Koh Lanta doesn’t do big builds or fast crowds. Right off Thailand’s Andaman coast, it’s an island where nature and tradition meet. The Chao Ley (nomadic sea gypsies with deep maritime roots and matriarchal traditions) still fish off its southern shores. Family-run bungalows and barefoot resorts line its quiet beaches. No mega malls and no club zones are in sight.
Travellers come for the snorkelling at Koh Rok, the trails of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, or simply to read under a palm. Whether booking a beachfront villa or something simple near Lanta Old Town, Koh Lanta is for those who want more hammock time than hijinks. Use Traveloka to find stays that fit your pace.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
- Long Beach (Pra‑Ae): The island’s most popular stretch: coconut‑lined, calm waters and low-rise resorts. Great for easy beach café hopping and laid-back vibes.
- Khlong Dao: Ideal for families with a wide sandy beach, playgrounds in cafes, calm swimming and beachfront guesthouses on Traveller Lane. Good for families after an easy holiday.
- Klong Nin: Perfect for couples and chill seekers: somewhere between boutique and beach shack, with cute bars, and a peaceful village feel just off the strip.
- Klong Khong: Budget‑friendly beach with a relaxed backpacker scene and cheap eats. For travellers who like to watch their sunsets for free and eat their pad thai for barely more.
- Kantiang Bay and Bamboo Beach: Down south it’s wild and calm. Luxury hideouts, jungle tracks, and near-empty beaches. If you’re escaping it all, this is it.
How much is Koh Lanta accommodation?
Koh Lanta hasn’t priced itself out of reach. You can still sleep in a palm-shaded bungalow for under AU$40, and even the fancier stays often cost less than a motel in Sydney. Prices nudge up in the dry season (Nov-Apr), but down months also bring down the cost. Whether you're after a hammock out front with friends or a private plunge pool, Traveloka helps you find the sweet spot.
- Backpackers and hostels: From AU$15 per night. Simple beach huts or dorms, often with fans, social bar areas, and seconds away from a happy hour sign.
- Budget bungalows and guesthouses: From AU$35 per night. Family-run spots with basic ensuite rooms and thatch bungalows, but still close to the beach.
- Mid-range resorts and boutique stays: From AU$70 per night. We’re talking pool access, a breakfast buffet, seriously comfy beds, and easy beach access.
- Apartments and villas: From AU$120 per night. Best for longer stays or groups wanting kitchens to break up the meals out and space to hang out with mates.
- Luxury resorts: From AU$250 per night. Cliffside views, infinity pools and in-villa massages. But - it’s still Koh Lanta. So think more barefoot than bling.
Top-rated hotels in Koh Lanta
- Thai House Beach Resort: Simple, warm and right on the sand. This family-run spot near southern Long Beach offers everything from bamboo bungalows for the barefoot traveller to air-con Thai-style houses. There’s a massage hut overlooking the Andaman, a beachfront bar for sunset Chang beers, and local-run tour bookings.
- Pimalai Resort and Spa: This is the island’s quiet achiever. Set above Kantiang Bay with 900 metres of private beach, the five-star Pimalai is where luxury meets low-key. Think yoga in the trees, seafood straight from local boats, and forest trails out your back door.
- Layana Resort and Spa: Grown-ups only, ultra-easy. On the edge of Long Beach, Layana’s all about long sleeps, infinity pool dips, and garden walks between the spa, yoga studio and wine bar. The SeaSky restaurant rolls out Thai dishes under the stars, while Sundowners Bar does what the name promises.
- Lanta Lazy Days Bungalows: Nine timber bungalows beside Relax Beach and the jungle beyond. All king-bedded, with private decks and palm cover. It’s adults-only, low-fi, and all about simple days, fresh poke bowls and afternoon sea breezes. You’re a barefoot stumble from the beach, but far from the crowds.
- The Houben Hotel: Perched above Kantiang’s southern cliffs, this boutique escape is red-tiled, grown-up, and designed to slow your pace. Just 15 sea-view rooms, a Belgian-Thai fusion kitchen, and cliff cinema nights under the stars. There’s even a secret cave and visiting monkeys if you need a story to tell later.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Koh Lanta
- Choose your beach wisely: Long Beach is breezy and social, Kantiang’s all about castaway luxury, while Khlong Khong keeps things cheap and cheerful. Each stretch has its own pace. Pick the one that matches yours.
- Use Traveloka’s filters to sort the fluff from the good stuff: Want a pool, AC, or a beachfront bar? Skip the scroll and filter by what matters, from price and room style to ratings that actually mean something.
- Travel on the edges of the dry season for better value: April and October are less busy, cheaper, and still sunny enough for swims. The bungalows are also easier to book - and you might just get an upgrade thrown in for free.
- Look for extras that save you time: Many stays offer scooter hire, pier pickups, snorkelling tours, or breakfast by the beach. It’s the small things that make your stay smoother and your mornings easier.
- Think about dinner logistics: If you want to wander out for pad thai under the stars, base yourself near Klong Nin or Long Beach. Some of the wilder southern spots need a motorbike and a plan.