More about hotels in Rayong
About Rayong accommodation
Rayong is the beach escape a lot of Bangkok locals keep close to home. Koh Samet's white sand and clear water sit just a short speedboat ride from the mainland pier at Ban Phe, and back on the mainland the province grows some of Thailand's best durian and rambutan, served up fresh at roadside orchards and seafood shacks along the coast.
From an island bungalow a few steps off the sand to a serviced apartment back in Rayong town, there's a stay here to match however you want to do this trip.
Where to stay in Rayong
- Koh Samet: The island everyone comes for. Beaches like Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Prao have the clearest water and whitest sand in the province, and stays range from simple beach bungalows to full spa resorts.
- Rayong town: The mainland base, close to Central Rayong Shopping Mall, the Ko Kloi floating market and the Ban Phe pier for boats out to the island. Good pick if you want aircon comfort, real restaurants and an easy drive to the fruit orchards.
How much is Rayong accommodation?
- Budget: AU$40-70, a clean aircon room in Rayong town or a simple bungalow set back from the beachfront.
- Mid-range: AU$90-160, a pool, breakfast included and often a kitchenette if you book a serviced apartment.
- Luxury: AU$220-400+, a beachfront resort on Koh Samet with a private stretch of sand, a spa and multiple pools.
What Rayong is known for
- Koh Samet island: An easy, relaxed island getaway without the long-haul travel. Most visitors are on the island within half a day of leaving Bangkok, making it the go-to short break for people living in the capital.
- Durian and rambutan orchards: Rayong is one of eastern Thailand's biggest fruit-growing provinces. Orchards like Suphattraland open for tastings from around May to August, serving durian alongside rambutan, mangosteen and longkong, and the province runs its own Rayong Fruit Festival each year in late May or early June to mark the harvest.
- Fresh seafood: The coastline runs on fishing towns like Ban Phe, and restaurants such as Laem Cha Reon Seafood at the harbour mouth serve the day's catch, often grilled whole or stir-fried with Thai herbs.
Top-rated hotels in Rayong
- Hilton Garden Inn Rayong: Connected to Central Rayong Shopping Mall, with a rooftop bar, an outdoor pool and Saeng Chan Beach under a 15-minute drive away.
- Kameo Grand Hotel & Serviced Apartment Rayong: Studio and one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, plus a sauna, steam room and year-round outdoor pool.
- Tamarind Garden Hotel: A garden setting in Rayong town with a kids' pool, gym and Thai restaurant, solid value for families.
- Ao Prao Resort: Bungalow-style rooms on Koh Samet's quieter west coast beach, with a spa, a pool and watersports on the sand out front.
- Sai Kaew Beach Resort: Set across two Koh Samet beaches with three pools including a swim-up bar, plus beachside Thai massage and its own boat transfers from the mainland.
Travel tips for Rayong
- Get to Koh Samet by bus or minivan from Bangkok to the Ban Phe pier, then a speedboat across. The full trip usually runs around four hours door to door.
- October to April is the driest, sunniest stretch, and Koh Samet's own microclimate means it stays drier than most of Thailand even during the wet season.
- Time a visit for late May or early June if the orchards are the drawcard, when durian and rambutan are at their best and the Rayong Fruit Festival is on.
- Rent a car or scooter if the fruit orchards are on your list. Ban Phe pier is well served by taxi and minivan, but the orchards sit inland and are easier to reach with your own wheels.
- Book Koh Samet stays ahead on weekends. Bangkok locals treat the island as their default short break, and rooms fill up fast from Friday to Sunday.
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