Planning a trip to Thailand wasn't the easiest task in the world.
The difficulty started when choosing what places to visit. Phuket was our entry into the country, so it was a right part of the itinerary, as was Bangkok, where our plane back home left.
After a few days racking our brains, Amanda and I decided to add Railay Beach and Chiang Mai to our plans, and we stipulated the number of days for each part of the trip.
Thinking that the most complicated part had already passed, we went looking for hotels.
And I admit, figuring out where to stay in Thailand was more work than I expected.
It's easy to find out which travelers' favorite neighborhoods and hotels are in most destinations. In Thailand, however, tourism is so strong and there are so many options, that with each Google search we became more lost.
We rely a little on luck, a little more on the various blogs we read and We were right on target with our choices.
In this post I will share with you the best areas to stay in Phuket, Railay Beach, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and suggest well-located hotels in various price ranges.
Where to stay in Thailand – Neighborhoods and Hotels
Phuket
Phuket is one of the main islands in southwestern Thailand. According to many blogs, the area is already “too touristy” and “no longer worth visiting”.
I disagree.
As it is a large island, you can find all kinds of neighborhoods: party, relaxing, and a mix between the two. There is no shortage of restaurants, bars, clubs, typical food, beautiful beaches, warm water and all the characteristics that make the country a magnet for tourists.
While researching, I came across the website Phuket.com, which is actually part of a website dedicated to Southeast Asia, sponsored by Hotels.com. There are articles on each neighborhood, and which ones are ideal for each type of trip.
In short, if you like parties, stay at the beach in Patong. This is where most of the island's nightlife is concentrated, and where the famous Bangla Road is located, a street full of neon signs that looks like it came out of a scene from the movie If You Drink, Don't Marry.
If you are looking for a place to relax, Kamala Beach and Bangtao Beach They are quiet options that cater to the simplest public to luxury travelers.
A middle ground between nightlife and rest are Kata Beach and Karon Beach, the latter being our chosen one. There was a wide choice of restaurants and bars close to our hotel, and a short taxi ride or tuk tuk it already left us in the hustle and bustle of Patong. The beach was calm and the water was warm, and we had no problems even in the season when the sea was supposed to be rougher.
Hotel suggestions:
Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong – MGallery by Sofitel (Category: Luxury)
With 5 stars and an 8,6 rating on Booking, this hotel is close to Patong, but far enough away so that guests are not disturbed by noise and parties. It's just over a 10-minute walk to the beach, and a free shuttle service is offered for those who want to go to the hottest spots. The cheapest rate for a room for two people costs around R$667 per night.
Novotel Beach Spa & Resort Karon (Category: Moderate/Luxury)
Just crossing the street to get to the beach, it was our choice for our days in Phuket. There are three swimming pools, two restaurants, a sports bar, gym, spa and free shuttle service to Patong, although at limited times. The Wifi is super fast and the shower is sensational, it was my favorite hotel of the entire trip. The nightly rate costs approximately R$359, but we got a promotion where it was less than R$250 each night.
Lupta Hostel (Category: Hostel)
With a fantastic rating of 9,3 on Booking and a privileged location on Patong beach, Lupta Hostel was on every list I read about the best hostels in Phuket. The facilities include free Wi-Fi, a snack bar, air conditioning and a shared kitchen. Mixed rooms with 8 and 4 beds are offered, as well as an exclusively female room with 4 beds, and prices start at R$52 per person.
Railay beach
We chose to spend three days at Railay Beach as the place was highly recommended, both by blogs and on the internet. Lonely Planet guide.
Contrary to what we thought, Railay is not an island, but an isolated peninsula of Krabi. Access is only possible via sea, as there are no roads leading to the region, and not even cars and other vehicles travel there.
There are two places to stay: Railay West, which is the most beautiful area and where tourists arrive by boat, and Railay East, where most of the hotels are located.
We found little information about which was the best side to stay, and we ended up opting for the eastern part, where prices are cheaper. The truth is it doesn't make a difference, as the peninsula is small, and it only takes five minutes to walk from one side to the other. It must be the easiest place to decide where to stay in Thailand!
As I mentioned in the post 7 mistakes I made on my trip to Thailand, I don't recommend Railay for those who travel with friends and like nightlife. It is a place where practically nothing happens at night, making it ideal for families and couples. It is not the best option for budget travelers, as there are no hotels in the area.
If you choose to stay there, keep in mind that you will need to take your suitcase off the boat and cross the beach sand with it before finding firmer ground to use the wheels. Don't take too much weight!
Hotel suggestions:
Rayavadee (Category: Luxury)
If you want to splurge, choose Rayavadee, the most luxurious hotel on Railay Beach and with access to Phra Nang beach. The property has infinity pool, cave restaurant, and spa, and not a few guests wrote in their reviews that this was the best hotel they had ever stayed at. A unique experience, but at a high cost: prices in season start at R$1849 per night.
Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Spa (Category: Moderate/Luxury)
In the east part of Railay, this hotel has a swimming pool with unique architecture, which makes guests happy. Spa, gym and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar, make this a complete hotel for those who just want to relax and enjoy the Thai climate. The cheapest rate costs around R$500 during the summer holidays, but I've seen Booking offer promotions for R$290 per night.
Avatar Railay (Category: Moderate)
It was our choice for the days in Railay, and we didn't regret it. The pool was delightful and had direct access to the ground floor rooms. The shower in the room is divine and the breakfast buffet is very well served. The only downside is that the restaurant is open, and we had to have lunch in the heat. Out of season we can pay less than R$200 per night. Oh, and there are super cute kittens running all over the property!
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Chiang Mai
I confess that Chiang Mai was only included in the itinerary because we wanted to do the ethical elephant sanctuary tour. After researching a bit, I discovered that this is the second largest city in Thailand, second only to Bangkok, and that it is full of temples, markets, adventure activities and sensational tours, such as the white temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai.
As it is a huge city, there are several areas to stay. We chose to stay close to Old city (it's the square that appears on the city map), which offers a mix of temples, massage parlours, restaurants and affordable hotels. If you are looking for resorts and don't want to face the big city atmosphere, Riverside is the best option.
I loved the area we chose, as we were able to do several programs on foot. We took Uber and tuk tuk to see other parts of the city and didn't pay too much.
Hotel suggestions:
Tamarind Village (Category: Luxury)
In the heart of the Old City, Tamarind Village is considered an oasis in the middle of Chiang Mai. With a huge garden, swimming pool, restaurant and spa with highly trained professionals, it is the right option for those who want to enjoy the city without giving up luxury and comfort. It has free Wi-Fi and its own tour desk, and daily rates start at R$600.
Goldenbell Hotel (Category: Moderate)
We chose to stay at Goldenbell and were satisfied with the service. The staff were very helpful, always offering to carry our bags, give information and even call our tour to make sure everything was confirmed. The room was comfortable, the breakfast was delicious and the pool saved us every day after spending hours walking in the heat. Prices start at R$180 and it is located right at one of the Old City exits.
HOSTEL by BED (Category: Hostel)
HOSTEL by BED is a new property, thought out down to the smallest detail and located in the city center. Each bed has its own curtain for privacy, and guests can help themselves to free water and coffee. Staff speak English and reception is open 24 hours a day. Breakfast is included in all reservations, and mixed and female-only rooms are offered from R$43.
Bangkok
Choosing where to stay in Thailand in general is already difficult, and Bangkok manages to make the situation even more complicated. For starters, I can’t even pronounce the names of most of the neighborhoods… #how to deal.
Bangkok was the most visited city in the world in 2016, and there are countless places to stay. For those who are visiting for the first time and intend to do the main tourist tours, I recommend looking for accommodation in Sukhumvit, Siam and Old City.
Siam has the main shopping malls, such as MBK, Siam Center and Siam Paragon. It's the best option for those who like shopping, as well as being easy to reach other neighborhoods via SkyTrain.
In Old City are the most famous attractions such as the Grand Palace, and the temples Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. It is also there that you will find the famous Khao San Road, a street full of bars, clubs, and where all the tourists go to buy buckets of drinks and enjoy a night a la Bangkok.
Sukhumvit, which is where we stayed, is a mix of these two neighborhoods. He has shopping malls, restaurants, clubs and a little bit of everything the city has to offer. That's where the restaurant in the dark, and also has its own SkyTrain station. From there to Siam it is just a few minutes by public transport!
Hotel suggestions:
Hilton Sukhumvit (Category: Luxury)
5-star hotel, next to the SkyTrain, with swimming pool, two restaurants and even a pool bar for less than R$500 per night during the season? Only in Bangkok! In the Sukhumvit region, the Hilton brings together the best of elegance and comfort, with well-trained staff and a privileged location. At off-season It is possible to find rooms for less than R$400, an incredible value for a property of this size.
Admiral Premiere (Category: Moderate)
Also in Sukhumvit, that's where Amanda and I chose to stay. O staff is super helpful and the breakfast is delicious, it has been egg station and waffles, very American, even traditional Thai food. It's just a few minutes' walk from the SkyTrain station and there are several 7eleven and restaurants nearby. We paid just under R$200 per night for a room for two people, with kitchen and bathtub.
Nappark Hostel (Category: Hostel)
With several common areas for guests to get to know each other, Nappark Hostel is close to Khao San Road, but far enough away so that the noise does not bother you. The bathrooms are divided between male and female, and a communal kitchen and even a library are available. All dorms are mixed and beds start at R$47 per person.
Other highly recommended hostels in Bangkok, which are close to the SkyTrain stations, are The Yard Hostel and Bed Station Hostel.
What do you need to know:
- Phuket: Stay in Patong if you like to party, and Kamala Beach and Bangtao Beach for relaxation. For a mix of nightlife and relaxation, look for hotels in Kata Beach and Karon Beach.
- Railay Beach: There is no way to choose the wrong location, the peninsula is very small and it is only a five-minute walk from Railay West to Railay East.
- Chiang Mai: Old City is the perfect region for those who want to visit temples, night markets, massage parlors and still pay cheap accommodation.
- Bangkok: Siam is the best neighborhood for those focused on shopping, while Old City is rich in cultural tours and vibrant nightlife. Sukhumvit is a mix of the two.
These are just some hotel and area options, but there are many others! Unfortunately, with only 13 days of travel, there is no way to explore every corner. Have you ever stayed in an accommodation or area other than the ones I listed? Tell me your experience in the comments!
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