Beyond Phuket: Discovering Thailand's Emerging Coastal Alternatives
25 November 2025
When one thinks of Thailand’s beaches, Phuket tends to dominate the conversation. For good reason – its international airport, polished resorts, and world-class dining make it easy to love. But at Smiling Albino, we’ve always believed that the most memorable journeys begin where the crowds end.
These days, as Phuket faces the challenges of overtourism – traffic tangles, crowded beaches, vanishing tranquility – something remarkable is happening: Thailand’s lesser-known coastal communities are beginning to shine.
Phuket’s neighbours, Khao Lak, Krabi, and even Trang province are stepping into the light, offering not only natural beauty and cultural depth, but space to exhale. We’ve spent years building relationships with local hosts, luxury resorts, artisanal guides, and conservation groups in these areas, and now more than ever, these quieter corners are welcoming travellers eager for something more grounded, more personal, more… Thai.
Smiling Albino specializes in curating journeys that connect you to the soul of a place. Here’s some of our favourite accommodations that help travellers sidestep the Phuket buzz and rediscover the beauty of Thailand’s coastal south.
Khao Lak: Understated Luxury with a Sense of Place
Just a short drive north of Phuket’s International Airport, Khao Lak is a gentle coastal escape defined by long, golden beaches, national parks, and a more local rhythm of life. It’s where Thai families still fish off the rocks at dawn and jungle trails lead to hidden waterfalls.
The Sarojin - Boutique Refinement with Heart
Tucked into a grove of sea almond trees and lush gardens, The Sarojin has long been one of our go-to properties for honeymooners, romantics and couples looking to disconnect. With just 56 rooms, it’s intimate without ever feeling cramped. Breakfast is served all day (with champagne, naturally), and spa pavilions float over a lily-covered pond.
What makes The Sarojin special is its ability to feel both polished and personal. Private dining by waterfall (below)? Check. Snorkelling the Similan Islands with your own guide? Easy. Their “Imagineer” concierge team makes it happen, and with a quiet adults-only policy, peace is always part of the plan.
Aleenta Phuket - Wellness on the Water's Edge
Aleenta was one of the first to spot Natai Beach’s potential, and their pioneering vision shows. Recently refurbished, this beachfront property blends clean design with a focus on sustainability, wellness, and gastronomy. Their Ayurah Spa is a destination in itself—offering everything from Thai bodywork to IV vitamin therapy and holistic health retreats.
For travellers who want their beachfront bliss paired with health-forward dining and a sense of mindful retreat, Aleenta hits the mark with Seasons, a vegan restaurant with a focus on plant-based cuisine. And yes, the villas are as photogenic as they are peaceful, particularly their 2-4 bedroom pool villas right on the beach.
Iniala Beach house - Design, Detail & Michelin Dining
If Aleenta is serenity, Iniala is a statement. Each of the ten suites here was designed by a different world-class talent, resulting in a stay that’s as much about art as it is about indulgence. Families love the private cinema and kids’ club; couples swoon over the oceanfront pools and over-the-top design.
Culinary travellers are especially well taken care of: Aulis by Simon Rogan offers tasting menus worthy of a flight detour, while Thai celeb chef Ian Kittichai lends his flair to beachfront dining. For guests wanting something rare, beautiful, and deeply curated—this is it.
Krabi Province: Nature's Amphitheatre with Boutique Style
Krabi is where nature turns up the drama. Towering limestone cliffs, emerald lagoons, nuclear sunsets and jungle-fringed beaches make it one of Thailand’s most visually stunning destinations. And while Ao Nang and Railay draw crowds, there’s another side to Krabi—quieter, more refined, and just waiting to be explored.
Banyan Tree Krabi - Cliffside Escape with Panoramic Views
Overlooking peaceful Tubkaek Beach, Banyan Tree Krabi offers a modern interpretation of tropical luxury. All rooms are suites or villas, each with private plunge pools and spectacular views. The spa is inspired by Thai mythology and the dining is on par with the best of Bangkok.
We often recommend this for couples celebrating something special – or just needing space to breathe and reconnect.
Tubkaak Boutique Resort - Simplicity and Serenity
Next door is one of our favourite hidden gems: The Tubkaak. With warm service, wood-accented Thai design and a beach that feels all your own, this boutique stay has a quiet magic to it. The in-house spa and Thai-Italian fusion dining round things out beautifully.
Koh Jum Beach Villas - a True Barefoot Getaway
Set on a tranquil and overlooked island between bustling Ao Nang and Koh Lanta, it’s a place where life slows to the rhythm of the tides. Beautiful privately owned-and-furnished wooden villas peek out from behind coconut palms, and chef-led seafood dinners, and island-style sustainability make it a favourite among our guests who seek solitude with soul. Spend the morning kayaking through mangroves, the afternoon learning to cook southern Thai dishes with a local auntie, and the evening doing absolutely nothing under a sky full of stars.
Pimalai Resort - The Soul of Koh Lanta
Finally, for those willing to go a little further, Pimalai on Koh Lanta is the crown jewel. Accessible by private van and boat transfer from Krabi, this expansive 40 acre hillside resort is tucked into lush jungle on a perfect crescent beach. There’s an effortless grace here – private villas with panoramic sea views, impeccable service, and experiences that go beyond the expected.
Beyond Phuket, Something for Every Taste
We love arranging private snorkelling trips, hidden mangrove paddleboard outings, and market visits led by locals who’ve lived here for generations.
For locals, this increased attention is both opportunity and responsibility. Our role is to ensure these communities don’t simply become “the next Phuket,” but rather benefit from tourism that uplifts and empowers. That’s why our journeys focus on supporting local enterprise, preserving tradition, and offering our travellers the rich, nuanced, real-world experiences they come to Thailand for.
Phuket will always have its place. But if you’re ready to step off the well-trodden path and into a side of Thailand that’s more intimate, more sustainable, and infinitely more rewarding – let us take you there. The future of Thai coastal travel is happening quietly. And it’s absolutely stunning.
So why travel with Smiling Albino?
When you travel with us, it’s never just about the hotel. It’s about how you experience the destination. Whether it’s arriving at The Sarojin with a surprise beachside sundowner waiting, or enjoying a chef-led market tour before your dinner at Iniala, we weave local culture, thoughtful luxury, and seamless logistics into every moment.
Khao Lak and Krabi offer a rare kind of luxury – the kind that comes with silence, space, and authenticity. For travellers ready to go beyond Phuket’s crowds, these are Thailand’s most rewarding coastal escapes.
Let us help you discover them, your way.