We review the top 10 best beach hotels on Thailand’s Andaman coast facing the Indian Ocean. The Andaman Sea coast is on the southwest side of Thailand. It includes most of the country’s most popular destinations for travelers, like Krabi, Phuket, and Phi Phi Islands.
1. Pimalai Resort & Spa
The serene and culturally rich island of Koh Lanta can be found just a stone’s throw from Phi-Phi in Thailand. The island boasts miles of peaceful, white sand, coral-fringed beaches, several notable dive spots, rugged tree-covered hills, mangroves, and traditional villages.
Overlooking the Andaman Sea, Pimalai Resort And Spa on the island of Koh Lanta is tucked on the hillside and benefits from fabulous views. Koh Lanta is under two hours from Krabi International Airport via a complimentary airport-to-resort transfer, which includes a speedboat leg past the iconic limestone karsts.
The resort winds up the hillside from one of Thailand’s best beaches. Highlights include a cliffside pool and award-winning spa, a fitness center, a tennis court, and three excellent restaurants.
Three restaurants and two poolside cafés offer a range of dining experiences, ranging from high-end under the stars at the Seven Seas fish and cab dishes on the sand at Rak Talay. Breakfast is excellent, with a buffet and a la carte.
Rooms and villas are spread down the jungle-covered slopes and offer teak flooring and stylish paneled walls with large balconies and convenient beach access. The Hillside Ocean View Pool Villas are jaw-droppingly good, located 60 to 80 meters above sea level. They benefit from an infinity-edge pool, a private sundeck, and incredible views. Opt for a Beachside Villa for direct beach access and views looking out across the sands for an entirely different aspect.
2. Six Senses Yao Noi, Phuket
Six Senses Yao Noi is one of the most luxurious resorts in Asia with a price tag to match. Six Senses Yao Noi offers 56 tree-house pool villas that will appeal to your inner child.
Perched on a cliffside like lovers’ nests, they feel like you are staying in a luxury treehouse and offer jaw-dropping views over Phang Nga Bay’s limestone pinnacles. These rustic villas with palm-leaf roofs provide complete luxury.
Laze by the infinity pool, which is so perfect that you feel you might swim right off the edge. Eat in the split-level dining room surrounded by natural vegetation and a waterfall, drink on a daybed in the main house, and stay as long as you can afford.
3. Amanpuri Phuket
It is no secret that I love Aman Hotels. You can read about my trip to Aman Grand Canale Venice, which was also utterly romantic and a great honeymoon option closer to home (for us Brits).
Amanpuri Phuket is tucked away in Surin beach alongside the holiday homes of the rich and famous on Phuket. The beach can only be reached via the hotel or by boat, keeping it almost completely private.
This resort is designed around a towering Thai pavilion that sits at the Amanpuri’s center, fringed by lush jungle and facing onto a vast black-tiled swimming pool with a glorious view of the Andaman Sea. A stone staircase leads to Pansea Beach, a rustic-chic restaurant, more swimming pools, a watersports center, and tennis courts. An excellent spa is tucked away on the other side of the resort, overlooking Bang Tao Beach.
Amanpuri’s rooms exude Thai elegance. Garden pavilions are secluded, with a walled garden, sunken bath, and outdoor shower. Pavilions 103 and 105 have the most striking sea views. Pick a Garden Pool Pavilion for utterly private dips in your own plunge pool.
Natural herb-infused treatments are offered at the Aman Spa in six light-filled pavilions that include a private steam room, shower, bath, and outdoor meditation sala. A gym and Pilates studio join these with panoramic views, a yoga and meditation pavilion, and four floodlit tennis courts.
4. Rayavadee, Krabi
Set on the sun-kissed limestone Phranang Peninsular on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, Rayavadee nestles amidst tropical gardens and coconut groves against a backdrop of sheer cliffs, lush jungle foliage and the clear waters of the Andaman Sea.
The large communal lagoon-style infinity pool is encircled by verdant landscaped gardens and looks out onto the sea. Garden-endowed Spa Pavilions offer private outdoor Jacuzzis, and all Rayavadee’s pavilions include large couple’s bathtubs ideal for honeymooners and snuggly-cushioned wooden swings instead of sofas.
Rayavadee also boasts four eateries, each with a bar. Krua Phranang is the best choice for Thai seafood dinners by the beach.
5. Keemala Phuket, Thailand
Keemala Phuket is nestled amidst the lush flora on the rainforest encrusted hills of Phuket. Overlooking Kamala village and out to the Andaman Sea, this hotel is hidden away from the crowds and offers a serene retreat.
38 Pool Villas offer pretty thatched roofs, huge four-poster beds, outdoor bathtubs, and private lap pools. All rooms overlook the rainforest, mountains, and the Andaman Sea. Over and above your own private lap pool, you will find the resort’s main freeform pool and Jacuzzi flanked with sun loungers. There is also an hourly shuttle to Kamala beach.
Keemala is just a 3-minute drive from Kamala Beach and not far from the liveliness of Patong Beach, but it feels a world away.
6. The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket is one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Thailand. It is located just off the coast of Phuket in the Andaman Sea.
The resort can be found on an exclusive luxury island located just off the east coast of Phuket and is reached by a short speedboat journey. Apart from the resort, there’s not much else to be found on Naka Yai, except for a picturesque fishing village and a couple of near-empty beaches. Once you’ve arrived on this exclusive island, you will find rich coconut groves, ivory sandy beaches, and limestone cliffs.
The resort features 80 rooms and villas, either located on the beachfront or on the gently sloping hillside. While the rooms are great, the villas are the real stars of the resort, with clay walls and thatched roofs. The Sea View Pool Villa offers a glimpse of the Andaman Sea through the lush foliage, a separate bedroom pavilion, a semi-outdoor bathroom, and a private pool with sala, all linked by walkways made of large, flat pebbles.
There are two restaurants, a bar, a library, a reception area, and a large spa facility, all with the ambiance of barefoot luxury. The lagoon-style freshwater pool looks out over the sparkling sea, and Phang Nga Bay is on the horizon. There’s also a second adult-only pool a few steps behind the reception.
Facing the west coast of Phuket Island, Naka Island’s private beach features white sand and is bordered by calm emerald-green waters. Furnished with umbrellas and sun loungers, with a food and beverage service.
Naka Island features two dining venues located beside each other. The food is good (but pricey). Z bar is situated on the oceanfront and offers a view of Phang Nga Bay’s limestone karsts on the horizon, jutting out vertically of the Andaman Sea. It’s the best place for cocktails and light bites.
7. Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi
From your first glance, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve elicits a sense of jaw-dropping awe and blissful joy. Designed for the discerning traveler, this exquisite eco-resort’s 54 villas meld seamlessly into their stunning environs while providing incredible indulgences. You’ll find spacious verandas with inviting lounges, indoor/outdoor baths, rain-forest showers, and 24-hour attention to your every whim. Explore the enchanting wonders that surround you – including the maze-like grounds. Take a class in Thai cooking or batik painting. And ask your personal butler to arrange a picnic on a nearby island.
8. Rosewood Phuket
An alchemical mix of East and West, eco-consciousness, and complete extravagance, Rosewood Phuket gets the formula just right. Southeast Asia’s first Rosewood hotel is tucked in a tropical hideaway, set across 2,000 feet of white sand along Emerald Bay, adding to the sense of exclusivity. The Andaman Sea is always in view from 71 villas and pavilions, each with its own plunge pool and elegant residential feel. Experts whip up healing potions at the wellness atelier, used in various alternative therapies; curated experiences include hikes to the iconic Big Buddha and island-hopping by helicopter.
9. Banyan Tree Phuket
In the “Land of Smiles,” Banyan Tree Phuket offers private pool villas that will have you beaming, and it ranks among the world’s top spa and golf resorts.
An elegant oasis in Thailand’s most scenic destination, every villa offers a large pool with full privacy. This five-star retreat encompasses three resorts and ten villa options. Relax on the golden sands, by the pool, or with a flower-infused spa treatment. Play golf, take a scuba lesson, try a meditation or yoga class, or learn batik painting. Complimentary bike use makes getting around easy and fun for the whole family, and kids will love playing Banyan Tree Ranger games.
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