12 Best Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok: Prices & Reviews
Floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok
A night on Cheow Lan Lake is the highlight of any Khao Sok trip. You fall asleep on the water and wake up to mist over the limestone cliffs. You can kayak straight from your door.
Floating bungalows range from simple bamboo huts with shared bathrooms to air-conditioned villas with 24-hour power. This guide covers 12 options, from luxury to budget. It gives prices in baht, guest ratings and honest pros and cons.
- Most prices are packages, not room rates. Lake stays are usually sold as 2-day, 1-night packages per person. These include boat transfers and meals. I've used Trip Unpacked's 2026 planning ranges, which it says are "not fixed official tariffs." I've also used Khao Sok Rafthouse's published package prices. They don't include the ฿300 lake fee and ฿40 pier fee.
- Package prices vary by seller. For example, Laguna Cheow Lan is ฿8,900 to ฿9,600 on Trip Unpacked. It's ฿11,400 for a private tour on Khao Sok Rafthouse. Private tours cost more than join-in tours.
- Ratings come from different sites. I've used Trip.com scores out of 10 and Visit Thailand Today's star rating where available. Some properties have very few reviews. Keeree Warin has only 2, and 360° Issara only 1 on Trip.com.
- Some properties have no guest rating I could find. These include Phupha Waree, Panvaree Resort, Sai Chon, Krisorn and Khao Sok Eco Raft. I've used descriptions from travel guides instead.
- Khao Sok Eco Raft is only priced in US dollars in its source. I've described its price level in words.
- I couldn't find halal food at any floating bungalow. Meals are usually lake fish, Thai curries and rice. Ask for seafood or vegetarian meals when you book.
Floating bungalows at a glance
| Floating bungalow | Style | 2D1N price per person | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Rai Floating Resort | Luxury, AC, pool | About ฿18,200 to ฿20,400 | 8.6/10 (Trip.com, 62 reviews) |
| Panvaree The Greenery | Luxury, AC, 10 rooms | About ฿11,100 to ฿12,700 | 9.5/10 (Trip.com, 75 reviews) |
| 360° Issara | Upmarket, AC, villas | About ฿10,100 to ฿13,000 | 9.0/10 (Trip.com, 1 review) |
| Laguna Cheow Lan | Mid-range, AC | About ฿8,900 to ฿9,600 | No individual rating |
| Phupha Waree | Mid-range, AC | About ฿8,000 to ฿9,200 | No rating found |
| Panvaree Resort | Mid-range, AC | ฿14,500 (private tour) | No rating found |
| Praiwan Rafthouse | Simple, fan | ฿7,500 (join-in tour) | 8.2/10 (Trip.com) |
| Keeree Warin Chiewlarn | Simple, fan | ฿5,900 (join-in tour) | 8.0/10 (Trip.com, 2 reviews) |
| Sai Chon Raft House | Budget, fan | About ฿5,000 to ฿7,600 | No rating found |
| Smiley Lakehouse | Budget, fan | ฿2,999 (3D2N package) | 4.2★ (Visit Thailand Today, 779 reviews) |
| Krisorn Floating Bungalows | Budget, bamboo | ฿3,499 (3D2N package) | No rating found |
| Khao Sok Eco Raft | Budget | Budget level (priced in US dollars) | No rating found |
Prices from Trip Unpacked, Khao Sok Rafthouse and the operators' own websites. Park fees not included.
12 best floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
1500 Rai Floating Resort
Rating: 8.6/10 from 62 reviews on Trip.com
500 Rai is the most luxurious stay on Cheow Lan Lake. Trip.com lists four room types, from a 36 m² Deluxe Room to an 86 m² Family Suite. All have air-conditioning, a fan and a private bathroom. The resort has a pool, a massage room and its own restaurant, Ta Lay Nai. It serves Thai and international food.
Family Can Travel stayed four nights in a floating villa. It had a queen bed, a loft with floor mattresses and a private dock with a kayak. They praised the warm, clean lake for swimming, the friendly staff and kid-friendly food. Power and air-conditioning ran 24 hours. Wi-Fi was limited to 2 hours a day.
The downsides are cost and food prices. Family Can Travel says smoothies cost ฿190 and Thai curries ฿400 to ฿800. That's about four times normal Thai prices. Trip.com reviewers mention ageing facilities, algae in the pool and few sunbeds. Trip.com also lists Wi-Fi in public areas at ฿1,500 a day.
Price: About ฿18,200 to ฿20,400 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked). Trip.com lists a ฿3,500 cash deposit at check-in.
Best for: Honeymooners, families and anyone who wants 24-hour AC
2Panvaree The Greenery
Rating: 9.5/10 from 75 reviews on Trip.com
Panvaree The Greenery is the highest-rated stay on the lake. Let's Venture Out describes it as the luxury option. It has only 10 rooms, so it's very quiet. Trip.com lists Superior Rooms (20 m²) and Family Rooms (22 m²). Both have lake views and private bathrooms.
Trip.com reviewers praise the friendly staff and guides, tasty included meals and boat trips. Some spotted wild elephants and monkeys nearby. Trip Unpacked says it promotes kayaking, boat trips and Coral Cave excursions.
The rooms are small. One guest found the room noisy and rocking on the water. Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi are restricted. Trip.com also says children aren't allowed.
Price: About ฿11,100 to ฿12,700 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked)
Best for: Couples who want peace and privacy
3360° Issara Floating Resort
Rating: 9.0/10 on Trip.com, from just 1 review
360° Issara is a newer boutique floating resort in the Khlong Long area. Kuoni lists Deluxe King rooms (26 m²), Deluxe Triple rooms (36 m²) and Villas (36 m²). The villas sit at the end of the floating walkways. Every room has a balcony, an en-suite with hot water and its own kayak.
Kuoni says electricity runs 24 hours. Deluxe rooms have air-conditioning from 12:00 to 06:00. Villas have it all day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The floating restaurant serves Thai and international dishes. Passport & Stamps recommends the one-bedroom villa, with a lake-view sofa for watching the sunrise.
Price: About ฿10,100 to ฿13,000 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked)
Best for: Travellers who want modern comfort and 24-hour AC in a villa
4Laguna Cheow Lan
Rating: No individual rating. Thai National Parks rates its lake tours 4.69/5 from 337 reviews.
Laguna Cheow Lan sits on the Khlong Long arm of the lake. It's about 40 to 45 minutes by boat from the pier. Thai National Parks says it has 31 standard rooms and 8 lake-view "panorama" rooms. Each has a king bed, a single bed, an en-suite bathroom and a balcony. Rooms sleep up to three.
Rooms are air-conditioned, but power only runs from 18:00 to 06:00. Daytime power costs extra. Canoes are included. Coral Cave, Khao Sam Kloe and Diamond Cave are all within 30 minutes by boat.
Price: About ฿8,900 to ฿9,600 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked). Khao Sok Rafthouse sells a private tour at ฿11,400 for 2 days or ฿17,500 for 3 days.
Best for: Couples and small groups who want AC at a mid-range price
5Phupha Waree Floating Resort
Rating: No guest rating found
Phupha Waree is a good-value mid-range choice in a sheltered part of the lake. Trip Unpacked says rooms have air-conditioning, private bathrooms and balconies. Power mainly runs from late afternoon to the next morning.
Trip Unpacked warns that room standards vary. Some rooms are older and some are renovated. The cheapest rate may not match the photos.
Price: About ฿8,000 to ฿9,200 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked). Khao Sok Rafthouse sells a join-in tour at ฿8,000 for 2 days or ฿10,600 for 3 days.
Best for: First-timers who want AC without luxury prices
6Panvaree Resort
Rating: No guest rating found
The original Panvaree Resort is the sister property to The Greenery. Passport & Stamps calls it their "sweet spot" pick. It has private bathrooms, simple wooden décor and futons. Khao Sok Rafthouse lists it as an air-conditioned comfort bungalow.
Price: ฿14,500 for a 2-day private tour or ฿22,500 for 3 days (Khao Sok Rafthouse)
Best for: Travellers who want the Panvaree experience at a lower price than The Greenery
7Praiwan Rafthouse
Rating: 8.2/10 on Trip.com
Praiwan is a simple fan-cooled raft house in the forest. Khao Sok Rafthouse lists it in its "simple" tier. Khao Sok Travel uses it for several of its 3D2N packages.
Price: ฿7,500 for a 2-day join-in tour or ฿10,500 for 3 days (Khao Sok Rafthouse). Khao Sok Travel's 3D2N packages with Praiwan start at ฿13,900.
Best for: Nature lovers happy with a fan and simple rooms
8Keeree Warin Chiewlarn Resort
Rating: 8.0/10 on Trip.com, from 2 reviews
Keeree Warin is about 30 minutes by boat from the pier. Trip.com lists 50 m² Family Villas with two king beds and a private shower and toilet. Reviewers praise the scenery, the guides and the clean rooms. They recommend the sunrise wildlife trip. One reviewer called it basic and advised avoiding the upper-floor rooms.
Price: ฿5,900 for a 2-day join-in tour or ฿7,900 for 3 days (Khao Sok Rafthouse)
Best for: Families and groups on a budget
9Sai Chon Raft House
Rating: No guest rating found
Sai Chon is the cheapest stay on Trip Unpacked's list with a private bathroom. It's fan-cooled. Power only runs in the evening and overnight. Trip Unpacked says it suits budget travellers who care more about the lake than the room. The heat may disturb your sleep. Canoes may cost extra.
Price: About ฿5,000 to ฿7,600 per person for 2D1N (Trip Unpacked). Khao Sok Rafthouse sells a join-in tour from ฿5,000 for 2 days. Khao Sok Travel's 3D2N package with Saichon costs ฿12,500, including park fees.
Best for: Budget travellers who want a private bathroom
10Smiley Lakehouse
Rating: 4.2★ from 779 reviews on Visit Thailand Today
Smiley is the best-known budget option. Let's Venture Out says each bungalow has two mattresses on a wooden platform, a balcony and a private bathroom. Towels, water, toilet paper and kayaks are free. Power normally runs from 18:00 to 06:00. Let's Venture Out praised the buffet of Thai curries, rice, noodles and fruit.
Smiley also sells AC lake houses. Its 3D2N tour includes kayaking, morning and evening boat safaris, a cave visit and a jungle trek.
Price: ฿2,999 per person for Smiley's 3D2N tour, with one night in the village and one on the lake. AC lake houses cost ฿4,000 to ฿4,500. Park fees are extra.
Best for: Backpackers and budget travellers
11Krisorn Floating Bungalows
Rating: No guest rating found
Krisorn is a simple bamboo raft house at the remote western end of the lake. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel uses it for its 3D2N tour. Rooms are bamboo raft-style with shared bathrooms. The tour includes a sunrise wildlife boat trip, Bang Hoi Waterfall and Pra Kai Petch (Diamond) Cave.
Price: ฿3,499 per person for Khao Sok Jungle Hostel's 3D2N tour, with one hostel night and one Krisorn night. Park fees are extra.
Best for: Backpackers who want a remote, rustic night
12Khao Sok Eco Raft
Rating: No guest rating found
Passport & Stamps calls Khao Sok Eco Raft the best way to stay on the lake on a budget. Amenities are minimal, but the rooms are spacious with good lake views. Kayaks are included. There's a restaurant too.
Price: Budget level. Passport & Stamps only gives prices in US dollars.
Best for: Budget travellers who want more space than a bamboo hut
How to choose
- For 24-hour AC: 500 Rai or a 360° Issara villa
- For couples: Panvaree The Greenery (no children allowed)
- For families: 500 Rai, Keeree Warin or Laguna Cheow Lan
- For the best value with AC: Phupha Waree or Laguna Cheow Lan
- For the tightest budget: Smiley Lakehouse or Krisorn
Halal food tips
I couldn't find halal food at any floating bungalow. Meals are usually lake fish, southern Thai curry and rice.
- Ask for halal, seafood or vegetarian meals when you book.
- Bring halal snacks from Malaysia or Surat Thani.
- Ask about pork and cooking oil before eating.
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Book early for November to April. The best rafts sell out months ahead.
- Bring a power bank. Most rafts only have power in the evening.
- Check what's included. Some prices include boats and meals, while others don't. Park fees (฿300 + ฿40) are usually extra and paid in cash.
- Pack light. Bring a daypack and dry bag for the longtail boat.
Sourced from Trip Unpacked Khao Sok Floating Bungalows 2026, Khao Sok Rafthouse, Trip.com 500 Rai Floating Resort, Family Can Travel 500 Rai Review, Trip.com Panvaree The Greenery, Kuoni 360 Issara Floating Resort, Thai National Parks Laguna Cheow Lan, Trip.com Keeree Warin Chiewlarn Resort, Trip.com Ban Ta Khun Hotels, Visit Thailand Today Smiley Lakehouse, Let's Venture Out Khao Sok Floating Bungalows, Passport & Stamps Khao Sok Floating Bungalows, Khao Sok Smiley 3D2N Lake Tour, Khao Sok Jungle Hostel 3D2N Lake Tour and Khao Sok Travel 3D2N Packages.