Best Luxury Hotels in Thailand

The Banyan Tree Samui resort nestles on the edge of the Lamai jungle. From its secluded position overlooking the Gulf of Thailand this plush five star, 88 room complex whispers tranquillity. With its private beach, three restaurants, three lounges, indoor and outdoor pools, top quality spa, wellness and fitness centres with personal service, guest don’t need to even leave the complex. However, for those wishing to explore more of this idyllic island, water and road shuttle transport is readily available.

Muang Samui is on the east coast of the island, and just ten minutes by car from Koh Samui’s airport, or 15 miles from Nathon City if arriving by ferry. A boutique complex, the resort has 53 suites, all with terraces and views out to sea or across the tropical gardens. Comfortable rooms are decorated in typical Thai style and have all the usual facilities. The two restaurants serve Italian, international, or traditional Thai cuisine. Guests can choose to spend their time unwinding around the pool or on the beach, before jumping into a hire car to explore further afield.

For guests who enjoy trying a little of everything when on holiday, the Anantara Bophut Resort is ideally placed to do just that. Popular with both couples and families, in-house facilities are excellent. Rooms, although not as large as some other resorts, are tastefully decorated, and seamlessly blend traditional with contemporary. Of its three excellent restaurants, the Full Moon Samui is the piece-de-resistance with its many seafood, international and Thai speciality dishes. Amongst its many facilities, the exceptional spa and wellness centre is an experience not to be missed. Add to that being next door to the Fisherman’s Wharf at Bo Phut and only a short taxi ride from Chaweng’s bustling night life makes the Anantara Bophut Resort a fantastic base.

Providing guests with uninterrupted views of Phang Nga Bay from their large rooms and suites, the Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a popular place to stay among luxury lovers who value their privacy. There are several impressive outdoor pools to wallow in here, which boast infinity edges to make the most of the spectacular bay vistas. The Reserve and Royal pool villas are especially enchanting and feature silk screens and furnishings that are sure to make guests feel like royalty. Dining here is a lavish experience and lovers of fresh seafood dishes can unwind on the terrace at the Lae Lay restaurant, while couples can enjoy a candlelit suppler right on the sand.

Surrounded by the lush flora and fauna of Krabi Marine National Park, Rayavadee is set within easy walking distance of three stunning sandy beaches. Guests are greeted each morning by the sound of monkeys as they open the doors of their private villa and step out onto the terrace. The most lavish villas feature steps down to a private swimming pool and there is no need for guests to move a muscle as they can enjoy delicious dishes from the Railay Terrace restaurant right on their patio. The largest villas also come complete with hot tubs and very stylish living areas, while taking a stroll through the garden is the perfect way to work up an appetite before retiring to the terrace to enjoy a few sunset cocktails and a wide range of tasty treats.

Tucked away in a tranquil bay just a short stroll from Klong Muang Beach, Nakamanda Resort and Spa boasts traditional Thai architecture that is embellished with modern and luxurious touches. There are three different types of villas for guests to choose from here, and each provides a luxurious sanctuary that is fully loaded with a wide range of creature comforts. Guests who enjoy messing about in the water are sure to appreciate the Jacuzzi Villa and Pool Villa, where there will be treated to either an outdoor Jacuzzi or plunge pool that is set in a private tropical garden. The Nakamanda Resort and Spa is a popular option for couples who want to spend their honeymoon unwinding in a tropical setting while enjoying plenty of pampering.

With four large swimming pools and three excellent restaurants to enjoy, guests at the Amari Vogue Krabi are treated to a taste of the finer things in life. This huge complex is set on the edge of the white sands of the picturesque Tubkaak beach and guests are provided with private beach access as well as their choice of fully padded sun loungers. Each of the 57 guestrooms boasts a large balcony that overlooks the garden and pools, while there are also spacious bathrooms set with especially deep tubs. The spa suites are especially decadent and provide ocean views.

Guests make an entrance to this five-star boutique resort via the hotel’s own speedboat. This Bond-like experience is continued beyond check-in, where guests are escorted to one of 64 rooms, each with private plunge pools, provided with access to a spa (with a tropical steam cave and herb bath), offered classes on a yoga deck, invited to cocktail parties and served lunches on the sand beside the pool. The Anantara Rasananda epitomises barefoot luxury, where the vibe is relaxed, yet very refined. By night, Yukinoya served Japanese cuisine, which includes the local catch of the day.

This large hotel boasts the biggest pool in the city, along with 277 guest rooms (designed in a modern Northern Thai style) and four places to eat. The Shangri-La’s range of facilities makes it ideal for parents travelling with kids — there’s cartoon bedding for younger travellers, playpens, colouring sets, everything you need to feed/bathe a newborn, mini-bathrobes and slippers, a splash zone, kids’ club, and supervised creative activities run daily. Then while the kids are being entertained, you can indulge in a traditional Asian healing treatment at CHI, The Spa.

This boutique hotel has a romantic back story and so encourages its guests to discover ‘eternal love’ for themselves when staying. It also has strong connections with forestry. The area has played a significant role in conservation, a theme that’s echoed in the hotel’s decor and a giant 100-year-old Rain Tree sits within the grounds, a definite talking point for visitors. The top range of suites face onto the river and are named: Harmonious British-Indian, Burmese Dream, Enchanted Chinese and Siamese Love, reflecting the hotel’s connections with neighbouring countries. Also beside the Ping River, is the property’s industrial vintage-style restaurant and there’s a rooftop wine bar with wonderful views.

Once the home of the British Consulate, the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort enjoys a riverfront position, onto which the pool backs and on which the hotel’s own boat carries sightseeing guests. Much of the interior design here takes its cue from the building’s past life, with a contemporary twist. So too does the restaurant, The Service 1921, a decorative homage to its heritage, serving contemporary Asian cuisine and cocktails. Wellness is a focus at the property; there’s a spa, holistic classes, Lanna Rituals and Shirodhara massages on offer. In addition to its open-plan tropical themed bedrooms, guests can opt to stay in a serviced suite.

Book a teakwood suite beside Laem Tong Beach and disconnect from the world at this romantic resort. Recognised with the World’s Best Sustainable Boutique Hotel Award, it’s an eco-conscious all-suite and villa retreat. A wonderful spot to explore marine life, the hotel provides scuba dive excursions from its five-star dive centre (including night dives), or there’s a spa if you’d rather indulge in some passive pampering. Limo pick-ups and speed boat transfers are available, and there are two places to dine: Tacada Restaurant (for Mediterranean fare) and Baxil Restaurant (for Thai food).