13 Unique Hotels in Thailand: Top Picks for Travelers

When planning a trip to Thailand, your accommodation isn't just a place to sleep — it could be part of the highlights of your trip. Beyond standard hotels, you could have rich immersive stay choices ranging from elephant resorts to floating bungalows, rather than luxury beach resorts.

In this guide, we've handpicked unusual hotels for different interests in popular travel destinations, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and various islands. Check out the best options for you!

4 Elephant Resorts: Luxurious Encounters with Gentle Giants

When visiting Thailand, experiencing elephants is a must. Elephant resorts are perfect for couples or families looking for leisurely encounters with elephants in an intimate setting.

Mainly hidden in the mountains or rural areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, these all-inclusive resorts are outstanding for exclusive services (usually with fewer than 20 rooms).

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (Chiang Rai)

• Price: starting from 947 USD per room per night
• Location: 1-hour drive from Chiang Rai International Airport
• Family rooms: yes

Home to about 20 elephants, Anantara Golden Triangle boasts the largest herd among elephant resorts. You could even observe them via telescopes from some room terraces.

Want a deeper connection with these gentle giants? Wake up early to walk alongside them at sunrise. Watch them graze freely, play, and bathe in a serene setting.

For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, book an exclusive Jungle Bubble room — there are only two at the resort. You could immerse yourself in a 360-degree view of the jungle and fall asleep to the sound of elephants outside your room.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai)

• Price: starting from 2,818 USD per room per 2-night package
• Location: 1-hour drive from Chiang Rai International Airport
• Family rooms: each tent accommodates a maximum of three people only

Looking for an intimate luxurious escape? With only 15 lavish tents and one private lodge, this exclusive retreat offers a truly intimate jungle experience, especially for couples. The tents feature handcrafted furnishings, outdoor showers, and private decks with stunning views.

Getting there is an adventure in itself. After a quick intro to the Golden Triangle, you would take a longtail boat ride along the river to reach your camp. And the best part? Breakfast with elephants! Feed them fruit, watch them bathe, and enjoy their gentle company.

For couples, you could also order a private candle-lit dinner with elephants for milestone celebrations. Don't miss the chance to experience an open-air massage perched among the treetops.

The Bush Camp Chiang Mai, Elephant Hills (Chiang Mai)

• Price: from 410 USD per room per package
• Location: 2 hours' drive from Chiang Mai International Airport
• Family room: each tent accommodates two adults and two kids at most

If you're considering a more budget-friendly elephant resort, The Bush Camp Chiang Mai is a charming alternative to the luxury lodges in Chiang Rai. With just 10 safari-style tents, it offers the same privacy yet at a better price.

The camp isn't just a stay — it's an experience about elephants. You would help prepare food for the elephants, hand-feed them, and watch them splash and play during their daily baths.

Traveling with kids? Get ready for some laughs as you turn elephant dung into paper (yes, really!). Then, sit with your kids and paint on it together.

Elephant Camp, Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp (Khao Sok National Park)

• Price: from 410 USD per room per 2-day package
• Location: 1½ hours' drive from Surat Thani Airport and 4 hours' drive from Phuket
• Family room: each tent accommodates two adults and two kids at most

If you'd like a special overnight stay with elephants in southern Thailand, the Elephant Camp of Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp is a top pick.

As the sister camp of The Bush Camp, Elephant Camp in Khao Sok offers more fun with outdoor adventures. For elephant activities, you would feed them, watch them roam freely, and connect with these gentle giants up close. Then, you would embark on guided jungle treks, paddle down serene rivers, or take a cruise on Cheow Lan Lake to admire karst landscapes.

3 Island Villas with a Tree House Design

Villas are the top choice for island getaways in Thailand, and their unique tree house designs offer both complete privacy and a one-of-a-kind exotic stay.

Keemala (Phuket)

• Price: from 440 USD per villa per night
• Location: 15-minute drive to Patong Beach and 1 hour from Phuket International Airport
• Family room: no, only an extra bed available

Keemala is a haven for couples seeking a unique and secluded retreat. Its uniquely designed villas, especially the Tree Pool Houses and Bird's Nest Pool Villas, are something out of a movie set. Each villa is a private sanctuary for you both, complete with a pool and being secluded in the lush jungle.

While it's not located on the beachfront, the resort is just an 8-minute drive from Kamala Beach, with a shuttle service that makes seaside exploration effortless. Keep in mind that the villas are set within a jungle hillside, so be prepared for a few steps.

TreeHouse Villas Koh Yao Noi — Adult Only (Phang Nga)

• Price: from 459 USD per villa per night
• Location: 30-minute drive and 1-hour ferry ride from Phuket, 40-minute drive and 35-minute ferry ride from Krabi
• Family room: the Hilltop Pool Villa accommodates up to six adults

For couples craving a secluded retreat, TreeHouse Villas Koh Yao Noi offers unmatched privacy and tranquility. This adult-only luxury beachfront escape is designed to create an intimate atmosphere, perfect for romantic getaways or small groups seeking a tropical hideaway.

Each villa, spanning over 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), features a stunning tree house design that lets you soak up breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from your room. Spend your days unwinding by your private plunge pool, lounging on the pristine beach, or diving into exciting water activities like snorkeling and kayaking.

Rayavadee Resort (Krabi)

• Price: from 465 USD per villa per night
• Location: a 1-minute drive from Railay West Beach and 6 minutes from Ao Nang Beach
• Family room: a Family Pavilion accommodates up to four people

Rayavadee offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in Krabi's most breathtaking scenery without ever leaving the resort. Surrounded by three stunning beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, and lush jungle, it's a front-row seat to nature's masterpiece.

The two-story pavilion villas offer unmatched privacy, making them the perfect jungle retreat. Wake up to the sounds of nature, and you might even spot monkeys, lizards, or hornbills.

For an unforgettable evening, dine at The Grotto, the resort's iconic cave restaurant. Imagine savoring a delicious meal with live music as the sun sets over the sea.

3 Floating Stays: Life on the Water

Thailand's floating bungalows are built on quiet rivers and lakes, featuring traditional Thai designs with thatched roofs and wooden structures. With limited room and digital connection, they're ideal for those seeking privacy, relaxation, and a deep connection with nature.

Want to try it out? Head to Khao Sok near the southern islands or Kanchanaburi, just a short trip from Bangkok.

The FloatHouse River Kwai (Kanchanaburi)

• Price: from 159 USD per room per night
• Location: 1-hour drive from downtown Kanchanaburi, 3 hours from Bangkok
• Family room: yes

The FloatHouse River Kwai offers a natural getaway after immersing yourself in the dark history of the Death Railway.

These elegant floating villas are anchored along the serene River Kwai. There is no neighborhood there, just pure, unspoiled nature. Fall asleep to the sound of the water lapping beneath your villa.

Each villa has a private deck with direct access to the river. You could sit on the swing seat and let the idyllic serenity sink in. Kayaking, swimming, and bamboo rafting are available for water-based fun from your doorstep. Getting there is a treat too, with a scenic 10-minute longtail boat ride through a stunning valley.

500Rai Floating Resort (Khao Sok National Park)

• Room rate: from 472 USD per room per night
• Location: 3 to 4-hour private transfer from Krabi, Phuket, or Khao Lak and 1½-hour longtail boat ride from Cheow Lan Lake Pier
• Family room: yes

Tucked away in a peaceful corner of Cheow Lan Lake, 500Rai offers sweeping views of emerald waters and dramatic limestone cliffs. Disconnect from the digital world with limited Wi-Fi (1 hour per person per day) and savor the simplicity of nature. Its remote location, far from boat traffic, ensures a serene and exclusive escape into nature.

For couples, the private honeymoon villa promises ultimate seclusion, while families with kids would love private kayaking and dipping in an enclosed pool over the lake. More impressively, wake up to the magic of a lakeside sunrise in your bed!

The Lake Camp, Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp

• Room rate: from 802 USD per room per 3-day package
• Location: 3 to 4-hour private transfer from Krabi, Phuket, or Khao Lak and 1-hour longtail boat ride from Cheow Lan Lake Pier
• Family room: yes, up to two adults and two children per tent

As the lake camp of Elephant Hills, The Lake Camp follows the same all-inclusive model as the other camps.

Floated in a secluded corner of Cheow Lan Lake, The Lake Camp offers an immersive retreat into nature. With no TV, no radio, and no Wi-Fi, this camp invites you to disconnect from the digital world.

Compared to 500Rai, it's more eco-friendly. There's no air-conditioning, but fans are provided. As a cool retreat, it never gets too hot, especially in the evenings.

3 Historic and Heritage Hotels: Timeless Elegance

Step back in time and immerse yourself in Thailand's rich history at these heritage gems, where every corner whispers stories of the past.

The Siam Hotel Bangkok (Bangkok)

• Room rate: from 480 USD per room per night
• Location: 20-minute drive from the Grand Palace and 1 hour from Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Family room: up to two adults and two children

Nestled along the Chao Phraya River, The Siam blends art deco style with rich Thai heritage. The black-and-white hotel features vintage furniture, antiques, and colonial-era references, creating a timeless atmosphere.

One of its unique features is Connie's Cottage, a 100-year-old teak house shipped from Ayutthaya, which adds a historic touch to the property. With just 38 rooms, you could enjoy personalized service, including 1-on-1 butler assistance, ensuring an intimate and luxurious stay.

To escape Bangkok's traffic, you could take advantage of the hotel's free shuttle boat, which transports you to popular attractions and shopping malls along the river.

The riverside Chon Thai Restaurant, known for its Michelin 3-star status, offers home-style Thai cuisine in a setting surrounded by century-old wooden Thai houses, blending exceptional dining with historical charm.

InterContinental Khao Yai Resort (Khao Yai)

• Room rate: from 270 USD per room per night
• Location: 30-minute drive to Khao Yai National Park and 3 hours from Bangkok
• Family room: yes

Ever dreamed of sleeping in a train carriage surrounded by lush jungle vibes? At InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, that dream becomes a reality — and so much more.

Check-in at the ticket-counter-like reception, see the railway memorabilia on every corner, and stay in upcycled heritage rail carriage rooms and suites with private plunge pools.

As a train-themed hotel, it's a dream stay for families with kids — imagine them telling their friends about sleeping in a train-themed suite! There's even a kids' club inside a train car, packed with games and toys. They could spot swans on the lakeside path of the resort.

137 Pillars House (Chiang Mai)

• Room rate: from 529 USD per room per night
• Location: 10-minute drive to the Old City and 20 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport
• Family room: yes

137 Pillars House blends 19th-century colonial charm with beautifully restored teakwood houses, all wrapped in lush gardens. Each suite reflects old-world elegance with vintage-style bathtubs and a veranda or patio overlooking the stunning scenery.

With just 30 gorgeous suites, the exclusive service stands out to complement its historic charm. You're welcomed by your warmhearted personal butler and would receive your own custom choices of pillows and toiletries.

Its serene and intimate vibe sets a great backdrop for a couple's trip. Have afternoon tea in the gardens, take a couple's massage, and learn to cook Thai cuisine together.

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