SALT Beach Hotel Rayong is quite a small and charming seaside hotel located on the eastern coast of Rayong Province, Thailand. Situated along Saeng Chan Beach and also called Moonlight Beach, it offers direct access to the Gulf of Thailand, with soft white sand and calm, blue waters. The hotel is about 15 kilometers north of Rayong city center, at 36/4 Liap Chai Fang Road in Pak Nam subdistrict, giving visitors a quiet retreat away from the busy industrial areas.
With only a few rooms, the hotel focuses on simplicity and privacy, combining modern Thai-style design with the surrounding natural environment. Guests enjoy sea views from private balconies, the peaceful river lined with mangroves nearby, and easy trips to local attractions like fishing villages and fresh seafood markets.
Operated by a local family, SALT Beach Hotel Rayong emphasizes light development and sustainability. There are no tall buildings; instead the hotel includes eco-friendly features like solar panels and furniture made from recycled materials.
Fun Fact About SALT Beach Hotel Rayong
An interesting feature of SALT Beach Hotel Rayong is its position between two bodies of water. The front faces the Gulf of Thailand, while the back looks over a quiet canal where long-tail boats pass early in the morning. This “sea-to-river” location partly inspired the hotel’s name, referring to the salt that used to be collected from nearby evaporation ponds, reflecting Rayong’s old salt-farming traditions. Many guests enjoy spotting egrets hunting in the canal at sunrise, making morning coffee a little like a birdwatching moment.
History of SALT Beach Hotel Rayong
The story of SALT Beach Hotel Rayong is closely linked to Rayong’s long maritime past, a province known for fishing and salt production along its long coastline of about 100 kilometers. The Pak Nam area was an important trading point even during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (14th–18th centuries), where Chinese and Portuguese merchants traded spices, rice, and salted fish. Local fishing communities, descendants of the Chao Lay sea nomads, used the calm bay to dry their fish, leaving small salt pans that can still be seen in the area today.
In the 20th century, Rayong grew as an industrial gateway to Pattaya and surrounding regions, but Saeng Chan Beach stayed mostly a quiet fishing spot. The hotel itself began in the early 2020s, as a personal project of Phrada Surananjak, a native of Rayong. He wanted a simple, minimalist retreat in the middle of the growing urban areas. Following Thai “sufficiency economy” ideas, living simply and in balance with nature, the hotel opened in 2023 with just ten rooms. Many of the materials, for example reclaimed teak, came from nearby areas and were shaped by local craftsmen. The hotel also honors the salt heritage of the region, with features like salt-crystal lamps in the lobby and a small exhibit showing traditional salt-harvesting methods.
Not long after it opened, Thai travel blogs highlighted the hotel for its calm and simple charm, quite different from the flashy resorts of Pattaya. Nowadays, SALT Beach Hotel takes part in local environmental projects, such as planting mangroves to stop erosion, helping to preserve this quiet place for people in the future.
Things to Do at SALT Beach Hotel Rayong
SALT Beach Hotel Rayong offers simple activities that mostly focus on the beach, the river and the local area, letting guests relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Sunrise and Sunset: In the mornings the sun rises over the Gulf and the sand looks golden. It is good for a quiet walk along the shore or some light stretching on the balcony. In the evening, the sunsets behind the hills and many guests sit on the terrace with tea and watch the colors change.
Beach Relaxation: The hotel has a small private part of Saeng Chan Beach. People can rest on mats or sunbeds and enjoy the water. The sea is shallow and calm, small fish can be seen close to the shore.
River Kayaking: Guests can use kayaks to go along the canal. Paddling slowly past mangroves, sometimes they see herons or monitor lizards. Some tours are offered explaining the plants and animals along the river.
Local Food: The hotel’s open-air restaurant serves Thai dishes using local ingredients. Fresh fish and seafood are common on the menu. Just a short walk takes visitors to Pak Nam Market for street foods like salads or sweet rice desserts.
Heritage Walks: The 19th-century Pak Nam Lighthouse is nearby and gives wide views of the coast. During some seasons, salt-farm tours are available and show the old methods of making salt, done the same way for many generations.
Nature Excursions: Laem Charoen National Park is a short drive and offers trails for walking and birdwatching. Back at the hotel, visitors can rest with a Thai massage in the garden pavilion after spending time outside.
Cultural Experiences: Guests can meet local fishermen at dawn when they bring in the catch. Cooking classes are also available here where the visitors learn to make sauces using salt from the nearby ponds.
Best Time to Visit SALT Beach Hotel Rayong
November to February
The weather is cool and dry, with temperatures around 25°C to 30°C. Skies are mostly clear, ideal for beach activities and local festivals such as Loy Krathong. This is the busiest time, with most rooms filling up quickly, so it is best to reserve a month or two in advance.
March to May
The weather becomes hotter, ranging from 28°C to 35°C, but fewer visitors make it a quieter period. Mornings are good for kayaking before the heat rises in the afternoon. Hotel rates are lower during this season.
June to October
Monsoon season brings temperatures of 26°C to 32°C, with occasional short rains. The landscape becomes lush and green, and hotel prices are much lower. The river swells, creating scenic opportunities for paddling, while indoor activities like spa treatments are especially enjoyable.
