Thailand is known for its amazing beaches and islands, but did you know there were overwater bungalows in Thailand? Yep, and they have breathtaking views!
The best part about staying in a floating hotel in Thailand is that this luxury is very affordable compared to most other places in the world.
The most unique overwater bungalow in Thailand – Stay in a bubble house over the water.
In Thailand, you can stay over the water in your very own bungalow for less than $50 per night, some even with private pools.
In this article, we are going to explore different regions in Thailand that offer villas over the water being both ocean, river, and freshwater lakes.
Here are the best resorts to stay in a Thailand overwater bungalow to check out on your next trip to Thailand.
Best Overwater Bungalows in Thailand
There are over 30+ hotels with overwater villas in Thailand, but if I were to pick, my top two resorts in Thailand with over water villas would be:
- Panvaree Resort
- The Float House River Kwai
- WangNokkaew Park View – Love their private pool villas
Cheapest Overwater Villas in Thailand
If you are traveling to Thailand on a budget but want to splurge for a night or two and stay at a resort in a over water villa with breathtaking views, here are the cheapest overwater bungalows in Thailand.
Where Does Thailand Have Over Water Bungalows?
When you think of bungalows over the water, you instantly think of over the ocean, like Maldives, Thaiti, the Caribbean, etc. Thailand overwater bungalows aren’t just over the ocean. You will find some of the best along the river & freshwater lakes.
When researching “Where are overwater bungalows in Thailand?”, here is where you will find the most and best resorts.
Khao Sok Lake Overwater Bungalows
River Kwai Overwater Bungalows – Kanchanaburi
Koh Tao Overwater Bungalows
- Sai Daeng Resort
- Koh Tao Cabanas
- Koh Tao Bamboo Huts
Koh Lanta
Pattaya
Koh Phayam
Top 20 Best Overwater Bungalows in Thailand
1. Panvaree Resort
Just look at the backdrop! We put the Panvaree Resort as the best for several reasons. The location can’t be beaten, the rooms are gorgeous, modern amenities, and the price is really reasonable.
If you are looking for amazing places for an epic honeymoon in Thailand that won’t break the bank, this would be the perfect place. This is where we plan on staying on our next trip.
Khao Soak Lake Park is the largest portion of the relatively untouched & unspoiled jungle in all of southern Thailand. This piece of rainforest is said to be older and more diverse than even the Amazon rainforest.
Check Rates Now – Panvaree Resort
2. 500 Rai Floating Resort
The views from 500 Rai are stunning. Their location is so secluded. It is a 90-minute longtail boat ride from the Pier. This is one of the most expensive overwater bungalows in Khao Sok Lake, as it has been around the longest.
On our last trip, we stopped at 500 Rai for lunch in their scenic overwater restaurant, as the hotel was sold out during our dates. If you don’t stay here, we highly suggest visiting the restaurant.
Check Rates Now – 500 Rai Floating Resort
3. The Three Bubble Houses
This is one of the most unique places to stay in Thailand. Not only is your room over the water, but you also are staying in a bubble room underneath the start. You have an outdoor bathtub and a hammock over the water too.
Prices are much cheaper than you think. Book now, as there are only three bubble houses. Located in Kanchanaburi, only 3 hours by shuttle bus from Bangkok, click here for the schedule. This is one of the best places to visit in Thailand, but it is often overlooked.
Check Rates Now – The Three Bubble Houses
4. The Float House River Kwai
Another unique overwater bungalow Thailand experience is in Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai. There are several floating hotels in Kanchanaburi bookable online, but The Float House River Kwai offers boutique villas, each with its own private pier and balcony with mountain views.
The Float House River Kwai has a few longtails from the Resotel Pier. Confirm the boat schedule with them.
5. Sai Daeng Resort
Wake up literally sleeping on top of the Gulf of Thailand with amazing oceanviews. Some of the private villas even have their own outdoor pool.
Traveling to Koh Tao involves a flight to Koh Samui and then a ferry to Koh Tao. Koh Samui is an easy direct flight from Bangkok and several other Thailand destinations.
Check Rates – Sai Daeng Resort
6. WangNokkaew Park View
This entire luxury resort is gorgeous. We love the design and decor. The overwater bungalow costs are affordable for how large and modern they are.
If the overwater rooms are sold out, they also have really nice swim-up pool access rooms and river view rooms.
Check Rates Now – WangNokkaew Park View
7. Kwai Tara Riverside Villas
Check Rates Now – Kwai Tara Riverside Villas
8. Panvaree The Greenery
Wake up on the lake with stunning water views, looking out at the limestone mountain range and gorgeous sandstone rocks that rise 900-1800 feet above sea level.
You might want to avoid May-November as this is one of the wettest regions in Thailand. The mountain range gets hit by the monsoon rains from both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
Check Rates Now – Panvaree The Greenery
Related Article: Epic Things to Do in Thailand
9. Baannai Lake View Resort Aonang
Check Rates Now Baannai Lake View Resort
10. Kept Bangsaray Hotel Pattaya
Check Rates Now – Kept Bangsaray Hotel Pattaya
11. Leaf Lake Kan Resort
Check Rates Now – Leaf Lake Kan Resort
12. VeeVaree River Kwai Resort
Check Rates Now – VeeVaree River Kwai Resort
13. Cross River Kwai
Check Rates Now – Cross River Kwai
14. Koh Tao Cabana Resort
Overwater bungalows in Koh Tao are the most luxurious available in Thailand and the most comparable to that in the Maldives. Click here for the ferry to Koh Tao schedule and to book tickets.
15. River Kwai Jungle Rafts
16. River Kwai Resotel
17. Poonsiri Resort Aonang
Check Rates Now – Poonsiri Resort Aonang
18. The Blue Sky Resort – Koh Phayam
Escape to a small Thai island barely known to most tourists. If you are island hopping in Thailand, try and work in Koh Phayam. In the Andaman Sea lies Koh Phayam, just south of Myanmar (possibly consider a Myanmar honeymoon), a part of Thailand that still feels raw. Koh Phayam may not be for everyone.
There is now an ATM in Koh Phayam, but it often doesn’t work, so bring cash. There are also no cars and no worries. But if you ask us, The Blue Sky Resort on Koh Phayam is the place we’ve been searching for.
Check Online Specials Booking.com
19. Z9 Resort
20. Tonmai Aquablue – Koh Lanta Yai
Check Rates Now – Tonmai Aquablue Koh Lanta Yai
Koh Lanta is easily reached by ferry from several other Thai islands or by car from Krabi. Click here for the ferry to Koh Lanta schedule and to book tickets.
21. Mango House Seafront Suites – Lanta Old Town
For a more local overwater bungalow, head to the Mango House Seafront Suites on Koh Lanta. They offer wooden pole houses located in an old Chinese fishing village often referred to as Lanta Old Town.
Staying in Lanta Old Town, you’ll get a good look at a traditional Thai village, yet you are only 15 minutes away from the main tourist beaches and hotspots. Click here to book online.
Related Article: Top Things To Do In Krabi
Staying in a hut over the water was a bucket list item for us, and we were lucky to spend five weeks island hopping in the Maldives. The Maldives is home to two-thirds of all the overwater bungalows in the world.
We only stayed in 3 Maldives resorts. Our personal favorite was Summer Island Maldives. There is something special about waking up on the water looking out your window, and being surrounded by ocean views.
Some of these overwater bungalows in Thailand may not be over the ocean, but they still are unique resorts and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Staying in a floating villa on the River Kwai sounds like a peaceful vacation and a place to relax for a few nights after 3 days in Bangkok or during 2 weeks in Thailand.
Several Thai islands don’t have overwater bungalows but still have amazing beachfront villas. Our personal favorite is Koh Lipe, which is nicknamed “The Maldives of Thailand,” a name well deserved.
Related Thailand Travel Articles
Don’t Forget to PIN ME!
Have you visited any of these overwater bungalow Thailand destinations? Where did you stay?
