Where to stay in Thailand

What are Thai hotels like?

On the beach you can choose from larger hotels that offer a range of watersports (and in a few cases a kids club if needed) or smaller beach bungalow style resorts with (sometimes very luxurious) thatched bungalows dotted around large gardens with gorgeous sea views.

There is also a wide range of more unusual accommodation which is always a hit with the children. You can stay in a floating rafthouse on the River Kwai (for more details see below), in a tree house in Khao Sok National park or in a homestay in the northern hill-tribe area. Many families choose to ‘mix and match’ the various accommodation styles, using some of the more exciting accommodation during the main part of the tour and then upgrading to a comfortable beach resort at the end.

One of our favourite hotels in Bangkok is the Riva Surya, right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the centre of the city. This is the perfect base for families as the rooms are very comfortable, the breakfast buffet is fantastic (Nutella pancakes being a firm favourite with the children) and there is a great pool on the river front.

The Chao Phraya flows right through the centre of Bangkok and is a hive of activity both day and night so you can cool off in the pool whilst watching the passenger ferries and small wooden long-tail boats ply up and down the river.

Another great bonus is the proximity of the hotel to many of the places that you are likely to want to visit. The Grand Palace, Bangkok’s premier site, is just a 10 minute walk or a 5 minute tuk tuk ride away. Khao San Road, which is the centre of Bangkok’s backpacker district, is just a few minutes walk away and is a great place for the children as you can bargain for designer goods in the night markets, eat in open air restaurants that spill out onto the street, sample fried insects from one of the open-air stalls (if you dare…) and generally feel that you have completely arrived in Asia.

How do high-end and mid-range hotels compare?

As mentioned above, there is something in Thailand to suit every budget. A perfect illustration of the different levels of hotel available are the raft-houses on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. These all offer a beautiful location right on the banks of the river, but the accommodation provided can vary significantly.

The River Kwai Jungle Rafts offer a less expensive option and here you are accommodated in a thatched bungalow that floats on a bamboo platform. There is no electricity here so in the evening you can sit out on the deck in front of your room and watch the fireflies dance over the river by the light of kerosene lamps. The rooms are made from woven bamboo and are decorated in the traditional ‘Mon’ style; each comes with a hammock out the front that you may struggle to prise the children from!

The resort is located in a beautifully peaceful location that can only be accessed by boat, and is surrounded by lush jungle and mountains. If you want some activity you can grab a lifejacket and spend the afternoon floating in the river or hire a canoe and paddle gently downstream keeping an eye out for wildlife.

If you like the idea of staying on the river but would like something more luxurious, consider the Floathouse. Again this is a floating hotel but the rooms here are gorgeous, with thatched roofs, bamboo walls and polished teak floors. There is air-conditioning if you need a bit of respite from the heat but in the evening you can also sit out in a deck chair on your balcony and watch the river flow lazily past.

These are just a few examples of places to stay in Thailand that past travellers have loved. All our holidays are tailor-made, so once we have found out a bit more about you and your family, we will suggest a range of properties that we think will suit you best. Get in touch for firsthand advice on all aspects of family travel to Thailand.