The 30-room, four-pearl Chongfah Beach Resort is a boutique hotel situated right on the Andaman Sea in Khao Lak. Rooms are modern and airy and feature super-comfortable beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Nearly half of the rooms here are spacious bungalows complete with refreshing outdoor showers, private hot tubs, and patios (a few of which have incredible beach views). The hotel has a chic infinity pool that faces the sea, and the on-site Seaborn Restaurant gets great reviews and serves the free breakfast. Guests should keep in mind that while there are lounge chairs along the beach, it is only good for swimming when the tide is low. The hotel is wildly popular among couples on holiday, and it is a quieter, cozier option when compared to the larger Mukdara Resort next door.

This 38-room four-pearl resort is one the most beautiful and elegant in the area. Though there are other resorts flanking it on the Khao Lak coast, this resort truly feels like an isolated tropical oasis, with rustic-chic design throughout. There are stylish and simple Deluxe Rooms with striking tiled bathrooms plus balconies or terraces, but the stars here are the incredibly spacious and luxurious villas tucked into the resorts’s lush jungle grounds and featuring a private jacuzzi. The resort also has an attractive pool and a restaurant that gets great reviews, and, of course, a stunning beach. It is pricier than other resorts in the area, but for families and couples looking for a luxurious jungle retreat on the beach, this place lives up to its name.

The 50-room Bangsak Village is an upper-middle-range resort situated next to the Andaman Sea, a 20-minute drive outside Khao Lak. It's a lovely, quiet place for couples looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and children under 12 aren't allowed. Spacious cottages, chalets, and bungalows are tastefully decorated with natural hues and textures, plus subtle artsy details. Features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. The restaurant serves all meals, though there are a couple restaurants outside the resort within walking distance. The pool is a beautiful tropical spot overlooking the beach, and there's a spa as well. Travelers looking for a larger resort with more amenities and activities could check out the Mai Khaolak Beach Resort & Spa, though rates there are higher.  

The upper-middle-range Khaolak Oriental Resort -- situated in the heart of Khao Lak on Thailand's west coast -- is a 46-room, character-endowed boutique resort with a lovely outdoor pool that's a five-minute walk from the beach. One of the characteristics that set the resort apart from others in the area is its child-free policy; only guests 16 years and older are welcome. Spacious, modern rooms have balconies or swim-up pool access plus free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Breakfasts are free and offer an excellent selection, but several facilities advertised by the hotel are actually at sister sites, like the spa and the lunch and dinner restaurant. All can be accessed by walking just next door. Guests looking for a kid-friendly hotel in Khao Lak may want to try the Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak, which has a kids' club and where rates can be slightly lower.

The 96-room Leaf on the Sands is a mid-range boutique hotel that's located a five-minute walk from Nang Thong beach and close to Khao Lak's shops, restaurants, and bars. The attractive, grassy grounds include two pleasant pools (though there are often insufficient loungers), as well as a spa housed in a traditional Thai-style outdoor pavilion. Rooms are spacious -- especially the chic bathrooms -- and feature simple, pleasant decor. The hotel's Rice Barn restaurant gets mixed reviews, as does the breakfast included in room rates. The free Wi-Fi access offers excellent speed and reliability, but is only available in rooms and not at the poolside areas. As an alternative, travelers could also try the Khaolak Oriental Resort, which includes a well-reviewed breakfast.