Stretches of fine sand, clear waters and sunsets… it’s a dream holiday that Koh Lanta guarantees. It has a lot to offer in terms of relaxation, thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, but also to its resorts. But there are many different areas on this island in southern Thailand, and it’s important to choose the right place to stay on Koh Lanta to make the most of your stay.
There are several bays to choose from when booking accommodation.
In this guide, we detail the best areas to stay in Koh Lanta, with their particular features.
We also give you the essential information you need to know about this destination and the establishments we recommend.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Koh Lanta, 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 Koh Lanta:
- $ this bungalow establishment, on the west coast near Klong Khong.
- $$ this hotel , also features self-catering accommodation, and is ideally located on Long Beach. It’s a great value for money place to stay on Koh Lanta.
- $$$ this 5-star establishment, in the same area as the previous one.
Map of different areas to stay in Koh Lanta
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommendations of hotels or apartments where to stay in Koh Lanta. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical 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 Koh Lanta
Areas where to stay in Koh Lanta
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying on Koh Lanta.
Stay close to Long Beach
A long stretch of white sand, Long Beach is one of the best places to stay on Koh Lanta. One of the island's major assets, it attracts tourists with its lively atmosphere. To get here from the north, the journey takes around ten minutes.
Restaurants where you can eat with your feet in the sand, yoga and Thai boxing centers, beach bars, resorts and cafés line the long coastline.
There are deckchairs for hire along the 5-kilometre stretch.The best-known of them all, it's busier than the others. It's perfect for families, with its relaxed atmosphere.
It's also an ideal place to enjoy the sunset, sitting on the sand as the lanterns of the restaurants and bars light up.
There are many different types of establishments to choose from. From classic hotels to bungalows and resorts, you'll find something to suit every budget. Combining liveliness, waterfront and diversity of accommodation, this is the main place to stay on Koh Lanta.
€
An inexpensive place to enjoy the area in a friendly atmosphere. Some bungalows have sea views. The owners offer a scooter rental service.
€€
A privileged setting of pavilions and villas, a private beach, two swimming pools and a sand bar. It's a great place to stay in Koh Lanta for good value.
€€€
Sublime luxury resort with private beach, pools, spa and gym. The restaurant serves fresh seafood. This is a great 5-star hotel to stay at in Koh Lanta.
Staying near the beaches of Koh Lanta's west coast
Long Beach isn't the only beautiful place to stay on Koh Lanta, as the whole island abounds in beautiful scenery. If you head south along the west coast, you'll find numerous stretches of sand such as Klong Khong or Klong Nin Beach. Lively and dynamic, they are also popular places to stay.
Klong Khong is intimate and discreet. Its beach bars offer cool drinks by the water. It's a friendly place, with restaurants decorated in typical Thai style and bungalows made of traditional materials. However, it has fewer tourist facilities than the others, making it an inexpensive place to stay. On the other hand, you'll need to book early.
Just below, Klong Nin is the island's most upscale resort. Luxury establishments and villas with access to the sea line the coast. If you're looking for a dream holiday, this is the place to be, with its upscale restaurants.
With everything in close proximity, there's no need for transport here, apart from the occasional scooter rental.
€
A swimming pool facing the Andaman Sea, a massage service and a restaurant on the waterfront make this a great place to stay on Koh Lanta. Free parking and shuttle service available.
€€
This Boutique Resort boasts a spa, swimming pool and restaurant, but it's its beachfront location that attracts most visitors. The bungalows are large and spacious.
€€€
Large hotel complex with lush vegetation, restaurant with waterfront kiosk, spa and well-equipped villas. This is one of the most beautiful places to stay on Koh Lanta.
Lodging in the southwest, near wilder bays
Another option for accommodation on Koh Lanta is the south-west, with its almost deserted bays and sublime scenery. The relaxed atmosphere of Kantiang Bay, Khlong Chak Beach and Maiphai Bay awaits you here.
Far less crowded, and with a much more “chill” atmosphere than those further north, these stretches of fine sand and clear waters are much quieter. A few restaurants, hotels and beach bars can be found here and there, complementing these bays and lush green landscapes.
While Kantiang Bay is the trendiest spot, with its sandy crescent making it one of Thailand's most beautiful coves, Khlong Chak offers peace and serenity. There's little to do on the latter, but Maiphai Bay is not far away. The bay alternates between wilderness and typical restaurants.
It's a 40-minute to 1-hour cab ride from the north. As you can see, people come to stay in this area to be away from the more well-known landing spots.
Scooters are a must here. Be careful, however, as you'll have the opportunity to travel on more “exotic” roads, sometimes even crossed by monkeys and cows!
As far as accommodation is concerned, there are a number of resorts and luxury establishments just around the corner. Quite isolated from each other, they allow you to enjoy the peace and quiet. Rates are quite high. Plan several months in advance if you really want to stay here.
€
A very pleasant setting for this budget resort with swimming pool, spa and private beach. Located on the beachfront, it features a bar and shuttle service.
€€
The restaurant overlooks the sand, allowing you to admire the sunset. We love the private beach and swimming pool. The bungalows are well-appointed and overlook palm trees and clear water. Shuttle service included.
€€€
This 5-star resort features a swimming pool, three restaurants, a spa and a gym. We love the romantic setting.
Stay in or near Klong Dao
Klong Dao is located to the north of Long Beach. Geographically, it's the first beach on the west coast from the north. Lively and bustling, this is a great place to stay on Koh Lanta.
There are many restaurants, clubs and cafés, as well as small shops and tour operators. Klong Dao is very popular. With its shallow waters, it's ideal for families with children. Klong Dao has the advantage of beautiful sunsets, with the island of Koh Phi Phi just a few kilometers offshore.
Right next door is Saladan, a small village with all the necessary amenities, as well as being financially attractive for accommodation. You won't want to miss this spot, as it's the entrance to the island, where the ferries arrive at the jetty known as Saladan Pier.
€
This boutique house is pleasant and bright. The owners offer scooter rental and a free shuttle service from the ferry.
€€
A pleasant place to stay with this complex featuring 2 swimming pools and a restaurant facing the sea. Rooms and bungalows overlook the sea or the small garden.
€€
Located on the seafront, this establishment boasts a private beach, swimming pool and spa. With its lanterns, the atmosphere in the restaurant at dusk is very pleasant.
Is staying in Old Koh Lanta a good idea?
The last place to stay is Old Town . At the opposite end of the island from all the sandy stretches, on the east coast, lies Old Koh Lanta. Charming and picturesque, it has lively streets and a different atmosphere from what you'll find on the other side.
Here, the farniente atmosphere is far removed. Instead, you'll find lively little alleyways where one stall follows another. Colorful bars with typical architecture and small restaurants serve local specialties. A perfect place to stroll and do a little shopping. Located on the eastern side of the island, generally in the eastern center, it can be reached in about 30 minutes from the north.
Staying here, even for just one night, also offers a different, calmer atmosphere, in an authentic setting. The sunrises are equally magnificent!
As far as accommodation is concerned, the choice is limited and there are very few hotels. They are, however, perfect for those on a tight budget, as they are all very inexpensive. Staying here can therefore be a good alternative for discovering the island without breaking the bank, for backpackers for example.
However, you need to bear in mind that you'll be far from the nearest bays and coves on the west coast. As a guide, it will take you around 20 minutes to drive to Klong Khong.
€
This is the only hotel in the area. It offers en-suite rooms with a balcony overlooking the sea. Shuttle service at extra charge and free parking.
Summary
As you can see, the best beaches are on the west coast. This is where you’ll find resorts, a seaside atmosphere and superb sunsets to contemplate. It’s here that you’ll find resorts, a seaside atmosphere and superb sunsets to contemplate. More or less remote from the north and the ferry terminal, you can target :
- Long Beach, the most popular and suitable for everyone, including families
- others, such as Klong Khong or Klong Dao
- wilder bays in the southern part, such as Kantiang Bay, Khlong Chak or Maiphai Bay.
In any case, given the size of the island, there’s no need to change accommodation during your stay. However, the number of accommodations is limited, so book as early as possible during the high tourist season.