Best Places to Honeymoon in Thailand

Best Places to Honeymoon in Thailand

With a sexy, balmy climate, tropical beaches, and a divine spa network, Thailand is definitely one of the best spots on the planet for a honeymoon. Nights are romantic, with candle-lit tables lining beaches where diners feast on seafood. Large paper lanterns are set aloft like mini-hot air balloons (usually deployed at the Loi Krathang festival but seen everywhere throughout the year), taking with it the purchaser’s wishes. During the day, adventurous couples might scuba dive, snorkel, rock climb, or hike, while mellower folks might enjoy lounging in the sun or taking part in an oceanfront couples’ massage.

In order to determine the best place to honeymoon in Thailand for you, first decide what kind of vacation you’re after: plush and relaxing, or active and adventurous? Here’s a breakdown of some spots to check out.

For the jet-setting couple who enjoy nightlife, shopping, and playing on the beach:

Ko Samui

Flashy Ko Samui combines the benefits of a tropical island — amazing white-sand beaches, clear blue water — with happening nightlife and luxury accommodation. It’s a great place to book a week in a resort where you can station and pamper yourself. Chaweng Beach is the busiest, where nightclubs throb and cocktail bars line a three-kilometer strip.

Information on getting from Bangkok to Ko Samui.

Phuket

A flashy hub with an international airport and great shopping, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island. Patong Beach is the busiest slice of sand, with huge nightclubs and a beachfront strip filled with restaurants and bars. Inland, shopping malls and movie theaters off plenty for those looking for a bit of city action.

Information on cheap flights to Phuket.
Information on getting from Bangkok to Phuket.

For the active adventurers:

Railay Beach

This absurdly picturesque beach a boat ride from Krabi is a rock-climber’s dream. Vertical karst peaks rise from flat, clear water and are ringed by soft smiles of sand. The draw here, besides the natural beauty, is the excellent rock climbing. I had some climber friends who honeymooned there (and I also had friends who got married there). It’s a great combination of romantic and active. Other activities there include sea kayaking, jungle trekking, and snorkeling and scuba diving.

Ko Chang

Ko Chang’s jungle-covered mountains are great for getting into the thick of things. Hike to a refreshing waterfall pool, or spend the night on the island’s tallest mountain. You can motorbike to tiny fishing villages, and kayak in a mangrove forest. Nearby islands in the archipelago offer good diving and snorkeling, and there are a few tiny islands just of Ko Chang’s coast that you can sea kayak out to. There is enough luxury accommodation on the island to satisfy any honeymooner.

More about Ko Chang.

For privacy, luxury, and/or spa honeymoons:

Ko Phi Phi Don

Ko Phi Phi is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, if not the world. Like Railey, it’s studded with steep cliffs and peaks, and surrounded by clear turquoise water. Phi Phi Don used to be difficult to reach and filled with only basic accommodation, but nowadays the island caters to a flashier crowd. Check out the Zeavola Resort for five-star accommodation on the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. A spa, a private beach, and a scuba shop all ensure a romantic honeymoon close to nature.

Ko Phi Phi is also close to Maya Bay, the real beach where the movie “The Beach” was filmed. Here’s more information on visiting the location of “The Beach.”

By Catherine Bodry | April 7th, 2011