When one hears Thailand, often what comes to mind is a budget destination you can backpack your way around. And while it is a great place to start your backpacking journey, Thailand is not just that. The destination which has been a tropical favourite of tourists and travellers alike, has plenty of luxury options for you to explore. From wellness resorts in Thailand, to the best hotels in Bangkok that offer a slice of Thai history and Michelin star restaurants, this list will help you explore the best hotels in Thailand, no matter what your taste is.
1. Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui
The most luxurious of them all, Four Seasons’ Koh Samui property is hands down one of the best resorts in Thailand that you can explore. And contrary to the popular idea of what a luxury resort could offer, Four Seasons has so much more than just a pretty property and wellness programs. This is one of the best resorts in Thailand if you are adventurous or are travelling with a young group who’d love exploring activities like Muay Thai boxing, planting coral babies, or even taking out yachts.
2. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
A piece of Thai history, garnished with utmost luxury, one of the best hotels in Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental has been delighting its patrons for more than a century now.
Their suites are dedicated to the literary giants that have been patrons in the past and the list includes Barbara Cartland, Graham Greene, and John Le Carré. And apart from their suites, the grand dame of Bangkok hospitality scene is also home to The Bamboo Bar which has been operational since the 1940’s and offers a timeless experience like no other.
3. The Siam, Bangkok
Not all resorts in Thailand are tucked in lush green yet distant parts of the country. One of the best hotels in Bangkok, The Siam define themselves as an urban luxury resort, and we couldn’t agree more. This three Michelin keys winner in Bangkok is stunning, indulgent, and yet very contemporary. While it is plush, this gorgeous hotel in Bangkok will keep surprising you with all that it offers, which includes a tattoo boutique, among other things.
4. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort, Chiang Rai
The most unique of the stunning resorts in Thailand, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort in Chiang Rai is a nature lover’s delight. The property on Mekong River, that overlooks three countries, i.e. Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, is also home to an Elephant sanctuary, and hence the name.
Run ethically by an NGO, it gives you an opportunity to interact with the gentle giants at close quarters, and feed them watermelon and pumpkins.
5. Amanpuri, Phuket
We cannot list the best resorts in Thailand, and then not mention this. Amanpuri was the first property by the uber luxurious Aman Group, and has been iconic ever since.
While their wellness centre is one of the, if not the best in the country, and we would absolutely recommend a stay at Amanpuri, Phuket, this property is notoriously famous for hard to score a reservation at. Some of the most high-profile people from around the world, including monarchs and tech honchos swear by this resort in Thailand, making it one of the most sought after.
6. Trisara, Phuket
If you’re headed to Phuket, and your list of best hotels in Thailand includes the filter of amazing restaurants, Trisara with their Michelin star restaurant Pru should be the obvious choice. Not only this, their other restaurant Jampa is a Michelin green star awardee. Talk about marrying quality and sustainability!
Their stunning pool villas that offer amazing privacy are perfect for that well deserved romantic vacation, and their in house spa with ‘Tok Sen’ massage therapy is just added cherry on top.
7. Phulay Bay: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi
This stunning entry on the list of best resorts in Thailand was recently awarded three Michelin keys, and one look at the property is enough to tell you why. For the uninitiated, Michelin keys are to hotels what Michelin stars are to restaurants, and beautiful property, apart from accolades, routinely also keeps winning hearts all over.
In case you’re considering a destination wedding, and scouring through lists of the best hotels in Thailand for the same, this is one property you must explore.
8. Kamalaya, Koh Samui
Kamalaya is a great option if you’re looking for amazing resorts in Thailand, and you’ll never be able to guess what makes it so! Nearly all the best hotels in Thailand have their own in house spas, but this stunning resort, situated on the rugged, and relatively unexplored coast of Koh Samui has an age-old meditation cave.
If you haven’t been tempted to get here yet, we have more. Not only do they offer regular spa and wellness programs, but they also have cognitive behavioural therapy with former monks and acupuncture to release negative pent-up emotions.
9. Capella, Bangkok
The list of best hotels in Bangkok is quite long, and expectedly so, as it is one of the most visited cities in the world. What is different about Capella then? Their stunning riverfront villas, we say. In what they term as a resort inside a resort, you’ll find all the regular luxurious amenities, and then some more.
Once you’re done feasting at its amazing Mediterranean restaurant, we suggest you book yourself a massage session at their in house spa that offers a wide variety of time-tested treatments, for a luxury experience like no other.
10. Baan Pomphet, Ayutthaya
Thailand is not only stunning beaches, and if you’re the kind that wants to explore the country and its culture at its best, we recommend Ban Pomphet in Ayutthaya for a stay like no other. Not only does it have amazing views, great Thai hospitality, and a lot more, Baan Pomphet stands out in the list of best hotels in Thailand for their freshly caught and cooked right before you, charcoal grilled river prawns. A must if you love seafood.
Which of these luxury Thailand hotels are on your wishlist, tell us in the comments!