Experience Travel Group‘s Head of Travel & Southeast Asia Specialist, Holly Newing, is just back from Thailand. With over ten years of experience designing holidays across the country, she knows exactly what makes a hotel worth recommending and what doesn’t.

We always visit far more hotels than we recommend. Our Hotel Collection stays deliberately small because we’re not trying to catalogue Thailand; we’re identifying the places we’d confidently say are worth staying in. We look for something specific: hotels that feel rooted in their surroundings, have a character you won’t find anywhere else, and play a meaningful role in a wider itinerary. Ultimately, we carefully choose hotels that will add to your experience, rather than simply giving you somewhere comfortable to sleep. Some earn a spot and keep it year upon year. Others never make the cut.

Here, Holly shares what makes these ETG favourites so special, which travellers she’d recommend them to, and just as importantly, who she’d steer in a different direction.

The Pimalai, Koh Lanta

Why we rate it at ETG: The Pimalai earns its place on our list because it gets the balance exactly right, which is why one journalist who travelled with us dubbed it “the Goldilocks of the Thai islands”. It’s all about the location: Koh Lanta has a sense of seclusion on one of Thailand’s quieter, less developed islands, but also has just enough of a buzz to keep things feeling upbeat. Not too small, not too big. Just right.

Why I loved it: The arrival by boat alone sets the mood (I particularly liked being welcomed ashore with flower garlands, it felt a little like ‘The White Lotus’… without the dark undertones though!) There’s a private-feeling beach with swimmable waters, four distinct restaurants that never tip into resort-y, canteen territory, and a clifftop pool with views that stop you mid-sentence. The five-island snorkelling trip was one of the best organised excursions I’ve ever done in Thailand: I saw reef sharks, pristine coral, and loved sundowners on the water to finish. Back on land, Koh Lanta’s Old Town is worth an afternoon’s exploration, too.

Holly’s sundowners followed by a fire show on the beach along from Pimalai

Best for: Couples and families wanting a proper island wind-down at the end of a longer itinerary, and those who want to feel remote but not isolated.

Not ideal for: Travellers who want total peace and quiet; there’s a gentle social buzz about the place. For this reason, I’d arrange for honeymooners after a true castaway experience to stay elsewhere. I’d also say that this wouldn’t suit travellers who prefer a rustic look and feel, this one is pretty slick and modern.

Why this works well in a Thailand itinerary: Koh Lanta sits at the southern end of the Andaman coast, which makes The Pimalai a natural final chapter to a longer Thailand trip, especially if you need to unwind after spending time in cities and jungles. It’s far enough from the party crowds of Koh Samui and Phuket to feel like a genuine escape, yet connected enough to keep logistics straightforward.

Holly’s Top Tip: Sundowners on the beach are a quintessential Thailand ritual for a reason, and the happy hour here makes the most of it. With a mango cocktail in hand and the sun sinking into the sea, I was transported straight back to my backpacking days. (Thankfully, the bed waiting for me afterwards was considerably more comfortable.)

Rayavadee, Krabi

Why we rate it at ETG: There are very few hotels in Thailand, or anywhere, where the setting is so dramatic. Accessible only by boat, framed by towering limestone karsts, and without a road in sight, Rayavadee has a level of natural beauty that feels almost implausible. It’s the kind of place that makes even seasoned travellers stop and stare.

Why I loved it: It really feels like a secluded oasis, with its hidden pathways, jungle-like grounds and a glorious pool tucked beneath the cliffs, just off Railay Beach. I’d never been anywhere that captures the ‘classic Thailand’ feeling so well: slightly nostalgic and the kind of tropical scenery you can’t help but take too many photos of.

A practical perk of staying here is that you can wander along the fantastical beaches without the day-trippers. The rooms are larger than you’d expect, the beds particularly generous, and the whole property has a traditional, not-too-flashy feel. Dinner at the Grotto restaurant is atmospheric but I’d say Krua Phranang by Phranang beach is a strong alternative. If you’re in the mood to lace up your trainers and explore, I recommend going rock climbing and hiking through a nearby cave to a panoramic viewpoint.

Holly dining at Krua Phranang restaurant and panoramic viewpoint at the end of her hike

Best for: Travellers who are moved by landscape and want to feel genuinely transported. Romantics, adventurers, and those who appreciate understated luxury in a remarkable natural setting.

Not ideal for: Those seeking a small resort, there are a lot of pavilions here (although it retains a tranquil atmosphere) and those who would take issue with its being close to a public (albeit picturesque) beach.

Why this works well in a Thailand itinerary: Railay is one of the most distinctive stops on the Andaman coast, and Rayavadee sits at the heart of it. Krabi town is just a short longtail boat ride away, making onward connections easy, and the surrounding area (Koh Lanta, Khao Sok) offers excellent options for extending the trip in either direction. If you’re looking for a treat while island hopping Southern Thailand, then this hotel is the pièce de résistance.

Holly’s Top Tip: Get to Phranang Beach before 10am, before the boats arrive. Framed by those limestone cliffs with no one else around, it’s the kind of morning you’ll be telling people about for years. 

500 Rai Floating Resort, Khao Sok National Park

Why we rate it at ETG: Again, this one is all about its location. There are several floating resorts on Cheow Lan Lake, and 500 Rai is the one we rate the highest by a mile. It’s still fairly simple, but the views more than make up for it. As soon as you step out, you’re immediately surrounded by the glassy water, towering limestone peaks and a stillness that can be increasingly hard to find in Thailand.

Why I loved it: Waking up to that view from my floating chalet was a highlight of the trip. I set my alarm for sunrise, watched the light glow over the water without leaving bed, and it was worth every second of lost sleep. Gliding out by boat was really special, at times it felt as though I had the whole lake to myself.

And I was surprised how much I got into the digital detox side of things. Having limited Wi-Fi actually made the stay so much more relaxing… without my phone constantly going off, it was just so easy to switch off and really soak it all in. I was given a code for an hour of Wi-Fi but barely used any in the end.

Holly’s view from bed at sunrise

Best for: Families looking for an adventurous stay as well as honeymooners seeking an unusual, memorable stay. It’s particularly good for anyone hoping to unplug for a few days and spend more time outdoors.

Not ideal for: Travellers who need high-end facilities. Remember, the accommodation is unfussy, and the remote setting means limited choice. For instance, meals are served at the resort and the menu is local Thai. (That’s part of the charm, but I know it won’t suit everyone.)

Why this works well in a Thailand itinerary: It’s a great fit for travellers who want to be out and about in the fresh air but also fancy some proper downtime, without just lying on a beach. If you’re exploring Southern Thailand, it makes a really refreshing contrast to an island-hopping trip.

It also pairs brilliantly with a wider Khao Sok National Park stay. A few nights here combined with Our Jungle House (below) gives you an interesting mix of rainforest and lake — and increasingly, it’s the combination we find ourselves recommending as a lesser-known alternative to Elephant Hills, which has honestly become a bit too ‘packaged’.

Holly’s Top Tip: Don’t forget to wake up in time for sunrise at least once. Watching the light spread across the vast lake as the limestone cliffs peek out from the dawn mist is seriously special. 

Our Jungle House, Khao Sok National Park

Why we rate it at ETG: We keep recommending Our Jungle House because it properly immerses you in the rainforest. The treehouses are rustic rather than polished; you wake to the sounds of the jungle, surrounded by dense greenery, up close to a different side of Thailand. It also allows more flexibility than the larger hotels in the area, so we can arrange the right activities at the right time for you, whether that’s wildlife walks, gentle exploration or something more adventurous.

Why I loved it: The jungle night walk was one of the most memorable experiences of my trip. Using UV torches rather than iPhone torches, I spotted a scorpion glowing in the undergrowth, a slow loris peering down from the trees, and became acutely aware of just how alive the forest is after sunset. I was accompanied by a brilliant guide, so felt confident walking in parts of the forest I might otherwise have given a wide berth!

I also appreciated how well-located this hotel is; there’s a small town just a short walk away with restaurants right on the doorstep, so it doesn’t feel too remote and you can dine out in the evening if you fancy it.

The fluorescent scorpion under UV light on Holly’s night-time jungle adventure

Best for: Families with teenagers as sleeping in a treehouse with monkeys in the canopy and tropical birds outside feels like a real adventure. And couples who love nature and are after something a bit more raw and real.

Not ideal for: Anyone who considers air conditioning a non-negotiable or who’s after a polished hotel experience. (The accommodation is intentionally rustic, so if you’d prefer a bit more comfort while still staying close to nature, nearby Lost Horizons would be a better fit.) I’d also steer away travellers with limited mobility, as there are walkways and steps throughout.

Why this hotel works well in a Thailand itinerary: The jungle setting is a brilliant contrast to Thailand’s beaches and islands, and Our Jungle House is one of our favourite ways to experience it. Combined with a stay at 500 Rai on the lake, it creates a rainforest-and-lake itinerary that we increasingly recommend over Elephant Hills: more flexible, more immersive and ultimately more rewarding.

Holly’s Top Tip: We only ever book our travellers into the treehouses rather than the bungalows; the elevated views and sensation of being up in the canopy make the world of difference.

FEELING INSPIRED TO GO?

Explore our ETG Thailand trips, then talk to our specialists.

Feel free to get in touch or call us.