Best Resort Hotels in Thailand

Classic Thai and contemporary design come together at the Mövenpick Phuket Bangtao. Choose to stay in a king-size bedroom, or a residence, suite or penthouse with your own living and dining areas, kitchens and outdoor space (some also have private pools and jacuzzis). Bordering Bangtao Beach, the low-rise resort incorporates the Blossom Spa and a sprawling pool area. Dine on the likes of freshly caught lobster at The Palm, either inside, or on the poolside terrace, followed by drinks in the bar. And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the daily Mövenpick Chocolate Hour when you can feast on all things cocoa for a full 60 minutes.

Muang Samui is on the east coast of the island, and just ten minutes by car from Koh Samui’s airport, or 15 miles from Nathon City if arriving by ferry. A boutique complex, the resort has 53 suites, all with terraces and views out to sea or across the tropical gardens. Comfortable rooms are decorated in typical Thai style and have all the usual facilities. The two restaurants serve Italian, international, or traditional Thai cuisine. Guests can choose to spend their time unwinding around the pool or on the beach, before jumping into a hire car to explore further afield.

414 rooms (all with a terrace or outdoor space) are spread across four floors at this property that’s beside Tri-Trang Beach. The resort is set around a lagoon-style freeform pool, one of three pools — kids will love the endless fun provided by the waterslide. Activities range from Thai cookery lessons to jewellery making, outdoor movie nights and live music in the lobby bar. And there are many places to grab a bite: the Thai Pantry, The Beach Grill, D.O.C.G – Italian Restaurant, The Merchant Kitchen, Phuket Coffee Co, The Pool Bar, The Lounge, The Rum Shack And The Wellness Bar.

This destination is conveniently situated in the middle of town for access to restaurants, night life and local markets, and can be reached by several modes of transport (including limousine!). However the special treatment really starts on site, where guests enjoy a private pool, Hermès amenities and a private butler, who can also arrange services such as a customised spa treatment within the guests’ villa. The Villazzo Restaurant and Bar add to a memorable experience at the beach-side location, perfect for weddings and other packages.

Would you like a bucket list-worthy hotel experience? Retreat to a luxury resort with a difference; this tented camp places you among jungle trails, bamboo forestry and wildlife such as rescue elephants, who roam past your handcrafted teak door. Expect ‘rooms’ with outdoor showers, wooden hot tubs and lamplit verandahs. Sample Thai, Laotian and Burmese cooking under a thatched roof restaurant, and tipples from the in-house wine cave. Take a Land Rover trip out to the heart of the jungle, before being served sundowners on the roof and tuck into a picnic feast (prepared just for you) by the riverside.

Located in the serene hills of Northern Thailand, the Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort offers a luxurious retreat that beautifully combines the rich heritage of the Lanna and Ayuthaya kingdoms with modern comforts. This secluded sanctuary, surrounded by lush tropical forests and vibrant gardens, provides a range of accommodations, from cozy rooms to spacious villas and unique glamping options, all with stunning views of the Pongyaeng Valley. Guests can enjoy exquisite dining at the Panorama Restaurant, and rejuvenate at the Panviman Spa, which offers a mix of traditional Thai and contemporary wellness treatments amidst 12 acres of mountainous beauty. Ideal for those seeking peace, cultural enrichment, and wellness, the resort is a tranquil escape from the hustle of daily life, promising an immersive experience in the heart of nature’s splendour.

Only a fifteen minute drive from the airport lies the stunning beach area of Choweng Noi and the 80 suites and villas of the luxurious Vana Belle Resort. Lying back off the beach, amid swaying palm trees and tropical vegetation, the Vana Belle offers a tranquil location from which you can explore the surrounding area. Alternatively if exploring doesn’t appeal then guests can choose to soak up the relaxing atmosphere with a good book, interspersed with visits to the spa, wellness and fitness centres. Restaurant facilities are limited, with Panali, the shore side eatery serving Italian cuisine, and the hillside Kiree restaurant, offering guests traditional Thai food.

Stay in one of 21 thatched-roof villas at the High Season resort, complete with mosquito nets, private plunge pools, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs and your own private walkway. Found beside the romantic Klong Chao Beach, the property was built using natural materials, with rustic-chic results that provide a castaway feel. But your every need is waited upon here, from dinner at the beachfront restaurant to your personal preference of pillows, bespoke island tours tailored to your interests, therapies at High Spa and afternoon tea served in an elevated, hammock-effect pod.

Two circular pools are separated from the ocean only by a strip of lush garden, at the Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort. Its facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, 15 spa treatment rooms, five outdoor swimming pools, three tennis courts, a golf course, a sauna, a steam room, and a whirlpool. Dining takes place throughout the day and night at the Sails Restaurant, with themed buffets and a Sunday Brunch, or at Buon Appetito and the Thai Thai Restaurant. Families will appreciate the kids play area, splash pool and babysitting services.

Built in 2005, this luxurious resort is set on a hilltop that commands stunning views across Klong Tob Bay. While there are 185 guestrooms and eleven spacious suites to choose from, the enormous luxury villas are worth splashing out on. These private villas come complete with their own swimming pools and patio areas, which command striking vistas of the bay. Guests can also take their pick from a wide range of spa treatments, while lovers of fine dining will not be disappointed.

With 161 rooms and suites set along Na Jomtien’s serene shoreline, The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien blends playful design with laid-back coastal energy. Just over an hour from Bangkok, this beachfront retreat brings the brand’s signature irreverent charm to Thailand’s eastern coast. The interiors, by DIN Studio and Studio Lupine in collaboration with The Standard’s in-house team, showcase a sculptural modernist aesthetic softened by curving lines, textured surfaces, and lush tropical landscaping by PLA.

Dine at Esmé, the brand’s first-ever beach club serving bold Mexican and Thai flavours, or at Sereia, a Thai coastal grill spotlighting fresh local seafood. The adults-only rooftop sanctuary Mmhmmm combines bar, spa, and secret pool, while the main pool and Surf Shack evoke the spirit of a Baja surf lodge. Art collaborations, including Chloé Kelly Miller’s courtyard installation, and uniforms by Vickteerut add creative flair.

Tucked away in a tranquil bay just a short stroll from Klong Muang Beach, Nakamanda Resort and Spa boasts traditional Thai architecture that is embellished with modern and luxurious touches. There are three different types of villas for guests to choose from here, and each provides a luxurious sanctuary that is fully loaded with a wide range of creature comforts. Guests who enjoy messing about in the water are sure to appreciate the Jacuzzi Villa and Pool Villa, where there will be treated to either an outdoor Jacuzzi or plunge pool that is set in a private tropical garden. The Nakamanda Resort and Spa is a popular option for couples who want to spend their honeymoon unwinding in a tropical setting while enjoying plenty of pampering.