For a first trip, stay in Bangkok's Sukhumvit or Riverside, Chiang Mai's Old City and one beach base: Ao Nang (Krabi) or Kata (Phuket) on the Andaman coast, or Chaweng or Bophut on Koh Samui in the Gulf. A good mid-range hotel costs about €35–90 per night, more on the islands in high season.
Where you sleep shapes your whole trip: a rooftop pool on Sukhumvit, a teak guesthouse inside Chiang Mai's moat or a bungalow steps from the sea. Below you'll find every major area compared in one table, then a closer look at each with a direct link to live hotel prices.
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Search hotels in Thailand →| Area | Best for | Vibe | Mid-range / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok – Sukhumvit | First-timers, shopping, nightlife | Modern, lively, Skytrain | €45–90 |
| Bangkok – Riverside | Couples, sightseeing | Classic hotels, river boats | €60–150 |
| Bangkok – Old Town / Khao San | Backpackers, temples on foot | Busy, cheap, historic | €25–60 |
| Chiang Mai – Old City | Culture, walking, families | Temples, calm lanes | €30–65 |
| Chiang Mai – Nimman | Food, cafés, digital nomads | Trendy, young | €35–75 |
| Phuket – Kata / Karon | Families, beach holidays | Relaxed, good beaches | €50–120 |
| Phuket – Patong | Nightlife | Loud, busy, Bangla Road | €40–100 |
| Krabi – Ao Nang | Island trips, all-rounders | Easy base, boats to Railay | €35–80 |
| Railay | Couples, climbers | No roads, cliffs | €60–150 |
| Koh Phi Phi | Snorkelling, party | Compact, lively | €50–120 |
| Koh Lanta | Families, slow travel | Long quiet beaches | €35–90 |
| Koh Samui – Chaweng / Bophut | Couples, comfort | Resort island, easy flights | €50–130 |
| Koh Tao | Divers | Small, sporty, social | €30–75 |
| Pai | Backpackers, nature | Hippie mountain town | €20–55 |
Prices are typical for a good mid-range double room; high season (December–February) and Thai holidays can be 20–40% higher.
Sukhumvit (Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lor) is the safest bet for a first visit: hotels in every price range, malls, rooftop bars and the Skytrain on your doorstep, so you avoid the traffic. Riverside (Charoen Krung, near Saphan Taksin) has the grand old hotels and free shuttle boats to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Banglamphu / Khao San is the cheapest and closest to the big temples, but noisy at night. See hotels in Bangkok →
Stay inside or just outside the Old City moat to walk to the temples, the Sunday Walking Street and the best khao soi. Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) near the university is the place for cafés, rooftop bars and a younger crowd. Families who want a pool and space often pick a resort along the Ping River. See hotels in Chiang Mai →
Kata and Karon have the best mix of beach, restaurants and calm — ideal for families and couples. Patong is the party hub with Bangla Road; great if you want nightlife, less so for sleep. Kamala and Surin are quieter and more upmarket, and Phuket Old Town is charming for a night or two but not on the beach. See hotels in Kata →
Ao Nang is the practical base for Krabi: plenty of hotels and longtail boats to Railay, Hong Island and the four islands. Railay, reachable only by boat, is spectacular for couples and climbers. Koh Lanta is quieter, with long sandy beaches and a family-friendly feel. See hotels in Ao Nang →
Most hotels sit around Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum, close to the pier and the bars. For peace and a private-beach feel, pick a resort on Long Beach or the north-east coast and use the water taxis. See hotels on Koh Phi Phi →
On Koh Samui, Chaweng is lively with the longest beach, Lamai is a little calmer and Bophut / Fisherman's Village is charming for couples. On Koh Phangan, stay in Haad Rin only for the Full Moon Party — Thong Nai Pan or Srithanu are far more relaxing. On Koh Tao, divers base themselves in Sairee Beach, with quieter bays like Chalok Baan Kao in the south. See hotels in Chaweng →
Stay within walking distance of the night market for convenience, or in a bungalow in the surrounding valley for views and quiet (you'll want a scooter or taxi). See hotels in Pai →
For a first trip, stay in Sukhumvit or Riverside in Bangkok, the Old City in Chiang Mai and one beach base such as Ao Nang in Krabi, Kata in Phuket or Chaweng and Bophut on Koh Samui. These areas are easy to get around and have hotels in every price range.
Sukhumvit is the best all-round area thanks to the Skytrain, restaurants and hotels in every budget. Riverside is ideal for sightseeing and classic luxury hotels, and Banglamphu around Khao San Road is the budget choice closest to the Grand Palace.
Phuket has more beaches, nightlife and flights; Krabi (Ao Nang, Railay) is more scenic with its limestone cliffs and is a better base for island-hopping to Phi Phi and Hong Island. Families often prefer Kata in Phuket or Koh Lanta.
A good mid-range double room costs roughly 35 to 90 euros per night in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi, and 50 to 130 euros on Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi. Budget guesthouses start around 15 to 25 euros; prices rise 20 to 40 percent in high season.
Koh Samui suits couples and comfort seekers, Koh Lanta families, Koh Phi Phi snorkellers and partygoers, Koh Tao divers and Koh Phangan everyone from yoga retreats to the Full Moon Party.
Yes for high season (December to February), Songkran in April and the islands around full moon. In the low season you can book a few days ahead, but the best-value hotels still sell out first.