Night hikes, day trekking, kayak and paddle trips, swimming in the lake, animal watching, cave exploration, longtail boat rides… We come to Khao Sok National Park to immerse ourselves in nature. Lost in the jungle of southern Thailand, knowing where to stay in Khao Sok can be more complex than you think.
In this guide, you’ll find all you need to know about the different areas before booking your stay. Location, ambience, travel arrangements, prices – we detail each area’s particularities to suit your desires, before suggesting a selection of hotels to suit your budget.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Khao Sok, here are the essentials to know about tourism.
Our favourite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Khao Sok:
- $ these accomodations at the park entrance
- $$ these bungalows on stilts, on Lake Cheow Lan
- $$$ this top-of-the-range establishment, close to the previous one, but of a higher standard.
Map of different areas to stay in Khao Sok
We share with you the map on which you can find our recommendations of hotels or apartments where to stay in Khao Sok. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas that we will cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
The essentials for accommodation in Khao Sok
Places to stay in Khao Sok
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Khao Sok.
Staying in the village, in the heart of the jungle
At the entrance to the park is the small village-street of Khlong Sok. This is Khao Sok's main avenue, about 2km long. Very pleasant, it's the ideal place to stay close to the park with a bit of atmosphere.
In fact, if you're looking for entertainment, we recommend staying here, as you'll find an authentic atmosphere. There are over a dozen restaurants, a few markets and souvenir stores. The only thing to see in the area, outside the park, is the Mae Yai waterfall.
As the gateway to the national park, this is where you'll arrive first. Staying here means you'll also be more independent. In fact, it's the easiest place to get to the various excursion departure points (boats, hikes), since you only have to go to the end of the street to enter the national park in less than 10 minutes. This is a great advantage not to be overlooked.
As far as hotels are concerned, this is where most tourists choose to stay. Most establishments are located in the rainforest, allowing you to live immersed in nature, with the surrounding sounds of birds or streams. These are usually tree houses, bungalows or bamboo dwellings. Prices are affordable, and there are also some for small budgets.
Other, more secluded accommodations in the wilderness are set up on the main road bordering the village-street of Khlong Sok, allowing you to be more independent and tranquil.
Our recommended accommodations
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These stilted accommodations with balconies overlook the surrounding rainforest and monkeys. A massage parlor and tour desk (transfer to Koh Lanta) are available. They serve local Thai dishes.
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The cottages have private gardens overlooking the cliffs or the jungle. On the other side of the road, the environment is soothing, and the Thai cuisine is very good. Laundry, shuttle and tour desk services are available.
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A complete change of scenery thanks to these bungalows in the middle of the rainforest. A bar-restaurant, tour desk and massage parlour are all on site. The setting is heavenly and the location ideal. A great place to stay in Khao Sok.
Accommodation on Lake Cheow Lan
A true haven of peace, these bungalows on stilts are one of the elements that make Khao Sok such a dream place. Set on the 165 km2 Cheow Lan lake, they offer a sublime backdrop to the cliffs and turquoise expanse of the site. The atmosphere is therefore different from that of the village: this series of small bungalows with a view allows you to bathe and enjoy yourself serenely.
The advantage of staying here is that you don't have to go anywhere. The establishments have their own catering facilities, and excursions can be departed directly from the hotel. Note that many establishments include one or two sunrise excursions in their packages. Kayaks are also available for self-discovery.
In view of the range on offer, prices here are consequently higher than in other areas. If you're on a tight budget, but really want to enjoy the beauty of the national park, we strongly recommend that you stay here.
Our recommended accommodations
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These floating accommodations offer a Thai-style bar-restaurant and incredible panoramic views from the room. Airport shuttle, luggage storage and tour desk included.
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This upscale establishment offers a magical setting. On-site, it offers bungalows on stilts with kayaks, a massage salon, an airport shuttle and a honeymoon suite. If your budget allows, this is the place to stay.
Staying near the Ratchaprapha Dam
To the west of the lake is the Ratchaprapha dam. If you want to visit, this is the last place to stay in Khao Sok. There are a number of lodgings scattered here, set deep in the countryside. The few hotels are much more modern than the street village or the stilt bungalows. Prices are affordable and good value for money.
Note that a village of locals is located nearby, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture. With a hospital, grocery store and school, you'll be able to live at the same pace as the locals.
However, you'll find little in the way of entertainment if you opt for accommodation in this area. Note that you'll be about 40 minutes' drive from the street village of Khlong Sok. As a result, we don't recommend this area, as you'll miss out on the atmosphere of the southern part of the park.
Our recommended accommodations
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This mountain-view establishment is welcoming. Its terrace overlooks lush vegetation and the rooms are spacious. American breakfast, airport shuttle and private parking.
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Facing a small river, this off-the-beaten-path establishment offers a free airport shuttle and free parking. The outdoor bathroom adds to the charm of the place.
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Resolutely more modern than the other accommodations in Khao Sok, this hotel complex boasts a restaurant, bar and terrace with outdoor pool. It boasts a beautiful view of the national park and its mountains. It's a good address if you want to stay in the area.
Summary
So now you know where to stay in Khao Sok. In short, Khlong Sok street village at the entrance to the park is your best bet, thanks to its authentic atmosphere and jungle huts. If your budget allows, opt for a bungalow on stilts on Lake Cheow Lan to enjoy the paradise-like setting of Khao Sok National Park.
Finally, if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s possible to take a guided tour of the rainforest, as well as camping. In fact, it’s possible to stay for a night in hammocks. This kind of experience can be booked on site.