Are you visiting southern Thailand but don’t know where to stay in Khao Lak? Far from the hustle and bustle of Phuket and Bangok, its stretches of sand, translucent waters and tranquility are the stuff of dreams. Accommodation prices here are quite varied, so you’ll just have to aim for the city center for the smaller ones. Many activities are also available, and most hotels and stores offer excursion packages.
Here you’ll find the best places to stay in Khao Lak, quality establishments to suit every budget, and all you need to know about this seaside region of Thailand. Finally, you’ll find information on the ambience of each area, its must-sees, how to get around and accommodation recommendations.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Khao Lak, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Khao Lak:
- $ this youth hostel in the downtown area
- $$ this resort, on the seashore
- $$$ this high-end establishment, with direct access to the beach
Map of different areas to stay in Khao Lak
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Khao Lak
Areas where to stay in Khao Lak
Let’s now get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Khao Lak.
To stay in Khao Lak center
The beaches of Nang Thong, Bang Niang and Khuk Khak are undoubtedly the most popular in Khao Lak, around 1h30 - 2h by bus from Phuket airport. The latter are famous for their heavenly scenery, with its beautiful stretch of sand and calm, translucent waters.
But if you're looking for a little excitement, we recommend staying here, where you'll find an authentic atmosphere. There are a few restaurants on the seafront, but the majority of establishments are on the shopping road (Chai Hat Bang Niang road) which joins Petchkhasem road (the main road).
You'll also be close to the Tsunami Museum and the Bang Niang market. To get around, we recommend renting a car or scooter to explore the area easily.
As for places to stay, there are numerous resorts, hotels and inns located between the main road and the beach. Rates are accessible to both small and large budgets.
Many establishments offer packages for excursions to the Surin and Similan islands, the Khao Lak - Lamru park or longer trips (2 or 3 days) to the Khao Sok park.
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This youth hostel is close to everything: shops, restaurants, bars... Rooms vary in size and are equipped with fans or air conditioning. The value for money is more than fair.
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Located in Nang Thong, the hotel offers fully-equipped rooms overlooking the Andaman Sea. Staying here gives you access to an outdoor pool, restaurant and pub. Free WiFi is available throughout the establishment.
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This 5-star complex is a 15-minute drive from the city center. It offers spacious, bright rooms. There are 5 restaurants, 3 bars and a lagoon pool. Take advantage of the spa and its traditional Thai massages.
Lodging in the north for greater peace and quiet
To the north of these, stretching from Pakarang to Pak Weep beach, they are becoming wilder and wilder and less and less frequented. For travellers in search of peace and relaxation, this is the perfect spot in the heart of Thai nature.
With its long stretches of white sand, lined with coconut palms, it offers a peaceful cocoon in which to stay in Khao Lak. It's also possible to take part in a number of water sports, including surfing, diving and snorkeling.
As far as accommodation is concerned, prices are not as varied as on previous beaches. You'll find mainly high-end hotels and resorts, which means you'll need a certain budget for accommodation. To pay less, you'll have to head down to the center of Khao Lak.
Several shops, restaurants and bars are available along the coast. If you want to explore the surrounding area, we recommend using cabs or renting a car or scooter.
However, there are a few activities within easy reach, such as the Sai Rung waterfalls (about 4km inland from Pak Weep beach by car), a quad bike tour or all kinds of excursions.
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The complex offers comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi. Free parking is available. Pakarang Beach is just a 2-minute walk away. And it's only a 1-hour drive from Phuket airport.
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Staying at this 5-star hotel means direct access to a secluded beach. Rooms are set in idyllic landscaped gardens. It's less than 1 hour by boat from the famous diving spots of the Similan and Surin islands.
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This resort offers 1 outdoor pool, 3 restaurants and 1 bar. Spacious, air-conditioned rooms all have balconies. To explore the city, you can rent a bike on site.
Staying in the far north of Khao Lak
In the far north, less than 20km from the center of Khao Lak, we find Bang Sak and a little further on, Baan Nam Khem. A world away from the rest, here you can stay in the middle of nature, cut off from the rest of the world. These are the region's wildest beaches, and the price of accommodation reflects this.
Most accommodations are luxury resorts or hotels. If you're on a budget, you'll have to head further away from the coast to find a decent price. There are also a few seafood restaurants.
Cabs are the safest way to get around, but you can always rent a car or scooter.
There's not much else to do in the area, other than enjoy the paradise-like setting.
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Every morning, you can enjoy a continental, buffet or American breakfast. These rooms are spacious and comfortable. This hotel is perfect for family trips. It also offers a playground for children.
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Each bungalow has a sunny terrace. The complex offers a free shuttle service to a local market. A private beach is a 10-minute walk away, and Baan Nam Kem pier is 1 km away.
You now know where to stay in Khao Lak, an idyllic region of Thailand where nature is everywhere. If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to stay in the city center, where you’ll find youth hostels, for example. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, you can stay in the various resorts and paradise resorts further north in the region. For a more lively stay, head for Chai Hat Bang Niang road in Bang Niang Beach, where you’ll find the best addresses.
For local transport, we recommend you either take a cab or rent a car or scooter. Most establishments and stores offer this kind of service, as well as excursion and activity packages.