Thailand is a popular tourist destination for a variety of reasons. The country has a diverse culture with intriguing customs and spirituality.
Thailand is endowed with an abundance of beautiful natural beauty, from the mountainous north to the beach resort resorts of the south, and, of course, its tropical islands offshore.
Thailand has hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget living in hostels, a luxury-seeking vacationer searching for a five-star villa, or you want to stay someplace more unusual, like a rustic beach cottage. All of the stuff is available in Thailand.
But wait, there’s more. For those looking to vacation more ethically, Thailand has some of the best eco-friendly hotels and resorts, which have a lesser environmental effect than standard hotels and villas.
We may all benefit from vacationing in a more environmentally friendly manner from time to time, which is why we’ve put together this list of the best eco-resorts in Thailand.
All of the resorts on our list will provide a pleasant vacation while attempting to minimize their environmental effect and uplifting and supporting local communities to the greatest extent feasible.
Are you in Hurry? There’s Where to Stay in Best Eco-Friendly Resort in Thailand
5 min stroll to the beach
The Island Hideout provides open-air, electricity-free living on the unspoilt Koh Yao Noi island.
The multi-level treetop cottages are fully open-air and have no walls. Its vast tree-lined grounds and views of Phang Nga Bay allow visitors to completely immerse themselves in nature. The bottom floor has private bathrooms. The Island Hideout’s guests may also enjoy the solar-filtered infinity pool and organic restaurant. A 10-minute drive away lies the island’s city center, including a post office, eateries, and a hospital.
Manoh Pier is about a 10-minute drive away for Phuket-Krabi transports.
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Why Stay in an Eco- friendly hotel in Thailand
Choosing an eco-resort in Thailand would provide you with the unique opportunity to be near to nature while also saving it, all while having a pleasant and comfortable vacation. Not only will you have your selection of some of Thailand’s most unusual accommodations, but you’ll also be helping to promote an ecologically sustainable stay.
Whether you stay in the metropolis, deep in the lush woods, or along the seaside, you can feel assured that your selected accommodation shares your concern about the effect humans have on the earth.
What is an Eco-Hotels?
The phrase “eco-resort” refers to a kind of accommodation that is generally distinctive and close to nature and is dedicated to minimizing the environmental effect of its activities. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but the most frequent are renewable or green energy, water-saving programs, and natural construction materials.
Being an eco-resort also entails helping local communities, and many are devoted to promoting local artists and companies as much as possible. Sharing unique insights into local culture and history with tourists is also an important component of this.
The Hideout, Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga
Sustainable Eco Hotel for digital detoxing, a perfect honeymoon, or a treat to yourself in southern Thailands Jungle with stunning views over Phang Nga Bay
Keemala, Phuket
Keemala Hotel Phuket embraces a Thai cultural philosophy & brings it to lifethrough distinctive design and experiences.
Nestled amid an unspoiled tropical island of Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri offers luxurious villas with a private pool and private terrace.
The Resort’s design is harmonious with its surroundings; the fresh mountain air is cleansing … Bird’s eye view of Phu Chaisai Estate 2,000 rai property.
Built in late 1800’s as part of the Borneo Company headquarters, 137 Pillars House is a beautiful teak wood building that has been carefully restored to reflect its 19th-century origins.
Six Senses Koh Samui resort in Thailand is made up of 66 private villas, many with personal pools and panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand
Tongsai Bay, an eco friendly resort with private beach and seaview on Koh Samui island. Book direct for special offers in suite and pool villas.
The Pavilions Anana, Krabi
The Pavilions Anana Krabi is an eco-sustainable and ecological resort giving visitors a unique wellness experience.
Restore your body with natural volcanic water pools and farm to table culinary delights, and reconnect with nature with unique, sustainable trip experiences.
Moken Eco Village, Koh Phra Thong
Moken Eco Resort is located in a prime position on Phra Thong Bay. There are 10 large beach bungalows made from local natural materials.
Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort, Chiang Mai
Rabeang Pasak Tree House is located in Doi Saket and provides free Wi-Fi. It also offers a BBQ/picnic area, bicycle rental and an airport shuttle.
The Sarojin, Phuket
Multi award winning luxurious boutique beach resort, just 55 minutes from Phuket on a stunning, secluded white sand beach in Khao Lak.
Bangkok Treehouse, Bangkok
A 10- minute drive from Bang Namphueng Floating Market, Bangkok Tree House offers stylish three-storey living units with free Wi-Fi.
Zeavola Resort, Koh Phi Phi
Zeavola Resort is a 5-star boutique resort located on the northern tip of Phi Phi Island on an unbeatable stretch of a white sand beach.
Looking for other types of accommodation? Check out our guide to Where to Stay in Thailand!
13 Best Eco-Friendly Hotels in Thailand
It is necessary to spend a lot of money to find the greatest eco-resort in Thailand. This guide will provide you with a selection of unique hotels in Thailand that will suit your budget and demands while also bringing you closer to nature.
The Hideout (shown above) has claimed the southwest point of Koh Yao Noi as its own, just a 30-minute speedboat journey from Phuket. It’s a chance to take a rest in a tranquil natural location, away from the world, located within a historic cashew-nut plantation. The Hideout contains four spectacular open-air treehouse rooms, as well as the resort’s solar-filtered saltwater Infinity Pool and restaurant. All of the structures are made from locally produced or repurposed materials.
Apart from a few solar panels to power the pool and emergency lights, The Hideout is an electricity-free business, meaning wifi free as well. This is an excellent time to unplug and rejuvenate. Each of the two-level apartments has no walls or windows, allowing you to capture the island breeze and utilize it as natural air-conditioning while admiring the unequaled open-air panoramic view of the rainforest, bay, and nearby islands.
Enjoy a delicious dinner that is genuine, organic, and locally sourced. At the end of the day, relax to your king-sized mosquito net-draped bed and listen to the tranquil forest music. Leave your toiletries at home and utilize The Hideout’s biodegradable products created in-house. Positively opulent, and as an added benefit, it won’t disrupt the four-tier water recycling system.
The Hideout is an off-grid eco-conscious luxury retreat secluded away from the world that is worth exploring.
Keemala, tucked away in the trees of Phuket’s western side and overlooking Kamala Beach and the Andaman Sea, is a respite from ordinary life in a beautiful evergreen fantasy. The resort, an all-pool villa sanctuary, features 38 cottages and villas incorporating four imaginary ancient tribes’ cultural ideas and is without a doubt one of the top design hotels in Phuket.
This is reflected in the diverse style and experiences of four different kinds of lodging.
Bird’s Nest Pool Villas, with its unique woven tangle façade, sits highest on the mountaintop and provides a lot of room to relax at 185 sqm. The We-ha (Sky) two-story Tree Pool Villas seem to be dangling high in the treetops. The nomadic Khon-Tent Jorn’s Pool Villas have a complete canvas appearance but no shortage of sumptuous creature amenities. The Pa-Ta-Pea”(Earth) clan’s Clay Pool Cottages are set near a natural stream and sheltered by a tropical canopy, and are available in one- and two-bedroom layouts.
The ecological design of Keemala ensured that the grounds’ natural contours, soil, trees, and natural water sources were preserved or used with little disturbance during construction. Glass is utilized to allow in as much natural light as possible while reducing the demand for artificial illumination.
Simultaneously, each villa has its water treatment facility, guaranteeing that discharged water may be safely utilized for irrigation or other resort purposes. Over half of the kitchen’s requirements are met by the organic gardens on-site. Excess product is donated to a local charity, and garbage is composted and returned to the herb, vegetable, and fruit gardens as part of Keemala’s Towards Zero Food Waste effort.
The fascinating attractions of Phuket are all nearby, yet Keemala’s amenities may have you staying in more often than not. From morning yoga and guided meditation to restorative spa treatments meant to stimulate, revive, and pamper, Thai cooking courses, and its restaurants’ pure organic food.
Thailand’s fourth-largest island, Koh Kood, is a pristine piece of tropical paradise that is closer to Cambodia than Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. Having some of the nicest beaches in the nation is incentive enough to come. Another compelling reason is Soneva Kiri, a sprawling jungle-luxe resort that spans a whole peninsula in the island’s northwest.
Thirty-four ultra-spacious one- to six-bedroom villas provide an unrivaled combination of luxury and eco-friendly design. Even the smallest one-bedroom Beach Pool Villa, at 400 square meters, has a large wraparound swimming pool, an outdoor bathroom with a choice of showers and baths, a walk-in dressing room, and a private garden. Simply walk off your sustainably harvested wood deck onto your patch of beach to complete the luxe-Robinson Crusoe desert island impression. All villas have a personal barefoot butler to guarantee that all of your vacation requirements are met. Enjoy resort offerings such as daily yoga and meditation, non-motorized water activities, frequent movie screenings at Cinema Paradiso, and access to the Children’s Den and Eco Den for younger visitors. Oh, and access to the resort’s utterly decadent homemade chocolate and ice-cream parlors for the young and not-so-young.
Take a tour of the Eco-Centro Waste-to-Wealth center and organic gardens to learn about the resort’s top eco-sustainability initiatives. Soneva Kiri has worked hard to limit its carbon impact and preserve the area’s natural beauty to safeguard the surrounding ecosystem. The hotel has begun coral restoration programs to help local marine life thrive, has prohibited imported bottled water, and has generated USD 5.5 million via a carbon charge to assist thousands of people in need.
This is barefoot luxury at its best, serene and quiet, and you may not want to leave.
137 Pillars House was built around the turn of the twentieth century. It was one of four large teak residences that served as the headquarters and residence of a British firm that had one of Thailand’s earliest teak forest cutting and export licenses. This teak farmhouse has been lovingly repaired and is now the focal point of the 30-suite luxury boutique 137 Pillars House, which debuted in March 2012.
All 137 Pillars House’s superbly designed large apartments include butler service and are located a few minutes’ walk from the famous Wat Gate Temple, Ping River, and fashionable boutique shopping district. All of the modern conveniences are available, as well as ultra-comfortable four-poster mattresses, gorgeous bathrooms with free-standing Victorian bathtubs, and separate indoor and outdoor showers. The historic tiled verandahs of each apartment overlook the wide gardens and grass and have huge daybeds and the trademark 137 Pillars rocking rockers.
Make sure you swim in the 25-meter lap pool, which has a 2-3 story high green (vine-covered) wall.
In terms of the environment, the hotel has removed single-use plastics, broadened its buying strategy to include more sustainable suppliers, and increased its recycling operations.
Innovative technology is used in energy-efficient systems for air conditioning, lighting, and swimming pools. 137 Pillars House has collaborated with WarmHeart Environment to produce charcoal from organic waste and to maintain a non-toxic mosquito control program.
The property’s ever-expanding vegetable and herb garden provides an increasing amount of food for the restaurant and bar’s delectable offerings.
When visiting Chiang Mai, this is a wonderful place and getaway. A luxurious haven that also pays homage to a portion of the city’s colorful past.
Six Senses Samui, located on a remote and calm promontory on the northeast edge of Koh Samui (Samui Island), has 66 large villas with views of the Gulf of Thailand, 59 of which have private infinity pools. All include the assistance of a Guest Experience Maker (Butler).
Each home provides total solitude, built from native wood and bamboo and keeping an abundance of the surrounding forest complemented with tropical gardens. The décor of these beautiful bamboo homes is described as lux island-rustic-chic, with floor-to-ceiling glass on all sides framing stunning ocean vistas. Open the large windows to let in the fresh sea air. You may relax by your pool and sun deck, or you can explore the resort’s beach, eating, and entertainment choices. Take in the breathtaking sunsets from the top of the resort’s main infinity pool, or drink cocktails atop the headland. The huge open-air terrace at Drinks on the Rocks.
Individualized Six Senses Spa and wellness programs are available. Whether you pick an air-conditioned or sea breeze Salas treatment room, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the rock-fringed bay and ocean. Sessions in yoga, Reiki, Pilates, astrology, palmistry, and meditation are also provided.
Six Senses Samui visitors are warmly welcomed to share the duty of carbon footprint reduction by creating their own bottled water on-site, which is internationally recognized for its green credentials. Farm on the Hill is the most recent sustainable venture that uses composting and recycling to turn trash into riches (useful byproducts). The organic vegetables, herbs, and fresh eggs grew on the farm are used in the resort’s restaurants. Guests of all ages may also help feed and care for the goats and other farm animals. Other environmental endeavors include producing biochar and biodiesel, recycling wastewater, and collaborating with UNICEF and Restaurants Against Hunger.
Everyone in the family will enjoy this eco-friendly tropical island luxury.
When it initially opened in 1987, the Tongsai Bay was Koh Samui’s first five-star green hotel.
The creator took great care to ensure that no trees were cut down throughout the building process, ensuring that the suites fit in with the natural landscape. Many cottages have unique characteristics because they were constructed around rather than over objects, such as trees, stones, or other topographical peculiarities.
The property, which has 28.5 acres of beautiful green natural scenery wrapped around a headland and slope on the island’s northeast shore, is located on the island’s northeast coast. All have views of the bay and private beach.
Accommodation choices include beachfront suites overlooking the main freeform pool, which has a total of 83 bedrooms. Cottage Suites are located throughout the hillside, hidden amid mature palms, and five of them include plunge pools. The offering is completed by eight Tongsai Pool Villas (180 m2), as well as a spacious Seafront Pool and Grand Villas. In addition to its restaurants and bars, visitors may enjoy complimentary non-motorized water sports or a game of tennis. Prana Spa specializes in holistic therapies.
Tongsai Bay’s whole mission is founded on environmental principles, as seen by its top-to-bottom eco devotion. Over 170 different types of vegetation grow on Tongsai land, thanks to natural eco-system management, and creatures like the Slow Loris and 66 different bird species call the resort home. Comprehensive recycling and trash management initiatives, as well as eco-friendly cleaning products, are included in the resort’s infrastructure. Because it is devoid of single-use plastic, visitors may get free pure drinking water from wherever on the site.
Organic food from the resort’s farm is used in all restaurants and bars.
This family-run resort’s second generation is now carrying on the eco-legacy.
The Pavilions Anana is surrounded by nature and the beautiful Krabi limestone cliffs. Their 59 bedrooms, which include 10 spa suites, are constructed in a minimalist modern style and provide breathtaking views of Krabi’s natural surroundings. Each night, sleep comfortably on a delightfully sumptuous bed and wake up in their well-designed bathrooms, which offer eco-friendly bath items.
The Pavilions Anana has received Green Globe accreditation for its commitment to UN sustainable tourism hospitality standards and as a plastic-free destination. Its one-acre Permaculture farm practices regenerative composting and water conservation while producing veggies for the farm-to-table restaurant. The farmhouses, which are mostly made of natural Adobe Baan Din and recycled materials, serve as instructional centers. Simultaneously, the Farm’s culinary school promotes new ways to enjoy raw food and gourmet vegetarian recipes.
Guests may also make use of the specialized yoga & wellness center, which includes a fitness center, yoga pavilions, sauna, and steam rooms, as well as five spa treatment rooms, including a Himalayan salt room. Alternatively, relax in the natural volcanic waters swimming pool or take advantage of the complimentary carbon-neutral shuttles to the town and beaches.
Koh Phra Thong is a Thai island off the Andaman coast, about 170 kilometers north of Phuket International Airport (Phra Thong Island). Despite being the country’s seventh-largest island at 130 square kilometers, it is little-visited and undeveloped, except for a few rudimentary resorts on the island’s west coast. One of these is the Moken Eco Village on Koh Phra Thong.
It is managed by Moken (Sea Gypsy) people from the Andaman coast, which stretches from Myanmar to northern Malaysia. All fourteen bungalows are made using local materials and are solar-powered, providing 24-hour power for fans, lights, and hot water. The sea breeze and the creative construction of the cottage substitute air conditioning. Dine on locally sourced fish and goods, as well as organically grown herbs, vegetables, and fruit from the resort’s garden. Your swimming pool is in the Andaman Sea.
Kayak to two small islands off the coast for snorkeling and beachcombing. Explore the island’s savannah landscapes, which are unique to Thailand and Southeast Asia, with a native guide.
Sand lizards, kingfishers, hornbills, sambar deer, and the endangered lesser adjutant stork may all be found in the wild. As you go along the 15 kilometers of spectacular beaches, keep an eye out for the unusual “hairy leg” mountain crabs, as well as the tell-tale indicator of turtle eggs.
Take a longtail boat to surround islands to dive and explore the reefs, or go a little farther to the world-renowned Similan Islands for some of Thailand’s best diving. Alternatively, just relax on the beachside daybeds and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the sunsets. Sleep well behind your romantically tropical mosquito net, knowing that the resort donates 2% of all room-rate income to local student scholarships and regeneration programs.
Although Moken Eco Village is only open from late October to early May and is closed during the rainy season, no list of Thailand’s best eco-friendly hotels would be complete without it.
Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort began as a single treehouse for the family and has now grown to include eight apartments in the sky. This modest lodging is located just north of Chiang Mai in a rural area surrounded by deep jungle. These enchanting treehouses, some little and others large enough for families, provide hidden retreats in tranquil environs where you can hear the soft sounds of trickling water and birds flying about in the canopy.
The green aspect of this resort is that the amenities are simple and hence low-impact, and as a visitor, you are immersed in nature. Rabeang Pasak is a far cry from the tourist-packed resorts seen elsewhere in Thailand, and caring about the environment comes easily here.
The Sarojin, located in Khao Lak, just north of Phuket and surrounded by beautiful national park forest, is a hotel that prides itself on luxury and provides a feeling of retreat. The accommodations are vast and contemporary, floating pavilions lie next to an infinity pool, and there is the opportunity to dine at a secluded table for two with your toes in the sand among the several eating areas.
This boutique hotel has received recognition not just for its luxurious decor, but also for its charitable contributions to the community. The Sarojin came in second place in the Community-Based Tourism category of the 2015 Thai Green Excellence Awards, thanks in large part to the Sarojin Khao Lak Community Fund. This initiative has greatly aided the region, collaborating with orphanages, animal welfare organizations, construction companies, and others to help build the area it calls home.
Even if you barely have time to visit Bangkok, you can still locate unique, eco-friendly lodging.
Bangkok Treehouse is a prime illustration of this — a mini-paradise in the center of the metropolis. This collection of high rooms ranges from three-floor suites to mattresses beneath the stars situated more than 20 feet above the ground and is located near the floating market on the banks of the Chao Phraya river.
The hotel is dedicated to environmental stewardship, with highlights of its sustainability strategy including on-site organic food, renewable energy-powered lighting, river clean-ups, upcycling, and carbon-free cooking. Furthermore, the hotel is only accessible by foot, bike, or boat.
Because it is so popular with tourists, Koh Phi Phi has a negative reputation when it comes to sustainability – yet Zeavola Resort is an exception to the norm. This 5* hotel has received recognition for its self-sufficiency and commitment to the preservation of the natural environment that surrounds it.
Zeavola’s ecological mission includes daily beach clean-ups, coral preservation, sustainable water use, and local school assistance.
The resort takes pride not just in its responsible tourism activities, but also in its focus on luxury.
Each room is exquisitely designed, and facilities like private swimming pools, outdoor rain showers, and sumptuous spa treatments are just a few of the many benefits of staying here.
Conclusions on Thailand's Eco-Resorts
Thailand’s rich cultural legacy, spirituality, and natural beauty draw visitors back to discover more. Thailand has it all: traditional Thai food, lively marketplaces, stunning tropical beaches, lush forests, and mountains.
And for those wishing to vacation ethically, Thailand’s greatest eco-resorts have lots to offer.
There is an eco-friendly resort for every budget and vacation style.
Once you’ve decided where to go in Thailand, you should look into travel insurance. In these unpredictable times, it makes perfect sense to safeguard your investment and ensure you and your loved ones should your trip not go as planned.
Have you considered Travel Insurance for your trip? Check out our summary of Travel Insurance for Backpackers, or get a quote from World Nomads, our preferred travel insurance company.
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