Best Family Friendly Hotels in Thailand

Located on the banks of Chao Phraya River, Shangri-La Bangkok is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious hotels in the capital. It’s a 5-star hotel offering excellent value, convenience, as well as stunning interior design. Guests enjoy eclectic views of the river, while many of the bedrooms are strategically located by the quieter poolside. This is perfect for those who prefer large-scale hotels – Shangri-La has a whopping 802 rooms housed in two adjacent towers, the Shangri-La Wing and Krungthep Wing. Set in a prime area close to Bangkok central business district, just next to the sky train at Saphan Taskin BTS station, it’s ideally suiting those visiting for work. Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok is less than 40 minutes away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Set on a private 100-metre white sand beach, the Conrad is built into a cliffside proffering panoramic vistas. Book a villa on stilts, with your own 10-meter infinity pool and spa bathroom. Dine on fine farm-to-table cuisine crafted with ingredients from the onsite organic farm. Take yoga classes on the beach, sunset boat tours, go kayaking and snorkelling and let the kids burn off some energy at the Little Explorer’s Academy. Or book an excursion from the hotel to nearby attractions, like the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, the Samui Zip Line and the Santiburi Golf Course.

This large hotel boasts the biggest pool in the city, along with 277 guest rooms (designed in a modern Northern Thai style) and four places to eat. The Shangri-La’s range of facilities makes it ideal for parents travelling with kids — there’s cartoon bedding for younger travellers, playpens, colouring sets, everything you need to feed/bathe a newborn, mini-bathrobes and slippers, a splash zone, kids’ club, and supervised creative activities run daily. Then while the kids are being entertained, you can indulge in a traditional Asian healing treatment at CHI, The Spa.

Set on a 58-acre plot on the north-east of the island, the resort was once a coconut plantation and continues to use the fruit’s fibres in its architecture. It’s home to Thailand’s only sea pool (open seasonally), as well as two beaches, a beachfront infinity swimming pool and a swim reef where you can spot more than 50 species of fish. You’ll find a Muay Thai ring, tennis, basketball, volleyball, mini golf, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, jogging, cooking classes, a Ritz Kids programme and multiple restaurants onsite. Plus there’s an entire Spa Village, with eight treatment suites, a yoga pavilion and a lap pool with cabanas. 175 bedrooms, suites and pool villas are decorated in neutral colours.

With its built to impress Cathedral like reception Conrad Bangkok wows as soon as guests step inside its premises. A luxurious hotel located in the heart of the Central Business District, the Conrad appeals to business and holiday travellers alike. Offering a blend of modern sophistication and Thai hospitality, it features spacious, elegant rooms with stunning views of the skyline. Guests can choose from a range of dining options including the exquisite Chinese Liu, the newly opened Japanese Kisara and the poolside dining City Terrace. Surrounded by tall palm trees and luscious greenery, the pool has a relaxing jungle vibe and is situated right next to Pickleball and tennis courts, a gym, a spa, a sauna and a steam room meaning guests may never want to leave the premises.

Originally the Hua Hin Railway Hotel, the Centara Grand Beach Resort dates back to the coming of the railroad, and today it’s considered a classic. Renovations and extensions have tastefully maintained its colonial-style rooms with wood furnishings, complementing its beach-side setting and landscaped gardens, while its central location in a popular part of town makes it ideal for sightseeing and shopping. A fitness centre and spa have brought the resort up to date, with restaurants, bars and a grill completing the process.

As soon as guests touch down at Phuket International Airport they are greeted by hotel staff and whisked away to the enchanting Slate Hotel at Nai Yang Beach, which is backed by a stunning palm grove and faces a private strip of golden sand. Each of the rooms and suites here is spacious and luxurious and surrounded by tropical gardens. This huge lush space is set with palm trees and a number of swimming pools, with jacuzzis and swim-up bars where guests can unwind while enjoying the intense natural beauty of this luxurious playground for as long as they desire. If you want to go all out on the luxury book one of their fabulous private pool villas and a trip to the Slate isn’t complete without dining at the incredibly romantic Black Ginger.

100 acres of tropical forest and 900 acres of beach (Kantiang Bay, arguably one of the most beautiful in the land) make up this secluded resort. Its privacy is maintained with access only by speedboat – and you’ll feel like a movie star arriving using this mode of transport, taking in sublime scenery on the two-hour transfer. Pavilions lead toward a long and large infinity pool, built on stilts and facing the Andaman sea, the grounds feature coconut and cashew trees, waterfalls and koi-filled ponds. At the Pimalai you can play tennis, visit the spa, borrow bicycles and take classes. Kids have their own activity corner and babysitting services are available. Book the Hillside ocean view villa if you want the best suite in the house.

This hotel’s Air Bar was featured in The New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die”. The InterContinental Koh Samui has a private beach with a pier (a magical spot for a yoga class) and six swimming pools, one with 360-degree views of the sea and surrounding coconut plantations. Its Baan Thai Spa by HARNN is designed in the style of a traditional Thai house, with five treatment rooms (each of the rituals concludes with a tea ceremony). Stay in one of the main building’s bedrooms, with 67- square metres of space, a balcony, a daybed and a dining area, or in a suite or multi-bedded villa. There’s a bi-weekly sunset dinner on the beach and a fire show, as well as numerous restaurants.

Stay just a few minutes’ from the Night Market and Hua Hin’s many highlights, at this Marriott Resort & Spa. It’s set within carefully manicured grounds and is built around a long winding lagoon (with bridges over), making it feel somewhat of a village. Onsite you’ll find five swimming pools and several dining options including a beachside seafood restaurant, the Greatroom and the Amber Kitchen. Double, king-size and family rooms are available, some with direct access (via sliding doors) to the pool and others with their own terraces. Quan Spa offers a range of treatments and packages.

Located along the serene shores of Bophut Beach, NH Collection Samui Peace Resort marks the brand’s Thai debut with an elegant, beachfront escape designed for laid-back luxury. This 122-key resort spans rooms, suites, and nine villa categories nestled within lush tropical gardens. Highlights include Garden View Terrace Rooms with al fresco tubs, Family Suites with bunk beds, private Pool Suites, and Beachfront Villas with plunge pools and outdoor showers. The 230 sqm Presidential Pool Villa features an infinity pool, BBQ area, and sunken living room for the ultimate private retreat. Facilities include a freeform beachfront pool, a fitness centre, daily wellness classes, a children’s splash pool and playground, and an outdoor cooking school. Sea Wrap serves Thai and international dishes throughout the day, complemented by beachside cocktails at Talay Bar. With direct access to Fisherman’s Village and sister property Anantara’s dining, the resort offers both tranquillity and vibrant local flavour.

One of JM Marriott’s flagship resorts, this immaculate property sits beside Khuk Khak Beach. Swimmers will adore the lagoon style pool which is the largest in Southeast Asia – with two swim-up bars. It houses 292 rooms and suites all with private outdoor spaces and oversized tubs. Further facilities include tennis, squash, volleyball, video games (a lifesaver if travelling with teens), a fitness suite, Quan Spa providing indoor and outdoor treatments and restaurants offering Thai, Japanese, Italian, Mediterranean and European cuisine. It may be huge but still manages to retain a personal feel.