Chanthaburi Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts
Whether you want to enjoy some culture in Chanthaburi town, or relax by the coast, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
When visiting the town, it’s best to stay central so that you can easily access the main attractions and a good selection of places to eat. The riverside quarter is a nice choice, as is the old town.
Along the coast, Chao Lao has a number of lovely but quite expensive resorts, plus a few super budget bungalow options too. Laem Singh doesn’t have a huge amount of choice, but there’s a very good value hotel, and several reasonably priced resorts too.
In town – budget
In town, River Guest House (3/5-8 Si Chan Rd, double rooms from THB250) is a fantastic budget option, that’s close by to several of the main sights and the old town. It’s probably the cheapest room you’ll find in town, and the rooms are well-kept and a decent size. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there’s free WiFi.
An alternative option if River is fully booked is the Muangchan Hotel (Benchamarachutis Rd, double rooms from THB300).
Another excellent budget option is Wang Phla Resort (Rak Sak Chamun Rd), but it’s remote location means that it is only really accessible to those with a motorbike or car. The price is excellent considering how beautiful and serene the surroundings are, and each bungalow has a porch that backs directly onto the river. They even have room service from their onsite seafood restaurant, so you can enjoy a meal on the porch as the sunsets over the river.
In town – mid-range
The most interesting and charming accommodation in town is the Baan Luang Rajamaitri Inn, located along the riverside (252 Sukhapiban Rd, double rooms from THB1,100). The inn houses an exhibition explaining the history of the building, and the rooms are historically themed too. Its location makes it a great choice for exploring the old town, and the room price includes a free and delicious breakfast, with plenty of dishes to choose from. It’s perfect if you don’t mind spending a bit more, and want to stay somewhere with lots of character.
Alternatively, the KP Grand Hotel (35/200 Tritat Rd, double rooms from THB1,200) is similarly priced but lacks character. However, it makes up for this by having a range of facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, massage parlour, restaurant, coffee shop, and even a karaoke bar!
Along the coast – Laem Singh
For those intending to visit Chanthaburi’s coast, choosing which of the two main towns to use as a base depends on what sort of atmosphere you would like.
Laem Singh is a lot quieter, and the beach isn’t as beautiful as Chao Lao’s, but it’s perfect for visitors looking to unwind for a few days. There aren’t that many accommodation options, but there’re still several good places to choose from.
Budget travellers should head straight for Siri Hotel (double rooms from THB500) which is right by the beach and only a short distance from the village. The hotel itself is very good value for money, and the staff are very friendly and helpful, happily arranging motorbikes and day trips for guests. If you don’t mind paying a bit extra, you can even have a room with a sea view (from THB700).
Or, if you’d rather stay in a resort and have more to spend, there’s **Laemsing Natural Beach Resort&& (double rooms from THB2,200). It has an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant with beach views and all the rooms have their own veranda. It’s a good option for families with children, because they offer hire of kayaks and bicycles, plus its centrally located so you can easily reach the village and restaurants.
Along the coast – Chao Lao
Chao Lao is the opposite to Laem Singh, with lots more development and therefore lots more resorts to choose from. It’s fast becoming a popular beach destination, partly due to its proximity to Bangkok, so it can get quite busy on the weekends and school vacation periods. Many of the resorts here are very expensive and not that good value for money, so it’s worthwhile to read reviews and get recommendations before making a choice. There are a few very cheap bungalow options available for backpackers and budget travellers, but don’t expect much from them.
The best of the bunch is probably Baan Nam Resort (bungalows THB500) thanks to friendly owners and close proximity to the beach. In regards to midrange options, there is plenty of choice and the following are just some examples.
Chaolao Tosang Beach Hotel (double rooms from THB 1,500 and cottages from THB 2,200) is the largest resort in Chao Lao, and probably one of the only ones that caters more for tourists than for Thai guests. The resorts facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, and spa, and room price includes a complimentary breakfast.
Or, for a more authentic Thai resort experience, there’s Baan Imm Sook Resort (rooms from THB1,300), which also has its own private beach.
If you want more luxurious facilities and surroundings, then both New Travel Beach Hotel and Resort (rooms from THB1,700) and Sand Dunes Resort (rooms from THB2,400) are fabulous choices that won’t break the bank. Both have large infinity pools for guests to enjoy, beautiful grounds, onsite restaurants with great seafood, and spacious rooms.
