Last week, I had the privilege of spending time in six of Thailand’s incredible selection of luxury hotels. Thailand continues to pique the imaginations of travellers from all over the world with its bustling cities, lush landscapes, golden temples, and warm, welcoming nature – and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. From intimate, secluded villas to contemporary rooms practically dripping with style, Thailand truly understand the meaning of the word ‘luxury’ and do not fail to impress! Let me take you with me on my journey…
The Nai Harn Phuket
Looking for feel of Santorini with the culinary expertise of Thailand? Look no further. This hotel has a superb beach with soft white sand, tucked behind rolling green hills and a couple of tiny islands in the very south of Phuket, so beautiful it was awarded one of the top 5 beaches in Thailand. Perfect for relaxation, this tropical hillside hotel (voted 4th Best Resort in Thailand by Conde Nast Traveller 2022) is more suited to adults aged 40 and above without children. You have to try the cooking class and competition if you visit! I was made to feel like a Michelin star chef and learnt some recipes I’ll be taking home with me – a memory to last a lifetime.
SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort
A beautiful honeymoon destination, this hotel is especially great for young couples, singles and couples with children. For me, it’s the details that make this hotel truly special. After a short 20 minute drive from the airport, I was given a choice of pillows and bath amenity fragrance to ensure a high level of comfort. Then, I made my way to my room which was light and lofty with reams of space to relax. The private pool and outdoor bath were an added bonus, transforming the space into my very own private haven. The bed was enormous, there was a complimentary turn down service every night, plus sun loungers and a parasol in the garden – what more could I ask for? The hotel even has its own organic farm, including goats, chickens and ducks, as well as complimentary activities like Thai boxing, yoga and movie nights with popcorn. I was absolutely spoilt for choice!
SALA Chaweng Beach Koh Samui
A 5 minute walk to the town centre, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars and shops, this a great location if you enjoy vibrant nightlife. The hotel itself is very chic, with all-white and moon-shaped architecture, and has a range of non-motorised watersport activities. The best part was the SAMUI Elephant Sanctuary, where I had the opportunity to make elephant food and feed the elephants. Being that up close and personal with such majestic animals was absolutely surreal. They are calm creatures with funny personalities and a real presence that comes so naturally to them. If you do anything from this post, this is the activity. The Haven is a beautiful and ethical sanctuary for elephants rescued from types of elephant exploitation practices including trekking, performing in circuses, logging, and street begging.
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort
This resort is more relaxed, located on a quieter beach (the largest in Samui) and with local temples nearby. It’s a boutique style luxury resort with 60 private villas complete with open air shower. The hotel staff were very helpful; nothing was too much trouble, making the experience completely stress-free. While there aren’t any kids facilities, each villa has been kitted out with a deep, private pool so families with older children have in-villa entertainment.
AAVA Resort & Spa
Couples looking for a short, quiet getaway in an authentic Thai village will love this 4 star boutique resort. The main attraction here is catching sight of wild pink dolphins – graceful, mesmerising, and a real treat to witness. Another highlight of my stay was visiting a cave, huge stalactites hanging from the ceiling providing evidence of thousands of years of existence.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
The ultimate in luxury, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has been around for 147 years and it really has stood the test of time. My stay here was faultless, with tip top cleanliness and one of the best breakfast displays I’ve ever seen. Rooms have been recently renovated complete with Japanese toilets and stunning views of the river. And for shopping fanatics, the hotel is opposite the iconic shopping mall which stocks all the big brands.
All in all, Thailand impressed me from start to finish. There is a real mixture of cultural, culinary, sport and wildlife activities, meaning there is something to please every type of traveller. Every hotel was immaculate with the perfect combination of contemporary and traditional decor. Service, as always, was second to none and I’d recommend this destination (and more importantly, these hotels) to anyone.