Choosing where to stay in Thailand can feel overwhelming because the country offers such a wide variety of experiences. From lively cities and laid-back islands to party hubs and quiet beach towns, there’s no single “best” place to stay. What matters most is matching your accommodation to the kind of trip you want.
Rather than focusing on specific hotels, this guide breaks Thailand down by regions and travel styles to help you decide what suits you best.
Rather than listing endless hotels, this guide focuses on regions and travel styles, highlighting a small selection of well-known, consistently well-reviewed places to stay. We’ve only included destinations we’ve personally visited so far, and we’ll continue adding new places as we travel further afield.
Table of Contents
🌴 Beach & Island Stays
Thailand’s islands are famous for clear water, soft sand and unforgettable sunsets, but each island has its own rhythm. Some are known for nightlife and Full Moon parties, while others are relaxed and slow-paced. Choosing the right island — and the right part of that island — makes all the difference.
Accommodation on the islands is generally slightly more expensive than the mainland, but still very affordable. Always read recent reviews, especially when booking near busy townships or known party areas.
Koh Phangan: Full Moon Party Central
Koh Phangan is best known for its Full Moon Parties, which attract thousands of travellers each month, particularly around Haad Rin. During these periods, accommodation fills fast and noise levels can be high.
However, Koh Phangan also has beautiful, peaceful areas well away from the party scene. Choosing the right location makes all the difference.
Well-known Koh Phangan stays:
- Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa – Secluded and peaceful
- Buri Rasa Village Koh Phangan – Boutique-style and relaxed
- Panviman Resort Koh Phangan – Elevated views and quieter surroundings
👉 For a full breakdown of areas, beaches and travel tips: Read our full Koh Phangan guide here.
Koh Tao: Laid-Back with a Lively Edge
Koh Tao is famous for diving and snorkelling. While it isn’t a Full Moon Party island, its close proximity to Koh Phangan means it can feel livelier around Full Moon periods.
Outside the main Sairee Beach area, Koh Tao remains calm, scenic and relaxed.
Popular Koh Tao stays:
- Haadtien Beach Resort – Quieter beachfront location
- Sairee Cottage Resort – Central and social
- View Point Resort – Peaceful with great views
👉 Dive sites, beaches and where to base yourself: Read our full Koh Tao guide here.
Koh Phi Phi: Busy but Not a Full Moon Island
Koh Phi Phi is a busy island with a strong party culture in the main township, particularly at night. However, it’s not a Full Moon Party island, and outside the main area you’ll find much quieter resorts and beaches.
If you want to enjoy Phi Phi without the nightlife, staying outside the central village is key.
Well-known stays to consider:
- SAii Phi Phi Island Village – Resort-style and away from the crowds
- OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort – Relaxed beachfront setting
- Phi Phi Holiday Resort – Quieter location with good access to nature
👉 Want to avoid the party zone and choose the right area? Read our full Koh Phi Phi guide here.
Koh Lanta: Calm, Old-School Thai Vibes
Koh Lanta remains one of the most laid-back islands in Thailand. It feels slower, more traditional and far removed from party culture. Long beaches, minimal crowds and spectacular sunsets make it ideal for travellers seeking calm.
Highly regarded Koh Lanta stays:
- Pimalai Resort & Spa – One of the island’s most respected resorts
- Layana Resort & Spa – Peaceful and adults-focused
- Lanta Palace Beach Resort & Spa – Great value beachfront option
👉 Beaches, sunsets and where to stay: Read our full Koh Lanta guide here.
Koh Samui: Island Hub with Easy Access
Koh Samui is the main hub for this part of Thailand and has a fully functioning international airport, making it one of the easiest islands to reach. It’s often used as a base to access nearby islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, with frequent ferries and speedboats running between them.
Samui itself offers a wide range of experiences. Some areas are lively and built up, while others are quieter and more resort-focused. Because of its size, where you stay matters, but no matter the area, getting around the island is straightforward.
Koh Samui works well if you want:
- Easy airport access
- A mix of beaches, resorts and town life
- A convenient base for island hopping
Well-known, well-reviewed Koh Samui stays:
- Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort – High-end beachfront luxury
- Garrya Tongsai Bay – Peaceful setting with a long-standing reputation
- Silavadee Pool Spa Resort – Elevated views and a quieter atmosphere
Why Koh Samui matters in this region
Koh Samui plays a key role in island travel. Even if you don’t plan to stay long, you’ll likely pass through it when heading to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. Its airport, ferry connections and infrastructure make it one of the most practical island bases in Thailand.
👉 Planning to base yourself here or island hop from Samui? Read our full Koh Samui guide here.
🌴 Ao Nang & Krabi: Gateway to Southern Islands
Ao Nang, in the Krabi region, is one of the most important places to stay if you want easy access to nearby islands. From here, you can reach Railay Beach, Koh Hong, Koh Poda and the Phi Phi Islands by longtail boat or ferry.
Ao Nang itself offers a mix of accommodation, restaurants and transport options, making it a very practical base.
Why stay in Ao Nang / Krabi:
- Easy island-hopping access
- Great tour and boat connections
- Wide range of accommodation options
Well-reviewed places to stay in Ao Nang:
- Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa – Beachfront comfort with excellent facilities
- The Verandah Hotel – Modern and centrally located
- Aonang Cliff Beach Resort – Great views and a relaxing pool setting
👉 Planning to explore Krabi and the surrounding islands? Read our full Ao Nang & Krabi guide here.
🌊 Phuket: Something for Everyone
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most diverse islands, and where you stay really shapes your experience. Each area offers something different, whether you’re chasing nightlife, beaches, culture or a quieter resort feel.
Popular areas to stay in Phuket include:
- Phuket Old Town – Colourful streets, cafés, markets and local character
- Rawai – Laid-back, local feel with easy access to nearby islands
- Kata Beach – Relaxed beach town with great swimming and sunsets
- Karon Beach – Long sandy beach with a quieter pace than Patong
- Patong – Busy, energetic and nightlife-focused
- Kamala Beach – More relaxed resort-style area with a calm atmosphere
Phuket is also easy to get around, so no matter where you stay, exploring different beaches and neighbourhoods is simple using taxis, Grab, scooters or rental cars.
Well-known Phuket stays to consider:
- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach – Beachfront with space and facilities
- Angsana Laguna Phuket – Popular resort in a quieter lagoon area
- Hotel Clover Patong Phuket – Central and convenient for exploring
👉 Want more detail on where to stay, things to do and how to get around? Read our full Phuket destination guide here.
🏛️ Ayutthaya: History, Temples & a Slower Pace
Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s most fascinating historical destinations and makes an excellent short stay or overnight trip from Bangkok. Once the ancient capital of Siam, the city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with temple ruins, riverside walks and a calmer pace compared to the capital.
Staying overnight allows you to explore the temples early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the heat is lower and day-trippers have left. Accommodation here is generally affordable and often set near the river or within cycling distance of the main ruins.
Ayutthaya is ideal if you want:
- A cultural and historical experience
- A slower pace after Bangkok
- Easy access by train, bus or van
Well-reviewed places to stay in Ayutthaya:
- Sala Ayutthaya – Stylish riverside stay with temple views
- Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya – Comfortable and modern with good amenities
- Baan Luang Harn – Boutique-style and close to the historical park
👉 Planning a visit and want to know how to get there, where to stay and what to see? Read our full Ayutthaya travel guide here.
🏙️ Bangkok: Our Personal Favourite
Bangkok is big, busy and chaotic at times — and we absolutely love it. Every neighbourhood has its own personality, and the public transport network is outstanding, making it easy to explore no matter where you stay.
Whether you’re near the river, a BTS line or tucked into a local area, Bangkok delivers energy, food and culture in every direction. Our favourite area is Sathorn
Excellent Bangkok options:
- Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit – Fantastic location near BTS
- The Okura Prestige Bangkok – Luxury with incredible city views
- Akara Hotel Bangkok – Boutique-style and well reviewed
👉 Neighbourhoods, transport and where to stay: Read our full Bangkok guide here.
🧭 Our Tips for Choosing Accommodation
- Decide what kind of trip you want before booking
- Read recent reviews, especially for noise and location
- Island location matters more than star rating
- In cities, stay near public transport
- Expect slightly higher prices on islands, but still great value
✨ Final Thoughts
Where you stay in Thailand shapes how you experience the country. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, city energy or slow beach days, Thailand offers incredible accommodation value across every travel style. Choosing the right area — and a trusted, well-reviewed stay — makes all the difference.
When it comes to finding the right place to stay, we usually start with Trip.com— it’s easy to use and covers everything from budget motels to boutique stays and self-contained options. We also like to check Tripadvisor for reviews and side-by-side comparisons and Booking.com is a handy tool for comparing prices across multiple platforms. Between them, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s available and what might suit your travel style best.
✨ Final Thoughts
There’s no right or wrong place to stay in Thailand, only what’s right for your style of travel. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, city energy or slow beach days, Thailand offers incredible value and variety when it comes to accommodation.
🔗 More Thailand Travel Guides
Want more Thailand Inspiration?
Explore all our Thailand blogs in one place – from laid-back islands and beaches to local towns and the energy of Bangkok.
👉 Read all our Thailand Destination Guides & Thailand Travel Essentials Guides Here
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“Where you stay shapes how a place stays with you.”