Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels & resorts in Thailand
Synonymous with sugar white sand, turquoise waters, and tropical scenery, Thailand's incredible beaches are renowned around the globe for their beauty, and as a consequence, unfortunately, mass tourism has spoilt some of them. Remember the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role? Well, these days you have to look a little harder to find the utopian Thai paradise as described in Alex Garland's 1990s cult backpacking novel. Despite being a magnet for budget and backpacker travelers, Thailand also happens to be home to some of the world's most ultra-luxurious resorts, whether it be beach enclaves, urban hotels or jungle retreats. Here's my selection of the top 10 best luxury hotels & resorts in Thailand, and while all of them are stunning properties, the number one resort in this list is an absolutely amazing, out-of-this-world place.
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Curving shapes and a highly unusual architecture are the inventive dwellings of Keemala, an all pool villa wonderland nestled well away from the Phuket crowds and overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea. For fun seekers the resort is close enough to Kamala Beach and the liveliness of Patong Beach and all the dynamic action that Phuket has to offer, yet far enough removed to step back and take time to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the rainforest and a plethora of holistic activities and cuisine to aid wellbeing. Shaded by an enchanted canopy of rainforest and connected together by a network of jungle walkways, the resort's 38 villas are designed for guests wishing to experience a rustic, yet lavish, escape. Some villas are built in the canopy, featuring two floors complete with a private pool, upper level master bedroom, and a large lounge and dining area on the lower level.
Rayavadee - member of The Leading Hotels of the World - is situated in the heart of Krabi's beautiful Phranang Peninsula on the border of Krabi Marine National Park, an area renowned for its natural beauty and rich flora, fauna and marine life. When the resort was built more than two decades ago, it was with the idea of creating one of Thailand's best luxury hotels that offers living in balance within a unique environment. The Rayavadee nestles discreetly amidst tropical gardens and coconut groves against a backdrop of sheer cliffs, lush jungle foliage and the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. In addition to stylish, five-star accommodation, Rayavadee also boasts fine cuisine, one of the most unique relaxation spas in Thailand, and warm, attentive service. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the resort is also the perfect Thailand honeymoon destination and setting for intimate, personalized wedding celebrations.
The Siam hotel – opened in 2013 – is in a category of its own and unique to the Thai capital. With only 39 suites and 3 acres of property along the river, guests are able to experience a resort atmosphere and a level of exclusivity that is not available at Bangkok's larger luxury properties. The suites at the Siam are amongst the largest in city, all outfitted with plush furnishings, super-sized king beds and lofty ceilings. Each room has been individually designed with original turn of the century oriental artwork and antiques. Guests can also choose for an intimately private pool villa and bask in either Thai, Chinese or Colonial surrounds. Every villa is awash with lush internal gardens and features a private swimming pool and open-air roof terrace, perfect for private sunbathing, evening cocktails or tête-à -tête dining.
Encircling the sparkling waters of a saltwater lagoon, Banyan Tree Phuket is a tropical fairytale where the roads are lined with casuarinas and palms, the fields are bright with Allamanda blooms and the Bang Tao Bay always sparkles in sapphire brilliance. The luxury hotel is a glorious spread of Thailand's elegant architecture complemented with every modern amenity imaginable. The hotel is cradled within Laguna Phuket's exclusive community, a 400-hectare former abandoned tin mining site that includes 3 km of sandy shores and is home to more than 30 restaurants and bars (with free use of inter-resort transportation by shuttle vehicle or lagoon boat). This is the perfect destination for travelers who seek a luxury hideaway, a golf getaway, a relaxing staycation or a base from which to explore this beautiful island's heritage, culture and stunning beaches.
- Hotel website: Banyan Tree Phuket
- Other accolades: Banyan Tree Phuket also features in my top 10 list of Phuket's best ultra luxury hotels.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: read my review of Banyan Tree Phuket here.
Set on a tropical hillside that unfurls into the ocean, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is an away-from-it-all escape that perfectly blends in with its spectacular natural environment. This is one of Thailand's best luxury hotels and a wonderful place to experience Koh Samui's island perfection. The resort's hillside luxury villas are shaded by coconut groves and overlook the mystical Gulf of Siam and the talcum-white sands of the private bay. All villas feature a private outdoor deck, aqua-inspired interiors and a lovely infinity pool. Guests here start their day in paradise with yoga, enjoy healing rituals inspired by nature at the Secret Garden Spa, relax to ocean sounds with a massage on the beach, savor afternoon tea at Koh Thai Kitchen, or pamper themselves with one of many private dining experiences. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is rumored to be used as the setting for season three of the hit HBO show The White Lotus.
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