After spending a month living out of an Airbnb in Bangkok, the city full of chaotic energy, top-tier rooftops (like Ather), onsens (our favourite is Let’s Relax chain), new art spaces like DIB, and historical mansions converted into high-end restaurant and DJ bar – we hit a wall. As much as we loved the city, we were ready for a change of pace. We wanted to see the real country, but the thought of squeezing into crowded, highly touristed hotspots was entirely unappealing.
We didn’t want the typical high-rise beachfront scene. No rows of plastic lounge chairs. Just space, wind, water, and wildlife. We wanted to find stays that offered pure silence – only the sounds of nature.
So, we plotted a different kind of route down the coast. We started on the Hua Hin side (3 hours by car from Bangkok, appox $50), drove further south near Koh Samui, and eventually ended up over in Phuket (the northern part). Our goal was to hunt down the best affordable 5-star pool villas and boutique eco-resorts tucked away in lesser-known locations. We were looking for that sweet spot: remote and off the beaten path, but still not too hard to get to.
If you want to experience Thailand from the quiet, nature-focused side without sacrificing comfort, here is exactly where we stayed on our coastal road trip and our honest thoughts on each.
La A Natu, Sam Roi Yot Near Bueng Bua
Next to Bueng Bua National Park, just below Hua Hin – which has vast amounts of hotels in all categories – La A Natu feels like a different world.
Bueng Bua is part of Sam Roi Yot National Park, known for its wetlands, lotus ponds, and limestone peaks rising behind the marsh. A long wooden boardwalk runs through the area and is easy to explore, especially in the early morning.
It is a small eco-resort with a no-frills spa, but closer to nature and nature sounds. The resort is one of the few properties on this beach, so there are very few people aside from the guests.
The resort has a large, nice top terrace to hang out in the shadow — a perfect place for playing games, reading, or working a bit. Just below is the beach, with the sound of waves 10 meters away. We spent hours there, often until the evening.
The restaurant food was quite good — close to Bangkok level, which says something when you are outside the capital.
We stayed in the “Rice Field” villa. Very quiet, built with natural materials. At night, we could hear the toads quacking. That kind of silence.
Why It Works
- Direct access to a quiet beach
- Proximity to Sam Roi Yot National Park
- Eco-resort feel without being too isolated
- Strong restaurant compared to most remote resorts
This is a good option if you want nature near Hua Hin without the Hua Hin hotel strip experience.
Getting there is relatively easy: about a three-hour drive from Bangkok. You can also take the train from Bangkok — either to Hua Hin (followed by a taxi) or to Wang Phong station, which is closer. It is worth checking different departures on the official State Railway of Thailand booking site (dticket.railway.co.th), as not all trains stop at every station. The same if you plan to take my train to Surat Thani afterwards (final stop for trains going south).
Khanom Beach Resort & Spa
3/9 M.6 Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80210
About a 20-minute drive from Don Sak Pier (ferry to Koh Samui).
We booked a villa with a private pool. It works well if you have your own car — otherwise it is quite far out.
The area feels somewhat abandoned. Some resorts are decaying or closed down, and there was quite a lot of waste on the beach. It gives the impression of inefficient local government and resorts that do not prioritize beach clean-up.
The villa itself is decent. After some coordination with staff, we managed to get silence from the ventilation at night. Once that was solved, it was peaceful.
The restaurant food was acceptable, but generally Thai food is better where locals eat. A very large menu often means less quality per dish, and that was my impression here.
We hired transport and drove through the mountains instead of taking the shortest route. It was longer, but you see more of that almost Avatar-like nature — dramatic limestone hills, jungle, mist.
Things to Consider
- Best if you have your own transport
- Beach cleanliness can vary
- Food better outside the resort
- Beautiful mountain scenery in the region
Khanom is less developed than many Thai beach destinations. That can be a charm — or a frustration — depending on what you are looking for.
Access requires a bit more planning: around 1–1.5 hours by car from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat airport, or 20 minutes from Don Sak Pier if arriving from Koh Samui. A rental car helps.
Aleenta Phuket – Phang Nga Resort & Spa
33, Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga 82140
Located north of Phuket on the coast in Phang Nga.
A series of villas with large pools are placed on the “wrong” side of the road — not directly beachfront, though not far from the beach. That said, this side offers more privacy than the villas facing the sand.
The villas are spacious and modern, with high walls and large private pools that feel self-contained. In the evening, the lighting around the pool gives the space a calm, almost secluded atmosphere.
There is a road you need to cross to go to the main area, but there is not much noise, mostly local traffic.
The resort positions itself as a health-focused destination. They offer one yoga or Muay Thai class per day. I attended most classes during our four-day stay, and I was the only participant each time — which meant private sessions. Nice. Still, limiting it to one session per day feels restrictive when no one else shows up.
The food is health-oriented, though not as much as at the other places we stayed. Our first dinner made us look elsewhere, and there are several other resorts with different vibes toward Phuket, just a short walk along the beach.
Service is not overwhelming. We had to contact the front desk to have the villa cleaned, and they did it when we specifically requested it.
Getting there: the resort is roughly 25–30 minutes by car from Phuket International Airport.
Who It Suits
- Travelers seeking privacy near Phuket
- Villa stays with large private pools
- Wellness-light rather than hardcore wellness
- Easy airport access compared to more remote Thai beaches
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
After our stay at Aleenta, we moved to JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa for a few days before our flight out, located on Mai Khao Beach in the north of the island. The area is less Phuket-like, quieter and less hectic.
It is a very large complex, with multiple pools, wide lawns, and a park-like layout stretching toward the beach. The property operates alongside Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, administered by the same group, and the two resorts are physically connected.
The rooms are decent. Comfortable and functional. But after staying in private pool villas, we clearly felt the downgrade. The experience becomes more shared, less secluded — even slightly dormitory-like at times, as you hear the neighbors once in a while. Though almost not at night, at least.
Anantara next door offers private villas, but at a price point approximately twice that of Aleenta. From what we observed while spending time around the combined Marriott and Anantara property, we struggle to see the added value reflected proportionally in the atmosphere or overall experience.
The beach bar and restaurant Sea Fire Salt Phuket at Anantara, however, is a better option than the more brightly lit beach canteens at the Marriott resort. That bar feels closer to the level of a good Dubai beach hangout — more polished, more deliberate. Andaman Grill at Marriott is the exception, with cozy lighting and a more classic dining feel.
Who It Suits
- Families who prefer larger resort infrastructure
- Travelers wanting multiple pools and facilities
- Guests who value international brand familiarity
- Those not prioritizing villa privacy
Getting there: located on Mai Khao Beach, around 15–20 minutes by car from Phuket International Airport.
Overall Impressions
- Sam Roi Yot gave us nature with comfort.
- Khanom gave us raw scenery.
- Phang Nga gave us privacy with easier access.
All beaches were decent – except what I would call “Khanom Trash Beach.” The others seemed relatively well managed and, importantly, not filled with plastic lounge chairs like you see in parts of Europe.
Food is generally better in cities where local Thai people eat. That is universal across tourist destinations worldwide, not only Thailand. Resorts often try to cater to everyone, and that shows in the menu.
If your priority is silence, nature sounds, and space, Thailand still offers it — but you need to choose carefully. Being “remote” and being “neglected” are two different things.
