11 of the Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Resorts in Thailand

Overlooking Kata Noi, one of Phuket's best beaches, this sprawling resort is a great option for families. Kid-friendly amenities are aplenty: a kids' club, shallow kiddy pools, and kids' menus are all on offer. Meanwhile, adults will appreciate the cooking classes, rooftop spa treatments, and sunset sailings. The beach is pristine, though there are no sunbeds or cabanas. It's also worth noting that during monsoon season, the waves are huge on the beach, making it suitable for surfers. Still, the resort's main highlights are the attractive pools -- some of which look out onto the ocean -- and beach bars serving sundowners with perfect views. Rooms are split between two wings, with the smaller, more affordable rooms away from the beach, and the suites offering full or partial sea views. While not technically an all-inclusive resort, Katathani Phuket offers various packages (one option includes a set number of meals, drinks, and some activities in the rate).

The Village, Coconut Island manages to offer a secluded tropical atmosphere with plenty of activities, a private beach, and great food -- all at a reasonable cost given what you get. Accommodations consist of suites or villas, many of which have private pools. The resort offers all-inclusive packages (a rare find in Thailand), and the water sports (kayaking, sailing, and the like) are particularly good. With free bikes , a kids' club, and an affordable babysitting service, this resort is also suited for families.The spa is decent, and there are three restaurants (Thai, Japanese, and some excellent wood-fired pizzas that you can have delivered to your villa) as well as an on-site cooking school. While The Village is not cheap by Thailand's standards, there are some very reasonable room rates, and you certainly get a good deal thanks to the all-inclusive options.

If you're all about diving (and partying), then Ban's Diving Resort is the place to be. That's not to say this resort doesn't offer plenty of options for travelers wanting something a bit more relaxed and peaceful, too. In addition to offering some of the best diving instruction in Thailand, this property is a mainstay of Koh Tao's buzzing party scene. The busy beachfront restaurant and bar are frequented by a young, lively crowd, but the other side of the resort, located up the hill and away from the beach, is much more low-key, with lovely rooms and villas, sea-view terraces, and a great restaurant. The property is surrounded by lush vegetation and has incredible sea views, as well as two swimming pools. Garden and hilltop rooms and suites come with terraces or balconies with lovely views. There are also three luxury villas with an L-shaped infinity pool, while the standard pool view rooms on the lower level are much more basic, catering to diving students looking for budget accommodations.

Set at the back of a long stretch of white sand on the Andaman Sea, Kantary Beach is a fantastic choice for a relaxing beach vacation. Accommodations -- all suites or villas with kitchenettes and separate lounge and bedroom areas -- are spacious and contemporary. The food (Thai and international) is excellent, with many customers claiming they return for the food. The resort is also home to three pools, one of which has a swim-up bar, and water sports on the beach. Surprisingly inexpensive, this resort is great value if a relaxed beach break with tasty food is what you're after.

A great value option, the rooms at Aonang Villa Resort may be simple, but they're spacious, and many have views of the Andaman Sea. One side of the hotel backs on to the best bit of the local beach, while the entrance on the other end is off the main road through town, making it easy to access restaurants, bars and nightlife. There are two large swimming pools -- one with incredible views and each with its own kids' section -- as well as a kids' club and playground, spa, and fitness center. The two restaurants offer decent food (seafood and traditional Thai), and the beach bar is buzzing after sunset. Aonang doesn't offer fancy facilities and endless activities, but the rooms are reasonably priced and the location, particularly in relation to the town, is ideal.

Only accessible by boat, the 70-acre Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort serves up superb facilities that appeal to both couples and families. Its remote location on the northern end of Phi Phi Don, plus its half-mile stretch of white-sand beach, is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. The four restaurants, two pools (one with a swim-up bar), spa, fitness center, diving center, and tennis courts keep guests occupied. Plus, each of the rooms are freestanding, air-conditioned bungalows or pool villas with large balconies, coffeemakers, and bathrobes and slippers.

Families, couples, and friend groups will all find something to love at the 52-room L Resort Krabi. Rooms and suites, which feature a contemporary purple-and-white design, come with minibars and free coffee, tea, and Wi-Fi, plus most have balconies or terraces -- some swim-out. At the hotel's center are two landscaped pools, including one tiered with whirlpools. However, the resort's best asset is its location in Ao Nang's party district. Just keep in mind that many of its neighbors are party hostels and nightclubs, so late-night noise is likely, especially in the high season.

Situated across the street from the beach in central Tonsai, Phi Phi Banyan Villa is perfect for those seeking a quiet in-town stay close to the conveniences. The rooms here are split into two wings: Garden wing rooms are more modern than those in the Banyan wing, but all have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and good-sized balconies or terraces facing the hotel pool or gardens. The property also houses a beach-facing restaurant, which serves breakfast in the morning and fresh seafood for lunch and dinner, as well as a top-notch fitness center, which has a boxing ring and separate steam rooms, saunas, and outdoor showers for men and women..

A hidden gem outside of Chiang Mai's Old City, Shewe Wana Boutique Resort and Spa has a tranquil quality that nearly all guests find enchanting. Accommodations are split into two sides -- one with 16 hotel rooms and another with 15 one- and two-bedroom suites -- though all have stately furnishings and traditional decor. The rooms on the boutique suite have charming details, like hand-painted doors and mosaic tile flooring, while suites have more space and kitchenettes. Regardless of side, though, guests can access the hotel's spa, two garden pools, and two restaurants -- one of which serves a free breakfast with healthy and a la carte items.

A great location, chic and contemporary decor, and extensive features make Panan Krabi Resort a great pick in Ao Nang. In addition to its 199 rooms with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies, the resort has an an all-day restaurant with a great free breakfast, a kids' club, an activity program for all ages, and two pools with bars. Some rooms even have swim-out terraces connecting to the main pool, and others have private whirlpool terraces. Still, the rooftop infinity pool with views of the cliffs is arguably the property's best feature -- only a few hotels in the area have this.

Located on the Ping River, the X2 Chiang Mai Riverside Resort is a contemporary, design-focused boutique resort. The 30 rooms and suites have solid high-end amenities, like 4K smart TVs, wireless Bluetooth speakers, loaner smartphones, bathrobes, and C.O. Bigelow toiletries. The majority also face the river, and two have private pools. Hotel features include a rooftop infinity pool and fitness center, a restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, and a beautiful spa. And although it's situated outside of the old town, there's a free shuttle that goes there several times a day.


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