The Best Resorts In Thailand To Book In 2025

A serene, five-star stay is on offer at the Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, which just so happens to be the filming location for the third season of The White Lotus—and it's easy to see why it was chosen as the backdrop for the lavish drama. Scattered over a lush, rainforested hillside are 70 private rooms, each equipped with a private infinity pool, bar and al fresco bathing area (it’s not every day you can take a bath with views of tropical gardens and beaches).

Make your way down to the beach and you'll find a pristine sandy coves bordered by tropical greenery and sparkling blue seas, but if you’re looking for some action, free activities are on offer including snorkelling, water sports, and tennis. There's a spa on site, of course, where you can treat yourself to massages and facials, and when you get hungry, you can head for one the resort's two restaurants, which serve up themed dinner nights with live music, fresh local seafood, and Thai cooking classes.

Bonus, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is conveniently located near the airport and Big Buddha, as well as the Marine National Park (which you can cruise to in style on the resort’s SIAMSEAS boat). Better book a stay before everyone else, because if the last two seasons of The White Lotus are anything to go by, this one's about to reach peak popularity. 

Also serving as a backdrop to some of the scenes in The White Lotus is Anantara’s resort on Koh Yao Yai island off the coast of Phuket. With seven restaurants and bars on offer, there is no shortage of sophisticated and delicious drinking and dining options here, though of course, that's not the main appeal. Lagoon or Beachfront Pool Villa come equipped with their own private pool while the Sea View Pool Penthouses feature a private pool deck.

Cycle along pristine, white-sand beaches and stunning tropical flora, then see the day off with a sunset cruise. You can also hop over to the famous James Bond filming location, Khao Phing Kan. Once you’re done with the seeing-and-doing portion of your holiday, relax with a massage at the on-site spa, and a drink-with-a-view on your private balcony.

One of the best beachfronts in Thailand deserves one of the best resorts: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa. This sprawling stay is home to a mix of rooms and suites, plus one- or two-bedroom villas for those wanting to put the ‘lux’ in luxury stay. If you’re the type who chooses their accommodation based on the pool, then you’re in luck: one of the longest pools in Southeast Asia is ready for you to wade in. A boat even sails along the 2.4km length of pool handing out icy cold coconuts.

Poolside yoga is also offered, and guests have opportunities to swim with native bamboo sharks, snorkel the Similan and Surin Islands, and explore Khao Sak National Park on a bamboo raft.

Trisara is a secluded oceanfront retreat set within the tropical hills of northwest Phuket. Private villas and suites overlook the Andaman Sea, and the residences – ranging from one- to eight-bedroom – are akin to mini resorts themselves. There are two restaurants to lure you from the comforts of your accommodation: Michelin-starred PRU and Mediterranean-led Cielo.

Other reasons to tear yourself away from your private infinity pool are the experiences offered by the resort. Explore the nearby islands on one of the luxury motor yachts, join a local guide on excursions to nearby lesser-known islands or take a helicopter flight over Phang Nga Bay – the most spectacular way to discover this UNESCO World Heritage site.

TreeHouse Villas is tucked within the Koh Yao Noi jungle, where thatched loftily-perched villas have views over the Andaman Sea. Each treehouse villa is made from recycled materials and has a private plunge pool. There are also villas with direct beach access and three-bedroom villas located on the property’s hilltop.

A set of five Paradise Experiences have been curated by the hotel, intended to provide guests with memories that extend beyond their rooms. A culinary-focused experience includes a farm walk and crash course in Thai cuisine; the cultural option features tours of rice fields and rubber tree plantation; opt for the Relax and Refresh for massages and daily yoga classes.

Prepare to stake your claim on a sunlounge by Six Senses Samui’s main infinity pool; it looks smack-bang over the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Phangan can even be seen on the horizon. Most of the resort’s villas have private pools too, for those preferring to paddle in private. As with other Six Senses resorts, a Guest Experience Maker is at your beck and call should you want to organise a boat charter, Thai cooking class, dive course or personalised wine tasting during your stay.

Your options for dining at Six Senses Samui are just as diverse: award-winning terraced Dining on the Rocks (tables 99 and 100 are hot favourites); Dining on the Hill for a mix of Thai and Western cuisine; Drift at the Beach for laid-back cabanas, wood-fired flavours and great cocktails.

Taking up prime real estate between the pristine Bang Muang Beach and Khao Sok National Park is Pullman Khao Lak Resort, where the Thailand flop-and-drop goes next-level. Sino-Portuguese architecture, cool beach club and spa with traditional Turkish baths makes this five-star resort a standout from the crowd.

Every age is catered for here, from an adults-only infinity pool and swim-up bar to an epic 1,000sqm kids’ club and cinema. One of the best ways to spend an afternoon at the resort is in a poolside cabana at Beach Club Kram. Kick back with cocktails and seafood small plates while looking out over the picture-perfect beach.

Escape the city while being in its heart with a stay at Banyan Tree Bangkok. Housed within one of Asia’s tallest buildings, this urban sanctuary offers views aplenty, but the real attention-stealers are the rooftop Vertigo restaurant and Moon Bar. Here, the twinkling lights of Thailand’s non-stop capital city is a stunning backdrop as you dine on seafood, steaks, and cocktails as picture-perfect as the views.

For relaxation, freshen up in the outdoor pool and unwind at the Banyan Tree Spa, where treatments using warm aromatic oils and scrubs created with Thai saf flowers await. When it comes to exploring, some of Bangkok’s most popular attractions are only 15 minutes away, such as Wat Pathum Wanaram, Lumphini Park, and Pratunam Ferry Wharf. 

With its Maldives sister properties listed in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023, you know you’re in for a treat at Soneva Kiri. The resort brings eco-luxury to Koh Kood, an island just 90 minutes from Bangkok, and with only 33 villas you almost have this slice of paradise all to yourself. Open-air bathrooms, private pools, and bay or beach views feature across all villa options, from one-bedroom suites to a sprawling five-bedroom residence.

Seven restaurants, plus a 350-bottle wine cellar, So Deli-cious cheese deli and So Guilty chocolate bar, cater to all tastes. Occupy your days with island hikes in the unspoiled rainforest, waterfall swims, snorkelling in the man-made reef garden, or joining a Koh Kood Discovery tour.  

Five-star resort and home to 180° degree views of the ocean, Napasai, A Belmond Hotel in Koh Samui is a stunning place to laze around by the seaside infinity pool. But if elephant-trekking tours and diving lessons are more your speed, that’s available too. This tropical getaway is located on Mae Nam beach and while there’s not much around, you won’t feel the need to leave.

The villas are spacious, air-conditioned and feature luxury amenities including a large, terrazzo bath, rain shower, and Thai-style sofa. Grab a room with a private pool, or head to the spa for a pamper. Once you’re all relaxed, get your fill of fresh barbecued seafood and authentic Thai cuisine.

Thailand has a fair few five-star retreats to choose from, but The Nai Harn is the best of the best—it is currently rated the #1 resort in Nai Harn on Tripadvisor. Daily breakfast is included in your stay along with a free drink (including cocktails) for you to redeem every day at the rooftop bar that boasts views of the island’s best beach.

Experience ultra-luxe service including beach butlers that cater to you while you loaf on the sand, and a ‘press for champagne’ button on your private terrace. This oceanfront sanctuary also offers free daily activities, water-sports, and cooking classes. Personalise your stay by booking a room with either a mountain or bay view, and if the five bars and restaurants aren’t enough, utilise your terrace for a private barbecue.

Contemporary class meets stunning views at The Slate Phuket. The stylish resort has not one, not two, but three pools (one with a swim-up bar), as well as delicious bites and sips on offer at restaurants ranging from fine dining at Blank Ginger (where modern cuisine meets traditional cuisine), to retro-inspired cocktails at Tongkah Tin Syndicate. Not to mention, the architecture and interior-design are visually striking and perfect for the Insta.

Feeling more outdoorsy? Take a stroll through tropical gardens and glimpse traces of the sculptures commemorating the island’s tin-mining industry, or take a trip to nearby tourist spots including Big Buddha, Patong, and the Phuket night markets. Elevate your stay further with a room upgrade that includes a private garden and pool—and with free airport transfers and nightly complimentary drinks, it’s hard to say no.