Disclaimer: Top 10 Lists are created keeping in mind only my opinion. Rest assured that IH Aviation and Travel is not biased whatsoever.
Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in SouthEast Asia. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs while dancing across your taste buds. The country is known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is the largest city. The country attracts millions of tourists every year. Despite being a magnet for backpack and budget travellers, Thailand happens to be home to some of the world’s most beautiful resorts. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 5 star Hotels and Resorts in Thailand.
10. Six Senses, Samui
On the northern tip of Samui Island, the luxurious Six Senses Samui enjoys panoramic views of the Gulf of Siam. The resort is a 10-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport. Six Senses Samui is inspired by a Thai fishing village. The 66 villas, most with private pools, are surrounded by natural vegetation and offer panoramic views out to the Gulf of Thailand. Dining on the Rocks is located is located on the tip of the headland and presents 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and focuses on creating imaginative, yet sensible cuisine stemming from organic and sustainable ingredients, sourced locally and from abroad whereas Dining on the Hill is the place where breakfast is served in the morning and Thai cuisine as well as some Western comfort food selection in the evening. Drift at the Beach is home to the resort’s newly unveiled beach bar and pool side lounge – serving up unpretentious wholesome flavors from our wood-fired oven and grill. Drinks on the Hill is the resort’s main bar serving fresh tropical juices, mocktails, cocktails, local and imported beers plus one of the most extensive wine lists on the island and Drinks on the Rocks offers cocktails including signature ‘Citrus Twist’. The elegant Six Senses Spa provides relaxing massage therapies and yoga classes. Other facilities include mountain biking, various tours organised by the resort, water sports, cooking classes, wine tasting, special kids program, a infinity swimming pool, a gym and a private cinema.
Hotel Website: Six Senses, Samui
9. Banyan Tree, Phuket
Bordered by the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Phuket is located within the private gated resort community of Laguna on the sweeping white sands of Bang Tao Beach. Tastefully furnished with Thai art and fine woodwork, all of the 174 villas offer either a pool view or a lagoon view. Saffron is the resort’s signature restaurant serving Authentic Thai cuisine with innovative twist, The Watercourt serves Mediterranean and local seafood, Banyan Café offers a range of delicious Thai dishes and café classics including pizzas, pastas, salads, sandwiches and bakery goods, Pool Bar serves snacks and drinks and Le Petit Chef Pop-Up serves Asian specialities and international favourites. The resort’s Banyan Tree Spa is the first luxury spa in Asia to re-introduce an exotic blend of ancient health and beauty practices passed down from generations. Banyan Tree Spa celebrates the art of touch, and the use of natural and native ingredients with a holistic focus. An outdoor swimming pool, complimentary bicycles, a fitness centre and Ranger’s Club Just for Kids are available at the hotel.
Website: Banyan Tree, Phuket
8. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is situated at a distance of 36 kilometres from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The hotel, located on Charoen Krung Road, is surrounded by galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafés. The 299 guest rooms and suites offer courtyard or river views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Yu Ting Yuan serves authentic Cantonese cuisine in a dramatic ambience, Brasserie Palmier is a riverfront French Brasserie, serving brasserie classics alongside a variety of fish and seafood dishes, Riva Del Fiume Ristorante is run by Executive Chef Andrea Accordi and his team and offers Italian dishes, BKK Social Club serves bespoke cocktails, craft spirits and the finest cigars in a stylish, sociable ambience that echoes the legendary glamour and lifestyle of Buenos Aires and The Lounge has open views and indoor-outdoor seating that combine to create a social and engaging space for everything from impromptu get-togethers to sumptuous afternoon tea. Unwind by the two riverfront infinity swimming pools with sweeping views of the Chao Phraya River or burn your calories in the fitness centre featuring a 30-metre lap pool. Spa, Wellness centre, Hair Salon, Barbershop, Nail Bar and a Kids’ Club are present at the hotel.
Website: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
7. Banyan Tree, Samui
Set on an exclusive beachfront along Lamai Bay and overlooking the azure water of the Gulf of Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui is nestled amid lush jungle. Banyan Tree Samui is a 30-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport. The resort consists of 88 villas, with all of them featuring private pools, providing views of the jungle or the ocean. Saffron serves signature authentic Thai cuisine, Sands serves fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat in an intimate beachfront setting with a choice of char-grill, a wood-fired meal or rotisserie, The Edge offers an extensive choice of international foods for breakfast alongside a delicious à la carte menu for both lunch and dinner, Lobby Lounge serves desserts and light meals, Beach Bar offers light snacks and tropical cocktails and Pool Bar also offers light snacks and tropical cocktails. The Rainforest Spa combines the best of European spa and hydrothermal therapy with the essence of Asian wellness. A Fitness centre, Yoga centre, Kids’ Club, an outdoor swimming pool, a Kids’ pool and a library are some of the facilities present at the hotel.
Website: Banyan Tree, Samui
6. Amanpuri
Aman’s very first resort, Amanpuri, presides over its own peninsula. Located on Pansea Beach on the west coast of Phuket, Amanpuri is the flagship resort of Aman Hotels and Resorts. Ancient Ayutthayan architecture determines the design of its 81 pavilions and villas, which overlook lush vegetation, a gorgeous white beach and the pristine Andaman Sea. The resort’s Pavilions are elegant and spacious with oversized bathrooms and dressing areas providing airy retreats, while Villas offer consummate privacy, with coconut palms casting tropical shadows onto private terraces. Dining options at the resort include Nama – a Japanese resort that celebrates washoka, the UNESCO-honoured culinary tradition, Arva – serving Italian cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, Buabok – Amanpuri’s main restaurant showcasing the culinary heritage of Southern Thailand, The Pool Terrace – offering a Mediterranean menu of straight-from-the-grill meat and freshly caught Andaman fish and seafood and The Sunset Lounge is Amanpuri’s iconic bar and social hub offering creative cocktails and food menu. 27-metre freshwater main pool, 20-metre lap pool and 10-metre children’s pool, a fitness centre, a Holistic Wellness Centre with sauna, granite steam room, infrared saunas, Jacuzzi and plunge pool, finishing salon for nails and hair, juice bar and a fountain terrace, Muay Thai and Pilates studios and four tennis courts are present at the resort.
Website: Amanpuri
5. Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai
Hidden within exotic bamboo jungles overlooking Myanmar and Laos, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle is located within 40 miles from Chiang Rai International Airport. This luxury hotel offers tailor-made, all-inclusive experiences in an exquisite bamboo jungle close to some of Thailand’s oldest civilizations. The resort consists of just 15 tents which offer a private balcony. Guests can relax in a custom-made wooden hot tub on an outdoor deck covered by an extended roof. Nong Yao Restaurant serves Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Western delights. Enjoy a casual cocktail or dine on local delicacies in open-air at Burma Bar. A local-style thatched-roof building, Wine Cellar stores a collection of international and Thai Wines. Guests can enjoy leisure activities at the garden area or relax with pampering spa treatments. Other activities include riverboat trips, traditional craft classes and cooking classes. A riverside free-form swimming pool is also present at the hotel.
Website: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai
4. Rosewood, Phuket
Located in Tri Trang Beach in Phuket, Rosewood Phuket has an exquisite location along a 600-meter beachfront at Emerald Bay. The resort features innovative architecture with subtle Thai influences blending organically into a lush natural landscape. All 71 pavilions and villas blend organically with the lush tropical landscape and awaken true feelings of escape. All the accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows opening on to the private sanctuary of a verdant garden terrace featuring an plunge pool, relaxed outdoor seating and a daybed. Red Sauce serves Italian cuisine with views of the beachfront pool and Andaman Sea while Ta Khai offers Thai Seafood. The Shack serves seafood dishes and Mai is a poolside lounge and bar offering a laid-back ambiance. Rosewood Explorers Kids Club is designed to stimulate the minds and bodies of younger guests. Facilities at the hotel include a 24-hour fitness centre, a organic free-form infinity pool with designated lap pool, activity pool and children’s pool sections and Asaya Spa.
3. Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui
Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui is situated on the island’s northwest tip, a quiet oasis on Laem Yai Bay and surrounded by tropical grounds. The all-villa resort is about a 30-minute drive from both Big Buddha and Koh Samui International Airport. The resort consists of 70 villas, including one-to-five bedroom residences. Guests can enjoy views of the grounds or Gulf of Siam on the outdoor day bed. The bathroom’s glass doors open onto the private deck for an open-air bathing experience. Koh Thai Kitchen, perched on a palm-fringed hilltop, serves Thai cuisine. Guests at Koh Bar can have a pre-dinner selection from the wine list, or can try a unique pairing of Thai wines and canapes. Pla Pla, laid-back by day and stylish by night, is an Oceanside grill serving fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat while Cocorum is a chic poolside lounge offering decadent cocktails and artisinal spirits. Rum Vault is Asia’s first and only library of rums from across the world. Chilled towels are offered at Koh Samui Four Seasons’ beachside infinity pool. Guests can recharge with a game of tennis, a variety of beach sports or a workout at the fitness center. The hotel’s SIAMSEAS cruising boat offers access to Marine National Park and a variety of other locations. Muay Thai Ring, a library, a private cinema, a games room, water sports like windsurfing, golf and a Four Seasons spa are available at the hotel.
Website: Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui
2. Six Senses Yao Noi
Spread over 24 acres of peaceful natural environment, Six Senses Yao Noi is a quiet retreat away from the city. Surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes, Six Senses Yao Noi is accessible via a 1-hour car and speed boat ride from Phuket. The hotel provides transfers between Phuket Airport and the hotel for a fee. The resort consists of 56 pool villas that come with an outdoor pool terrace with a dining area and sun loungers and provide views of the striking limestone monuments that rise out of the Andaman Sea. Living Room is an all-day restaurant offering tempting buffets at breakfast and timeless classics for lunch and dinners from the wok or grill, with the added bonus of a deli and a patisserie. Dining Room and Chef’s Table serves Authentic Thai cuisine and is the main dining area on the lower level with several private dining pavilions and the Chef’s Table above. The Hilltop is the resort’s most exclusive dining venue which is open for light lunches and contemporary western dinner menus. Guests at The Den can order a snack from the Asian and Western tapas menu or enjoy a cocktail. The Six Senses Spa village has a range of beauty and body treatments to pamper each guest, while the gym provides for a refreshing workout. Thai cooking classes and wine tasting sessions are also available. Bonfires and outdoor movie screenings can be enjoyed at the private beach. An infinity swimming pool is also present at the hotel that offers gorgeous views of the surrounding sea.
Website: Six Senses Yao Noi
1. Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood
Nestled amid an unspoiled tropical island of Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri is remote yet accessible by a 60 minute flight from Bangkok on the resort’s private plane. The resort, which is located on Thailand’s 4th largest but least populated island, Koh Kood, in the Gulf of Siam, consists of 36 villas (including 11 private residences) which are among the largest in the world. Located on the idyllic beach or sunny slopes in the rainforest, all the villas comes with a private pool and personal electric buggies. Kruua Mae Tuk (Tuk’s Kitchen) is a Thai gourmet restaurant, with a ‘no-menu’ dining concept and a vast selection of dishes that are inspired by ingredients grown on Koh Kood, Koh Chang, and seafood caught by local fishermen. The View serves Nikkei cuisine which is a fusion of flavours from Japan and Peru. The Dining Room, perched atop rocky cliffs, offers Asian, Mediterranean and European cuisine while So Spirited is the resort’s poolside restaurant perched on a cliff, overlooking the sea beyond. Savour sweet juices from local Thai fruits, snack on late-afternoon bites, and enjoy a wide range of cocktails and mocktails to cool off after a day in the sun at So Spirited. Down to Earth by Chef Umed serves traditional Northern Frontier cuisine with a touch of Middle Eastern influences and the subtle flavours of the north of India and Colours of the Garden offers Plant-based Mexican and Thai cuisine. A wine cellar, 24/7 Ice-cream parlour and a Chocolate Room are also available at this beautiful resort. Take a stroll on the private white-sand beach or relax with pampering massage treatments. A variety of other recreation facilities include a tennis court, children playground, a library as well as an open-air cinema. Water sport activities such as snorkeling and canoeing can be enjoyed as well.
Website: Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood
Featured image by Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood
If you think that I have missed any of the hotels present in Thailand that you think should be included in the list, let me know in the comments section below.