Best Resort Hotels in Thailand

Located between Maenam and Bo Phut within easy reach of the airport and near to Chaweng Beach, the W brand brings its funky fun vibe to this paradise island. The Kitchen Table serves Western and Thai food from morning to night; the WOOBAR® plays W Music Curator’s tracks, with nibbles, lunch and dinner; Namu is considered the best Japanese restaurant on the island; while SIP is a sunset beach bar with cocktails, creative lunch and dinner dishes and oversized games. Pop to FIT for a workout, WET for a swim and the AWAY Spa for blissful treatments.

With direct access to the white sands of Pansea Bay, guests at The Surin can swim, sunbathe and dabble in water sports in paradise. There are also two pools (one infinity), two floodlit tennis courts and a kids’ club with a range of activities and games to keep young guests entertained. The resort’s signature restaurant is perched right on the beach and serves a range of international and Thai cuisine. Lomtalay Restaurant, beside the pool, is a more casual dining experience with a menu of light bites, sandwiches and salads. And there’s the romantic Sunset Restaurant. A full-service spa provides a range of treatments and therapies, as well as yoga and meditation classes in a beautiful outdoor setting, overlooking the ocean.

Perched beside Choeng Mon Beach, Kimpton Kitalay Samui offers refined island living. Its highlights include a palm-flanked Olympic-sized swimming pool, loaner fat-tyre bikes to explore further afield, pet amenities and the 500-square metre split-level Junio Kids Club for a programme of non-digital activities. Kimpton Kitalay has 138 rooms, suites and villas, 21 of which have private pools; five restaurants and bars; a pristine stretch of beach; and the organic Pimãanda spa, offering a 14-step sensorial ritual created especially for the resort by HARNN.

Set on Bang Tao beach among lush grounds (which include the 18-hole Laguna Phuket golf course), Dusit Thani Laguna offers ocean-front bedrooms, suites and two-bedded villas. Connect with local culture and your own wellbeing, embark on culinary journeys, get to know the indigenous wildlife and bond with your kids at a Family Retreat or Bonfire Campout. Watersports, yoga, racquet sports and creative past-times such as batik painting, tie-dye, umbrella painting, fruit and vegetable carving and flower arranging are all offered. Plus there’s the Angsana Spa, an outdoor pool and extensive kids’ facilities.

This urban lifestyle resort takes its inspiration from the natural elements. 67 rooms and villas are segregated into three different areas/categories of accommodation: Beachside (La Canna and Oceanbed Villas), Sandside (Silksand Rooms) and The Oasis (Sanksy Urban and Sanksy Deluxe Rooms).  Putahracsa’s open-air restaurant serves Thai and Western cuisine and BBQ food with front-seat views of the sea. There’s also a fine boulangerie/patisserie for lunch, dinner, snack and coffee, which is set in a winter glasshouse. Other facilities include a spa, a boutique and a tuk-tuk service to nearby attractions.

If history and culture are on your holiday agenda then a stay at the Ammatara Pura Pool Villa complex on the edge of Lamai Beach should fit the bill. The whole complex is traditionally styled, with much use made of dark Thai wood, intricately carved trees, statues and religious deities. The beautiful villas also embrace traditional building techniques with timber beams, cool tiles, and heavy, period style furniture. The restaurant offers Asian and International cuisine and vegetarian and vegan options. With a sauna, spa and fitness centre guests can be as active or as laid-back as they like.

20 minutes from Kata Beach and Phuket Town, Noku is in the south of the island on a hillside overlooking Chalong Bay. Guests are accommodated across 91 villas and lofts with natural textiles, free-flowing design and features such as sunken baths, whirlpools and plunge pools — the largest of the villas span three storeys with four bedrooms, indoor and outdoor living spaces, a kid’s playroom, and a spacious kitchen. Feast on Thai, Japanese and Singaporean food at Embrace, Noku’s restaurant and drink cocktails on the Terrace. The hotel was awarded the Green Mark Gold Award in 2022.

Set between a freshwater tropical lagoon and a private beach, this luxury hotel enjoys the best of both worlds. 69 rooms, suites and villas nestled among coconut groves, offer lovely views of the Andaman coast. The design is inspired by the intricate architecture of ancient Asian civilisations, in a neutral palette with splashes of vibrant colour. Swim in the marble saltwater infinity pool as you look out over the ocean, head to the incredible spa, try your hand at paddle boarding and kayaking, dine on Thai cuisine at Takola or more relaxed cuisine at the beach bar and grill. Activities include yoga, local tours, cooking classes – and there’s a programme for children too.

Veranda Resort Phuket, Autograph Collection is located on Phuket’s serene Cape Panwa Peninsula. This family-friendly resort offers 159 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each serving as a curated haven of comfort and beauty. Choose from a variety of accommodations, including oceanfront rooms, pool access suites, and expansive family suites. The resort’s décor harmoniously blends modern sophistication with elements inspired by Phuket’s rich culture, creating a tranquil and inspiring atmosphere. Each room features amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies with serene ocean views. Key facilities include multiple dining options like The Parlour, an all-day dining venue offering international and local dishes, and Bar Botan, known for its handcrafted drinks. The resort also offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and the Let’s Relax Spa, providing a range of treatments designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul.

Marasca Samui is a boutique beachfront resort on the iconic Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand, offering 62 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites. With a focus on comfort and sustainability, accommodations range from private plunge pool rooms to expansive two-bedroom suites, many featuring standalone baths and ocean views. The décor combines casual elegance with high-quality amenities, creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere. At the heart of the resort is the lively Cabanas Koh Samui Beach Club, offering a vibrant social scene with curated music, guest DJs, live performances, and diverse dining from seven specialty food stations. Guests can enjoy a beachfront pool, a spa with signature treatments, and wellness activities such as yoga and Muay Thai classes. Located in the lively Chaweng area, the resort provides easy access to pristine beaches, water sports, and the island’s buzzing nightlife, making it an ideal retreat for both relaxation and entertainment.

Set on the pristine sands of Karon Beach, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket offers 262 rooms, suites, and villas designed in Sino-Portuguese style inspired by Old Phuket Town. This beachfront resort offers a great variety of facilities, making it ideal for both couples and families. Guests can dine at seven different venues including The Cove for international cuisine, Mare for authentic Italian flavours, and Coast Beach Club & Bistro for seaside cocktails and grill-style dishes. SPA Cenvaree offers guests holistic treatments, Thai massages, and relaxation rituals, complemented by a well-equipped fitness centre and water sports facilities.

Four swimming pools, including a lazy river and waterfalls, create an aquatic playground, while The Club Lounge offers personalised service and extra benefits for club members. Young guests are catered for at the Camp Safari kids club and E-Zone. Located just a short drive from Patong and Phuket Town, this beachfront haven delivers a balance of relaxation, recreation, and refined comfort.

Curved lines, stark materials, retro touches, modern art and golden sunflower yellow textiles contrast The Standard from the more traditional tourist hotels found in this area. This property is in fact, anything but standard, as indicated in its upside-down signage. It was named Best in the World on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Hot List; 7th best resort in Asia (and the 35th resort in the world) at the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2022. Dine Mediterranean style at the Lido, or on the beach at Praça and grab healthy beverages at the Juice Cafe.