Rayong Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts

In Rayong town, accommodation is good value and comfortable, but most places lack character and there isn’t a lot of choice. Most of the accommodation is hotels, but thankfully there’s something to suit any budget. All of the hotels are conveniently located to explore the town, but if you want to visit the coast, it’s best to stay in one of the beachside resorts, of which there are many! Choosing a resort will depend on what beach you prefer, your budget, and the facilities you require. There are lots of options though, so even if your top choice is sold out, you’ll easily find an alternative.

Rayong Town

One of the best value options in Rayong town is Central Place (133/63 Radchavimon 2 Rd, double rooms from THB500), a quiet and clean hotel conveniently located close by to both the bus terminal and night market.

A slightly more expensive option is Caza V1 (8 Klongkud Rd, double rooms from THB750), which is a great base for exploring the old town and has English speaking staff who are very helpful and knowledgeable about the area.

If you are looking for a hotel with more to offer than just a comfortable room, Star Hotel (Sukhumvit Soi 37, double rooms from THB1,100) has a huge swimming pool, sauna and a fitness centre, plus it’s close by to a nightlife complex and shopping centre. It’s also within walking distance of the bus stop and the room price includes a breakfast buffet.

Along the coast in Rayong

Along the coast, there are so many resorts that it may seem overwhelming to make a choice. However, the main reason to stay on the coast is to visit the beach, and the nicest beaches can be found in the coastal areas of Hat Mae Rumphueng, Ban Phe and Mae Phim. That said, the entire coast is home to a number of resorts with their own private beach, so if you aren’t too fussy about the beach quality, you’ll easily find a great place to stay. The coastal resorts and hotels also make an excellent base for those travelling onwards to Koh Samet, with most situated less than 20 minutes’ drive from Sri Ban Phe pier.

Mae Rumphueng

The first major beach area in Rayong is Hat Mae Ramphueng, which is only 11km away from town, making it an extremely popular weekend destination for locals. It’s also only a two hour drive from Bangkok, so lots of Thais come here to take break from the city.

The beach itself is very beautiful, with lovely white sand and lush vegetation that provides plenty of shade. There are at least 50 or so hotels and resorts along this 12km long beach, ranging from small family run resorts to luxurious villas each with their own pool.

There aren’t really any backpacker options, as most of the accommodation is aimed towards Thais rather than foreign visitors. However, there are several value options, including Piarnsri Resort (63/88 Moo, double rooms with balcony from THB1,000) and Makmai Villa (87/9 Moo 1, double rooms from THb1,200). Both are beachside, and Makmai also has a swimming pool. If you don’t mind being slightly further away from the beach, Baan Kafair Resort (85/30 Moo 1, deluxe doubles from THB1,500) is another great option, with friendly staff and a communal barbeque in the evenings.

For a more luxurious stay, VIP Chain Resort Pool Villa (166 Moo 1, standard villas from THB4,000) has great facilities, including a swimming pool, fitness centre and tennis court. If you really want to splash out, they also have villas with private pools. Each villa has its own kitchen, lounge and dining area, so think of it more as a home away from home!

Suan Son

The next beach worthy of a visit is Suan Son, located 22km to the east of Rayong and the best beach for views of Koh Samet. There aren’t many good resorts to stay in along this beach, so it’s better to stay at a hotel or guesthouse in Ban Phe town, which is only 2km from Suan Son and 5km from Mae Ruphueng. It’s also the best place for budget accommodation, including I Na Seaview, Relax Inn and La Paillote Guesthouse, all of which offer double rooms for under THB800.

Mae Phim

After Suan Son Beach, most of the beaches to the east are either private or deserted with limited facilities, until you reach the very popular Laem Mae Phim beach (about 45km east of Rayong). There are at least 40 resorts between Suan Son and Mae Phim, and most have their own private beach, so it’s worth doing your own research to find one that suits your needs and budget requirements.

That said, if you are looking for a great value resort with high recommendations, Bandara On Sea (151 Moo 3, cottages from THB 2,000) is an excellent choice. The resort boasts a private beach, swimming pool, spa pool, tropical gardens and a restaurant with beach views. In terms of value for money, this is probably the best resort in the Rayong province!

The resort selection on Laem Mae Phim beach is much less overwhelming, with a handful of midrange and luxury resorts to choose from. Midrange options include Villa Bali Eco Resort & Spa (308 Moo 3, double rooms and bungalows from THB1,700) and Mae Pim Resort Hotel ( 234/2-19, Moo 3, double rooms from THB1,550). Villa Bali is the perfect choice for couples looking to unwind for a few days, whilst Mae Pim Resort has fantastic facilities, including a fitness centre and an outdoor pool in a beautiful tropical garden setting. Both resorts also have their own restaurant, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

If you have a bit more money to spend, both GrandBlue Resort and Centara Q Resort are superb choices. GrandBlue (180 Moo 4, deluxe double rooms with balcony from THB2,300) is a very popular resort, thanks to an excellent outdoor pool area, several onsite restaurants, and a beachfront location. The rooms are modern and each has a large private balcony with pool and sea views. Centara Q Resort (215/3 Moo 3, double rooms with ocean view from THB3,000) offers all of the above too, plus they have an onsite spa, fitness centre, and a rooftop cocktail lounge. Both are great value if you want to relax, unwind, and enjoy a little bit of luxury living for a few days!