Where to Stay in Thailand
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
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Regions of Thailand
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
Thailand's capital region offers the country's most diverse accommodation, from budget Khao San Road hostels to ultra-luxury riverside hotels. The area serves as most visitors' entry point and features exceptional public transport connections, making it ideal for first-time visitors. Accommodation density is highest here, with options in every price category and style.
The mountainous north offers cooler climates and culturally rich accommodation from colonial-era teak guesthouses to modern eco-lodges. Chiang Mai serves as the regional hub with hundreds of accommodation options, while smaller towns like Pai and Mae Hong Son provide more rustic, nature-focused stays. This region is ideal for those seeking cultural immersion and outdoor activities.
Thailand's largest but least-touristed region offers authentic local experiences with basic to mid-range accommodation concentrated in provincial capitals. This area provides excellent value and genuine Thai hospitality, though luxury options are limited. Ideal for adventurous travelers seeking to escape tourist trails.
Stretching from Bangkok to the Cambodian border, this region combines beach resorts, island getaways, and industrial city hotels. Pattaya offers mass-market beach accommodation, while islands like Koh Samet and Koh Chang provide more relaxed tropical settings. The area attracts both weekend domestic tourists and international visitors.
Thailand's most famous beach destination features dramatic limestone karsts, crystal-clear waters, and the country's highest concentration of luxury resorts. From backpacker-friendly Railay Beach to ultra-exclusive Amanpuri, this region offers every accommodation style imaginable. Phuket serves as the main hub with excellent international connectivity.
The Gulf of Thailand's island chain offers diverse accommodation from Koh Samui's luxury resorts to Koh Phangan's full moon party bungalows and Koh Tao's dive-focused guesthouses. Each island has distinct character and accommodation style, with Samui featuring the most developed infrastructure and highest prices. Weather patterns differ from the Andaman side, making these islands popular when western beaches face monsoons.
Often overlooked by international tourists, this region offers quiet beach towns, national parks, and excellent seafood alongside affordable accommodation. Hua Hin serves as the royal beach resort town with upscale hotels, while Cha-am and Pranburi provide more local experiences. Popular with Bangkok residents for weekend escapes.
Thailand's southernmost provinces blend Thai Buddhist and Malay Muslim cultures, offering unique accommodation experiences in less-visited areas. Hat Yai serves as the commercial hub, while coastal areas provide undeveloped beaches and island sanctuaries. Some areas have travel advisories, so research current conditions before booking.
Bordering Myanmar, this mountainous region features national parks, waterfalls, and the famous Death Railway alongside nature-focused accommodation. Kanchanaburi offers floating raft houses on the River Kwai, while remote areas provide jungle lodges and eco-resorts. Ideal for nature lovers and history enthusiasts seeking cooler temperatures and outdoor activities.
Where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar, this historic region offers luxury resorts overlooking the Mekong River alongside simpler accommodation in hill tribe villages. Chiang Rai provides the main accommodation hub, while riverside properties offer spectacular sunset views. The area combines cultural exploration with nature experiences.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across Thailand
Major international chains including Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, Hyatt, and Accor maintain strong presence in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, offering reliable standards and loyalty program benefits. Regional Asian brands like Centara (Thailand's largest hotel operator), Dusit, and Amari provide excellent mid-range to luxury options with local character. Budget chains such as Ibis, Tune Hotels, and local operators like Hop Inn offer clean, no-frills accommodation in major cities and tourist areas. International luxury groups including Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree, and Anantara operate flagship properties in prime locations.
Independent Thai-owned guesthouses and small hotels form the backbone of budget and mid-range accommodation, often providing more personal service and local insights than chain properties. Family-run operations dominate in smaller towns and islands, with owners frequently offering tour arrangements, motorbike rentals, and home-cooked meals. Many properties occupy converted traditional Thai houses, shophouses, or purpose-built low-rise buildings. The rise of Thai boutique hotel groups has created a middle ground between international chains and basic guesthouses, offering design-conscious properties with local character at reasonable prices.
Thailand's unique accommodation options include floating raft houses on the River Kwai and other waterways, offering a distinctive way to experience river life. Traditional Thai teakwood houses converted into guesthouses provide authentic architectural experiences, particularly in northern regions. Treehouse resorts have emerged in jungle areas, while some properties offer stays in converted rice barns or traditional stilt houses. Boutique properties increasingly incorporate traditional Thai sala (pavilions) as accommodation units. Temple stays (wats) are possible in some areas for cultural immersion. Increasingly popular are glamping sites, elephant sanctuaries with overnight accommodation, and homestays in rural villages offering genuine local experiences. Some beach destinations feature simple bamboo bungalows maintaining the backpacker aesthetic despite rising prices elsewhere.
Booking Tips for Thailand
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
While international booking platforms offer convenience and reviews, booking directly with hotels often yields better rates, room upgrades, and flexibility, especially for boutique properties and smaller guesthouses. Many Thai hotels maintain active presence on multiple platforms including Agoda (particularly strong in Thailand), Booking.com, and local sites like Traveloka. Always compare prices across platforms and check the hotel's own website before booking.
Outside peak season, walk-in rates at guesthouses and smaller hotels can be significantly cheaper than online prices, particularly in beach areas and tourist towns where competition is fierce. This strategy works best for budget and mid-range properties during low season, but risks losing out on accommodation during busy periods. Consider booking first nights online, then negotiating directly for extended stays.
Thailand's growing digital nomad scene means many hotels, serviced apartments, and guesthouses offer substantial discounts for weekly or monthly stays, sometimes 30-50% off nightly rates. Northern cities like Chiang Mai and islands like Koh Lanta are particularly accommodating for long-term guests. Always inquire about extended stay rates, even if not advertised, as many properties will negotiate.
Many resorts, particularly on islands, offer packages including ferry transfers, meals, or activities that provide better value than booking accommodation alone. Bangkok hotels often include airport transfers for multi-night stays. During low season, look for promotional packages offering free nights, spa credits, or meal inclusions that significantly enhance value.
Thai hotels generally offer more flexible cancellation policies than Western properties, with many allowing free cancellation up to 3-7 days before arrival outside peak season. During high season (November-February), stricter policies apply with deposits often non-refundable. Always check cancellation terms carefully and consider booking refundable rates during uncertain times, as the small premium often proves worthwhile.
In Thailand, location dramatically affects pricing, with beachfront or city-center properties commanding 50-200% premiums over accommodation just 5-10 minutes away. Consider staying slightly inland or in adjacent areas with easy transport connections to popular zones. Bangkok's excellent BTS/MRT system means staying a few stations from tourist areas saves considerable money without sacrificing convenience.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across Thailand
For November through February travel, book 2-3 months in advance for mid-range properties and 4-6 months for luxury resorts and popular islands. Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year periods require even earlier booking (6+ months) as properties sell out and prices reach annual peaks. Popular islands like Koh Phi Phi and destinations like Chiang Mai during Yi Peng festival need advance planning.
March through May (hot season) and September through October (early cool season) offer more flexibility, with 2-4 weeks advance booking usually sufficient except during Thai holidays like Songkran (mid-April). Prices drop 20-40% from peak rates, and last-minute deals become available. Some properties close for renovations during these periods, particularly September-October.
June through August and parts of September see the lowest prices and greatest availability, with discounts of 40-60% common in monsoon-affected areas. Many properties remain open despite rain, as tropical downpours are often brief afternoon showers rather than all-day events. Last-minute booking is feasible, though some remote islands have reduced ferry services. Koh Samui's season is opposite, making it busy when Andaman coast faces monsoons.
For Thailand, booking 6-8 weeks in advance provides optimal balance of selection and pricing for most periods. Budget travelers can often book 1-2 weeks ahead outside peak season, while luxury properties and popular islands justify earlier booking. Monitor prices as Thai hotels frequently adjust rates based on demand, and last-minute deals appear when occupancy is low. Domestic Thai holidays (long weekends) can unexpectedly affect availability in beach destinations popular with Bangkok residents.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for Thailand