Best Luxury Hotels in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province

The 30-room, four-pearl Chongfah Beach Resort is a boutique hotel situated right on the Andaman Sea in Khao Lak. Rooms are modern and airy and feature super-comfortable beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Nearly half of the rooms here are spacious bungalows complete with refreshing outdoor showers, private hot tubs, and patios (a few of which have incredible beach views). The hotel has a chic infinity pool that faces the sea, and the on-site Seaborn Restaurant gets great reviews and serves the free breakfast. Guests should keep in mind that while there are lounge chairs along the beach, it is only good for swimming when the tide is low. The hotel is wildly popular among couples on holiday, and it is a quieter, cozier option when compared to the larger Mukdara Resort next door.

Ramada Khao Lak Resort is a four-pearl resort right on the beach, just a short boat ride from the Similan Islands. The 116 rooms and suites feature contemporary decor with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning for value rates. For a romantic getaway, an upgrade to the rooms with private pools, direct beach access, or whirlpool baths might be worth the splurge. There’s a hot breakfast buffet in the morning, a restaurant, and a coffee bar to satisfy guests’ dining needs (available all-inclusive rates). The freeform pool, spa, cooking classes, gym, and kids’ club manage to keep everyone entertained. The biggest drawback is the noise pollution from a next-door construction site and little to do or see within walking distance from the hotel. For an alternative hotel with similar amenities, Beyond Resort Khaolak is a quieter escape with an adult-only policy. 

This 38-room four-pearl resort is one the most beautiful and elegant in the area. Though there are other resorts flanking it on the Khao Lak coast, this resort truly feels like an isolated tropical oasis, with rustic-chic design throughout. There are stylish and simple Deluxe Rooms with striking tiled bathrooms plus balconies or terraces, but the stars here are the incredibly spacious and luxurious villas tucked into the resorts’s lush jungle grounds and featuring a private jacuzzi. The resort also has an attractive pool and a restaurant that gets great reviews, and, of course, a stunning beach. It is pricier than other resorts in the area, but for families and couples looking for a luxurious jungle retreat on the beach, this place lives up to its name.

Four-pearl Khaolak Merlin Resort is a hidden sanctuary, perfect for travelers looking for an upscale, quiet retreat. Its 15-acre grounds stretch down to the beach, which is where you'll find the top-end villas with private pools. Low-rise buildings scattered around the forested grounds house the rest of the 236 rooms, which have a modern Thai finish and terraces looking over the natural landscapes. Several swimming pools are connected by pretty waterfalls and one features a swim-up bar. There's also a spa, two restaurants and bars, and plenty of secluded seating areas -- meaning the place never feels crowded. There's not a lot going on in the evening, so travelers looking for a livelier resort might take a look at the Ramada Khaolak Resort closer to the center of town.

The 195-room Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa is an upscale property situated right on a lovely beach about 20 minutes outside of Khao Lak. The resort is separated into two sections, one offering modern hotel rooms and the other composed of villas; style varies between both. All have features like stocked minibars and free Wi-Fi, but some have old tube TVs. Balconies or terraces come standard as well, and some rooms have direct pool access. Two restaurants and two bars are well-liked by previous guests and there's a pool as well as a sharp spa. Travelers who would prefer to be a little closer to town could check out the Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort, where breakfast is included in the rates.  

The Sensimar Khaolak Beachfront Resort is a modern four-pearl complex overlooking a golden sandy beach. Its contemporary style is a contrast to the many more traditionally styled resorts in the area, and grounds are neatly kept. The location is within an easy stroll of Khao Lak's busy center and the property has an excellent array of amenities, including a beachfront restaurant, five pools, a gym, and spa. Rooms are well-finished, and the bungalows set in beachfront gardens are first-class. This adult-only resort has a sophisticated, relaxed vibe, though previous guests find opting out of the all-inclusive plan means more chances to try local fare in town. Travelers looking for more Thai character may try neighboring Moracea by Khao Lak Resort instead, where rates are slightly lower but families are allowed.

The 177-room Beyond Resort Khaolak is an upscale beachside resort a 10-minute drive outside Khao Lak. Children aren't allowed here, which adds to the peaceful, quiet nature of the property. All accommodations are villas, and they are spacious, modern, and equipped with features like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and massive bathrooms. Some have outdoor tubs and private plunge pools overlooking the sea. There are three options for dining, plus a beach bar. The outdoor pool is huge, and the spa is an elegant, relaxing retreat. Children under 18 are not allowed at the resort, a big reason why it's so popular with couples. Travelers with children will find similar amenities at the Mai Khaolak Beach Resort & Spa, where rates are lower.

The luxury, 95-room Moracea by Khao Lak Resort has spacious, well-designed rooms in a secluded location that's about a 10-minute walk to restaurants and shops in Khao Lak town, and a short taxi ride to nearby markets. Discretely built into the hillside amid a jungle setting, the resort affords relative privacy, while the beachfront bungalows offer pleasant sunset views. The numerous pools are also popular, though the spa gets poor reviews for both the quality of treatments and the staff's limited English. Restaurants serve a variety of breakfast dishes, but finding a table in the morning can be difficult. While the beach is pleasant in high season, it's less so during the rainy months when it's sometimes dirty, and erosion-prevention measures mean unattractive sandbags along the beachfront's boundary. Be aware that there are no elevators in the resort, and the numerous steps might pose a challenge to those with limited mobility.

This large, four-pearl resort is situated directly on one of Khao Lak's beautiful beaches with a small on-site lake where guests can kayak. It isn't the most modern resort in town, but it offers just about everything tourists or families could want at reasonable rates compared to its neighbors: a full-service spa, two outdoor pools, several restaurants, a fitness center, and plenty of activities. Rooms are bright and clean, with slightly bland decor, plus flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and balconies or patios. Ocean-facing Villas are also available. Although it’s not up to the style standards of other resort hotels in Khao Lak (such as Khaolak Merlin Resort next door), it is a fine option for guests looking to splash out a little less cash for a resort experience.

The Haven Khao Lak is a secluded adult-only resort located between the sea and lagoon on Khuk Khak beach. A network of pools runs throughout the resort, and has many parts with an infinity edge plus a swim-up bar. Many of the 110 rooms have direct pool access, and the oceanfront bungalows also have private hot tubs. Features like air-conditioning, large 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and minibars enhance the experience, while extras like beach bags and mats are a nice touch. A Thai-Italian restaurant has a chilled vibe beside the pool, and the breakfast room looks seaward. The spa can be busy, so book ahead, and the gym is stocked with a good range of equipment. Alternatively, those traveling with young children might try similar Apsara Beachfront Resort & Villa. 

Khaolak Bayfront Resort Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl resort-style property with a peaceful, secluded location. It's bit of a hike from town, but guest have direct access to a fairly quiet beach. The property has 74 guest rooms, and accommodations range from slightly dated units to stylish bungalows. All have hardwood floors, private balconies or terraces, and are equipped with AC, minibars, kettles, and free Wi-Fi, but some entry-level rooms have old tube-style TVs. The hotel has two outdoor pools, and there's an on-site restaurant, though the food gets mixed reviews. There's also a spa with a sauna, jacuzzi, and two treatment rooms, but the hotel doesn't have a gym. Guests hunting for a property a little closer to town can consider Baan Khaolak Resort.  

The beachfront, luxury Robinson Club Khao Lak, about 15 minutes from Khao Lak, sits on beautiful, well-manicured grounds with pools that include waterfalls, slides, and palm islands. The 223 rooms have terraces, and are spacious and elegantly designed, especially the bathrooms. Garden Pool Villas are farther away from the resort's main facilities (the hotel does provide buggy service), but they have private pools and offer more seclusion. Terrace Oceanfront, one of the resort's six restaurants, has a rooftop bar with spectacular views over Khao Lak. A spa offers a sauna and massage treatments, and there are two fitness centers. Breakfast is included in the room rate, but guests complain about limited selection and question the ethics of a daily performance by a baby elephant. Some of the room furnishings show wear, and guests have complained about beach maintenance, rude spa staff, and unpleasant odors in the spa's lounge.

Situated on the northern end of Khao Lak's beaches on the Andaman Sea, this 200-room upscale resort is a one-stop tropical getaway. The modern property has a variety of stylish rooms available, all of which have bright accents and tiled floors with free Wi-Fi and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs. There are also stunning Villas, with tons of space and attractive wooden ceilings, some of which have their own private pools. There are multiple pools throughout that include features like a swim-up bar, plus a modern fitness center, three restaurants, a chic spa, and tennis courts as well as tons of on-site activities. Guests looking for a more intimate stay on the beach may want to consider the Khaolak Paradise Resort at the other end of Khao Lak, which has rustic-chic rooms and gorgeous jungle grounds.

The 230-room Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak is an upscale beachfront property with bright, modern rooms. Expansive facilities include four pools, an elegant spa, gym and sports facilities, and restaurants and bars, which get generally positive reviews. Breakfast is included in room rates as well. Rooms range from elegant and romantic Luxury Pool Villas with private pools and soaking tubs to the more basic Deluxe Rooms with furnished balconies. Family units also give more space with either a second bedroom or enclosed bunk beds. On the downside, some rooms have noisy air-conditioning units, lack sea views, or don't have elevator access. For a more intimate property, travelers could try the four-pearl Chongfah Beach Resort.

The 148-room Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort is on Bang Niang beach, about a five-minute taxi ride from Khao Lak. This upscale resort's Thai-style lobby is elegant and airy, and rooms have vaulted ceilings and huge bathrooms that include outdoor showers. The on-site spa has private steam rooms, a hot tub, and outdoor rainfall shower, along with several treatment and massage rooms -- massages are also available at the beach-side pool, which connects to a second pool set in a garden. The small gym includes a mix of cardio- and weight-training equipment, and a ping-pong table. Breakfast, served at the Touch Beach Restaurant, is included in the room rate. While the setting is idyllic, some of the room furnishings look a bit worn, and guests have complained about moldy smells in a few of the rooms, noise from neighboring guests, and the staff's limited English. As an alternative, travelers could consider the upscale Mai Khaolak Resort & Spa.