20 Top-Rated Resorts in Thailand

Author Meagan Drillinger traveled extensively throughout Thailand in the winter of 2022.

Thailand may be primarily known as a tropical paradise for sunseekers, but more and more travelers are heading here for other reasons, including water and land adventures and a chance to relax in their own corner of paradise.

While the stunning coastline is still the main attraction here, Thailand’s luxury resorts are becoming a destination in themselves, offering everything from organized activities to all-inclusive spas and fitness centers and even secluded villas for those who want lots of quiet time.

Regardless of your final destination in Thailand, we found some of the best resorts. Plan your trip with our list of the top resorts in Thailand.

1. Six Senses Yao Noi, Ko Yao Noi

Accommodation: Six Senses Yao Noi

Highlights: An all-villa resort with private pools and outdoor showers, a fantastic wellness program, and private island vibes

Located halfway between Krabi and Phuket, Ko Yao Noi is the perfect island destination for travelers looking for sea and adventure without the big crowds and busy atmosphere that sometimes abounds on other islands. Six Senses Resort is located next to a remote cliff, right on the oceanfront over Phang Nga Bay, and surrounded by lush rainforest.

Here, all villas come with their own private sun terrace and pool, outdoor showers, and a personal butler. The Beachfront Pool Villa Suite, the largest offered, comes with a private infinity-edge pool, a covered outdoor dining area, loungers and daybeds, and a Bose hi-fi audio system.

Aside from a spa and wellness center, a tennis court, and a fitness and yoga center, guests can join a number of organized tours and activities-from snorkeling and cycling to a mangrove kayak tour, a game of tennis, and windsurfing.

Families with kids can take advantage of the many available activities, including batik painting, tennis and kayaking lessons, ice-cream parties, and even cooking classes.

Address: 56 Moo 5 Tambol, Ko Yao Noi

2. Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

Accommodation: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

Highlights: A quiet beachfront location with three on-site restaurants, a spa, and a water park incorporated into its gardens

Set in a quiet, secluded corner of Karon Beach, the Centara Grand Phuket Resort is one of the best destination hotels in Thailand.

The hotel villas feature a small private pool, an en-suite bathroom, and an outdoor terrace for private meals. Aside from three restaurants on-site, the resort also offers a tennis court; a state-of-the-art fitness center with views of the ocean; and a spa offering all forms of pampering, from massage to a sauna.

When it comes to keeping guests entertained, the Centara is hard to beat. The resort has a landscaped water park built right into its gardens. Here, guests young and old can enjoy four pools, a lazy river, waterfalls and waterslides, and a children’s pool with a slide reserved for the youngest guests.

The hotel also offers two kids’ clubs: Camp Safari for kids under nine and E-Zone for older children. The clubs offer a number of activities, including drawing and painting, games, arts and crafts, a TV with special kid-friendly programming, and an outdoor play zone. Teenagers and older kids can join their parents in kayaking, windsurfing, or snorkeling adventures – all the necessary equipment is available directly from the hotel.

Address: 683 Patak Road, Karon Beach Muang, Phuket, Karon

3. Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong – MGallery Hotel Collection

Accommodation: Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong – MGallery Hotel Collection

Highlights: Three swimming pools and a stunning spa, as well as rooms with direct pool access or views over lush gardens

Located just steps away from Patong Beach, high on a hilltop and surrounded by thick, lush rainforest, the Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong mixes the luxury of a five-star boutique hotel with contemporary Thai architecture details that make the place feel both modern and centuries-old. Choose from executive rooms with direct pool access or deluxe suites with views over the landscaped evergreen gardens.

Guests can take advantage of the three swimming pools; a luxurious spa; and a number of on-site activities, including mini-golf, table tennis, a games room, movie nights, and a kids’ club. A barbecue terrace and an on-site restaurant offer plenty of options for lunch and dinner.

Address: 39/9 Muen Ngern Road Tri-trang Beach, Patong, Kathu, Phuket

4. Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

Accommodation: Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

Highlights: Five restaurants, four pools, and a beautiful spa

Located on Karon Beach, one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches, the Movenpick Resort & Spa offers an impressive four pools, five restaurants, yoga and fitness classes, a world-class spa, and a beachfront café.

The resort offers many rooms and villas, some with their own plunge pool and separate living room area, outdoor terraces, and a small pool to cool off when you’re not ready to head off to the hotel’s main pools.

Guests can enjoy themed dinner nights and live music evenings and take advantage of the many activities on-site, including water sports, table tennis, and a game room.

Address: 509 Patak Road, Karon Beach, Karon, Phuket

5. The Chill Resort and Spa, Koh Chang

Accommodation: The Chill Resort & Spa

Highlights: Private rooms and villas, many of which have direct pool access, plus a two-story suite with a private pool

Elegance and privacy are at the core of everything at The Chill Resort and Spa, a boutique resort seconds from Kai Bae Beach and surrounded by coconut trees.

Here, guests can choose from a number of rooms and villas featuring cozy living spaces, plush bathrobes, and modern furnishings and décor. Some of the rooms offer direct access to the pool from the private terrace, while others feature large balconies with a daybed.

For those who want more privacy, there’s even a two-story suite with a private pool (plus direct access to the hotel’s main pool), a home theater system, and a large seating area with views over the water.

Visitors can get pampered at the spa or work up an appetite at the resort’s fully equipped fitness center – then head out to the beachfront Chill-Out Cafe for fine fusion cuisine. Additional activities include cooking classes, themed dinner nights, water sports facilities, and a chance to borrow bicycles for free.

Address: 19/21 Moo 4 Kai Bae Beach, Ko Chang

6. The Surin, Phuket

Accommodation: The Surin

Highlights: A white-sand beachfront with luxury cottages, an outdoor pool, a spa, and four restaurants

Sitting on a stretch of pure white sand on Pansea Beach, this 5-star resort offers accommodations in the form of luxury cottages with outdoor covered terraces, satellite TV, either ocean views or a hillside location, and space to accommodate large families.

The two-bedroom cottages offer a sitting area with a large TV and private access to a sun terrace. Surrounded by coconut trees, The Surin offers a place to both relax and be active, depending on your mood.

Just outside the beachfront cottages, there’s a sundeck overlooking the bay and plenty of beach chairs to lounge on and watch the sunset. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool; visit the spa; enjoy one of the four restaurants and cafés; or try water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. There’s also a library and babysitting services available for when parents need a break on their own.

Address: 509 Patak Road, Karon Beach, Karon, Phuket

7. Pimalai Resort and Spa, Koh Lanta

Accommodation: Pimalai Resort and Spa

Highlights: Yoga, three restaurants, and a sparkling infinity pool, plus a beautiful location overlooking the Andaman Sea

Nestled between lush tropical rainforest and the turquoise waters of the Andaman sea, the Pimalai Resort and Spa offers both rooms and villas. The one-bedroom villas come furnished with a sofa bed, while two-bedroom villas can accommodate up to six people. The larger villas even come with their own private pool.

Aside from three restaurants, an infinity pool, a world-class spa, and a fitness center, the resort also offers yoga classes and plenty of activities to keep guests of all ages occupied. Direct access to beautiful reefs and snorkeling, tennis and badminton courts, bicycles available for free, and a kids’ club with many organized activities mean everybody in the family will find something to do here.

Pimalai’s beach access in a corner of the island means no crowds and very little noise, so guests can enjoy their corner of paradise almost on their own.

Address: 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach, Ko Lanta

8. SAii Phi Phi Island Village, Koh Phi Phi Don

Accommodation: SAii Phi Phi Island Village

Highlights: A swath of private beach and a lush coconut grove, plus a dedicated on-site dive center

An 800-meter stretch of private beach, an infinity pool that seems to go on forever, and its own dive center make the SAii Phi Phi Island Village one of the top picks for families visiting the Phi Phi islands. This boutique resort is surrounded by a massive 70 acres of land covered in coconut trees and offers private accommodation in the form of pool villas and bungalows.

For larger families, the two-bedroom family bungalow offers plenty of space, an ample balcony with outdoor seating, and interconnected rooms. For families with just one child, the Hillside Pool Villa offers impressive open views over the sea and the limestone islands, its own private infinity pool, and a sundeck with chairs to lounge on and enjoy the sea breeze.

The pulse of the resort is its SAii Hub. Here, guests will find not only reception but also the coffee shop and casual snack area. This part of the hotel is always buzzing with a social energy. Not only that, the resort has an M.I.Y. station that stands for (Mix It Yourself). Here, you can create your own personalized scent. Otherwise, you can spend some time at the spa or the well-equipped fitness center, take a yoga class, or plan a snorkeling trip.

Address: 49 Moo 8, Aonang, Muang, Ko Phi Phi Don

9. Sea Sand Sun Resort and Villas, Na Chom Thian

Accommodation: Sea Sand Sun Resort and Villas

Highlights: A romantic resort with serene tropical gardens, villas with ocean views, a beachfront restaurant, and a foot reflexology center

A 5-star resort on its own stretch of soft white sand, the Sea Sand Sun Resort and Villas features modern, spacious suites; a Balinese-style theme; and all the pampering you could ever want.

A favorite among couples, the resort focuses on creating a serene environment through open-style bathrooms, all-glass walls that open to your own private tropical garden and pool, and large balconies with sun lounges and outdoor dining tables. Some villas are stand-alone, with direct open views over the ocean, where you can catch the sunset from the privacy of your own terrace.

In addition to the main swimming pool, there’s also a children’s pool and an outdoor hot tub, as well as a beachfront restaurant, an award-winning spa, and a foot reflexology center. The Cartoon Network Amazon Water Park and the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden are very close to the resort, and the concierge can help organize a visit to either one.

Address: 78/4 M.8 Sukhumwit K.M. 163 Na Jomtien, Na Chom Thian

10. Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Accommodation: Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Highlights: Beautiful beachfront location with four swimming pools and villas that have a Jacuzzi or a plunge pool

Hua Hin, just two and a half hours south of Bangkok, often flies under the radar when people are looking for holiday destinations in Thailand. But this small city is home to the king’s summer palace and a quiet beach, perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowds.

Like other Centara hotels around the country, the one in Hua Hin offers suites and interconnecting rooms, a stunning beachfront location, and four swimming pools, each with its own smaller kids’ pool attached. All villas offer privacy, terraces, and either a Jacuzzi or a plunge pool.

The resort’s concierge can arrange tours to nearby attractions including the Mrigadayan Palace and Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park. It’s also possible to rent bicycles on-site, take tennis lessons, or play a game of giant chess.

Address: 1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin

11. Bo Phut Resort & Spa, Koh Samui

Accommodation: Bo Phut Resort & Spa

Highlights: A quiet beachfront location with beautifully landscaped pools, restaurants, and a lovely spa

This stunning beachfront resort is located on one of Koh Samui’s quietest beaches but just minutes away from town and popular tourist attractions (including Fisherman’s Village).

Here, visitors can choose between smaller villas with garden or beach views, or pick the large Garden Villa with a plunge pool, which features a large sun terrace, an outdoor shower, and plenty of other fun features.

Bo Phut Resort and Spa offers a number of leisure facilities, including landscaped pools, two restaurants, table tennis, and a well-appointed spa. The tour desk can help organize tours for guests, including canoeing trips, windsurfing lessons, diving, and snorkeling. There’s live music in the evenings and a library for rainy days.

Address: 12/12, Moo 1, Bophut

12. Soneva Kiri, Ko Kut

Accommodation: Soneva Kiri

Highlights: An all-villa resort with private pools, fully equipped kitchens, an outdoor cinema, cooking classes, and a world-class spa

This exclusive resort sits on the island of Koh Kood, surrounded by thick jungle and on its own private peninsula. Here, stand-alone villas are either perched on cliffs or sitting right on the golden sands.

All villas offer their own private pool, en-suite bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private terrace with sun loungers. From luxurious six-bedroom sunset-view villas with their own treehouse, waterslide, and gym to beach pool villa suites with outdoor bathtubs and direct access to a private stretch of beach, the rooms here will leave you feeling like royalty.

A spa offers everything from Ayurveda treatments to healing therapies. Other amenities include Thai cooking classes, an outdoor cinema, and four dining options serving everything from traditional Thai dishes to modern European fine dining to tapas and refreshments.

For those more adventurous, it’s possible to have a treepod dining experience (sitting in a bamboo pod high up in the heart of the rainforest) or lunch inside a natural cave surrounded by the jungle.

Address: 110 Moo 4, Ko Kut

13. JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Khao Lak

Accommodation: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Highlights: A lovely lagoon-style pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens; a wealth of activities; and spacious, luxury suites

Designed in the style of Thai palaces and temples, this elegant resort offers magnificent views and direct access to the pristine powdery beaches of Khao Lak. A lagoon-inspired massive swimming pool, a sun terrace and picnic area, a vast landscaped garden of coconut trees, and spa and wellness packages make this a great place for a tropical escape.

The resort offers suite and family rooms that can accommodate up to six people, some with direct pool access and some with quiet garden views. The resort provides free bicycles to explore the surrounding jungle trails and limestone cliffs, or you can play tennis, try a cooking class, or visit the library. There’s also an outdoor playground, a game room, and a kids’ club.

Address: 41/12 Moo 3 Phang Nga, Khuk Khak, Khao Lak

14. Sandalwood Luxury Villas, Lamai Beach

Accommodation: Sandalwood Luxury Villas

Highlights: Spectacular views over the Gulf of Siam and villas fully equipped with kitchenettes and spacious, luxurious bathrooms

Only 14 villas (of which nine come with their own private infinity pool) make up this stunning hillside resort with probably the best view of the Gulf of Siam you’ll find in Thailand. Villas come with kitchenettes, spa baths overlooking the ocean, private sundecks, and ceiling-high glass sliding doors for panoramic views both indoors and out. The communal hotel swimming pool offers a place to relax. Couples wanting a little privacy can choose to have breakfast in their villas.

Guests can enjoy snorkeling, cooking classes, and cultural tours of the area. There’s a restaurant and library on-site.

Address: 211/7 Moo 4, Lamai Beach, Maret

15. Devasom Hua Hin Resort, Cha Am

Accommodation: Devasom Hua Hin Resort

Highlights: A private beach location with a sprawling saltwater pool and a host of activities like cooking classes and spa treatments

All rooms at this award-winning resort have either partial or full sea views and rain showers, with some rooms also offering direct access to the ocean. Other room amenities include a free in-room non-alcohol minibar, private balconies, and Bluetooth speakers.

Guests have exclusive use of the private beach, can enjoy the hotel’s massive saltwater swimming pool and Jacuzzi, try a Thai cooking class, or get pampered at the resort’s spa.

The resort’s restaurant serves five-course meals prepared by an acclaimed chef. The concierge can arrange day trips to nearby attractions, including the Hua Hin Night Market, Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, or Palm Hills Golf Club.

Address: 1446/23 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am

16. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Highlights: An intimate room count with views overlooking the Mae Ping River, complete with a riverside adults-only pool, yoga classes, and Tai Chi

The resorts of Northern Thailand have their own beautiful luxuries to offer, both in terms of amenities, as well as natural beauty. Anantara Chiang Mai is one of the best resorts in Thailand, and certainly one of the very best resorts in the north of the country.

The beautiful Anantara Chiang Mai sits overlooking Chiang Mai’s Mae Ping River. The intimate resort has 52 rooms, as well as 56 suites. The room to beat here is the Kasara River View Suite, which is 105 square meters and can sleep three adults, or two adults and two children.

Among the luxe amenities at this resort, the swimming pools are definitely a guest favorite. A rooftop pool features city and mountain views, while a riverside pool is reserved for adults only. The resort also has a fitness center, as well as yoga classes and Tai Chi. Guests can even sign up for private or group Muay Thai classes. Or, simply relax at the beautiful spa, which offers massages like hot stone, Shirodhara, and Thai styles.

Address: 123, 1 Charoen Prathet Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100

17. Amanpuri, Phuket

Accommodation: Amanpuri

Highlights: A sanctuary of wellness and calm, with both pavilion rooms and villas, floating walkways, and a Holistic Wellness Centre

The Aman brand is one of the most luxurious, chic, and sophisticated in the world. These uber-luxe resorts are secluded, incredibly exclusive, and unbelievably high-end. So it’s no wonder that their Thailand resort is among the best in not only Thailand, but on the planet.

Amanpuri, as it is called, is located in Phuket, overlooking the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. The resort is sequestered on its own peninsula, shrouded in swaying palms and rimmed in white sand. Designed to be a sanctuary of wellness and tranquility, Amanpuri features a collection of both Pavilion-style rooms, as well as Villas.

The Pavilions are accessed from floating walkways and feature an open-air design, with infinity pools and gorgeous views of either the lush gardens or the ocean. Villas have enclosed spaces, but are much larger, offering anywhere from one to nine bedrooms.

Experiences include everything from high-speed aquatic activities to slower nature tours, and educational experiences for children. But the reason to book this resort is its wellness program at the Holistic Wellness Centre, which has customized treatments, immersions, and fitness programs.

Address: 118, Moo 3 Pansea Beach, Cherngtalay, Choeng Thale, Phuket 83110 Thailand

18. COMO Point Yamu, Phuket

Accommodation: COMO Point Yamu

Highlights: A premiere spa destination with the phenomenal Shambhala wellness center, as well as a special Shambhala Cuisine menu that puts the emphasis on healthy dining

Perched on the tip of Cape Yamu, with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, COMO Point Yamu is one of the most spectacular resorts in Thailand. The resort blends luxury accommodations with COMO’s renowned Shambhala wellness center, making it a great option for guests who want to travel for a high-end wellness holiday.

The resort’s lovely accommodations include 79 rooms and suites, plus 27 private villas. The best of the rooms is the Phang Nga Pool Room, with 97 square meters and a private pool and deck. The Phang Nga Pool Suites are even larger, at 180 square meters maximum, also with private pools. But if you really want to splurge, it’s the COMO Pool Villa that takes the cake, with 650 square meters, four bedrooms, and spectacular views.

Guests can choose to dine at the Italian restaurant, as well as the Thai restaurant, or from the COMO Shambhala Cuisine menu that is all about wellness dining. In fact, it’s the wellness that sets this resort apart. The holistic center focuses on mind-body balance, as well as local therapies, and has a schedule of activities that includes yoga and Pilates.

Address: 225, Pa Klok, Thalang District, Phuket 83110

19. The Standard Hua Hin

Accommodation: The Standard Hua Hin

Highlights: A sleek, modern hotel with lovely pool villas, several restaurants, and a special Mud Lounge for purifying scrubs

One of the newer resorts in Thailand is The Standard Hua Hin, which officially marks the brand’s first foray into Thailand. The design of the resort gives off that retro meets modern vibe – think Mad Men on holiday in Miami, with decidedly Southeast Asian vibes.

The waterfront resort has 199 rooms, suites, and villas, all tucked among lush, jungle foliage. The best rooms here are the 21 pool villas with beach access. The resort has a casual, all-day dining restaurant, Lido. In the evening the restaurant takes on a new look that is much more soft-spoken and sultry. Praça is the beach restaurant that serves small Thai bites with a twist.

A spa features a gym; a space for yoga; a menu of treatments; and a special Mud Lounge, where guests can partake in skin-purifying and mood-enhancing mud scrubs.

Address: 59 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110

20. Kimpton Kitalay Samui

Accommodation: Kimpton Kitalay Samui

Highlights: A quiet village-inspired resort with five restaurants, a spa, and beautiful oasis-like pools

On the quieter side of Koh Samui, located near Coen Mong Beach, is the Kimpton Kitalay Samui. Opened in 2021, the resort has 138 guest rooms, with roughly two-thirds being made up of suites and villas with direct beach access and Gulf of Thailand views.

The resort is designed to look like a small island village. Think elevated Thai design with traditional elements, like floor-to-ceiling windows, towering palm trees, tranquil pools, and beautiful wooden accents.

The resort has five restaurants, as well as a spa that has been inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices. Guests can also use the fitness center or rent one of the resort’s fat-tire bicycles to explore the island.

The 21 oceanfront villas have direct access to a spectacular stretch of beach. They also have deep soaking tubs and private pools. The Pimãanda by HARNN spa offers personalized spa experiences, each one beginning with a foot soak. For kids, the resort has the Kids Club at Junio.

Address: Kimpton Kitalay Samui 10/79 Moo 5, Bo Phut, Choeng Mon Beach Surathani, Surat Thani 84320

Map of Resorts in Thailand

Best Time to Visit Resorts in Thailand

Thailand is popular for travel any time of year. But your experience can change, as can your budget, based on what time of year you decide to go. Typically the high season for tourism in Thailand is November, December, January, February, and March. Shoulder season is April, May, June, and October, and the low season is July, August, and September.

Keep in mind that Thailand is a very long country, with many different regions and sub-regions, so while this is a general guide for the best times to visit Thailand, it may not necessarily apply to the entirety of the country.

Thailand’s dry season starts in November. November, December, January, February, and March in Thailand have the most comfortable weather, with temperatures that average in the low 80s Fahrenheit. This is also the time with the least amount of rainfall, so sunny days are almost guaranteed. This is the time of year, however, when you’ll also have the most crowds and the highest hotel prices.

Shoulder season is also a good time to visit Thailand. Temperatures start to climb in March and April, but the crowds have started to back off. Temperatures range from 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of the month and the location. Typically the mountainous areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are still around 66 degrees Fahrenheit during this time of year.

Low season is when you will surely find the lowest prices and the least crowds, but the weather can be extremely wet, hot, and muggy during these months. Monsoon season begins in July and lasts until September. During this time, rain can fall for days, and that can often lead to traffic disruptions. However, hotel prices are sure to hit rock bottom.