Rayong is a province of mountains, valleys, and islands and beaches and its hotels range from budget beach bungalows to four-star resorts with all the trimmings. Most people head to Rayong to enjoy the beaches of Koh Samet, as opposed to the towns and cities on the mainland, and it comes with the most allure and hotels in the area. All the hotels and resorts on Samet are coastal and tend to be overpriced, while much better deals can be had in Rayong City, Ban Phe and Ban Chang.

There are no real high-end hotels like you would find in Bangkok or the best in Pattaya although Koh Samet does have several posh resorts. Among the best hotels in the region are: 99 Kung on Vimarn Beach and Kantary Bay, both of which reside in the city of Rayong; Purimas Beach Hotel in Ban Chang; and Rayong Resort in Ban Phe.

Top resorts on the sparkling island of Koh Samet include: Ao Prao Resort, on the west side of the island, with its flash rooms and excellent restaurant; Samet Villa Resort on Ao Phai Beach; and Lima Bella Resort. The main Sai Kaew Beach also has many mid-range and up resorts, with dramatic price differences between the low and high seasons.

Koh Samet is by far the main destination in Rayong province. The towns of Rayong and Ban Phe are so so and preside over nice beaches, yet Samet Island has the allure. There are more than a dozen pristine beaches with white, soft coral sand and a jungle-clad interior. It is noticeably cooler and drier here than in Bangkok and also offers many water sports, including snorkelling.

The northern-most beaches of Sai Keaw and Ao Hin Kok have the best resort operations on the island as well as the best tourist infrastructure. There are several upscale resorts here with aircon and swimming pools, while the farther south you go it gets a bit more hit and miss.

Ban Phe is another popular area to stay in Rayong, lying about 20 miles from Rayong town. It has long and white sandy beaches and is into fishing in a big way. You will therefore find many excellent and well-priced seafood eateries without all the glitz of Bangkok's best restaurants. Ban Phe gets pretty busy as it is the launch point for Koh Samet and has several piers.

Ban Chang is a quaint place to stay. It is much less touristy than Rayong and Ban Phe, and especially Koh Samet, and has two nice beaches - Hat Phala and Hat Phayun. Both beaches are lined with pine trees and there are a number of decent hotels in the area.