Choeng Doi Distillery
Photograph: Laurie Osborne - Time Out Thailand
Photograph: Laurie Osborne - Time Out Thailand

Thailand's top 5 top getaways this November

Leave the urban grind behind and recharge with these brilliant escapes

Napatsorn Ngaosawangjit
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Let's be honest, the past 10 months have been a lot. The city’s relentless pace is grinding you down and the year-end festive madness is just around the corner. Sound familiar? You need a break. Pronto.

Before you hit burnout, slip away from the big smoke and step into one of these retreats where the air feels fresher and the vibe is set to 'slow'. We've rounded up five top spots to help you reset. Whether it’s beachfront luxury in Pattaya, hands-on Isan culture in Khon Kaen, playful discoveries in Khao Yai or small-batch rice spirit adventures in Chiang Dao, consider this your essential recharge before the silly season truly kicks off. Pack your bags.

  • Hotels
  • Nong Khaem

What is it?

Having opened in July 2025, Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa is a new beachfront establishment on Jomtien Beach. This five-star retreat blends sleek modern design with local sugar palm inspiration and offers 289 rooms and suites, from stylish deluxe to spacious sugar palm suites. Many feature views of the turquoise Gulf of Thailand, lush gardens or sparkling pools. With three outdoor pools, restaurants and bars, a serene spa, a 24-hour fitness centre and a kids’ club, the resort caters to families, couples and solo travellers alike.

Why we love it?

Pattaya may only be a two-hour drive from Bangkok, but it’s notorious for its party-heavy rep. This resort offers a serene counterpoint to its usual buzz. Even better, everything you’re looking for is right at your doorstep. Start the day with a refreshing swim in one of three outdoor pools or a coffee and freshly baked pastry at Siam Bakery. Dining options are plentiful, with six restaurants and bars to choose from. Highlights include Goji Kitchen and Bar, featuring live cooking stations and a seafood and grill dinner buffet (think oysters, smoked meats and local Chonburi specialities), while La Familiare serves up comforting Italian classics. Families can keep little ones entertained at the kids club or on the water slides, while adults can sip cocktails at the rooftop Sunbird Bar or indulge in a treatment at Quan Spa.

Time Out tip:

Go all-in with the ‘School Out Eat and Play’ package. Available now until August 31, 2026 (Sundays–Wednesdays only), it includes breakfast for two adults and one child under 12, a three-course lunch or dinner at Goji Kitchen and Bar and daily access to the kids’ club. Prices start at B6,900.

Najomtien, 64 Moo 1, Pattaya City, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250

  • Hotels
  • Khon Kaen

What is it?

Beyond stylish rooms and relaxing amenities, Avani Khon Kaen now gives guests a reason to venture beyond the hotel with local tours that let them explore regional culture, try hands-on traditional crafts, embark on outdoor adventures and witness natural spectacles.

Why we love it?

The Northeast isn't usually top of the list for a quick getaway, but the hotel makes it a destination worth exploring. History buffs will love the history and culture package, where you spend a half day wandering through Ban Sawathi, discovering the legendary tales of folk hero Sinsai, admiring Hup Taem murals at Wat Chai Si and trying your hand at making traditional Isaan rice crackers. For thrill-seekers, the adventurer package offers a full-day escape to Phu Pha Man, where you can kayak along serene waters, marvel at the emerald-blue Blue Lagoon and step back in time at the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, home to Thailand’s first dinosaur fossils. The day ends at Tham Khang Kho Bat Cave, where millions of bats take flight at dusk.

Time Out tip:

All that exploring works up an appetite. Fortunately, the history and culture package includes ‘Pa Suay Sinsai’, a curated local lunch featuring traditional dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. 

Start at B3,000. Reserve via here. 999 Moo 4, Prachasamoson Rd, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000

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  • Hotels
  • Nakhon Ratchasima

What is it?

Set amidst the misty hills of Khao Yai, Stella Ozone is the reimagined My Ozone Khao Yai estate, a residential complex featuring English-inspired architecture. Much like Bangkok’s Sindhorn Village, the property has been transformed into a stylish hub, blending lifestyle, leisure and interactive experiences. Now, it’s bursting with activities for guests of all ages, from workshops to outdoor adventures.

Why we love it?

Khao Yai is already a top pick for a quick escape from Bangkok (just a two-hour drive), but Stella Ozone gives you even more reasons to stay awhile. With its lush greenery, crisp mountain air, and castle-like design, it feels like a mini getaway abroad without ever leaving Thailand. The development boasts two hotels, Mövenpick Khao Yai Resort and Estella Khaoyai, but the real highlight of its transformation lies beyond the rooms. The newly launched zooniverse is a hands-on wonderland where kids and grown-ups can explore wildlife, try quirky experiments and embrace a bit of joyful mess. And when the sun sets, the magic moment of happiness lights up the castle grounds with themed events and twilight illuminations that make the setting feel straight out of a fairytale.

Time Out tip:

To mark the rebranding of Stella Ozone, the Happiness Fest 2025 will take over the estate on December 20, featuring Thai artists such as Ink Waruntorn and Bowkylyon. If you’re planning a visit this month, snag your tickets early – it’s bound to be packed.

334, Moo 6 Wang Sai, Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130.

  • Things to do
  • Chiang Mai

What is it?

Set against the rice fields of Chiang Dao, Choeng Doi Distillery crafts small-batch rice spirits that feel both local and modern. The distillery offers booking-only tours, led by experienced private guides who share their knowledge of the production process and the surrounding area. Each visit starts with a signature cocktail, followed by a tour of the distillery and ends with a guided tasting at the visitor centre.

Why we love it?

Chiang Dao may not be the first place you think of for fine alcohol. Its towering mountains and sleepy backwater vibes give off more ‘moonshine’ than ‘micro-distillery’, yet just outside town is a small-batch operation that, despite strict Thai alcohol laws, produces contemporary spirits that impress at every step. From planting sticky rice to bottling the final drop of Sonklin, their signature spirit made entirely from Sanpatong rice, the experience is hands-on, boozy and belly-laughing fun – revealing a side of the area few get to see.

Time Out tip

For those wanting to go deeper, longer distillery experiences are available, including full-day programs and multi-day stays where guests can learn, observe and even take part in the production process. The on-site gift shop offers bottles, merch and local crafts, plus a Distillery Exclusive spirit available only at Choeng Doi.

Start at B420. Reserve via here. 99, 9, Wang Jom, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai. 

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  • Hotels
  • Chiang Rai

What is it? 

While many head to Chiang Mai for its cool winter air, Chiang Rai offers a breezier escape without the crowds. Le Méridien Chiang Rai offers stylish accommodations infused with Lanna charm, where rooms overlook lush gardens or the Kok River. On November 30, the hotel turns up the nostalgia with a high-energy 90s-themed brunch at its Italian restaurant, Favola.

Why we love it? 

Did we mention that brunch is unlimited? From 10.30am-2pm, Favola turns into a playground of flavours, with stations serving up signature dishes such as smoked salmon and avo bennies, a creamy take on eggs benedict or a build-your-own plate where you can load up on bacon, sausages, roasted potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and baked beans. Main courses bring main character energy with highlights like steak and truffle potato power and the good catch salmon with zesty lemon cream. Guests also get two complimentary drinks including wine, Thai bubble tea and black tea honey lemon soda. And because brunch always hits better with a soundtrack, a live DJ will be spinning ‘90s favourites all afternoon. 

Time Out tip:
Lean into the retro vibes and show up in your best 90s getup – bucket hats, chokers, vintage denim or that band tee you’ve been saving.

November 30. Starts at B3850. Reserve via call 053-603-333 or email rsvn.chiangrai@lemeridien.com. Favola, Le Méridien Chiang Rai, 10.30am-2pm 

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