Floating hotels in Kanchanaburi
People often make short trips to Thailand, only to stay in Bangkok – a concrete jungle that can get overwhelming with its huge crowds and traffic. But let’s get away from all that. Imagine yourself waking up to beautiful, calm waters on these 10 floating resorts that are only a couple of hours away from the busy city.
These resorts are situated in the province of Kanchanaburi, which is best known for its rivers, mountains, and waterfalls.
1. Z9 Resort – chic and modern resort
Distance from Bangkok: 4 hours
Welcome to the ultra-modern Z9 Resort, a place that proves that raft houses don’t have to be all leaf-roofed with bamboo walls. The rooms face the panorama of mountains and the water, so you can count on having a personal picturesque view right from your bed.
Images adapted from: @thanhhuysing, @wander.ness
There are free kayaks available for guests, so those with adventurous souls can explore the waters. And if you’re here to just relax, appreciating the beautiful sunset while chilling on the dock is a nice option too.
There are two types of rooms here. If you prefer to have your own private raft house and more spacious room, go for Escape North from ฿6,600 (~USD215)/night. South the Scene from ฿4,500 (~USD147)/night is a bit smaller and is attached to another raft house terrace-style. All rooms include breakfast.
Z9 Resort
Rates: from ฿4,500 per night
Address: 151, Moo 1, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250
Telephone: +66 6 3239 4459
Z9 Resort website | Google Maps
2. River Kwai Jungle Raft – floating huts with jungle vibes
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
Nothing screams adventure like being in a jungle. River Kwai Jungle Raft is a floating resort on the Kwai river, amidst lush greenery. Staying here will bring out your inner Tarzan. Because the resort is situated far from the city, those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle will appreciate the quietness of the surroundings here.
Image credit: @kencmizuno
Being an eco-friendly resort, River Kwai Jungle Raft also helps raise elephants, which guests can visit while in the vicinity. They also have loads of fun onsite and nearby activities for people to enjoy, such as bamboo rafting around the river, cultural visits to Mon Village, and a trip to Treetop Adventure Park!
There’s only 1 type of room here from ฿1,880 (~USD58)/night and it includes breakfast. As for bigger groups, you can choose two adjoining rooms from ฿6,990 (~USD228)/night, including breakfast and dinner buffet for 8 people, as well as free educational trekking tour to Mon village.
River Kwai Jungle Raft
Rates: from ฿1,880 per night
Address: Baan Tahsao, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 70150
Telephone: + 66 2 642 5497
River Kwai Jungle Raft website | Google Maps
3. Blue Sky Raft – floating loft with outdoor jacuzzi
Distance from Bangkok: 2.5 hours
Checking into Blue Sky Raft, you’ll see loft-styled raft houses lined up on the water. On top of each loft is a rooftop living area where you can do anything from reading a book, admiring the view, or even having a BBQ dinner with your friends.
What’s special about this resort is that they have an outdoor jacuzzi for you to get comfy while looking out at the view – lovebirds, this is totally for you guys!
At Blue Sky Raft, you’ll get to do free activities like kayaking and cycling while being immersed in nature. All the rooms here go from ฿5,000(~USD163)/night, which might seem a bit pricier than the others – but it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok, which makes up for it!
Blue Sky Raft
Rates: from ฿5,000 per night
Address: 17/5, Moo 2, Pak Preak, Mueng District, Kanchanaburi 71000
Telephone: +66 8 4424 4691
Blue Sky Raft website | Google Maps
4. Cross River River Kwai – modern loft with huge infinity pool
Distance from Bangkok: 2.5 hours
Another loft-styled floating house is here for people who adore a touch of modernity. Only 2.5 hours away from Bangkok, Cross River Kwai, formerly known as “X2 River Kwai”, has a sleek interior design from dark and light woodwork, giving it a chic look.
On top of the loft is an open-aired sitting space where you can chill with friends or take breathtaking photos for your feed. And if that’s not enough for IG, there’s also a beautiful bamboo tunnel on land that you can use as a background.
When at Cross River Kwai, you’ll get to enjoy the Bridge Bar & Bistro nearby that serves a wide range of food from both Thai and Western cuisines. You can also sip your cocktails while soaking in an infinity pool.
XFloat Cabin from ฿5,479(~USD179)/night is a regular floating loft, while XFloat Luxe Cabin from ฿6,036(~USD197)/night offers more space. All rates include breakfast.
Cross River Kwai
Rates: from ฿5,479 per night
Address: 138, Moo 4, Nong Ya Soi 5, Ban Wanglan, Nong Ya, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi 71000
Telephone: +66 3 4552 124
Cross River Kwai website | Google Maps
5. Kwai Tara Riverside Villas – floating duplex rooms
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
Kwai Tara Riverside Villas is built in duplex style, complete with loft-like high ceilings. On top of that, there’s plenty of outdoor space for activities like BBQ parties. Also, there’s a net-seating to chill out in front of each loft. You know what that means – it’s Insta-time!
The interior follows a black and brown theme paired with warm lighting, adding a bold and luxurious feel to your stay.
Rooms start from from ฿4,500(~USD147)/night and includes breakfast and river rafting which takes place at 4.30pm daily.
Kwai Tara Riverside Villas
Rates: from ฿4,500 per night
Address: 214, Moo 6, Wang Krachae, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150
Telephone: +66 9 3925 8883
Kwai Tara Riverside Villas website | Google Maps
6. Ananta River Hills Resort – raft houses with floating playground
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
If you’re intending on travelling with a group of buddies, Ananta River Hills Resort is your pick with its island-style layout. Looking out of the huts, you’ll see a series of green mountains and islands surrounding you.
What seems to be a peaceful floating resort also has its own twist, which is a huge floating playground situated in the middle of the raft houses.
Challenge your friends to run through the floating obstacles with a huge inflatable slider. Who said staying at a resort needs to be zen all the time?
If the playground hasn’t given you a thrill yet, try this mass rafting with all other guests from the resort. Your raft will get tugged along by a boat during the sunset hours.
Ananta River Hills Resort offers many options, from a 4-room house for 10 people from ฿17,000(~USD556)/night to small and cozy rooms for 2 from ฿4,400(~USD143)/night. All prices include free kayaking, entry to the floating playground, and mass rafting.
Ananta River Hills Resort
Rates: from ฿4,400 per night
Address: 270, Moo 5, Baan Mong Krata, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250
Telephone: +66 8 7588 1970
Ananta River Hills Resort website | Google Maps
7. Ruknam Resort – Maldives-style bungalows
Image credit: @sunari_polhong
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
If you’ve always been dreaming to visit Maldives all these years but your wallet hasn’t been cooperative, Ruknam Resort is your perfect alternative choice to satisfy your island life cravings. Plus, it’s only 3.5 hours from Thailand’s capital.
This resort also has an enormous Koi fish pond where you can buy food and feed all these little guys here.
There are many options for the floating houses from a VIP twin house for up to 8 people from ฿8,000(~USD261)/night to a regular house for 2 from ฿4,000(~USD130)/night. All prices include breakfast, kayaking, and water activities.
Ruknam Resort
Rates: from ฿4,000 per night
Address: 259, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250
Telephone: +66 3 4696 212
Ruknam Resort website | Google Maps
8. Saiyok View Resort – luxurious huts in a quiet jungle
Distance from Bangkok: 2.5 hours
Saiyok View Resort offers an escape to nature with a luxurious touch. Their huts have a high ceiling and all hardwood material for the interior, giving off an old-timey jungle feel.
As a guest, you can enjoy an outdoor pool situated on the shore, which overlooks the river.
All raft houses have the same price from ฿1,700(~USD55)/night, and includes breakfast and dinner buffets.
Saiyok View Resort
Rates: from ฿1,700 per night
Address: 263, Moo 2, Sai Yok, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150
Telephone: +66 8 516 4682
Saiyok View Resort website | Google Maps
9. Wangnokkaew Park View – rustic huts in nature
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
Wangnokkaew Park View is perfect for people who adore rustic huts but aren’t big fans of the blistering beach heat.
Image credit: Mamaexpert
They have an infinite pool too, but what’s special is that you can choose to have a floating breakfast set in there!
Image credit: @tnclive
Villa Rafts start from ฿4,300 (~USD140)/night and have a sofa bed, while the Standard Rafts start from ฿2,600 (~USD85)/night. The breakfast and dinner set are included for both types of rooms.
Wang Nokkaew Park View
Rates: from ฿2,600 per night
Address: 229, Moo 2, Sai Yok, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150
Telephone: +66 9 6456 6651
Wang Nokkaew Park View website | Google Maps
10. The FloatHouse – modern Thai folk raft house
Distance from Bangkok: 3.5 hours
The FloatHouse is a well-decorated Thai folk-style rooms with clean-looking bamboo woven walls. The room has a high ceiling that let the natural light in during the day which is something all the Thai houses do.
Adding to the classic bamboo and woodwork interior is the light-colored fabric and nicely-designed furniture, which altogether craft a fabulous looking room. Each room also comes with its own personal swing and pier.
All villas have only one starting price from ฿4,240 (~USD138)/night. But you can choose prices with meal bundles: breakfast and dinner, or breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The FloatHouse
Rates: from ฿4,240 per night
Address: 55, Moo 5, Wang Krachae, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150
Telephone:+66 2 642 5497
The Float House Website | Google Maps
All resorts’ prices can be changed according to the seasons and promotions.
*Bonus* The Floatel Buntern – private raft house perfect for groups
Distance from Bangkok: 4.5 hours
Though it’s located slightly further away from Bangkok than the rest, The Floatel Buntern deserves to be on our list because it is perfect for a big group of friends who’d love to spend some time together.
You’ll get a whole house to your group and it will be dragged to an assigned spot in the middle of the water for maximum privacy.
There are 4 bedrooms and 6 toilets equipped with all the necessary toiletries. Next to residential zone is a dining area. On the other end of the raft is a mini pool with a long extension platform – making it perfect for buddies to get together and chill.
Each raft also comes with 2 kayaks – so go ahead and explore the nearby areas.
The price ฿20,000 (~USD654)/night might look steep but it includes 3 meals, which the staff will deliver to you, and other amenities. And if you’re divided the price among 6 friends (the maximum guest number), one only pays ฿3,333 each.
The Floatel Buntern
Rates: ฿20,000 per night
Address: 264/98, Moo 4, ThaKhaNoon, ThongPhaPhum District, Kanchanaburi 71180
Telephone: +66 9 5509 7997
The Floatel Buntern website | Google Maps
Make your short holidays worth and staycation on raft house resorts
From ultra modern lofts to rustic bamboo huts with a touch of luxe, our list will help choose where to take refuge from the bustling city of Bangkok with your loved ones or best friends to recharge your spirit over a short holiday and get ready for the next work days.
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): Kwai Tara Riverside Villas, @dersynstudio, Painaidii, @sunari_polhong