LGBT by the sea – Four gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand
No two vacations are alike but some are more memorable than others – and any holiday by the sea has that uniquely relaxing feeling you’ll hardly ever find anywhere else. But where do you stay? When it comes to gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand, LGBTQ+ travellers are spoilt for choice!
From the sleek and stylish resorts of Phuket to the five-starred hotels with direct access to Hua Hin’s seemingly never-ending stretch of powdery white sand, you could spend a year beach-hopping across the Kingdom. But for four of the very best (and most welcoming) places to stay, read on…
Stay at eco-friendly Six Senses Yao Noi, Koh Yao Noi
A stripped-back yet utterly luxurious getaway on tiny Koh Yao Noi, the Six Senses Yao Noi belongs on any list of gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand. The hotel invites guests to stay in a more polished take on traditional, rustic beach huts, equipped with infinity pools, outdoor showers and a clear focus on relaxation.
That said, there’s plenty to do: enjoy jaw-dropping views of Phang-Nga Bay from The Hilltop restaurant, explore the resort’s on-site organic farm, get pampered in the incredible jungle spa or discover this tranquil island via tuk-tuk. Anything is possible here, and no question is too much for the Guest Experience Managers at the Six Senses Yao Noi!
Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas, Khao Lak, is among the best gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand
This completely original place to stay is like no other in the country. With an architecture inspired by a seafaring civilisation that had built a harbour here over 1,000 years ago, Devasom Khao Lak is a large luxury hotel located right between the Andaman Sea and a pretty lagoon to its south.
Everyone is welcome at the resort, and guests certainly make use of this inviting atmosphere while mingling with fellow holidaymakers by the enormous main pool, or in the resort’s two renowned restaurants. Couples looking for a little more intimacy can book a magical, beachside dinner experience… perfect for a honeymoon!
Escape to ultra-private Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood
You’ll need to board a short flight from Bangkok and get on a speedboat to reach this off-the-beaten-track jungle hideaway on lesser-known Koh Kood, but this place is more than worth it: among the most experiential, gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand, Soneva Kiri isn’t just a hotel, but a way to travel.
This eclectic resort prides itself on providing ultimate privacy to its guests while ensuring that you never get bored. For instance, guests can dine in Soneva Kiri’s unique treetop jungle pods, go paddle-boarding or explore the Gulf of Thailand via scuba tours. Also, there’s a chocolate room for your inner child!
No list of gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand is complete without The Library, Koh Samui
A stunning, design-heavy favourite among the Kingdom’s very own LGBTQ+ community, Koh Samui’s The Library faces pretty Chaweng Yai beach. You could easily spend an entire holiday just chilling by this iconic stretch of sand, but you might want to put aside some time to explore the rest of the hotel, too…
Across its Bauhaus architecture-inspired grounds, The Library features some of the island’s most modern and luxurious suites, as well as a legendary red pool that makes for incredible pictures. Its very own restaurant, The Page, also makes this place one of the leading gay-friendly beach resorts in Thailand: guests dine on organic meals while sipping on crafted cocktails. What more could you want?