Top honeymoon destinations in Thailand

Thailand’s largest island has your perfect honeymoon spot - all you have to do is choose it. From unspoiled Nai Thon and the exclusive lagoonside resorts of Bangtao in the north to laidback Karon and romantic Kata in the south, Phuket has a beach to suit every style. Stroll between sizzling food stalls on the quiet sands of Surin, dance all night at Bangla Road in Patong, or hide away in peaceful Panwa near the Sino-Portuguese streets of Phuket Old Town. Choose the right hotel in your ideal spot and enjoy a honeymoon destination which combines beach days with night markets and jungle treks with sea cave cruises. Some of the best honeymoon hotels in Phuket include Keemala, where unique private-pool cottages are nestled in the treetops, or the adults-only Shore at Katathani, at which floating breakfasts are served in the intimate setting of your personal pool villa.

Just an hour north of Phuket International Airport, a string of beautiful villages and bays make up the resort of Khao Lak. Quieter than its southern neighbour, Khao Lak invites you to some of Thailand’s most romantic landscapes, from hillside forests filled with cascading waterfalls to soft-sand beaches beside untouched corals. In Khao Lak, you can wake up with a soothing spa after breakfast, spend the afternoon trekking through national parks or snorkelling with tropical fish, and meet the evening with dinner on the sand at sunset. Khao Lak is spoilt for choice for honeymoon hotels, but you won’t find many more breathtaking than The Sarojin. This award-winning retreat features stunning suites and residences set in private gardens beside a secluded stretch of beach with a menu of exclusive experiences. 

For unbeatable honeymoon photos, go to Krabi. Here, you’ll find the iconic views of limestone pillars rising from the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea. It’s here you’ll perch on clifftops between jungle walkways and sail to beaches accessible only by boat. Krabi is less busy than Phuket but still has plenty going on, especially in the main town of Ao Nang. You won’t be short of things to do, from long-tail boat trips across Phang Nga Bay and trekking between waterfalls in Thung Teao Forest to therapeutic bathing at Klong Thom Hot Springs or visiting Wat Tham Suea and its troop of resident monkeys. Among Krabi’s wide selection of honeymoon hotels, you’ll find laidback luxury beside a hidden beach at Dusit Thani, private pavilions tucked away in the forest at Rayavadee, and an eco-friendly boutique with a distinctive spa housed in wooden cocoons at The Tubkaak.

From the busy beach of Chaweng to the serene sunsets of Lipa Noi, Koh Samui is one of the best places in Thailand for couples. Choose the vibe to suit your mood with silent sands that are just a romantic stroll from the lively bars and restaurants of the main resorts. Lift your heart rate with zip-lining adventures in the jungle before hiking around Elephant Rock, or keep the pace slow with a couple’s massage after snorkelling in the lagoon of Ang Thong National Marine Park. After dark, head to Fisherman’s Village for a lantern-lit walk past boutique galleries to a gourmet dinner on the sand. For a honeymoon hotel close to the action, choose Anantara Lawana at the northern tip of Chaweng or the Banyan Tree close to Lamai. For quieter spots, every villa at Saii Koh Samui has a private pool, while Santiburi Koh Samui is a wellness retreat with sporting facilities for active guests.

As beautiful as Koh Samui’s thatched-roof airport, waiting in departure lounges isn’t everyone’s ideal honeymoon activity. If you prefer to stay on the ground after you land in Bangkok, there’s a classic beach destination just a three-hour drive south. Favoured by the Thai royal family, Hua Hin is a timeless and peaceful resort with miles of pale sand stretching along the coast beside the caves, marshes, and mountains of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. While there’s plenty of nightlife if you look for it, from casual bars to understated evening markets, this is not a party town, so you can rely on a calm and romantic atmosphere after sunset. Hua Hin is home to the flagship Anantara Hua Hin, where couples are encouraged to embrace exclusive dining experiences and specially curated activities. Or you could choose Centara Grand Beach Resort, a foodie’s paradise at the heart of the town.

Thailand’s beaches are beautiful, but there’s also romance to be found amid the chaos of the capital. Wander together between the crowds and dive into hidden bars or intimate restaurants. Survey the city with sparkling cocktails as you toast each other on the terrace of a rooftop bar. Explore the magnificent temples of the Grand Palace before cruising along the Chao Phraya River as the shorelines light up at sunset. Sample fresh ice cream from floating markets, cycle around picturesque parks, or enjoy the serenity of a blissful spa. There’s something special about letting yourself get lost with the one you love. The neighbouring waterside hotels of Anantara Riverside and Avani+ Riverside offer easy luxury with spectacular views while, in the heart of the metropolis, the Banyan Tree is home to one of the best rooftop cocktail bars in Bangkok, just steps from the bustling stalls of Patpong Night Market.

Chiang Mai boasts more than 300 temples within the 14th-century walls of its Old Town. Outside this historic district, the modern city has developed a reputation as a foodie paradise. All this is overlooked by forested hills and the mountain temple of Wat Doi Suthep to create one of Thailand’s most romantic landscapes. Northern Thailand holidays don’t stop there. Visitors are invited to trek or canoe through the forest between traditional hill tribe villages and ethical elephant sanctuaries. For those who choose to explore further, journeys to the ‘Golden Triangle’ borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar pass the northernmost city of Chiang Rai, where the White Temple, Blue Temple, and the enormous Buddha of Wat Huay Pla Kung dominate the skyline. Some of the best honeymoon hotels in Northern Thailand include the enchanting boutique of Raya Heritage, just outside Chiang Mai, or the wild luxury of Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, where transparent Jungle Bubbles host cosy nights beneath the stars.

For a true castaway honeymoon, there’s a destination for everyone among Thailand’s tiny islands. Leave the party resorts behind for the rustic shores of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, where peacefulness is a priority. Dive with tropical fish off the coast of Koh Tao. Dance beneath the full moon at Koh Phangan. Or find a quiet spot on the shores of Koh Lipe. All these islands and more - such as Koh Phi Phi, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie The Beach - can be the venue for your entire honeymoon or part of specially curated Thailand multi-centre holidays which take in the city, the jungle, and the mainland beach resorts. Or, why not all three? Among a wide array of choices, the best honeymoon resorts on Thailand’s islands include the sustainable paradise of Santhiya, the uniquely romantic rooms of Treehouse Villas Koh Yao, and the adults-only spa retreat at Layana Koh Lanta.