9 Remote Thailand Resorts for When You Want to Get Lost

If your idea of the perfect vacation involves a beach and a lot of alone-time, Pimalai Resort and Spa, a luxury property hidden near the southern tip of Ko Lanta, might be the right match for you. Between the surrounding hillside scenery and tranquil beach, this resort will have you releasing a resounding “ahh” from the moment you check in. An infinity-edge pool, spa, fitness center, tennis court, and several restaurants and bars also stand at the ready, waiting to bliss you out. All rooms feature furnished balconies and lots of privacy, but guests seeking even more solitude can opt for one of the villas with private plunge pools – because what’s better than stepping outside your suite and enjoying a refreshing soak?

When the road leading to a resort is dotted with private villas and high-end hotels, you know you’re in for a treat. Tucked high in the hills, far from Phuket’s noisier areas, The Pavilions is an elegant, exclusive, adults-only resort that’s ideal for rest, relaxation, and little else. Guests come here to unwind, so don’t expect much in the way of on-site amenities, though there is an excellent restaurant serving Thai cuisine, a trendy hilltop bar, and a free shuttle bus to Layan Beach, 10 minutes away. Visitors spend most of their time luxuriating in the villas – each has a private infinity pool and gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea or countryside.

How would you build the perfect away-from-it-all hotel? You might start with a secluded seaside setting, add in private villas (some with plunge pools, hot tubs, or kitchenettes), and factor in an outdoor pool, a restaurant and bar with terraces facing the sea, and a sleek spa and fitness center. Follow these steps, and you’ll wind up with Nakamanda Resort & Spa, a tranquil tropical getaway in Thailand. A five-minute walk will bring you to a nice beach, and excursions to the many islands that dot the scenic Phang Nga Bay and nature reserve can also be arranged. Keep in mind that while families are welcome, the property’s many steps and rocky shores are not ideal for little ones or guests with limited mobility.

The saying ‘nothing good in life comes easy’ certainly applies to this gorgeous luxury property in the northeast corner of Koh Phangan Island. The most convenient route to the resort includes a 40-minute speedboat ride from Koh Samui, though visitors can do the 45-minute drive from Koh Phangan pier (but brace yourself for rugged, unpaved roads). Most guests will find that the journey – and the exclusive location – is well worth the effort, though. Perched on a hillside, the hotel offers sweeping views of the beach (to which guests also have direct access), some rooms with swim-up access (and some villas with private pools), an upscale – albeit pricey – spa, a big pool with a waterfall, and two restaurants facing the water. Plus, the small beach is lovely, and a better stretch of sand lies just a five-minute walk away. Rooms are spread out, so be prepared to walk (or take the hotel’s shuttle), but that only adds to the overall serene ambience.

Tucked between the tropical hillside and Tubkaek Beach, this boutique resort is exactly the type of place that will help you escape the commotion (crying babies, incessant traffic) back home. Krabi’s beautiful coastline, lapped by impossibly green water studded with limestone karsts, serves as the backdrop for this peaceful property. It is undoubtedly isolated – the nearest village is 10 minutes away – but guests have access to a full-service spa, a swimming pool, a beachfront restaurant, and a shuttle bus that runs to the town of Ao Nang. To top it off, rooms and villas have private balconies, and some even come with private plunge pools or hot tubs.

The beachside Rayavadee resort is so remote that it’s only reachable by boat. Upon disembarking, guests are greeted by a stunning setting: two swimming pools with sea views, access to three beaches, four waterfront restaurants, and grounds that resemble a quaint southern Thai village. Active types can hit the tennis courts or enjoy water sports like canoeing snorkeling, and windsurfing, while those looking to kick back can visit the spa. Isolated as it may be, it’s worth noting that the beaches here are public and can get crowded in the peak season.

Then name Paresa translates to “heaven” – apropos given that this luxury resort on Phuket’s Millionaire’s Mile is truly heaven on earth. That’s thanks to its epic views, unparalleled privacy, and infinity-edge pool, which lights up at night with twinkling LED lights, making the surroundings even more magical. The luxury villas have infinity plunge pools overlooking the sea (some add full kitchens and private spa amenities), plus two on-site restaurants, a cooking school, and a relaxing spa round out the offerings. Although the out-of-the-way address means there’s no direct beach access, the resort makes up for it with a free hourly shuttle to town and Kamala Beach.

Close your eyes and picture yourself on a white-sand beach with the Andaman Sea on one side and towering limestone cliffs on the other. Where are you? Centara Grand Beach Resort, a luxury resort that sits alone on a private bay. With four restaurants, a romantic spa, a modern fitness center, and spectacular outdoor pools with ocean views, guests here are blissfully unbothered. The rooms and villas all feature large balconies for soaking in the surroundings, too. With such great amenities and water activities on offer, those looking to get lost will find little need to leave the grounds, which is tough as it is (the only way to reach town is by boat or braving a steep path over a mountain).

Primed for privacy, Six Senses on Yao Noi Island is surrounded by little more than forest and beach. Still, guests wanting a relaxing getaway will find no reason to venture beyond the resort’s boundaries. Amenities include a top-notch spa, an open-air yoga pavilion, several elegant restaurants with alfresco seating, and an infinity pool. Spacious villas are equipped with private infinity pools and breathtaking views of Phang Nga Bay, though the resort’s main feature is its private beach – a gorgeous stretch of white sand studded with loungers and umbrellas. But be aware that amenities like this come at a price.

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