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Best areas to stay in Khao Lak, Thailand

a Cluster of rocks sit on a golden sandy beach. Wave gently lap the shore.
a Cluster of rocks sit on a golden sandy beach. Wave gently lap the shore.

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Khao Lak is located at the Southern end of Thailand’s mainland, just above Phuket in the province of Phang Nga. With un-obstructed views across the Andaman Sea, it is a popular beach resort for couples and families alike.

If you are planning a holiday to Khao Lak, or want to incorporate it into a longer stay in Thailand, this guide will help you decide the best area to stay in Khao Lak, depending on your budget and the kind of atmosphere you prefer. 

Also check out my blogs on Unmissable things to do in Khao Lak and the Best Day trips from Khao Lak

Table of Contents

Khao Lak: At a glance

How to get to Khao Lak: Khao Lak is a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Phuket airport. The best way to travel from the airport is by private taxi or shared minivan, which you can book online in advance, here. You can also travel by taxi or minibus from popular towns in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.

Best time of year to visit Khao Lak: Between the end of November and March has the best weather, however note that December and January are the peak months, so prices of accommodation can be higher during this time. 

Best things to do in Khao Lak: There are so many great things to do in Khao Lak, from beaches, to waterfalls and jungles. I have written a separate blog post on all the best things to do in Khao Lak, which you should check out, here.  But some of the highlights include walking the Lam Ru National Park nature trail, visiting the sandy beaches, seeing the elephants at K.E.S, sailing to the incredible Similan islands, or a day trip to Phang Nga Bay. 

Also recommended: If you enjoy being surrounded by beautiful Thai nature, I’d highly recommend combining a trip to Khao Lak with a visit to Khao Sok National park. Stay one or two nights in the park and enjoy waking up on a floating raft on Cheow Lan lake. Read my Khao Sok blog for everything you need to know about visiting Khao Sok National Park. 

How long do you need in Khao Lak: 4-5 nights is a good amount of time to spend in Khao Lak, to see several of the sights, but you could easily have a two week holiday here to see everything plus time to relax!

Best areas to stay in Khao Lak, Thailand

The main tourist region of Khao Lak is split into two areas, separated by parkland; Bang Niang / Khao Lak beach and Nang Thong beach. But the area of Khao Lak is bigger than just these two tourist hubs. It stretches about 30 kms from north to south, along the coast, from Lam Ru National Park in the south to Pak Weep / Bang Sak in the north. 

It takes approximately 45 minutes to drive from one end of Khao Lak to the other, along the Khao Lak highway, with a range of accommodation, shops and restaurants dotted on either side of the main road. This guide covers some of the best areas to stay in Khao Lak, whether you are looking for a romantic, peaceful coastal retreat, travelling around Thailand on a budget, or are visiting Khao Lak as a family.

Bang Niang / Khao Lak Beach

Bang Niang is considered the main tourist hub of Khao Lak. Here, you will find lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, massage salons and shops. In the centre is the lively Bang Niang market. Whilst Bang Niang and Khao lak beaches are not the best beaches I have visited in Thailand, if you like to be close to facilities and have lots to do throughout the day and into the evening, this is the best area for you. This is the area I stayed in, at Sudala Beach resort, and I loved it. Although it was peak season (January), it didn’t feel too crowded and unlike staying in some parts of Phuket, you can easily stroll around in the evening without lots of traffic or too much noise. There is also a wide range of accommodation in this area, to suit all budgets. If you want to be walking distance from everything but away from the noise, pick a hotel closer to the coastline, away from the main Bang Niang road.

Where to stay in Bang Niang

Budget accommodation in Bang Niang: 

Mid range accommodation in Bang Niang: 

High-end accommodation in Bang Niang: 

  • Ramada Resort – High end chain hotel situated on the beach
  • Casa De La Flora – Modern beachfront studios with private pool

  • La Vela Khao Lak – Contemporary style hotel on Khao Lak beach with sea views and a range of activities 

Khao Lak has some amazing sunsets – here is the sun setting over Bang Niang main street (L) and from my balcony at Sudala Beach Resort (R)

Nang Thong Beach

The second main tourist hub of Khao Lak is Nang Thong. Whilst there are some restaurants and shops here, most of them are along the main road and the area between the main road and beach is much quieter. The accommodation here is more larger, self contained resorts. This is a good option if you want to be a short taxi ride away from the hustle and bustle of Bang Niang market but a quieter area overall. If you arrive in Khao Lak by bus, or shared minivan, you will be dropped off outside the McDonalds on the main road here. (Don’t worry there are lots of really nice local restaurants so you can definitely skip McDonalds!!). This area is a bit quieter than Bang Niang and has less shops and restaurants, however it is a short taxi ride away so if you don’t mind jumping into a taxi for dinner, or renting a scooter or car, then this area could be perfect if you prefer a more peaceful holiday. Plus a lot of the larger, more expensive resorts in this area have onsite restaurants if you prefer to stay in.

Where to stay in Nang Thong

Budget accommodation in Nang Thong: 

Mid range accommodation in Nang Thong: 

High-end accommodation in Nang Thong:  

Lam Ru National Park is small but worth a visit for a little walk through the jungle to a small beach – just watch out for the monitor lizards!

Phet Kasem Road

Along the main road that runs through Khao Lak, from Nang Thong Beach, up to Khao Lak Village, there are many shops, restaurants and hotels and guesthouses. The restaurants along this road tend to be more local, family-run and basic, especially the more further north you go. Accommodation is also smaller and more basic, with locally run guesthouses. This is a good option if you are travelling on a budget. There can also be some hidden gems around this area – set back from the main road, built into the hillside, with landscape views. Note that if you are staying in one of these areas, away from the road, or further away from the main town areas, you are likely to need your own car or scooter. 

Where to stay along Phet Kasam Road

Budget accommodation along Phet Kasem Road: 

  • DKaYa Hostel – Modern hostel, close to Bang Niang area and night market
  • Phukhaolak Resort – Quiet, garden resort, on the outskirts of Khao Lak, close to Lam Ru National Park
  • CharPoot Cottage – secluded villas close to Chong Fah Waterfall with an onsite restaurant. 

Mid range accommodation in Phet Kasem Road: 

  • Khaolak Forest Resort – Located on the main road, a short walk from Bang Niang night market
  • Grandfather Khaolak Resort – Set back from the main road, at the end of a quiet road, between the areas of Bang Niang and Nang Thong
  • Hotel Gahn – Modern family friendly hotel with onsite restaurant and pool close to Bang Niang road. 

High-end accommodation in Phet Kasem Road: 

A wide golden sandy beach. Thick rows of trees line the beach and rocks line the shoreline.
Khao Lak beach stretches almost the ful length of Khao Lak,making it perfect for an early morning stroll.

Khao Lak Village / Khuk Khak Beach

Khao Lak Village is a small area, just north of Bang Niang. There are a few local restaurants and cafes and local shops, but this area is mostly home to larger, more luxury self contained resorts, dotted around the village and along Khuk Khak beach, so there are fewer facilities aimed specifically at tourists. This area also has several self contained holiday homes, if you prefer your own private retreat. Overall, the vibe here is more relaxed and tranquil. If you want to explore on your own, you may find that renting your own scooter or car is beneficial, however there are plenty of taxis in Khao Lak if you prefer. The drive to Bang Niang market is only 10-15 minutes, depending on where your accommodation is based.  

Where to stay in Khao lak Village / Khuk Khak beach

Budget accommodation around Khao Lak Village / Khuk Khak Beach: 

  • RELAX ECO Life Center – Thai style rooms surrounded by tropical gardens, between Khuk Khak beach and Khao Lak village. 
  • Lake View Bungalows – Simple bungalows with onsite restaurant, set in tropical gardens.
  • The Oasis Khaolak Resort – Modern villas and rooms with outdoor pool, situated on the edge of Khao Lak village. 

Mid range accommodation in Khao Lak Village / Khuk Khak Beach:

High-end accommodation in Khao Lak Village / Khuk Khak Beach:

A small Thai-Buddhist temple, with ornate golden pitched roof. Columns surround the square cream building.
Just off the main road, near Khuk Khuk Beach is the small Wat Phanat Nikhom buddhist temple

Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach

Travelling even further north, the areas around Pak Weep and Bang Sak beaches are even quieter. From Bang Sak beach, it is a 20 minute drive into Bang Niang, so if you want to go out every evening for something to eat, you will need to bear this in mind. However, the advantage of this quieter area is that the beaches are nicer than in the south of Khao Lak. If you are travelling to Khao Lak on a budget, this area might not be the best option for you as there tends to be more higher end accommodation, and larger luxury resorts in this area. Come to this area if you want total peace, a bit of luxury, and don’t mind being away from the action.

Where to stay in Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach

Budget accommodation around Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach:

Mid range accommodation in Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach:

High-end accommodation in Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach:

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