Eco-friendly hotels in Thailand: 10 stays for green tourism

Created by Thanh Phong at 2025-05-15 15:18:53 , Updated by Thanh Phong at 2025-07-02 12:32:54
Explore Thailand’s eco-friendly hotels, from solar-powered treehouses to organic farm resorts, all designed for mindful travelers seeking a lighter footprint

Thailand is setting a new standard for sustainable tourism. Thailand, a land of breathtaking beaches, lush jungles, and rich cultural heritage, is home to numerous accommodations that prioritize eco-conscious practices. From renewable energy use and plastic-free policies to biodiversity conservation and waste reduction programs, these hotels are paving the way for responsible travel. Here are top 10 eco-friendly hotels in Thailand for mindful travelers seeking a lighter footprint.

Top eco-friendly hotels in Thailand

The Legacy River Kwai

The resort occupies more than 118 acres (300 rai) of land with over 4,600 trees and features a chicken and sheep farm, vegetable gardens, camping areas, and an elephant sanctuary run by the Somboon Legacy Foundation.

The Legacy River Kwai (Source: Hotel)

The Legacy River Kwai (Source: Hotel)

As one of the eco-friendly hotels in Thailand, it is inspired by the concept of living close to nature, log cabin-style accommodation is embraced by lush green vegetation and tall trees. The highlight is the camping area and its learning spots that dot the Legacy River Kwai grounds.

Highlight experiences: In addition to carbon-free activities like SUP boarding, rafting and biking, the resort also offers farm tours to give visitors a first-hand experience of 360-degree sustainability practices, go at turning food waste into chicken feed, making fertilizer from chicken droppings, and using leaves and cut grass as the base for vegetable plots.

The Hideout

Only a 30-minute speedboat ride from Phuket, The Hideout stands out on Koh Yao Noi as its own. This off-grid retreat is one of the more unconventional eco-friendly hotels in Thailand. The Hideout features four stunning open-air treehouse suites with solar-filtered saltwater, infinity pool, and restaurant at the resort’s centre. All stuff is from locally sourced or recycled materials.

The Hideout (Source: Booking)

The Hideout (Source: Booking)

The Hideout is an electricity-free operation, apart from a handful of solar panels to power the pool and emergency lighting, meaning no wifi as well. There are no walls or windows in each of the suites, so you can catch the island breeze and use it as natural air-conditioning while offering panoramic views of jungle, bay, and distant islands.

Highlight experiences: You can experience a day as the locals do. Enjoy the island cuisine, learn about our rubber plantations, Southern Thai Batik Painting, Local Cooking Class, Rice Farming and Harvesting, fishing,  our wildlife, sacred sites, and local beaches.

Soneva Kiri

Soneva Kiri stretches across an entire peninsula on Koh Kood’s northwest coast, offering an exclusive experience in harmony with the environment. The resort features 34 private villas that combine refined luxury with eco-friendly design. 

Soneva Kiri (Source: Thailand News)

Soneva Kiri (Source: Thailand News)

Even the smallest one spans an impressive 400 square meters, complete with a large wraparound swimming pool, open-air bathroom with both shower and bathtub, and a private garden. All villas come with their personal barefoot butler to ensure all your holiday needs are totally cared for.

Highlight experiences: Discover Soneva Kiri’s commitment to sustainability with a guided tour of the Eco-Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre and lush organic gardens. Learn how the resort restores coral reefs, eliminates single-use plastics, and has raised over USD 5.5 million through its carbon levy to support communities in need.

137 Pillars House 

137 Pillars House, located in Chiang Mai, is a luxurious boutique hotel with a rich history. Each suite is spacious and thoughtfully designed, with four-poster beds, free-standing Victorian bathtubs. The vintage-tiled verandas offer views of expansive gardens and lawns, complete with signature rocking chairs and daybeds.

137 Pillars House (Source: Zola)

137 Pillars House (Source: Zola)

But beyond the luxury, it’s also part of a growing list of eco-friendly hotels in Thailand. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastics and switched to more sustainable materials and suppliers. They also focus on energy efficiency, using technology to reduce consumption for air conditioning, lighting, and swimming pools. Additionally, the property grows its own organic vegetables and herbs for use in its restaurant and bar.

Highlight experiences: The hotel offers unique tours like experiencing Chiang Mai's temples by traditional samlor or rickshaw and it is also located near hot attractions such as Wat Gate Temple, the Ping River, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum and many shopping areas.

Six Senses Koh Samui

Six Senses Samui is one of the eco-friendly hotels in Thailand, located on the northeast tip of Koh Samui. The resort features 66 spacious villas, most with private infinity pools, designed with local materials like wood and bamboo, blending seamlessly with the surrounding tropical forest. The villas are known for their rustic chic decor and large windows that frame breathtaking ocean views.

Six Senses Koh Samui (Source: Six Senses)

Six Senses Koh Samui (Source: Six Senses)

The hotel is recognized for its sustainable practices. The resort produces its own bottled water to reduce carbon footprints, and its organic farm supplies fresh vegetables, herbs, and eggs to the restaurants.

Highlight experiences: Guests can also get involved in caring for farm animals or participate in environmental initiatives like composting, bio charcoal production, and wastewater recycling. These efforts are part of the resort’s broader commitment to sustainability, alongside partnerships with UNICEF and Restaurants Against Hunger.

Moken Eco Village

Koh Phra Thong’s Moken Eco Village offers a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience on Thailand’s Andaman coast. Situated on the tranquil island of Koh Phra Thong, the village is run by the indigenous Moken people, also known as Sea Gypsies, who have lived along the Andaman coast for generations.

Moken Eco Village (Source: Thailand News)

Moken Eco Village (Source: Thailand News)

The resort consists of fourteen bungalows built using local materials and powered by solar energy, offering modern comforts like fans, lighting, and hot water without the need for air-conditioning. They also focus on food sourced from local fisheries and an organic garden growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits used in meals - making them one of the most genuinely eco-friendly hotels in Thailand.

Highlight experiences: Guests can enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking to nearby islands for snorkeling, exploring the unique savannah landscapes of the island, and spotting local wildlife such as sand lizards, hornbills, and the endangered lesser adjutant stork.

Read more: Top 9 luxury restaurants in Thailand

Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa

Phu Chaisai is an eco-friendly retreat nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand’s Golden Triangle. The 800-acre organic estate, built over three hillsides and surrounded by bamboo forest, features thirty-three red-clay cottages designed with native bamboo and local hill-tribe textiles, offering a peaceful, unpretentious experience that focuses on harmony with nature.

Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa (Source: Phu Chaisai)

Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa (Source: Phu Chaisai)

Phu Chaisai’s eco-conscious approach extends to its food, sourcing ingredients locally and focusing on organic farming. M.L. Sudavdee has worked closely with local Hill Tribes to ensure that the surrounding communities benefit from the resort’s sustainable practices, such as micro-dams for water supply and sourcing organic produce.

Highlight experiences: Guests can enjoy activities like hiking, horseback riding, and exploring tea plantations, essential oil gardens, and orchards, and also learn to cook authentic Northern Thai, Burmese, and Akha dishes at the resort's Cooking School, further immersing themselves in the region’s sustainable lifestyle.

The Pavilions Anana

The Pavilions Anana in Krabi offers a peaceful escape surrounded by greenery and dramatic limestone cliffs. Its 59 rooms, including spa suites, are designed with a minimalist, modern aesthetic and make the most of the area’s natural beauty. 

The Pavilions Anana (Source: Trips)

The Pavilions Anana (Source: Trips)

The hotel stands out among eco-friendly hotels in Thailand for being Green Globe certified and avoiding single-use plastics. It runs a one-acre permaculture farm that not only supplies its restaurant but also serves as a hands-on learning space, with buildings made from natural and recycled materials.

Highlight experiences: Guests can also enjoy the dedicated yoga & wellness centre, fitness centre, yoga pavilions, sauna and steam rooms, with five spa treatment rooms, including a Himalayan salt room. Alternately, chill out in the natural volcanic waters swimming pool or take the complimentary carbon-neutral shuttles to the town and beaches.

Elephant Hills, Khao Sok National Park

Elephant Hills, located in Khao Sok National Park, blends soft adventure with conservation in one of Thailand’s most biodiverse regions. Guests stay in luxury tented camps surrounded by rainforest and limestone cliffs, offering a safari-style experience without leaving Southeast Asia. 

Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park (Source: Rainforest Camp)

Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park (Source: Rainforest Camp)

As one of the more meaningful eco-friendly hotels in Thailand, Elephant Hills operates with a strong conservation ethic, supporting rainforest reforestation and local schools, while also running a long-standing elephant welfare project. The camp avoids single-use plastics and emphasizes waste reduction and renewable energy use. It’s not the most polished luxury, but for those looking for an immersive and responsible nature experience.

Highlight experiences: Activities include jungle trekking, canoeing, and ethical elephant encounters - no riding, just feeding and observing. They also offer many tours for guests like Jungle Safari, Lake Camp Safari,.. 

Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Islands

Zeavola Resort, tucked away on the quiet northern tip of Phi Phi Don, offers a rustic-luxury experience that feels worlds apart from the island’s party reputation. With teakwood villas designed to mimic traditional Thai village homes, the resort encourages guests to slow down, disconnect, and immerse themselves in the natural surroundings - barefoot living is very much the norm here.

Zeavola Resort (Source: Expedia)

Zeavola Resort (Source: Expedia)

Sustainability is more than just branding at Zeavola. The resort has long been committed to eco-conscious practices: it treats its own wastewater, minimizes single-use plastics, and has energy-saving systems in place. It’s also active in local marine and coral reef conservation. While the setting is undeniably beautiful, it’s the resort’s quieter, more responsible approach to island tourism that leaves a lasting impression.

Highlight experiences: Guests can join snorkeling or diving trips to see the nearby coral reefs, take a longtail boat ride to watch sunset or jungle hikes on Phi Phi Don give a glimpse into the island’s wilder, less-developed terrain.

Conclusion 

Here are Asia King Travel’s top 10 picks for eco-friendly hotels in Thailand. By staying at these sustainable stays, travelers contribute to conservation efforts, responsible tourism, and local community development. Choose sustainability on your next trip and enjoy an unforgettable, guilt-free getaway in Thailand.

Read more: Best Luxurious Resorts in Thailand

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