Best Resort Hotels in Thailand

Less than half an hours’ walk from the beach, the accommodation at this IHG resort is formed of two wings: The Beach Wing and BluPort Wing. Whichever you choose you’ll have amenities like BOSE sound systems and iPod docks at your disposal, as well as soundproofed windows. Shared areas include the large outdoor pool, multiple restaurants (including Pirom Restaurant and Azure Restaurant & Bar), a newsstand, a florist, a souvenir boutique, a jacuzzi, a steam room and a fitness centre with a programme of classes.

Trisara, located in the tropical hills of north-western Phuket, is a secluded paradise on the Andaman Sea, set within a protected nature preserve spanning fourteen hectares, this resort offers guests extreme privacy and tranquillity. The name Trisara refers to a mythical tropical garden paradise in the third heaven and the design of this five-star sanctuary draws inspiration from Thai cultural traditions and is blended with the use of natural materials and modern luxury elements that flow throughout the spacious villas and private residences.  As Phuket’s most renowned private pool resort, each villa and residence boasts a private swimming pool that looks out across the sea from the terraced hillside setting. Guests can also enjoy use of a private beach, ideal for sunbathing and water sports and other amenities include an infinity pool, fitness room, tennis courts, and even a Muay Thai boxing ring. There’s also a Kid’s Club for children’s entertainment. For a relaxing experience, the JARA Spa focuses on physical and spiritual well-being, with sea-facing treatment rooms and a centuries-old Ficus tree as its spiritual anchor. The dining options at Trisara range from casual to fine dining, while its cocktail lounge provides a stunning backdrop for enjoying the island’s sunsets. Trisara is an ideal destination for couples seeking a secluded break or is equally suited to families and friends looking for a peaceful, private, and attentive service-oriented holiday experience.

Just 10 miles from the airport, the Belmond Napasai five star hotel complex is snuggled amongst the palms that border its picturesque private beach. With 24 suites, 45 villas and a raft of different things to do, it is an ideal venue for a family holiday. Activities include an attractive infinity pool, children’s pool, spa and wellness treatments, tennis courts, and a variety of water sports, boat trips, golf, and elephant excursions. With qualified dive instructors on hand, the whole family can sign up for diving or snorkelling lessons – or just lay back, unwind, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the Belmond Napasai.

An invigorating ten-minute speedboat ride takes guests across the calm and clear waters to this luxury hotel set on a craggy island. This is the perfect place for guests to live out their desert island fantasies without having to skimp on creature comforts as there are 67 private villas to choose from nestled in nature complete with large picture windows and spacious terraces to unwind in while soaking up stunning ocean views. Couples will love the private pools, which allow for intimate island paradise experiences.

The Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai is a new property designed to offer an intimate and premium experience, featuring 44 rooms and suites, including 35 spacious hotel rooms, one-and-two-bedroom villas, and a distinct four-bed villa with a private swimming pool. Each accommodation unit blends traditional Thai design with modern, tech-savvy facilities, emphasising sustainable design through the use of recovered teak wood. The four-bedroom “Owner’s Villa” stands out for its construction from antique golden teak, combining traditional Thai living with contemporary comforts. Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai commits to holistic wellness, having received medical licensing to offer wellness retreats with tailored programs aimed at achieving guests’ individual health goals. With an in-house medical team, the retreat focuses on diet, nutrition, mental well-being, physical fitness, and medical guidance, all set within a serene environment. The retreat’s gastronomic offering features a health-conscious F&B programme that includes a menu of creatively designed Thai dishes with a focus on nutritious, plant-based, low sugar/carb options utilising local ingredients. Nutritionists will be available for guests attending health retreats to provide customised diet plans tailored to their health objectives. Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor swimming pool with a lounge area and bar, an all-day-dining restaurant, a library bar for evening drinks, the Ayurah Wellness Centre with a full-service spa, and event spaces suitable for gatherings and workshops for up to 40 people, promoting an atmosphere of tranquillity and wellness.

Located along the tranquil Tubkaek Beach with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea and limestone cliffs, Banyan Tree Krabi is a luxury all-pool suite and villa resort with 72 residences. The resort’s contemporary Thai-inspired design combines natural stone and wood with elegant modern touches, creating a calming atmosphere that complements its beachfront setting.

Guests can dine at Saffron, the signature Thai restaurant, enjoy international dishes at The Naga Kitchen, or savour fresh seafood at Beach Grill. Serenity Spa offers a range of holistic treatments inspired by Thai traditions, complemented by hydrotherapy facilities, while the fitness centre is well-equipped for strength and cardio training.

The resort features a large outdoor infinity pool overlooking the ocean and a dedicated kids club. Each villa has a private pools and the option of personalised butler-style service.

Close to the famous Hong Islands and within easy reach of Krabi town and Ao Nang, Banyan Tree Krabi offers a luxurious retreat surrounded by natural beauty and soft sandy shores.

Set on the edge of Bangtao beach, the Banyan Tree is one of Phuket’s best-known luxury hotels and combines traditional Thai class and elegance with modern creature comforts and pampering that guests have come to expect from this well-established brand. The hotel’s huge grounds play host to a wide range of activities and amenities such as golf on a stunning course, tennis courts, a yoga pavilion and two large swimming pools. Each of the onsite villas and suites is sumptuously decorated and fitted so that it serves as a luxurious retreat, while guests are provided with private beach access and invited to indulge in a little pampering in the world-class spa.

36 cube-shaped villas give a modernist edge to this palm-lined beachfront in Phangnga province. Designed by VaSLab Architecture, the all-pool-villa hotel was commissioned in 2008, with unusual deviated walls, tilted roofs, green walls, rainwater recycling and custom-made furniture by Anon Pairot Design Studio. Casa de la Flora offers round the clock butler service, spa, fitness suite, direct beach access, minbars, mountain bike hire and watersports. Charming afternoon tea is served daily, with dinner taken at the Thai waterside eatery La Aranya -and the cocktails here are epic with variations as imaginative as the resort’s architecture. This chic design property is well suited to discerning couples and adult visitors.

For guests who enjoy trying a little of everything when on holiday, the Anantara Bophut Resort is ideally placed to do just that. Popular with both couples and families, in-house facilities are excellent. Rooms, although not as large as some other resorts, are tastefully decorated, and seamlessly blend traditional with contemporary. Of its three excellent restaurants, the Full Moon Samui is the piece-de-resistance with its many seafood, international and Thai speciality dishes. Amongst its many facilities, the exceptional spa and wellness centre is an experience not to be missed. Add to that being next door to the Fisherman’s Wharf at Bo Phut and only a short taxi ride from Chaweng’s bustling night life makes the Anantara Bophut Resort a fantastic base.

Set among tropical gardens in the Kao Takiap area the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin is known for its royal legacy, golf courses and stunning beaches, and close to a shopping village, the hotel boasts an award-winning spa, gym, tennis court, water slide and several pools. Air-conditioned rooms and suites sport balconies, flat-screen televisions, free WiFi and iPod docks, coffee makers and mini-bars, with a business centre, laundry service and free parking also available. To complete their all-round sense of well-being, guests can choose between five restaurants and bars, including a beach location and a pool-side bar.

Set right on the edge of the powdery white sand of Nai Harn Beach, this cool and contemporary resort commands one of the most desirable positions on the whole of Phuket. The hotel originally opened its doors to guests in the ‘80s and has received a large number of international celebrities over the years. The infinity pool is set with floating sun loungers where guests can unwind and take in stunning views as the sand slowly gives way to the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, where a wide range of aquatic activities are just waiting to be enjoyed.

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.