiful coastline of Koh Samui, the Ritz-Carlton is a luxury beachfront hotel with access to some of the region’s best natural wonders. The resort spans 58 acres of a former coconut plantation, with various rooms and suites catered to couples, groups and families. Each one has contemporary interiors, with wooden accents, private terraces, and views of the Gulf of Thailand. Tropical Pool Villas have private pools and views of lush greenery and the beach.
What’s on offer: Facilities are extensive, while friendly staff live up to the hype of Thailand’s famous hospitality. Guests can take a dip in the infinity pool, get pampered at the oceanfront spa, or snorkel in the resort's own lagoon – the only one of its kind in the country. There's also a Muay Thai boxing ring, a yoga pavilion, and an 18-hole mini-golf course. Foodies will love the seven dining options, which serve everything from authentic Thai cuisine to seafood and international dishes.
How to get there: Fly into Koh Samui International Airport, followed by a 15-minute drive to the resort.
Price: Rooms start from £400 per night, depending on the season.
Visit RITZCARLTON.COM
Four Seasons
FOR AN ULTRA-LUXE HOLIDAY:
Amanpuri, Phuket
Amanpuri means ‘place of peace’ and this is one of Thailand’s most iconic beachfront resorts, located on the west coast of Phuket. Following a recent renovation, its pavilions and villas are more appealing than ever, with elegant Thai-inspired design, spacious layouts, and sweeping views of the Andaman Sea. Guests can choose from a selection of private pool pavilions or multi-bedroom villas, perfect for families or groups. As you’d expect with an Aman hotel, service is flawless, interiors are luxuriously understated, and the team will go to the ends of the earth to ensure you have a memorable stay. The group is also set to open a hotel in Bangkok in April.
What’s on offer: Here, you can do as little or as much as you like. Relax at the Aman Spa, which now features wellness programmes, or take part in water sports such as paddleboarding, diving and snorkelling. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy the state-of-the-art gym or practise yoga in the peaceful studio. Dining options range from newly introduced Nama, serving Japanese cuisine, to Arva, which offers Italian dishes. The resort also has a Beach Terrace for sundowners with sunset views.
How to get there: Phuket International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the resort.
Price: Rates start at around £900 per night, depending on the season and accommodation type.
Visit AMAN.COM
Christophe Meyer / Unsplash
Amanpuri
FOR THE WHITE LOTUS EXPERIENCE:
Four Seasons Koh Samui
The White Lotus is continuing its partnership with Four Seasons, so this is where the current series is set. If you want to live like the cast – without the drama – the hotel on Koh Samui has 60 villas and private residences. It’s perched on a lush hillside overlooking the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by coconut groves and with direct access to a private beach. Villas are beautifully designed with traditional Thai elements and modern comforts, each featuring a private infinity pool, outdoor living space, and floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the stunning tropical surroundings. Some of the larger residences even come with a personal butler, dedicated chef and spacious gardens.
What’s on offer: There’s every kind of activity on offer: private boat trips, sunset cruises, Muay Thai boxing lessons, visits to ethical elephant sanctuaries, and water sports like kayaking and snorkelling. The hotel also has tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, and numerous restaurants and bars, including the famous Koh Thai Kitchen which serves traditional southern Thai cuisine. For an extra special stay, you can book private beach barbecues or in-villa dining.
How to get there: Four Seasons Koh Samui is about a 30-minute drive from Samui International Airport, which is accessible via direct flights from Bangkok, Phuket, and international destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Price: Villas start at around £850 per night, with larger residences commanding higher rates, depending on the season and villa type.
Visit FOURSEASONS.COM
FOR TOTAL SECLUSION:
Anantara Rasananda, Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan has earned itself a party island reputation in recent years, but the island is also home to some of the country’s best beaches – many of which are totally secluded if you know where to look. Hotel group Anantara has numerous properties around the country, but its outpost in Ko Pha Ngan is where you can really switch off. Reached via a 40-minute speedboat ride from Kho Samui, guests are greeted by their dedicated butler at the resort’s private bay. Every room has its own private pool, most of which are located on stretches of the pristine beach.
What’s on offer: If relaxing by an infinity pool with cocktails in hand, before spending time at the spa and enjoying Thai and Japanese dishes, sounds like your idea of heaven, this is the hotel for you. The Anantara Spa is built into the mountainside and offers a range of wellness treatments and massages, while water sports on offer include kayaking, paddleboarding and diving. The resort even has its own sushi master.
How to get there: The resort can be reached via a short boat transfer from Koh Samui, which is serviced by direct flights from Bangkok and other major cities.
Price: Rates start at around £350 per night.
Visit ANANTARA.COM
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Amanpuri
FOR A FOODIE ESCAPE:
Trisara, Phuket
Tucked away on Phuket’s pristine north-west coast, Trisara is one of the island’s most luxurious retreats, offering a true escape into nature. The name Trisara means ‘the garden in the third heaven’, and the resort lives up to this promise with its lush tropical surroundings, private beach and unparalleled ocean views. There are 64 oceanfront villas and suites, each with private infinity pools, while larger residential villas, ranging from two to nine bedrooms, come with dedicated staff and personal chefs for an ultra-bespoke experience.
What’s on offer: Here, one of the draws is the resort’s culinary offering. It’s home to PRU, the island’s only Michelin-star restaurant, which also holds a green star for its zero-waste approach. Other dining options include La Crique, blending Andaman seafood with French influences, and Thai Library, serving southern Thai cuisine. Guests can also enjoy immersive wellness experiences at the Jara Spa, unwind with a private yoga session, or explore the sea with snorkelling, sailing and yacht excursions. Families can enjoy cooking classes, Thai boxing lessons, and cultural tours through Phuket’s Old Town.
How to get there: A 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.
Price: Villas start from around £1,000 per night, depending on the season.
Visit TRISARA.COM
FOR LOW-KEY LOUNGING:
Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin
There’s a reason why Hua Hin is home to some great hotels – it offers travellers a slice of island life just a few hours from Bangkok. The beachfront properties are affordable too, including Cape Nidhra, a chic, all-suite beachfront hotel known for its understated luxury and excellent service. Each suite has spacious interiors and private plunge pools, including the Deluxe Sky Pool Suites which have a ‘swimway’ between the bathroom and pool. The hotel is big on sustainability too: rooms are equipped with energy-saving lighting and air conditioning, and there’s no single-use plastic at the property.
What’s on offer: The all-day restaurant Rocks serves a selection of local Thai delicacies and international dishes, while the beachfront bar is the place to go for sunset cocktails. Guests can also enjoy traditional Thai massages and treatments at the Cape Spa – which is modern and well-equipped for afternoons of relaxation – join yoga sessions on the beach, and head on cultural excursions and day trips to explore the surrounding area.
How to get there: Cape Nidhra is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, or guests can take a scenic train ride to Hua Hin.
Price: Suites start from around £200 per night.
Visit MRANDMRSSMITH.COM
Trisara
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