Thailand on your bucket list but not sure where to stay? Here’s our picks for the top places to make the most of Thai culture and also kick back and get some rest.
Chiang Mai
When you think of finding zen in Thailand, the northern city of Chiang Mai immediately springs to mind. Set in the fertile mountains, Chiang Mai has been a cultural and religious centre since it was founded in 1296. Home to hundreds of Buddhist temples, and a quaint city centre easily explored on foot, the city is a charming – and calming - alternative to the Thai capital, Bangkok.
The best spot to kick back and relax is the Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort, a boutique resort with just 39 rooms, set amongst serene gardens. The colonial style resort has a holistic approach to health and wellness, so guests can enjoy organic, vegetarian meals, or even embark on a detox cleanse.
Phuket
The most popular destination in Thailand, Phuket genuinely has something for everyone. If you’re after a holiday that combines the vibrant nightlife and cultural highlights, with a relaxing resort stay, Phuket is the perfect place to land.
Centara Karon Resort, located in the heart of Karon Town, is surrounded by gardens and green hills, which provide guests space and privacy between residences. Make the most of the spa, or hit the water slides with the kids!
Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa calls itself the best resort in Patong Beach – and it’s not difficult to see why. The waterfront resort, with white sandy beaches, boasts modern luxury accommodation for the whole family, nine food and drink venues, and of course, a spa and wellness centre to be pampered in.
Koh Samui
Fancy a wellness retreat? Koh Samui has what you’re looking for.
X2 Koh Samui – A Spa Retreat provides the ultimate escape – 26 private villas set in five acres of tropical gardens. Most villas have private swimming pools, while all guests can make the most of the unlimited spa treatment packages, private beachfront and excellent onsite restaurant.
Kamalaya Koh Samui, an award-winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa, is designed to help guests reconnect to themselves and their health with wellness programs that combine Eastern and Western healing therapies in a breathtakingly beautiful natural environment.
Make the most of beachfront bliss at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui. The 106-room resort offers guests a range of activities from island cruising and a glimpse into laid-back island life in the nearby fishing village, to spa treatments and Muay Thai lessons in the tropical gardens.
Krabi
Like stepping into a traditional Thai village, with a solid dose of modern luxury, Rayavadee resort in Krabi offers a romantic Thai getaway. On the edge of Krabi’s National Marine Park, and only accesibly by boat, the natural beauty of the surrounding limestone cliffs, Andaman Sea and tropical rainforest are the perfect setting for the award-winning traditional architecture of the resort. There are four dining venues, a traditional spa, and Krabi’s only five-star shopping experience on site.
Bangkok
This may not seem like the most obvious place to find calm in Thailand, but there are in fact pockets of this city where you can enjoy a haven away from the hustle.
The Siam@Siam Design Hotel is situated in the heart of the city, so getting out to the vibrant night markets and city sights is easy. Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy a beautiful infinity pool high above the city, quirky restaurants and bars, and of course, luxuriously designed guest rooms.
The Grand China Princess is another great option, situated in the historic China Town, close to iconic sights such as the Grand Palace and Golden Buddha Temple. The hotel features a rooftop revolving lounge with panoramic views over the city and river – the perfect place to retreat from the city while on holiday.
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