12 Most Sustainable Eco Lodges in Thailand
Thailand is blessed with beauty you can’t even imagine. While tourists typically head to Thailand to enjoy its illustrious landscapes, ancient ruins, ornate temples, and gorgeous cityscape. But this intense demand has worn down the country a bit. Nationwide efforts have prompted multiple accommodations to adopt sustainable practices and ensure the protection of their environment. Naturalists who want to become one with nature without disrupting the environment can make their way to the countless eco-lodges.
What are eco-lodges?
Eco-lodges are accommodations in undisturbed, remote natural areas where both construction and operation have the lowest impact possible on the environment. They are not only part of the local community, but they are active participants in protecting nature and culturally sensitive areas.
Faasai Resort & Spa
Imagine a destination where a stunning pristine sea gently kisses a dense forest; Faasai Resort and Spa in Chanthaburi gives guests the best of both worlds. If its unique and diverse location wasn’t enough, Faasai Resort & Spa’s luxurious design and comfortable lodging make it even more attractive for tourists.
Faasai Resort & Spa offers 14 spacious villas, each lightly dressed in traditional tones, providing a minimalist touch to the resort. The rooms come with the finest amenities and, despite looking homely, offer some of the best facilities in the area. Faasai Resort & Spa has wheel-chair accessible villas and happily accommodates special needs guests. Faasai Resort & Spa boasts tropical gardens, adding to its charm.
That’s not all; guests can enjoy various activities like hiking, swimming, bush walks, snorkeling and cycling. Of course, being blessed with such a delicate destination prompts Faasai Resort & Spa to stay committed to sustainability; it utilizes intelligent and sustainable architecture to maximize ventilation, reducing the need for energy consumption, and uses water and energy conservation methods.
The Hideout Koh Yao
Head to Koh Yoo Noi in Phang Nga, and you’ll find the Hideout, blissfully unaware of the mundane routine of life. The Hideout is entirely off-the-grid, so tourists who have been aching to escape life and travel back to simpler times will love it.
The Hideout offers stunning tree houses with a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Koh Yao. These open-air tree houses were designed by local artisans who utilize sustainable architecture to maximize airflow.
The Hideout’s tree houses may look simple, but they’re paired with private WCs, vanity sinks, rain showers, and a cool-water tub. The Hideout is completely electricity-free, save for its infinity pool, which uses solar filters.
This stunning destination offers more than just open-air lodging; it allows guests to embrace spirituality and spend their time learning about Thailand’s intricate landscapes. It also guides guests to excursions of Koh Yoo Noi and helps them learn about sustainable travel.s
Moken Eco Village
A rustic but gorgeous escape from life, Moken Eco Village invites guests to a humble time away from the routine hustle and bustle. Moken offers eleven unique bungalows, each styled differently but paying homage to Thai heritage.
Moken is entirely solar-powered, so guests can enjoy luxurious amenities without worrying about their carbon footprint. It offers private bathrooms with hot and cold water facilities, daily housekeeping, and complimentary WiFi. Guests are also treated to delectable local cuisine prepared fresh from its organic gardens. Moken eco-village also offers guided excursions to explore the savannah plains, but tourists can also make their way to Ra and Khai islands, where various activities await.
This beach resort offers an unspoiled exploration of one of the few hidden islands, so guests can enjoy exclusive tours and learn about the environment. It actively participates in sustainable incentives and is working toward protecting and conserving local flora and fauna.
Khao Sok Our Jungle Camp
We’ve all dreamt of spending the night in a tree house, and Khao Sok Our Jungle Camp makes this dream come true. Our Jungle Camp offers one and two-story tree houses nestled into the stunning landscape of Khao Sok National Park, allowing guests to enjoy nature up close.
The tree houses have basic amenities so guests can enjoy a comfortable and luxurious stay. But Our Jungle Camp isn’t only restricted to tree-top lodgings; it also offers bungalows and an earthhouse, so tourists of all kinds can flock to this destination. Each bungalow and house provides a breathtaking river or jungle view, adding an alluring charm to the ecolodge.
Naturally, being this close to the national park places a sensitive responsibility in the hands of Our Jungle Camp. Still, the ecoresort manages wonderfully and employs various sustainable methods like mindful consumption, energy-efficient techniques, and local community engagement.
Bangkok Tree House
If you’re a nature lover hoping to get close to mother nature but don’t want to compromise luxury, you’ll love the Bangkok Tree House. Located in the heart of Bang Kachao, Bangkok, The Bangkok Tree House invites guests to embrace spirituality without letting go of modernity. Though situated amidst dense trees, The Bangkok Tree House is designed to provide guests with every possible luxury.
The tree house’s rustic exterior hides a contemporary interior, where air-conditioning, luxurious bedding, and stunning facilities wow guests. The property even has an onsite cafe inviting guests to indulge in mouth-watering Thai cuisine.
The Bangkok Tree House isn’t just nestled in the forest; it respects its location and participates in multiple green initiatives. It powers itself through solar and wind power and features a sustainable design. Of course, guests can enjoy guided tours of the area and enjoy hiking and trekking excursions.
The Soneva Kiri Resort
Soneva Group offers tourists luxurious ecoresorts sprawled across Thailand. While tourists will love every eco resort by Soneva, one of its finest projects is the Kiri Resort, situated a stone’s throw from the beach in Koh Kood, just 90 minutes from Bangkok.
The Soneva Kiri resort offers guests an unspoiled destination away from life’s mundane and exhausting routines. Soneva Kiri Resort provides a series of thirty-two luxurious villas close to the beach, allowing guests to walk on the shore moments before their heads touch their pillows.
The resort offers excellent features; each villa has a private pool, gardens, and a stunning view of the picturesque setting. The villas even have electrical buggies, so guests can freely roam the area without implicating the environment. Its efforts for sustainability don’t end here; Soneva has been a proud member of multiple sustainable projects for over 25 years and is constantly adapting its techniques to stay connected with nature.
Elephant Hills
You can’t embrace nature entirely unless you’ve stayed at Elephant Hills. This eco-lodge isn’t your ordinary destination; it is a floating tent resort that puts even glamping to shame. Elephant Hills is designed to offer naturalists and adventurers the time of their lives; the destination overlooks a pristine lake and is nestled into the heart of Khao Sok National Park. The floating tents have the finest amenities, making guests forget they aren’t in a 5-star hotel.
Elephant Hills is one of Thailand’s most sustainable and eco-friendly destinations; it runs on solar and wind energy and has a robust waste management system. It also has a minimum plastic use policy and is actively working to ban it altogether.
That’s not all; Elephant Hills has even positioned luggage storage near the pier to ward off unnecessary boat traffic. Beyond its sustainable methods, Elephant Hills allows guests to explore the national park without disrupting Mother Nature. Guests can enjoy family-friendly guided excursions or enjoy jungle and camp safaris.
The Racha
Perhaps one of Thailand’s most alluring islands, Koh Racha Yai is a hotspot for tourists who can’t resist its pristine blue waves and stunning white beaches. But imagine a destination so close to the beach that you wake up to the sound of wind rustling and sleep to waves crashing against the shore; the Racha is a blissful ecolodge offering guests a unique and stunning escape from life.
The Racha provides a range of villas, each paying homage to Thai culture and traditions. The villas offer spectacular views, some overlooking the ocean, while others take a breathtaking 360 view of the area. The Racha may look simplistic from the outside, but tourists will be thrilled to discover the luxuries that await inside.
Despite its rustic environment, The Racha doesn’t hold back from sharing facilities in five-star hotels; the ecoresort offers onsite cafes serving farm-to-table organic food and a local water sports center. You’ll also find an onsite spa, perfect for post-travel exhaustion.
The resort is entirely eco-friendly, powered by biogas and charcoal stations, and utilizes sustainable techniques.
Suan Sampran
A family-run eco-cultural destination, Suan Sampran is one of Thailand’s finest gems. Boasting lush gardens, thriving markets, exciting restaurants, and countless stunning lodgings, Suan Sampran is every tourist’s dream come true.
Suan Sampran lodgings are designed to provide customers with maximum support and world-class luxury without compromising the integrity of Mother Nature. Although Duan Sampran offers multiple lodgings and has much more to boast about, the Patom Organic Village takes the lead for its stunning architecture and mind-blowing amenities.
The Patom Organic Village boasts one of Thailand’s most environmentally-conscious buildings, thanks to an ergonomic and sustainable layout designed by NITAPROW. Suan Sampran has dense gardens, making it a delightful host for native plants and animals. Its intricate ecosystem adds another layer to the sustainable practices of Suan Sampran, which go beyond simple initiatives and dig deep into the destination’s efforts to protect nature. Guests can even participate in workshops to learn more about its ecotourist steps.
Baan Talay Dao
Located right on the Hua Hin beach, Baan Talay Dao offers guests a stunning beachfront destination with luxurious amenities and glorious adventures.
Baan Talay Dao may look simple, but its interior boasts stunning luxurious suites that would embarrass world-class hotels. The rooms are adorned with modern furnishing and designed with sustainability so guests can enjoy the best of both worlds. Although Baan Talay Dao is typically a serene destination, it’s just a stone’s throw from downtown, allowing guests to explore the best of Thailand.
The eco resort’s beachfront restaurant is perfect for intimate dinners and celebratory events, so people hoping to pop the question will love it here. It’s also a popular destination wedding spot.
Baan Talay Dao offers air-conditioning and similar facilities, but they’re powered through energy-efficient means, so guests can enjoy luxury without feeling guilty. The resort also actively participates in sustainable initiatives to ensure it stays true to its nature.
Limeleaf Ecolodge
You’ll have to traverse thick vegetation to reach Limeleaf Ecolodge, but it’ll be worth it. Limeleaf is close to the Khun Chae National Park, 70 km off Chiang Mai, so naturalists hoping to disappear and disconnect from life for a short while will love this secluded destination. Of course, its isolation from social circles makes it an excellent spot for introverts, but Limeleaf is designed for everyone.
Limeleaf Ecolodge offers a combination of lodges and chalets, allowing guests to choose their bliss. Limeleaf chalets embrace a simple life, boasting plain, comfortable furniture and wide rooms for natural ventilation.
The eco-lodge is dedicated to protecting its environment so guests won’t find energy-draining accessories. However, the ecolodge still provides basic amenities and special facilities like a spring-fed plunge pool. From using water collection systems to simple wood fire cooking, Limeleaf Ecolodge ensures its carbon footprint remains minimal.
Guests can also enjoy various activities to explore their gorgeous surroundings; the resort offers trekking, birdwatching, hiking tours, and even cooking classes.
Spicy Villa Eco Lodges
Nestled in the mountains in Mae Wang, Spicy Villa Eco Lodges invite guests to become one with mother nature. Spicy Villa offers wooden bungalows in the dense forest, allowing guests to wake up to chirping birds and trees rustling from the wind.
Spicy Villa may be a simpleton in appearance, but it offers tourists every possible amenity and facility to ensure they stay comfortable and relaxed. The bungalows, though secluded, are set at a short distance so families and groups can interact and socialize. Spicy Villa offers wondrous tourist packages, inviting guests to enjoy various activities, including elephant petting tours, hiking, trekking, and other nature-related activities.
Guests can also participate in cooking classes to return home with excellent gastronomic skills. The eco-lodge grows its vegetables and produce and even offers customized vegan and vegetarian menus. Its simple nature leaves little room for energy consumption, but the ecolodge utilizes various energy-efficient techniques to stay sustainable.
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As you can see, there are plenty of unique and beautiful eco-lodges in Thailand, and you will be spoiled for choice if you are searching for a sustainable holiday.
BROWSE THROUGH our directory for the most sustainable eco-lodges around the world if you want to experience something unique, authentic, and exciting.
More eco-lodges in other regions
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.