Layan

Layan is the northern end of the long Bang Tao Bay. The hotels and restaurants stay further south, in Laguna and Cherngtalay, and the roads that lead here are quiet and lined with trees. Fishing boats moor at the river mouth, and an island lies opposite.

The beach is almost empty even in the middle of the day: there are no loud clubs, and hardly any venues are left on the sand. As everywhere on the west coast, the sun sets into the sea.

The average sale price of a villa in Layan is ฿285 million, higher than in Bang Tao and Kamala (Knight Frank, year-end 2025). People choose Layan for the quiet⁠—for a month, for a season or for good.

By the water. A villa with its garden opening straight onto the sand: barefoot to the sea in the morning, sunset from a lounger in the evening. For the peak weeks, a house like this is worth securing early.

At a resort. Anantara Layan has villas with private pools and residences with sea views. You live in a villa of your own, while the hotel looks after the restaurant, spa and housekeeping; we book directly with the resort.

On the hillside. Higher up: views over the bay and the sunset, more air and more privacy. The water is a few minutes away by car. Before booking, we ask the villa manager about access, lighting on the road at night and the way down to the beach, and the answers go into the shortlist.

In a gated community. Security at the entrance and shared services. Well suited to children and longer stays, when you would rather the pool, the garden and small repairs were taken care of without you.

• The villa. Chosen around your family and your dates.
• Arrival and a driver. We meet you at the airport and bring you to the villa. Layan is awkward without a car, so we arrange a driver for the whole trip or for the evening.
• A chef and the household. Shopping from your list, breakfast at the hour you choose, dinner on the terrace at sunset.
• The sea. In the dry season a speedboat can collect you straight from the beach, if the swell and the tide allow. For Phi Phi it is easier to leave from a marina on the east coast: from the west, a yacht would have to round the island. The Similan Islands are open from 15 October to 15 May. More on yachts.
• Golf and spa. Tee times at Laguna Golf Phuket, a massage at the villa or in a Laguna spa.