LIHN’S
THAILAND 2013-14
PIMALAI
Resort & Spa Koh Lanta, Krabi
2013-14
Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Publisher’s Letter I have been writing about luxury hotels and resorts for over a decade as a function of my work with five-star golf resorts around the world. “Wow,” the golfer would write: “Would love to play that course. Where do I stay?” And the research and writing began. When my sedulous director, Khun Bew, suggested we produce this luxury hotel and resort guide for the expansive territory of Thailand, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. I was able to delve deeper into the superb options the traveler has when visiting the cities, beaches, coastlines, mountain, islands and jungles of Thailand – two thousand kilometers from north to south.
David Lihn Publisher/Author Kineeya (Bew) Somsuan Director of Operations Warathron (Bow) Nimcharoenwan Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon Editorial Assistant Richard Lord Copy Editor
So many splendid, diverse choices.
Tanasé Constantin Pongthep Kerdnaiwong Graphic Consultants ________________
Well, I flew, drove, walked and talked day-after-day to complete the inspections. A few disappointments – but many thrilling surprises.
Tharaporn (Ying) Yokchawee Sales Manager
The joy was in meeting the many general managers from around the planet. Dedicated, witty, overwhelmed, in demand – they all excel and bring a passion for achievement. They brought character to the properties. I aimed at personalizing each review so that the article would not seem like an extension of a hotel’s Web site. I wanted the reader to know that I had scrutinized and mined part of the soul of each property. Interestingly, I had some push-back from PR and communications people as they tried to influence the direction of the piece. But most were gratified that some original, creative, insightful writing was occurring. My thanks to Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon for helping me visit some of the hotels I simply could not reach in time. She is a graduate of Columbia University in New York City and showed her mettle in the English language. Superb! And, of course, my thanks to my indefatigable director, Kineeya (Bew) Somsuan, whose vision gave birth to this comprehensive book and whose buoyant enthusiasm and extraordinary drive brought it to fruition. Dedicated. Professional. Nonpareil.
Sriprapa (Larn) Mongkoltriratana Prathana (Nan) Homvanich Saranya (June) Wonghatsadorn Sales Executive Prapassorn Seang-Arun Distribution Lihn’s Best of Class 2013-14 (Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand) is published annually by Lihn’s Golf Guide (Thailand) Co., Ltd., at 199/12 Chicha Castle, Sukhumvit Soi 31 Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110 +66 (0) 2 259 5185 and (0) 87 351 7722 info@lihnsgolf.com. All contents Copyright © 2013 by Lihn’s Golf Guide (Thailand) Co., Ltd., All rights reserved. The production or use, in whole or in part, of any contents of this magazine without prior written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Lihn’s Golf Guide (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork.
David Lihn Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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TABLE OF CONTENTS THAILAND SIGNATURE OF THAILAND UNSEEN IN THAILAND
6 8 9
FEATURE KRABI - KOH LANTA Pimalai Resort & Spa
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The Bell Pool Villa Resort The Naka Island The Racha Twinpalms Phuket Resort
52 54 56 58
Hua Hin
60 61 62 64 66 68 70 72
Places To Go Amari Hua Hin Dusit Thani Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Springfield Resorts Wora Bura Resort & Spa
Pattaya - Koh Chang BEACHES (Information) Koh Samui Places To Go Conrad Koh Samui Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Napasai Koh Samui Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa ShaSa Resort & Residences Koh Samui Vana Belle
Phuket Places To Go Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket - Surin Beach Indigo Pearl Kalima Resort & Spa Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa Natai Paresa 4
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18 20 21 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 37 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
Places To Go Pattaya Sea Sand Sun Resort and Spa Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa Panviman Koh Chang Resort
BEACHES
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74 75 76 78 80
CITY
82 MOUNTAINS (Information) Chiang Mai
102 104 105 106 108 110 112
Places To Go Howie’s Homestay Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhavi Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort
MOUNTAINS CITY (Bangkok-Information) Bangkok Places To Go River Side Shangri-La Hotel The Peninsula Downtown Area Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 Hansar Bangkok Hotel Sivatel Swissôtel Le Concorde
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82 84 85 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100
114 116
Telephone List Index
Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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THAILAND
Thailand, the only Southeast Asian nation never to have been colonized by European powers, is a constitutional monarchy whose current head of state is HM Bhumibol Adulyadej. A unified Thai kingdom has existed since the mid-14th century, and Thailand was known as Siam until 1939 when it officially became the Kingdom of Thailand. Geography Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world; most nearly equal in size to Spain. Located just 15 degrees north of the equator, Thailand has a tropical climate and temperatures typically range from 19 to 38 degrees C (66-100 F). Thailand’s largest peak, Doi Inthanon, is 2,565 meters (8,415 ft) tall. Thailand covers 510,890 sq km of land and 2,230 sq km of water. The coastline of Thailand
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is 3,219 km long. Thailand’s longest shared border is with Myanmar (Burma), stretching 1,800 km. Weather The weather in Thailand is generally hot and humid: typical of its location within the tropics. Generally speaking, Thailand can be divided into three seasons: “hot” season, rainy season, and “cool” season, though Thailand’s geography allows visitors to find suitable weather somewhere in the country throughout the year. Population The population of Thailand comprises of roughly 65 million citizens, the majority of whom are ethnically Thai, though peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and Lao origin are also represented to varying degrees.
Approximately 7 million citizens live in the capital city, Bangkok, though this number varies seasonally and is otherwise difficult to accurately count. Area Thailand has a rough geographical area of 514, 000 sq km (200,000 sq miles). This makes Thailand roughly equivalent in size to France or Texas. Capital : Bangkok People The vast majority (roughly 80%) of Thailand’s nearly 65 million citizens are ethnically Thai. The remainder consists primarily of peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and Lao decent. Of the 7 million citizens who live in the capital city, Bangkok, there is a greater diversity of
ethnicities, including a large number of expatriate residents from across the globe. Other geographic distinctions of the population include a Muslim majority in the south near the Malaysian border, and hill tribe ethnic groups, such as the Hmong and Karen, who live in the northern mountains. Language More than 92% of the population speaks Thai or one of it’s regional dialects. While the Thai language is the official language of Thailand, as a result of its cosmopolitan capital city and established tourism infrastructure, English is spoken and understood throughout much of Thailand. Religion 94.6% of Thais are Buddhist, 4.6% of Thais are Muslim 0.7% of Thais are Christian Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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SIGNATURE THAILAND
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Orchid
Mangosteen
Thai Dessert
Khon Thai Dance
Tuk Tuk
Benjarong
Loy Krathong
umbrella painting in chiangmai
UNSEEN THAILAND
Khao Sok, Surat Thani
The Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya
Phraya Nakhon Cave, Prachuap Khiri Khan
The Sea of Mist, Chiang Mai
Phanom Rung Stone Castle, Buriram
Chicken Island, Krabi
Separated Sea, Krabi
Lawa Cave - Stalactite & Stalamite, Kanjanaburi Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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FEATURE
KRABI
Krabi Province, which lies along the coast of the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, is a top tourist destination as a result of its plentiful natural attractions including: white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, extensive coral reefs, numerous caves and waterfalls, and over 130 islands, including Koh Lanta and the jewels of the Andaman coast, the six islands of Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. While not the top destination in and of itself, Krabi Town is a charming provincial capital located along the banks of a river that leads to the nearby Andaman Sea. Consequently, Krabi is an important port city for both local fisherman as well as boats ferrying visitors to the nearby attractions, including Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Railey Beach.
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KOH LANTA Koh Lanta lies on the west coast of the Andaman Sea between Krabi and Phi Phi Island. It is a large island measuring 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, with nine beaches along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, and fantastic white sandy beaches, with coastlines which have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under-water life. Koh Lanta consists of 52 islands that stretch from the southernmost district of Krabi province. The two largest islands are Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. The other islands are of various sizes, many of which are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs such as Koh Ha, Koh Rok and Koh Hai (or Koh Ngai).
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Pimalai Resort & Spa Koh Lanta, Krabi
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e splashed along quietly on the upper-deck of the sleek Pimalai craft – refreshed by warm, salty, tropical breezes across our cheeks, and cold drinks in hand – gliding south over a mystifyingly Technicolor and translucent sea.
45-minute journey to the resort.
The startling, chameleonic water sparkled aqua, then turquoise, turned blue-green, and then blue-sky cerulean and (it seemed) a dozen harmonizing shades of Pantone blue.
We rounded the tip of lush Lanta Island as the sun, now in our eyes, began its slow arc into evening.
Then – out of the blue – towering, enchanting, bewildering, singular rock formations (stalagmites, vertical islands, prehistoric outcroppings?) began to sprout to our front …and left…and right…and charmed us for the entire
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We slowed, once, peering down to absorb the aquatic wonder and, remarkably, could see the coral beds deep below and the countless legions of colorful fish.
Then, rising from an arcing beach, the Pimalai Resort appeared, perched on an arboreal hillside facing the Andaman Sea and looking down into the habitually brilliant sunset. Wow, are you kidding me? Who scripted this?
“This stunning resort – with views of forever – provides balance, proportion and excellence...”
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Pimalai Resort & Spa Koh Lanta, Krabi
What a majestic pedigree. Built in 2001, this elegant and stylish resort (a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World) has been cosseted and meticulously cared for. It pampers both itself and its patrons. Franck de Lestapis, the ubiquitous GM, happily greets and energizes his guests throughout the day. At breakfast (and don’t miss these views) he discussed the experience, the awards, the challenges and the fun: “I have been here
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since the opening and the owners have spared no expense in creating a luxury experience. Service. Our staff is dedicated to service.” Satisfaction? “We constantly hear: ‘Paradise, serenity, heaven!’” he smiled. “Our guests return.” Indeed, during a blue-sky-afternoon snorkeling excursion, a sun-tanned Norwegian couple with two kids in tow, smiled when they told me it was their fifth visit.
“And many awards: Conde Nast, World Luxury Spa, 2012 Travelers’ Choice...” Elegantly tiled, panorama-blessed, private infinity pools; a marathon beach (nearly one kilometer long) that gently arcs and ripples; a spa that is a botanical wonderland: a lush, bosky oasis with landscaping grace and a threetiered waterfall that sends a soothing, susurrus symphony of splashing music. Pretty neat.
“Pimalai offers luxurious options: 121 units (46 beautifully-appointed pool villas)...”
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+ 66 (0) 23 205 500 + 66 (0) 23 205 503 Fax reservation@pimalai.com www.pimalai.com
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Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurants: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
121 units (46 one to three-BR villas) two; 46 private villa pools /massive unspoiled and tranquil beach (a kilometer long), award-winning, stunning garden-oasis - a must four, plus two bars (first-class breakfast buffet with world-class views) has it all, plus tennis, dive center, a zillion water sports an aquatic dream a great eet of boats and yachts to take you island-hopping
Water is the leitmotif of this luxurious vacation and defines this experience. It’s glorious, it’s everywhere: you are transported on it; swim in its waves and tiled shelters; luxuriate and float on it; dive and snorkel beneath it; sail and kayak and water-board over it – and even listen to it rhythmically water-falling and cascading as you settle in at the award-winning, garden-themed Spa. Acres of quiescent beach; views of dramatic sunsets and island-dotted horizons; ascending gardened walkways; the lush Spa; boating to the islands; a plethora of water sports (diving, snorkeling, kayaking…); fine-dining; fitness; tennis; and simply unwinding... ...and happy honeymooners, couples snuggling, families frolicking, a tri-athlete churning up the gardened paths, a group of women celebrating a reunion. And stunning, capacious, stylish and hillside pool villas. Holistic. Pimalai offers luxurious options: 121 units (46 beautifully - appointed pool villas), with an elaborate range of accommodations in both its Beach Side (single deluxe rooms, to beach-front-sumptuous) and Hill Side Estates (with full-pool, duplex, hillside grandeur – one to threebedrooms). Four restaurants offer diverse options: beachside buffets (Rak Talay Beach Bar & Restaurant served up a fresh seafood-themed barbeque) and a more classical menu (The Seven Seas – note a spectacular hand-carved serving table) was paired with a stunning view of the bobbing-boats in the arcing bay that emptied into the skyline. The Spa is divine. Life is a composite of balance and proportion. This stunning resort provides it.
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BEACHES Visiting a Thailand beach or island is the preferred holiday for hundreds of thousands of visitors to Thailand every year. Thailand is blessed with natural beauty and its islands are among the most scenic and beautiful in the world. Likewise, each Thai beach, such as Karon Beach in Phuket, Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui, or picturesque Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi, is simply stunning, and many feature powdery sand, crystal clear water, and postcard-perfect scenery. Each Thai beach and island has its own character and identity and therefore draws a specific type of visitor. Each coastal area contains a slice of heaven suitable for a different style of traveler: The west coast of Thailand, along the Andaman Sea, features beaches that appeal to every type of traveler, including the activity-filled resort island of Phuket; the popular backpacker beaches of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Krabi; the family friendly, laid back, and pristine coast of Khao Lak (the launching point for trips to the spectacular Similan Islands); and the remote, undeveloped islands of the far south. Along the Gulf coast, the resort island of Koh Samui lies nearby the natural splendor of Koh Phangan and the scuba diving paradise of Koh Tao. Closer to Bangkok is the popular resort town of Hua Hin, a favorite among Thais, and its quieter neighbor Cha Am. Finally, to the east of Thailand, the northern Gulf features Bangkok weekend getaway Koh Samet, and the up-and-coming resort island of Koh Chang, which has both upscale resorts and budget beach bungalows. Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is a perfect example of this contrast. Phuket is certainly the most developed Thai island, having been the first Thai beach resort destination. Koh Samui is the prime island attraction in the Gulf of Thailand. The most popular beach, Chaweng, features accommodation from five-star luxury resorts to affordable beach bungalows, and dining includes fine dining on international cuisine and casual beachside seafood barbeques. Krabi is a province on the mainland Andaman coast, near Phuket. In addition to popular beachside resort areas, such as Railey Beach, Krabi includes a number of spectacular islands, such as the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lanta, off of which some of Thailand’s most popular scuba diving sites are found.
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BEACHES (Koh HOTELS Samui) MOUNTAIN 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
Conrad Koh Samui Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort Napasai Koh Samui Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa ShaSa Resort & Residences Koh Samui Vana Belle
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PLACES TO GO
Na Muang Falls is the tallest waterfall on Koh Samui. The water cascades over amazingly purple rocks and there’s a great pool for swimming at the base.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is made up of an archipelago of about 40 small islands combining sheer limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches.
Chaweng Beach The most well-known and developed, but also one of the best. You can rent anything from a simple bungalows to a five-star hotel room. There are plenty of high standard resorts. The sand is invitingly white, but it can be a lot of people here, especially at high season.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks - Lamai Beach (the Grandpa and Grandma rocks), which look, respectively, like male and female genitalia.
Magic Garden - A fruit farmer laboured in the jungle in Koh Samui interior to create this spiritual garden of concrete characters depicting Buddhist myths and legends Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Conrad Koh Samui Koh Samui, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
80 free-standing pool villas ubiquitous (10-12 m ); resort infinity pool/not really duplex, airy, luminous views; why close your eyes? three a lounge and wine cellar complete (but everyone is relaxing!) complimentary boat excursions to island beaches (3 x daily) views, views, views…
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alk about a lofty experience. Polished, refined and luxurious – and privately perched atop the world – this is some sea side experience.
Carved from a stately cliff in the southwest corner of Samui, rising 350 feet above the quivering-blue Pantone palettes of the Gulf, this may be your best stop for vacation intimacy, sophistication and style.
Seeking cinemascopic panoramas, tranquility, and peace of mind? Float to these tropical shores and rise to the occasion. Vertiginous. Breathtaking.
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“Polished, refined and luxurious...”
+66 (0) 77 915 888 +66 (0) 77 915 899 Fax 49/8-9 Moo 4, Hillcrest Road, Tambol Taling Ngam, Amphur Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand 84140 conrad_koh_samui@conradhotels.com www.conradkohsamui.com
Leave your cares behind: no cell phone cacophony; no drowning in digital detritus; no blizzard of messages; no diapers to change or dog food to buy. Just the fleecestreaked sky fading into luminous, orange sunset, with five distant islands speckled on the horizon. Many adoring couples were contentedly holding hands. It is a Mecca for starry-eyed honeymooners. Eighty free-standing villas edge the cliff, all with private pools. The 65 One-Bedroom Pool Villas (136 sqm of indoor and outdoor living space),14 Oceanview Two-Bedroom Pool
Villas, the Conrad Royal Oceanview Pool Villa (the über -deluxe villa at the water’s edge, 434 sqm), and one Oceanview Three-Bedroom Pool Villa (829 sqm), all provide superb, personalized service: thick, soft, fluffy towels; in-room Apple-based TV technology; immaculate décor; shoes polished; fresh fruit, enveloping smiles. The Spa is inspirational, the restaurants first-rate (terrific breakfast), the privacy significant. It has all the accoutrements of class, grace and luxury.
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Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Koh Samui, Thailand
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isiting Thailand from Latin America, Europe, Asia or North America, one can take advantage of the tropical uniqueness of Samui Island.
In the 15th century, the island of Samui was an isolated, self-sufficient community with few interactions with other parts of the Kingdom. Today it is a compelling tourist attraction. For travelers seeking luxurious alternatives, one can escape Thailand’s monsoon months of April through September in Samui (its weather is at its driest during the month of January until March). This idyllic and sumptuous resort, set on a sloping hillside tumbling down to Chaweng Beach (Samui’s largest and most popular beach), and only five kilometers from the
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airport, is less than 10 minutes from the heart of Chaweng shopping, dining and entertainment. Infused with Southern Thai contemporary interiors, the resort suffuses comfort. The Bhundhari is an exclusive hideaway and most guestrooms offers spectacular view of the oceanfront. The 124 deluxe rooms (starting at 42 sqm.), suites and villas are commodious, The real deal are the 29 pool villas. The two Royal Pool Villas are exquisite: two-story, with 280 sqm of pampered luxury, with a pool, Jacuzzi). Two swimming pools, a fitness center and spa offer respite. The Bhundhari presents a romantic setting for weddings: Plumeria petals, pink ribbons, scented candles... BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon
“Infused with Southern Thai contemporary interiors, the resort suffuses comfort.�
Room: Pool/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
124 with 29 private pool villas two swimming pools (hillside and at the beach ) Bhundhari Spa The Bay is on hillside, The Pearl is on beachside beach Bar, Mix Bar fitness Center and a mini library guests can have private dining on the beach 29 private pool villas
+66 (0) 77 915 000 +66 (0) 77 601 239 Fax 111/1-2 Moo 5 Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 contact@bhundhari.com www.bhundhari.com Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
“B
aan Taling Ngam” means “home on a beautiful cliff.” Talk about an understatement.
Koh Samui is blessed with a cornucopia of luxury beach properties. This southwestern Samui resort – tucked away on 22 acres and hovering on a breathtaking 120-meter cliff – is special.
“Whew! It’s a classic,” said Tanaporn Khositaphai, Coke’s sales VP. “Elegant. Service, style, views, peaceful, seven swimming pools, an elevated Spa, a long private beach [with a private jetty]…” he smiled. “First-class. It’s in that book as one of the thousand places to go before I die.” “And what a sunset!”
The cover of my inaugural Thailand Golf Guide (2004) featured Samui’s only golf course. I had little chance to wander other cliffs and the sweeping beaches. My mistake.
The former site of Baan Taling Ngam Resort), it has a legendary status as Samui’s first grand dame resort (1994).
Recently, my Coca-Cola sponsor made the journey to this new resort aerie and raved.
The owner, Vikorn Srivikorn, during an early March evening at the first anniversary celebration told me: “I was on my
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“Elegant. Service, style, views... And what a sunset!”
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa:
motorcycle exploring Samui when I was 25 and loved it here. With two successful properties in Bangkok [Intercontinental and Holiday Inn] it didn’t take much persuasion for me to jump into this purchase and re-develop it for eight months. “This a solid five-star experience – not elitist. We offer tranquility and nature. Repose.” The 79 guest-rooms, suites and beachfront villas (with private plunge-pools) feature outstanding vistas. World Travel anointed it both Thailand’s Leading Beach Resort / Leading New Resort.
Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
79 rooms, including rooms, suites and villas seven + / sweeping, private Best Spa in Asia (Conde Nast) – seductive, meditative five with views, beachside, romantic complete and a treat – overlooking the Gulf Signature Speedboat whisks you to the Five Islands one of the most beautiful sunset in the world +66 (0) 77 429 100 +66 (0) 77 423 220 Fax 295 Moo 3, Taling Ngam Beach, Koh Samui Suratthani 84140 Thailand reservations@ickohsamui.com samui.intercontinental.com
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Napasai Koh Samui Koh Samui, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
68 (55 villas, Beachfront to Seaview; 13 exquisite Residences – see below) 13, plus the freshwater infinity pool on the edge of the private beach nestled in a quaint mini-cove rapturous and stylish two (The Lai Thai Restaurant, The Beach Restaurant) two (A lobby bar, A pool bar) complete, and more to come windsurfing and Hobie Cat; two lighted tennis courts 13 palatial, multi-leveled, stunning, 4-5 BR, 500+ sqm Residences with private pools, pool tables, balconies, terraces, lounges, outdoor BBQs steps to the beach, tranquility… +66 (0) 77 429 200 +66 (0) 77 429 201 Fax 65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui Surat Thani 84330 Thailand info@napasai.com www.napasai.com
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I
think I fell in love.
Polished, gardened, cultured, elegant and comforting: this lustrous, expansive, Orient-Express resort is bathed in a soft, luxurious ambiance and simply glows with refinement. It has, in a word: soigné. Located on Samui’s north shore (a 25 minute trip from the airport) the right-hand turn was my first introduction to this pastoral, gentle and cultivated property. On my right: grazing water buffaloes (near a soon-to-be, special, not-so-
“ Polished, gardened, cultured, elegant and comforting...”
Secret Garden); then rows of blazing, glorious shrubbery lining the elevated pathways. At the lobby entry, a view of the sunset. Villas snuggle near the intricate, bent (quite private) beach and 68 extend in harmonic excellence along the rocky shore line for an idyllic eternity, it seems. Two more villa-ed layers of this linear wedding cake work their way up the terraced hillside, the confection providing exhilarating sea views.
every level – features: acres of graceful landscaping; a refreshing freshwater, infinity-edge pool; three fine-dining venues (one spilling out on the beach mezzanine); a beach that decorates a private cove; a restorative spa; a fitness center (nice as it is, undergoing renovation); and four villa categories (from 62 sqm).
Alas…a series of Gainsborough moments.
I had two notable friends urge (well, almost demand) I make this resort part of my itinerary on my tour of Samui’s luxury resorts/finest. “Why?” I asked Craig Harrington, the GM of Destinations of the World:
This Europe-centric resort – with superb sea views from
“It’s simply one of the best.” Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa Koh Samui, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
43 rooms; 35 villas two magnificent pools Quan Spa Banana Leaf, tawaNN, Tapas, Beachfront BBQ Dinner Pool Bar fitness center, steam room BBQ on the Beach, library A heavenly hideaway
+66 (0) 77 429 300 +66 (0) 77 429 333 Fax 208/1 Moo 4, T. Maret, Lamai Beach Koh Samui, 84310 Thailand www. renaissancekohsamui.com
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his gorgeous resort compound sits on a hillside overlooking Lamai Beach, Samui’s second largest stretch of magnificent sand.
It is ideal for travelers seeking a haven – serenity, romance and quiet comfort. Each of the 43 rooms and 35 villas come with a whirlpool and balcony, and the views invite you to sit and marvel. The new pool villas (pool beachfront, garden, sea view) reflect
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“The perfect discovery of a heavenly hideaway.”
a contemporary feel. Enhancing a relaxing and romantic stay, the villas are zen-like, ensuring a peaceful hideaway. The dining makes you feel as if you are spanning the globe: casual international cuisine and authentic Thai food at the Banana Leaf restaurant, eclectic food selection at the delicious and famous tawaNN restaurant (lobsters and steaks), and Mediterranean food at Tapas. Joie de Vivre. Set majestically among the rocks sitting at the edge of the
sea, and surrounded by lush perfumed vegetation, the award-winning Quan Spa folds into the natural landscape of Koh Samui. Against this stunning backdrop morphs a tranquility zone that offers a journey of rejuvenation, using nature’s simplest element – water – as a primary method of treatment. A perfect discovery of a heavenly hideaway. BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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ShaSa Resort & Residences Koh Samui Koh Samui, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
32 sea-view suites; one mammoth two-BR Beachfront Pool Villa yes/narrow yes casual / poolside small, with a sea view oversized bathtubs; jumbo Kid’s room (more like an indoor playground); kitchens a glorious hydrotherapy pool (no charge); and that Herculean Beachfront Pool Villa +66 (0) 77 913 888 +66 (0) 77 913 899 Fax 116/1 Moo 2 Tambon Mared, Laem Set Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310 Thailand unforgettable@shasahotels.com www.shasahotels.com
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ayered with a quiet, understated charm – but exubeanly spatial – this all sea-view suites resort exudes cheerfulness.
This is simplistic but outsized luxury with ballroom-sized interiors and sweeping balconies extolling sea views. Eight 3-BR suite each sprawl over 250 sqm (a giant bathtub serves as an indoor kiddie pool); a two-BR, duplex beachfront villa (320 sqm) comes with a butler, plunge pool and a roof-top veranda that could land a Huey helicopter (and urges you to beckon the Spa masseuse to the
“...exuberantly spatial – this all sea-view suites resort exudes cheerfulness.”
covered sala). And 24 convertible one/two-BR “suites” (I call them apartments) offer nearly 150 sqm of magnanimous, comfortable living space (with a washer/dryer). Music floated in the air. In the morning an orchestral, Mozart-like fugue hovered over the hydrotherapy pool (this you have to experience) and drifted past the fish pond, the two terraced pools, and down to the beach. In the evening, melodious, vintage ‘60s Oldies tunes graced BEYOND THE SEA, Siamese Brasserie which startled me
with a memorable meal (lamb in a mesmerizing sweet -curry stew, sea bass brushed in tamarind sauce, golden deep-fried soft shell crab omelet, chicken dusted with lemongrass, and superb mango and sticky rice with a side of scented coconut vanilla ice cream in a bed of shortbread-cookie dust). The buffet breakfast extended the pleasure. ♫ “But tell me now, and I won’t ask again, will you still love me to-mor-row?”♪ The Shirelles. You bet I will. A buoyant and happy experience. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Vana Belle (A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa) Koh Samui, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
80 spacious villas 80, plus a beauty on the postcard beach rapturous and stylish Kiree, Lobby Lounge (the view!), Panali (on the beach) Pool Bar complete landscaped artfully, touches of grace throughout sunrise, fulsome beach, sea views
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t twinkles in the morning as the eastern sun lifts over the Gulf. Spanking and gleaming new, refreshing and sparkling, Vana Belle refracts the luminous morning aura. What a classy addition to the Samui beachscape. Still in the throes of a soft opening, I was unable to stay the night, so I cannot impart some of the three-dimensional, hands-on details. But I was given the grand tour (twice – I went back for the sunrise). What I saw unfolding
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from the deck of the suave and stylish restaurant (Kiree), the various villa balconies, and the recessed cove embracing the beach, is a superb addition to five-star class in Samui. Vana Belle is gently situated on a gardened cove above the soft, white sand of Chaweng Beach. Its name,which means “beautiful forest,” resonates in both the tropical topography and design. The manicured grounds suffuse botanical grace. This Luxury Collection Resort features 80 capacious, adoringly-appointed Pool Suites and Pool Villas, ranging
“ Spanking and gleaming new, refreshing and sparkling,,...”
from the Classic (86 sqm) and the Grand Pool Suite (128 sqm) to seven villas on beach, which offer an imposing, indeed, hedonistic 211 sqm (and butler). All of the suites offer private pools, expansive terraces, tropical gardens and…ohhh…those majestic morning views. The hallmarks: Service, space, style. The Vana Spa, the contiguous Fitness Center, diving, snorkeling, Thai cooking classes, Yoga classes and an aqua-toned, beachside pool – all add panache.
+66 (0) 77 915 555 +66 (0) 77 915 556 FAX 9/99 Moo 3, Chaweng Noi Beach Surat Thani, Koh Samui 84320 www.vanabellekohsamui.com
Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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BEACHES (Phuket) MOUNTAIN HOTELS 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58
Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket - Surin Beach Indigo Pearl Kalima Resort & Spa Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa Natai Paresa The Bell Pool Villa Resort The Naka Island The Racha Twinpalms Phuket Resort
Leam Promthep Phuket One of the most important and popular places in Phuket. There is a saying that you have not been to Phuket unless you visit Laem Phromthep.
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PLACES TO GO
Phuket Beaches: most popular beaches in Phuket : Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Bangtao Beach, Mai Khao Beach, Nai Harn Beach
Kata Viewpoint Kata-Karon Viewpoint is one of the most frequented viewpoints in Phuket. From here, it is possible to take in views of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon beaches
Snorkeling in Racha Island
Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks.
Wat Chalong and another Temples in Phuket has been extending a warm welcome to visitors for over a century. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas Phuket, Thailand
Rooms: Pool/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts:
A WHAT?:
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146; nine luxurious villas the centerpiece/a short journey yes three, with views the Poolside Bar complete rotating Happy Hours throughout the resort (buy 1 get 1); Sienna Rocks by the Beach Club with a Jacuzzi on the cliff overhanging the beach; wine list with over 20 wine labels for under 1,400 B; PLUM has I-pad menus; choose bathroom amenity scents upon check in every room – a gorgeous sea view
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his tropical-urbane resort tip-toes up the serene Kamala Beach hillside. Perched in three ascending tiers on Phuket’s western edge, Cape Sienna boasts space, grace, a wonderfully casual attitude and sweeping views into the deep, Andaman Sea sunset. It’s peaceful, popular, buoyant and relaxing – with a subdued, chic swagger that belies its poised demeanor and cosmopolitan decor. The enthusiastic staff sports a delightful combination of serious service and happy bonhomie. They keep it cheerful
“It’s peaceful, popular, buoyant and relaxing...”
+66 (0) 76 337 300 +66 (0) 76 337 399 Fax 18/40 Moo 6, Nakalay Road, Kamala Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150 mail@capesienna.com www.capesienna.com
for the many couples that come to luxuriate (children must be over 12) and hold hands (indeed,it was Travellers’ Choice 2010, Most Romantic Hotel in Asia). “All 146 rooms are blessed with sea views,” smiled Frank Dreist, the GM, gate-keeper and project mid-wife who nurtured the opening four years ago. “We have nine exclusive, spacious, three to-four be droom villas, which sit on the oceanfront cliffs, each with a private pool. Quite a romantic setting for the dazzling sunsets!” The epicenter of the relaxation is the 30-meter marble pool
and infinity Jacuzzi, and nests of chaise lounges. A state-of-the-art health club keeps you buff; and the Balance Spa is a perfect antidote to the all-day stress of deciding which part of your body to tan. The PLUM Restaurant features authentic Mediterranean dishes as well as some Thai inspired ones (with more of that impeccable view) and the Vanilla Sky Bar invites for cocktails and Tapas to relax and chill out at sunset time.
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DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket-Surin Beach Phuket, Thailand
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hinking of visiting the Catskill Mountains or the Swiss Alps for your getaways? How about Surin Beach in the tropical isle of Phuket? Known for its small village atmosphere and a short walk from the Andaman Sea on the west coast of Thailand’s largest island.
+66 (0) 76 303 300 +66 (0) 76 303 303 FAX 106/27, Surin Beach Road, Mu-3, Cherngtalay, Talang, Phuket 83110 Thailand www.doubletree3.hilton.com
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Find holiday comfort at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket-Surin Beach which offers a luxurious, but playful, resort experience with colorful, comfortable rooms, each with private balcony or terrace. A splash of color with bright swimsuits, fresh cut mangosteens and dragonfruits, holiday shirts and a fresh glass of Thai lemonade iced-tea. Lovely. Soak up the sun at Surin Beach or at the pools; or wander off to a golf course (six on the island). The girls are satisfied
“...a luxurious, but playful, resort experience with colorful, happy rooms.”
browsing the seashells and fresh orchids at the Jungceylon Shopping Mall. Enjoy champagne cocktails at the Boardwalk. The kids build up a memorable getaway from the Kid’s World children’s club. Explore the Southeast Asian cuisines at the 24-7 Asia Alive Restaurant. A triple date. Do not miss the magical sunset from the famous Promthep Cape. Immerse yourself at Phuket’s most renowned temple, Wat Chalong, among a total of 29 temples. Its long dated history has been shaping the development and economic growth of Phuket Town to present day. Sublime, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket–Surin Beach is ideal for luxurious travelers, family wanderers, and business executives. BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon
250 rooms and suites (a private balcony or terrace) Rooms: Pool/Beach: two outdoor pools (one kid’s pool) and Kids’ World children’s club
Fitness: Fun Facts:
/ short walk to the exclusive pristine white sandy beach of Surin 4 treatment rooms and poolside treatments Asia Alive Boardwalk Bar Food Store fully-equipped, overlooking the pool great pool area with slide
A WHAT?:
resort style with private balcony or terrace in every room
Spa: Restaurant & Bar:
Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Indigo Pearl Phuket, Thailand
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met Bill Bensley years ago when we were both Christmas-time houseguests at the gorgeous fiveacre manse of a mutual friend in Chiang Mai. Bill worked with Howard Feldman over the course of a decade piecing together the design and artifacts to create a traditional Royal Thai Lanna-style featuring seven separate pavilions. It is a dynamic design with magnificent attention to detail, which leads me to…
– with an inventive, “industrial chic” design, utilizing stark, natural materials: raw timber, brass rivets, and sleek polished metal.
...Bill’s deliriously creative work at the 177-room Indigo Pearl, just a scant 10-minute drive south of the Phuket airport. It, too, parlays whimsy and informality – swish
The rooms are an interior decorating showcase. A historical theme incorporating the island’s tin mines and rubber plantations is evident throughout the resort.
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Bensley was listed by Architectural Digest as one of the Top 100 Architects and lauded by TIME magazine as the “King of exotic resorts.” Take a look here. No wonder.
“The rooms are an interior decorating showcase...”
Rooms: Pools: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
The combination of colorful objets d’art, curios, antiques and historical bric-a-brac; distinct, split-level interior design; and explosive palettes of interior colors makes a showcase of each of the rooms, villas, pool pavilions and suites. And Indigo Pearl has more suites than a candy store on Valentine’s Day: Pearl Shell; Coqoon Spa (with its own private pool, personal steam & sauna room), Black Tie Suite, Pearl Botanica Suite Foliage, and – a beauty – the Presidential Bensley Suite.
177; eight private pool villas, Bensley Suite (huge) one family; two adult-only Coqoon Spa six three complete, with bicycles! marvelous interior design throughout Coqoon Spa Suite with pool, sauna, Vichy shower, masseuse
+66 (0) 76 327 006 +66 (0) 76 327 338 Fax Nai Yang Beach and National Park Phuket 83110, Thailand Info@indigo-pearl.com www. indigo-pearl.com
Six fine-dining options include Japanese, Tapas and Thai. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Kalima Resort & Spa Phuket, Thailand
Rooms: Pool/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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190 rooms, suites and private villas see above – idyllic/ 10 minutes from Patong Beach yes three (great views, classy service and sea breezes) Trio’s Pool Bar above the pool near the kiddie center infinite horizon swimming pool, children’s play pool, shallow sunbathing area and hydro jets views...views...and views
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his towering, contemporary resort grips the steep acclivity of a terraced cliff overhanging Kalim Beach and rises dramatically (and precipitously) high over the western coastline of Phuket. Actually, it hovers. What a view! I arrived in the lobby, greeted by the enthusiastic and kinetic GM, Somchai Suwannagate, who – believe it or not – patrols, inspects and watches after his guests on foot, up-and-down what must be a thousand stairs. What a work out. An Ironman with a happy smile. The property personifies
“Talk about great location, glorious sunsets and giddy heights.Whew!”
+66 (0) 76 358 999 +66 (0) 76 358 988 Fax 338/1 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150 rsvn@kalimaresort.com www.kalimaresort.com
his enthusiasm. He is proud of this meticulously planned and designed vertical hotel (October 2012) – and his delight is evident: “Splendid views all over the property. The pool is majestic. The rooms have balconies. And we have many options for couples, honeymooners, families…” [even Bedouin tribes – the Private Pool Villa at the top of the property is 361 sqm; and if you walk, hire a Sherpa]. Seaview elevators and ubiquitous stairs ascend gloriously to infinity pools, a fitness center, spa, two open-air (lovely
breezes) restaurants (four in all) with 220-degree vertiginous views focusing on panoramic Patong Beach and the arcing shoreline stenciled with beachfront architecture. From all of its 190 spanking-new rooms – and the options , generous: Seaview (45 sqm); Family Suite (72 sqm); a bevy of Honeymoon suites and duplexes; private villas – you see the Sea. Talk about “rising to the top” of hotel significance over Patong Bay. Towering and terrific. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa Phuket, Thailand
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MAIKHAO BEACH PHUKET
ess than 15 minutes from the airport (ahhh…location), it exemplifies excellence without opulence. It suffuses elegance.
Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa offers a stately venue for the elite vacationer who seeks solitude, grace and luxury – and, certainly, space. But count your farthings: this surfeit of sumptuous pleasures and superb detail comes at a price. This romantic resort showcases 22 capacious pool villas. The 11 three-bedroom quasi-mansions, are each a gargantuan 650 square meters (imagine: a Brobdingnagian two-story villa with a second-story pool that waterfalls below to the main pool; a pantry the size of most hotel rooms; two outdoor decks; a pool-side sala; four bathrooms; five TVs; a living room that can serve as a conference center; four stop signs and a traffic light – I made that up). I kept the butler (né villa tour-guide) at my side in the event I got lost. I needed a map to find the fourth bathroom. But I certainly enjoyed the handsome stroll(s) through the labyrinth of eurythmic interior design. And he escorted me to the serene, expansive, private beach – so privileged, it seemed that each wave, too, had its own butler; each ripple its own valet. Palm trees shade and decorate the elevated, set-back beach that serves as both a soft carpet and an impromptu dance floor for the nightly gourmet buffet. Tasteful, diverse, themed and wonderfully presented (with the Chef hovering and iterating), the food seemed more curated than cooked. I was a guest of Zhanel Tyurina, the intensely animated and perspicacious Managing Director of Maikhao Dream Villa (and its sister resort in Natai – 20 minutes north on another gorgeous beach) who clearly has her heart, soul and vigorous mind into enhancing every operating aspect of this property: “We aspire to make this a significant, memorable experience for the wealthy vacationer seeking pampered service, consummate style and privacy. Vacationing with us is a considerable commitment.” With its private, spacious and classic luxury, it personifies the very best.
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+ 66 (0) 76 371 371 + 66 (0) 76 371 372 Fax 138/21 Moo 4, Mai Khao Thalang Phuket, Thailand 83110 maikhaorsvn@maikhaodream.com www.maikhaodream.com
“Polished, posh and regal yet harmonious, embracing and gentle...”
Villas: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurants: & Bar:
22 (11 three-BR; 11 two-BR) I lost count (a biggie; most villas have 2 pools)/private elegant (spa suite, double treatment…) Dock Bua (all day fine dining); The Pines (beachfront dining); Wine cellar – private dining Dream Bar (roof top); Pool Bar (right in the pool)
Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT!
cozy (have small fitness on the spa floor and can have private trainings arranged) private beach access from every two-BR villa; situated in the middle of Sirinath National Park your own: Butler to serve your every need 24/7; Maikhao Dream Sunseeker Manhattan 60 private yacht (three suites) Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa Natai Phang Nga (Natai), Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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56 intimate sprawling/quiet, private, gorgeous three-story, seven rooms Natai Restaurant (beachfront all day dining); Leelawadee Restaurant (beachfront fine dining); Wine cellar (private dining) Pool bar (in the pool); Fire y (roof top) motivational design unspoiled beachfront; largest saltwater pool in Natai; Maikhao Asia Private Fishing Boat; Traditional Thai Hospitality; TJ Organic Garden 5 hectares
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his resort, a half-hour north of Phuket Airport (and its imposing and impressive sister property, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa) in quaint and sleepy Natai, was not on our five-star map.
So at the end of a long, frenetic Phuket visit, I picked up on an invitation from Zhanel Tyurina, the managing director who had earlier hosted me at the Villa, followed my instinct about hotel gene pools, and drove north to Phang Na into the edge of a sunset. Well, someone had sprinkled a bit of pixie dust before I arrived. New, buoyant and elegant – it was a happy surprise. Sometimes fairytales do come true.
“Sometimes fairytales do come true...”
+66 (0) 76 401 301 +66 (0) 76 401 305 Fax 55 Moo 6, Kok Kloi, Takuathung Phang Nga, Thailand 82140 natairsvn@maikhaodream.com www.maikhaodream.com
With the sun arcing over the Andaman Sea and adding ambient illumination to the soothing sand, this became a quiet, luxurious rendezvous with a classy, fully-accoutered resort. What a terrific spot to simply unwind. For the relentless lounge lizards, this is nowhere near the thumping Phuket cacophony of Patong Beach (well over an hour to the south). This resort is about respite, relaxation, peace of mind and a special date with Mother Nature (the beach side of the family) – and a lot of attention to felicitous details (flowers, amenities, slippers, newspapers…).
A 56-room, horse-shoe shaped building which frames a pool, features splendid diversions: an elegant spa; fitness center; supervised playroom; pool table; business center – and a potpourri of spacious rooms, including a Duplex Suite with luscious sea views (78-81sqm), and a Pool Terrace with a private plunge pool (107 sqm). Two restaurants (fresh vegetables and fruit are organically farmed down the road) of Epicurean simplicity nest at either end of the building on the lip of the secluded, unspoiled (and divinely quiet) beach that spills into the sea. This is a restorative Camelot. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Paresa Phuket, Thailand
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igh atop a towering rock face and overlooking the breathless sunsets across the Andaman Sea, 49 commodious guest suites offer views, solitude, balconies, pools, in-villa dining … and a respite from all of your earthly cares and woes. Most of all Paresa offers luxury, indulgence and an inimitable steepled character: cozy, intimate and classy. The terraced resort rests like a regal eagle nest on a secluded pinnacle on the high western shore of Phuket, surveying quite an overwhelming horizon. Minutes from the gentle Kamala fishing village (and a private beach
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club for guests) and a shuttle to throbbing Patong Beach, the playful choices exist. Panoramas radiate from every venue: the holistic spa, the complete fitness center, the dining rooms, the restaurant deck, the miracle lawn. Contemplate, meditate, luxuriate – expropriate a dream or two and let it drift with you across that luminous, orange-tinted sunset sea. Khun Vichit, the Director of Operations, smiled when I scrambled (late) up the winding hill and into the lobby – then visually gathered the hilltop grandeur. “A sanctuary,”
“...offers luxury, indulgence and an inimitable steepled character: cozy, intimate and classy.”
Rooms: Pools: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
he mused. He turned me over to his manager, Mirko Corbella, who has spent years in island properties (Bora Bora among them) and – having recently joined the team – was still scintillating with excitement: “This place is fantastic!” (a consensus among the major travel sites). Emphasis is on highlighting the organic wonder of the environment: lush, fulsome Banyan trees, tropical vegetation, natural wooden walkways.
49 immense guest suites and villas (from 120 sqm) with pools everywhere! 42+1/seasonal (shuttle to beach club) ethereal Diavolo, Talung Thai, in-villa, Recipe Glass Wine Cellar & Bar, Infinity Pool Bar …with a view 24-hour Angel Service and in-villa dining, Thai Cooking School, a yacht…and sunsets Cielo Residence (660 sqm) with wine cellar, butler, infinity pool
+66 (0) 76 302 000 +66 (0) 76 302 001 Fax 49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay road, Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand reservations@paresaresorts.com www.paresaresorts.com
Hold hands. Snuggle. Peer. Indulge. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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The Bell Pool Villa Resort Phuket, Thailand
16 private, enclosed pool villas (430 sqm), two Presidential Pool Villa 4 Bedroom (500 sqm.) Pools/Beach: 16, all hefty / complimentary shuttle service Spa: yes, in room Restaurant Zhong (which is what a Bell does in Chinese…) & Bar: is a bar, restaurant, lounge and evening meeting place Fitness: no Fun Facts: 24-hour, customized butler(s); breakfast delivered to your villa; private chef service, service, service A WHAT?:
Rooms:
+66 (0) 76 279 914 +66 (0) 76 279 412 Fax 41/31 Moo 5, Baan Hua Khuan, Soi Bell, Kamala, Phuket 83150 Thailand reservation@thebellphuket.com www.thebellphuket.com
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sense of elite privacy and comfortable entitlement suffuses this elegant, private resort.
The Bell is not overlooking seaside breakwaters (although an active complimentary shuttle-service delivers you in minutes to two splendid beaches, Kamala and Patong beach. But who cares?). Here you are smothered with attentive service and expansive – but intimate – privacy. This pampered, handsomely organized, family-run boutique resort showcases 16 mammoth, one to four-bedroom luxury
“Here you are smothered with attentive service and expansive – but intimate – privacy...”
private pool (which are king-sized) villas and delivers exquisite service: A ubiquitous butler (who also happens to be a concierge, tour guide, food consultant, factotum, arm-wrestling partner and cricket teammate – well, most of this is true…) is on his game 24-hours a day (this is the real deal: he is live and on stage). You need it, he delivers. It’s all about the best-of-service details: a personal mobile phone for instant contact with the butler and front desk; an indulgent breakfast delivered every morning; in-room/on sala massage; cooking classes in your kitchen; shuttle tuk-tuks;
limousines; bicycles; or a motor bike at your door. “We fell in love with Phuket eight years ago during a visit,” smiled Antonie Polfliet, the exuberant chief-ofstaff, whose parents moved from Belgium after building a villa. “Then we turned a modest real estate concept into a dream: our own boutique, luxury resort that delivers enjoyment in a closed, walled environment. Ultimate privacy in a huge space.” The two Presidential private pool villas highlight 500 sqm of abundant privacy and tasteful, colorful, contemporary décor. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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The Naka Island (A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa) Phuket, Thailand
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t’s an exhilarating beginning: sea spray in the air and wind in your hair as you begin your five-minute speedboat scamper across the Andaman Sea to this private, romantic and exotic island.
space; and the massive, Lucretian Royal Horizon villa); a divine fitness center with views; two signature restaurants; a gargantuan, über-luxurious spa; biking; sailing; snorkeling; and…kayaking.
And what is in store at this unique, tropical Starwood Luxury Collection Resort & Spa as you float in?
But, ala-The Naka (we’re talking style here) this, also, is done with fun-filled panache: the engaging and vigorous GM, Erich Friedl, personifies the benchmark, attentive service. His ubiquitous presence – he meets and greets guests at the dock, at the Z Bar as the shimmering sunset erupts in its evening glory, on kayak excursions around the six-kilometer island.
Well…the aura of a soothing nature-preserve; a profusion of smiles at the dock; cheer and exuberance as you are escorted by buggy to one of the 67 sprawling, private-pool villas (350-450 sqm of indoor and outdoor
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“...the aura of a soothing nature-preserve; a profusion of smiles at the pier; cheer and exuberance...”
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts:
“I give anyone who makes the two hour kayak voyage a certificate!” he says. “We provide a box lunch, drinks, staff members, a compass, a GPS! Even me! I’ll join the flotilla!” he chuckles. He passed me several times on his bike (a great way to navigate the resort), and waved goodbye at the pier. “It’s private and peaceful here. People come to relax,” said Eric. “Come back, contemplate! And let’s kayak around Naka Island!” he exhorted. You have to love the energy. And the luxury. Service and style; intimacy and smiles. Terrific.
A WHAT?:
67 expansive pool villas (six categories; including the 1,600 sqm, gated Royal Horizon) at the beach, at the villas / sweeping and isolated overwhelming – you need a week to enjoy it all (try Watsu) My Grill (dinner), Tonsai, at the beach; in-villa dining Z Bar tapas and drinks by the sea glorious views; if you are too relaxed to use it, take a picture ± 100 pools and ponds; 250 employees; 24-hour room service; a sunset drink overlooking Phang Nga Bay the Royal Horizon Pool Villa, including the astonishing, luxurious and capacious two-bedroom, 1,600 sqm (5,000 sq feet) compound with a to-die-for enveloping pool and deck hovering over the sea’s edge +66 (0) 76 371 400 +66 (0) 76 371 401 Fax 32 Moo 5, Tambol Paklok, Amphur Thalang, Naka Yai Island, Phuket 83110 Thailand naka.reservations@luxurycollection.com www.nakaislandphuket.com Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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The Racha Phuket, Thailand
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certainly enjoyed this journey.
A smiling porter grabbed my suitcases. We walked from the comfortable Chalong Bay pier-side waiting-room for a quiet shuttle ride above the bay. We ambled, first, across a narrow bridge, to a long, thin pier mooring one of the five speedboats of The Racha fleet. I climbed on board, and the cheerful crew-of-two revved it up. We skimmed southeast for 35 minutes on our 20 kilometer voyage to Racha Yai Island with the sinking sun to our backs. Ahhh…the sensations and the visuals: warm salt spray, islands on the horizon becoming happy reality, a young couple in front of me snuggling and giggling in anticipation
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– and did I see dancing dolphins and mermaids on the leeward side? Then the peerless cove and arcing beach; and, above, the terraced sweep of villas (and the Lighthouse) all framed by lush green palm trees. You dream about a romantic rendezvous on a private island, holding hands on a powder-puff beach, sitting on the edge of your villa pool contemplating infinite contentment, dining under a blaze of stars – your table softly illuminated by flickering torches. Can it get any better than this? I asked Gerard Tan, the affable and courtly GM who had been shaping this glorious vacation experience (20 acres of luscious tropical scenery and 85 luxurious “eco-chic
“...and did I see dancing dolphins and mermaids on the leeward side?”
minimalist” villas in eight categories) for six years, how he manages to keep the magic going. “We create memories here. Private, quiet, intimate moments. We are self-contained. That wonderful beach, private pools, world-class spa [25,000 sqf], famous Dive Center; and kayaking, snorkeling, yoga, cooking classes, tennis, even star-gazing!” he laughed. If it’s secluded intimacy and contemplative privacy you seek, this is your Nirvana. A wonderful sanctuary. Note: the beach in front of the resort is a public area, shared by other boats and tourists during the winter months from November to April.
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
85 villas (eight categories, six with pools) large and many / idyllic cove, but tourists visit Nov-Apr Anumba Spa – romantic, elegant and 2,500 sq ft. four Ice Bar (with band) has it all plus a beach view sustainable tourism; Dive Center with instructional pool; clear water, excellent corals and Technicolor marine life The Lighthouse, the world’s most unusual hotel room: an eclectic five-story villa with private pool, terrace, sun deck and observation lounge – and stunning 360º views over Racha Island and the Andaman Sea
+66 (0) 76 355 455 42/12-13 Moo 5, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130 reservation@theracha.com www.theracha.com
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Twinpalms Phuket Resort Phuket, Thailand
I Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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97 (21 duplexes, penthouses and suites) enormous and many / short walk to the cove Palm Spa three at the hotel and the beachclub Wine Room, international guest chefs extensive 176 employees; 16,350 eggs served for breakfast last year; an elephant was once used for an airport transfer Luxury 76’ yacht available
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had met the Swedish owner(s) and many of the Thai staff when this sleek and refined contemporary resort first opened in 2004, weeks before the unexpected, late-December tsunami ravaged the beaches of Phuket. Fortunately, the arcing inlet of Surin Bay and its resorts were spared damage – but not the pain: Twinpalms – a scant 15 kilometers north of ravished Patong Beach – valiantly became a first-class hospice, hospital and triage center in its first Christmas season. When I saw her beaming face in the breezy, open-air lobby, I remembered Khun Somjai, now the Executive Manager (and all-purpose asset of the resort). Over her shoulder I noticed the elongated pool, handsomely arbored by trees
“This was a delightful reunion... consummate hospitality, compassion, style, camaraderie – and benchmark service...”
+66 (0) 76 316 500 +66 (0) 76 316 599 Fax Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110 book@twinpalms-phuket.com www.twinpalms-phuket.com
(“330,” she tells me “and over 6,000 plants”) that seemed like thin reeds nine years ago. The refurbished sun deck boasted frolicking bare feet. “We are always improving the property,” she smiled. It shows. I discovered that the consummate hospitality, compassion, style, camaraderie – and benchmark service – remain after all of these years. Vacationers return in seasonal rhythm. Conscientious staff members, whose smiling faces I remember, stayed to serve. Vacationers return in seasonal rhythm. The charm, the elegant minimalist style, the infectious joy, the animated guests, the exceptional kitchen, the plethora
of pools – the sunshine – are all still in place. And more. Burnishing the luster of this 97-room resort idyll are: 21 suites added in 2009 (the Residences) featuring luxurious, expansive, duplexes and penthouses (mine, with a roof-top pool, was an exquisite 250 sqm); the chic and swank Catch Beach Club, a seven-minute stroll from the lobby, showcasing a scrumptious dinner buffet (I stayed on to meet friends for sea-breezed cocktails); and three bakeries (ask Khun Somjai for the story). And a spa, wine room, fitness center, library and – if you desire an ocean outing – a 76-foot yacht. The happy buzz lingered through the night and into the, now renowned, Sunday brunch. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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BEACHES (Hua HOTELS Hin) MOUNTAIN 62 64 66 68 70 72
Amari Hua Hin Dusit Thani Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Springfield Resorts Wora Bura Resort & Spa
Dusit Thani Beach 60
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PLACES TO GO
Hua Hin Railway Station one of the country’s most beautiful train stations with unique architecture.
Pala-U Waterfall - this beautiful 11-tiered rock waterfall is located in the densely verdant forest in the area of Kaengkrajan National Park where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found
Plearnwan is a theme of unique brown wooden buildings featuring a shopping complex.
Khao Hin Lek Fai - definitely a vantage point to see the whole town of Hua Hin
Phraya Nakhon Cave (Tham Phraya Nakhon) is actually two sinkholes whose roof has fallen in, letting in sunlight. In the middle of the cave is a Thai-style pavilion built for a visit by King Rama V in 1896. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Amari Hua Hin Hua Hin, Thailand
L
ocated 10 minutes from downtown Hua Hin and next to Khao Takiab Beach, the new Amari Hua Hin is a sparkling addition to the area’s luxurious hotel/ resort options. The vivid red-colors of the parasol will entice you to soak up the sun by lingering at the outdoor saltwater pool next to the Aqua Pool Bar, while enjoying varieties of Thai snacks and lavish cocktails. There are also trails of falling water coming from the artful bamboo strings. The Shoreline Beach Club offers more aquatic options. The patterned fabric decorations in each room come in modern tones: light yellow or light grey. The see-through rail at each balcony of the seven-story building gives eye comfort in all directions out to the pool or the sea.
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This ocean-view hotel offers 207 deluxe rooms, plus 16 suites. Missing your daily gym workout? Do not worry: apart from a state-of-the-art gym the Amari offers a whole array of outdoor sports (use the jogging trail) and recreational activities. Imagine another bright shining day: stop by Mosaic for a scrumptious international breakfast buffet. Pamper yourself at the end of the day at Breeze Spa. It is new spa concept based on mood treatments. This is a wonderful place for the toddlers and a superb dream-date destination for newlyweds. That is if you are willing to fly across the world to the exotic vacation wonderland that is Thailand! BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon
“…a sparkling addition to the area’s luxurious hotel/resort options.”
Rooms: Pool/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
207 deluxe rooms, 16 suites outdoor saltwater swimming pool/ yes new spa concept based on mood treatments - Breeze Spa five, with in-room dining service Fitness Centre, jogging track, outdoor activities 93 cm sandwich for sharing! humongous space (650 sqm), two pools
+66 (0) 32 616 600 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae, Hua Hin Prachuapkhirikhan 77110 Thailand www.amari.com/huahin
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Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Thailand
T
his is a class act: aristocratic, stately, elegant and a wonderful blend of cozy and grand.
from the terraces of the 296 rooms and suites spread across seven floors.
Entering the majestic, lofty, high-ceiling lobby makes you wish you wore your tuxedo and brought your butler. Yet a pervasive sense of relaxation hovers. Happy faces greet you, inquire about your needs and assist along the way.
It is special. It is looked after by a general manager who has been on hand since the opening 22 years ago. The PR director has been there for 10 years. Hey, why leave?
This is a complete resort experience. With 52 acres, privacy and quiet prevail.
Golfers who enjoy athletic diversity will enjoy the tennis and squash courts, the fitness center the riding track (saddle up), and a potpourri of water sports. And the Spa.
Its long beachfront and capacious swimming pool gleam
I enjoyed the food. Four restaurants provide superb options.
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“Aristocratic, stately, elegant and a wonderful blend of cozy and grand...”
Breakfast is a favorite of mine and the Dusit starts off your day in style: hot waffles, smoked fish, fruit, breads… And the luxurious and essential details: plush bathrobes; thick pillows; a bathtub and shower; personal scales; shoeshine (my sandals never looked so good); and bottled water everywhere.
Room: Pool/Beach: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts:
296 rooms and suites huge and luxurious / ditto expansive, classy -- not to be missed seven casual, formal, excellent
A WHAT?:
water views from every restaurant and bar
complete with tennis courts, riding... the hotel’s stable has a string of horses and offers guests horse riding. However, although the resort used to be known as Dusit Resort & Polo Club, polo has never been played within the grounds.
+66 (0) 32 520 009 +66 (0) 32 520 296 Fax
Spoil yourself and jump into a suite: 84 square meters of well-appointed joy with a living room
1349 Petchkasem Road Hua Hin 76120 Thailand
Elegance.
www.dusit.com
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Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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296, all with balconies and panoramic sea views lagoon shape and over the beach elegant, accessible and you must 11 – beachfront, pool-side, casual and award-winning/rooftop (White Lotus) lots of it (tennis, squash, and golf nearby) chill out at Hua Hin’s only Sky Bar every guest room offers splendid panoramic sea views over the Gulf of Thailand from your private balcony
BEST OF CLASS
I
have always enjoyed this seaside resort hotel. Nestled in the heart of quaint, but regal, Hua Hin (and towering above the beach), I have stayed often during my 10 years in Thailand. It soars over the sea. All of its capacious, 296 Thai-themed rooms (42- to 60 square meters; the 22 suites are 80 sqm – mine was elegant) have balconies with panoramic ocean views. The location is ideal; the décor and ambiance warm; the
“I have always enjoyed this encompassing seaside resort hotel... It's a favorite”
+66 (0) 32 538 999 +66 (0) 32 538 990 Fax 33 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin 77110, Thailand huahin.reservations@hilton.com www.huahin.hilton.com www.facebook.com/hiltonhuahinthailand www.facebook.com/beerhousehuahin
cozy but stylish lounge – with soft, live music, drinks and snacks – is a charming conclusion to an active day (I have enjoyed it many times); the terrific, stylish spa will relax you (do it after a round of golf); the dining first-rate (11 bars and restaurants, two award-winning); and the service always hands-on with lots of smiles from a ubiquitous staff.
The pool (with Jacuzzi and slide) is perched on the edge of the beach. If that doesn’t dazzle the kids, enlist in the Siam Adventure Club or use the Kidz Paradise to entertain them; and jump into the Fitness Center; onto the two tennis (or squash) courts, or yoga, darts, or a jog on the beach.
At the same time, choose from delicious grilled fare at the beachside Chay Had restaurant, cooling cocktails at Hua Hin’s only Sky Bar or live music at the Beer House.
If you are visiting with your buddies to play golf, bringing the family for a warm holiday, or simply seeking a weekend of pure romance – this is it. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand
H
e simply loves the neighborhood. Enter through the regal gates into a manicured, gracious community and drive towards the sea.
Then the smiles begin. Martin Raich has been the hands-on GM at the Sheraton for more than four years. The sprawling, seaside resort is a gem. It is a family playground with: pools, a children’s park, spa, fitness center, more pools, a congenial restaurant overlooking the beach and Gulf – and more pools.
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“We have a dazzling 4,000 square meter pool – that is 560 meters in circumference – facing the Gulf of Siam. Gorgeous! Also, we have designed over 50 pool villas with direct access to a pool from the room terrace.” The two-story resort spreads down to the sea within the tendrils of those fetching pools, carpets of lawn and colorful landscaping – all providing charm, balance and a soft harmony. It is decorated with grace. Service is a by-word here: shoe shines, bottled water, a relaxing lounge, sunshine and smiles all come with the
“The resort coalesces class and calm.”
Room: Pool/Beach: Spa:
package. For the kiddies? StarClub provides a wide range of “edutainment” and creative programs, including batik and plastered doll painting, rocket and balloon making, a huge selection of toys, cartoon books, Playstations, and computer games. The resort coalesces class and calm. About a 10 minute drive (or shuttle) into downtown Hua Hin, the Sheraton provides a delightful romantic weekend or a family holiday.
Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
228 (49 sqm), with 22 Lagoon Access rooms and 12 Suites like the air you breathe, the lagoon-style swimming pool wind around the resort’s tropical landscape from lobby to seafront / splendid Aspadeva Spa spacious and luxurious, comprised of 12 treatments rooms with 40+ treatments Inazia, The Deck, Salas Pool, Sundara Lounge Luna Lanai Beach Bar state-of-the-art; tennis courts; golf nearby a host of kids activities, water sports, excellent dining – complete water, water everywhere – pools, beach +66 (0) 32 708 000 +66 (0) 32 708 088 Fax 1573 Petchkasem Road Thambol Cha-Am Hua Hin 76120 Thailand www.sheraton.com/huahin Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Springfield Village Golf & Spa Hua Hin, Cha-am, Thailand
97 (75 rooms and suites, and 22 Cottage Suites, ranging from 55 to 119 sqm.) Pools/Beach: with waterfall / no
Rooms:
Spa: Restaurant: Fitness: Fun Facts:
on the hillside with holistic views three plus a Cool Bar Indoor, Tennis court
A WHAT?:
Springfield Spa (Life Spa @ Village)
Activities Zone with rock-climbing
+66 (0) 32 709 222 +66 (0) 32 709 234 Fax 208, 208/1 Moo2, Sampraya, Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120, Thailand (Map Locator: N 12.709208 E 99.865046) reservationbkk@springfieldresort.com www.springfieldresort.com
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B
y the sea, by the beach – by the fairways and the greens: the Springfield Resorts offer stimulating, diverse, relaxing, formal-casual and frolicking vacation options at the edge of the imperial city of Hua Hin.
Family-owned and managed with an abundance of grace, harmony and bonhomie – Springfield Village Golf & Spa is one of the few complete golf resorts in Thailand. Within its 1,200 protected acres find: 27-holes of crafted Jack Nicklaus-golf (with practice areas), an expansive clubhouse, a spa-aerie on a hillside pedestal, tennis courts, a climbing-wall, and a 97-room resort (and bungalows curling up a hillside) arcing around two sparkling pools with waterfall and slide. I have enjoyed the outdoor merriment as well as the quiet hospitality on many occasions during my 10 years traveling through Thailand.
Springfield @ Sea Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Cha-am, Thailand
Drive east 15 minutes to Springfield @ Sea Resort & Spa. Overlooking the Gulf of Siam, 105 rooms, capacious suites (55 to 135 sqm) and sprawling villas (the beachfront pool villa is a whooping 164 sqm) provide boutique (and enlarged) comfort to a barefoot collection of Thai families and foreign tourists. Lots of smile and laughter here. This casual resort offers a gigantic, two-tiered pool, a generous kiddie playground, the Life Spa@Sea (and salon) and Perfect Shape@Sea. Eat, drink and be merry: both resorts boast four restaurants and a bar. It’s luxury in a different context. Rain curtains, pocket gardens, porch swings, soft breezes over the sand…delightful nightfalls.
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa:
105 (seven categories ranging from 44-135 sqm) humongous / yes Life Spa@Sea – seven treatment rooms (sauna and Jacuzzi – and salon)
Restaurant: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
four (two at the beach) complete Pool with kids slider Springfield Spa (Life Spa @ Sea) +66 (0) 32 709 300 +66 (0) 32 709 333 Fax 858 Jumnong-Poomivej Rd., Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120 Thailand (Map Locator: N 12.745978 E 99.967463) reservationbkk@springfieldresort.com www.springfieldresort.com
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Wora Bura Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand
+66 (0) 32 536 999 +66 (0) 32 536 752 Fax 83/199 Soi Moo Baan Nonggare, T.Nonggare, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Thailand 77110 rsvn@worabura.com facebook.com/WoraBuraHuaHinResortandSpa www.worabura.com
Room: Pool/Beach Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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77; three detached villas and two suites a gardened, double figure-eight centerpiece extending to the sea /yes yes one for breakfast and one overlooking the Gulf yes complete arrive by helicopter, Rolls Royce or tuk-tuk; each room is decorated in a style of each Thai provice, Ayutaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai etc.
BEST OF CLASS
A
pervasive, proud Thailand motif embraces this cultured, rich, colonial-styled resort that luxuriously stretches – through gracious, interior gardens festooned with plants – to the Gulf of Siam beachfront. The resort is redolent of Thai history. It is a paean to King Rama V (Chulalongkorn), who in 1873, at the age of 20, became one of the greatest kings of Siam. His 37-year reign was characterized by the modernization of Siam (massive government and social reforms) as he preempted Western expansionism and prevented colonization, earning
“A pervasive, proud Thailand motif embraces this cultured, rich, colonial-styled resort...�
the epithet: The Great Beloved King. His studies in and visits to Europe during the latter part of the 19th century inspired a harmonious fusion of Thai and European culture and architecture. It is on display here. Each of the 77 well-appointed rooms (44-50 sqm), suites and the impressive villas (three) are named after a Thailand province. Beneath and around the tasteful dark paneling, wainscoting and lattice-work, are wall-hangings and sculptures showcasing and depicting antique photomurals of life in a previous century. Balconies boast fabulous views of the
manicured landscaping and meandering fish ponds that decorate the grounds. The handsome three, free-standing villas: Chiangmai (on the beach) and Phuket have one-bedroom; and the two-bedroom Bangkok, a spacious 130 sqm) all are adorned with tasteful Thai accoutrements, have outdoor Jacuzzis and lots of space. The pool is embroidered within the garden and extends to the beach. Lovely. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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BEACHES MOUNTAIN HOTELS (Pattaya - Koh Chang) 76 78 80
Pattaya Sea Sand Sun Resort and Spa Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa Panviman Koh Chang Resort
Koh Lan, Pattaya 74
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PLACES TO GO
Nong Nooch Garden - 1,500-rai Nong Nooch Garden features tropical plants from all over the world and it has the largest variety of orchids in Thailand
Art in Paradise Pattaya is the only place in Pattaya and Thailand to present illusion art museum - the museum presenting Anamorphosis
Mini Siam is the home for miniature replicas of important places and historical sites from all over the world covering the area of 30 rais
Khao Chi Chan is a biggest Buddha image sculpted on the cliff - height: 109 meters, wide: 70 meters
Koh Chang, a district in Trat Province, Thailand, is located on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern seaboard. The island is a tropical marine national park. It’s Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Pattaya Sea Sand Sun Resort and Spa Pattaya, Thailand
I
visited this gem of a villa-resort twice during the course of the summer and – how does the song go: ♪ “…love’s more wonderful the second time around ♫…”
“We expect them all to return and walk through the gardens out to the special beach. Our staff is excellent.” Witness the new chef, who is designing a special menu for November guests. This is a hands-on operation.
So I told a friend and he has been back twice. For good reason.
The treat here is 61 spacious villas that each provide a living room, outdoor shower (indoor bathtub) and a Jacuzzi/pool on your private deck (with an awning). Pretty swank.
A 15-minute drive south of Pattaya, this boutique vacation jewel provides a glorious, beachside, romantic get-a-way and/or a happy family retreat. I ran on the quiet, private beach in the morning, dunked into the infinity pool later in the afternoon, and nibbled some terrific food for breakfast. “We are a smaller brand and must exemplify service to satisfy our guests,” says Nitipat (Magun) Patchimnan, the energetic managing director for the past five years.
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And the privacy. Glorious. Golf courses are close by, as is the famous Nong Nooch Garden. But closest of all is the cheer, conviviality and attention to detail (check out the amenity box in the bathroom – Khun Magun, I took it home! – a great touch) that makes the stay memorable.
“...this boutique vacation jewel provides a glorious, beachside, romantic get-a-way and/or a happy family retreat.�
Room: Pool/Beach Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
61 roomy villas in-room and at the private Na Jomtien Beach swanky indoor and at the beach Horizon Sea View Restaurant Seaside Bar yes privacy and intimacy solitude and style
+66 (0) 38 238 654-8 78/4 M.8 Sukhumwit K.M. 163 Na Jomtien, Sattathip, Chonburi 20250 sales@seasandsunpty.com www.seasandsunpty.com
Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa Pattaya, Thailand
Rooms: Pools/Beach: Spa: Restaurant & Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
298 courtyard (big)/ short walk yes two Elephant Bar, Manao Bar huge (2 tennis courts) biking trail, bowling, tennis locate in center of pattaya, and connect with huge shopping mall (Royal Graden Plaza)
D
uring my maiden trip to the golf courses in Pattaya in 2004, I was a guest at this city-center resort (JW Marriott and the Minor Group were a major sponsor of that Guide). The venerable GM, Somsak Tanruengsri (an avid golfer), was a gracious host, providing a late-night dinner and a welcoming (and rejuvenating) Thai massage in my room. I needed it and he could tell. I never forgot that hospitality. Gracious, professional and
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“Gracious, professional and courteous.�
+66 (0) 38 412 120 218 M.10 Beach Road,Pattaya, 20260 pattayamarriott@minornet.com www.marriott.com/PYXMC
courteous. Made me want to return. So I did over the years.
toward the Walking Street).
The hotel is, also, a favorite among repeat guests because of this attentive and cosseting treatment that extends from all of the staff.
Golfers thrive here because of the service and amenities. In the morning they haul their bags and radiate out to the nearly 20 courses populating the region (two Siam CC courses and St. Andrews 2000 are outstanding).
Beside its excellent location, this 10-story hotel (268 rooms and 30 suites) features a marvelous spa, two restaurants, complimentary indoor parking, and a swimming pool (that is so mysteriously peaceful you marvel that through the back entrance the Beach Road has traffic hurdling south
For convenience, service and cozy comfort in an urban setting, drop in. Khun Somsak and his attentive team are there to graciously greet you. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Panviman Koh Chang Resort Koh Chang (Trad), Thailand
50 Rooms (33 Deluxe and 17 Deluxe Pool Access, all in traditional Thai-style) free-form swimming pool with Jacuzzi in a lush Pools: tropical garden Spa: the gracious Viman Spa, sauna, Thai massage corner, Spa corner Restaurants The Four Angels, Pool Snacks Rocky Bar & Bars: yes Fitness: Fun Facts: Panviman shop
Rooms:
A WHAT?:
Private Beach +66 (0) 39 619 040-5 +66 (0) 39 619 038 Fax 8/15 Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang (Trad), Thailand reservations@panviman.com www.panviman.com
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T
his hideaway in Thailand’s second largest island, located in the eastern edge of the Gulf of Thailand, is a significant cultural, historical, naturalistic and tourism experience. For nature lovers, Koh Chang’s richness of waterfalls, coral reefs, and rainforests will trap your imagination. For history lovers, Koh Chang was a battle ground in World War II where the French, the Thai and the Japanese engaged. For adventure and luxury lovers, discover different resorts, hotels, delicate spas, and various outdoor activities (hiking
“...an elegant island resort worthy of a memorable vacation.�
and canoeing).
at the Four Angels, Rocky Bar, or the Pool Snacks bar.
The Panviman Koh Chang resort, rich in green, gives a different feeling during the day and the night, especially in the deluxe pool access compound. The deep-rooted history and mystery of Thailand is reflected in the crafted millefleur pattern on the ceilings of each villa and other fancy statues spread throughout the resort. The interior of each villa is decorated with antique wood and old Thai-style beds.
The mixture of Thai and western massage at Viman Spa is salubrious. Be pampered with Thai essential oil.
Spend your time at the three-tiered swimming pool. Splurge your appetite at the pool or Klong Prao beach with local delights
BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon
The calmness of the private beach dissolves your worries as clear blue skies and the sparkling ocean give you peace. Full of nature and history: an elegant island resort worthy of a memorable vacation.
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CITY (BANGKOK) As the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of Thailand, Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience, at times served up in an apparently chaotic manner, but always with a gracious smile. Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdom’s capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it is known to its inhabitants. Many tourists who travel to Bangkok are immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city and the vast number of attractions Bangkok has to offer. Indeed there is a wide variety of Bangkok sightseeing opportunities spanning more than two centuries of rapid development following the city’s founding in 1782 by King Rama I, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty. Since that auspicious date, Bangkok has swelled to a cosmopolitan, 21st century city of more than 10 million inhabitants. While the immensity of the city and its bustling streets can be intimidating at first, those who spend some time in Bangkok are quickly enamored by the myriad attractions Bangkok contains, from exotic temples, which underscore Thailand’s strong Buddhist history, to modern shopping malls, which make shopping an integral part of any Bangkok holiday. Bangkok features attractions guaranteed to please visitors either simply passing through the city or spending their entire Thailand holiday in Bangkok. Beyond Bangkok’s historical district, there are plenty of other attractions that make a Bangkok holiday both enjoyable and memorable. The downtown districts along Silom and Sukhumvit Roads have a convenient electric rail system, including an elevated sky-train and underground subway, that have made travel in Bangkok both easy and enjoyable. Connecting hotels directly to shopping malls and traditional markets, such as Mah Boon Krong Center and Chatuchak (JJ) weekend market, the MRT and BTS systems have literally elevated Bangkok shopping to world-class status. Of course, no Thailand holiday is complete without experiencing Thailand’s vibrant nightlife. Whether, the purpose of your Thailand holiday is to immerse yourself in Thailand’s unique culture or simply to splurge in Bangkok shopping malls, when you travel to Bangkok you are guaranteed a fascinating experience of both old-world charm and modern convenience and luxury. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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CITY (BANGKOK) River Side 86 88
Shangri-La Hotel The Peninsula
Downtown Area 90 92 94 96 98 100
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Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 Hansar Bangkok Hotel Sivatel Swiss么tel Le Concorde
BEST OF CLASS
PLACES TO GO
Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kheaw) - the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound give you a feeling of the grand architectural style.
Wat Arun - this Wat or Buddhist temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology.
Vimanmek Mansion Museum - this is the world’s largest golden teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-story royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing fin de siecle royal memorabilia.
ASIATIQUE - Bangkok’s first large-scale riverside community mall combining shopping, dining, sightseeing, activities and events under one roof.
Siam Paragon - Luxury Shopping mall. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, Thailand
I
f you travel in this hemisphere, this hotel is certainly no stranger to you. World-renowned, and elegant in every aspect, the Shangri-La brand is synonymous with tasteful luxury and distinguished service. I am a big fan. I have listened to the string symphony playing nightly in the cathedral-ceiling lobby of the Makati Shangri-La in Manila; boated to the stunning new resort in Boracay; been dazzled by the extended architecture in Singapore (and, ohh, that Valley Wing!). I had a blissful stay in Abu Dhabi (and still have the leather-encased flash-drive they gifted me!). And enjoyed the pomp and celebration of an international film festival in Bangkok.
provide 62 spacious options in the main building. The Krungthep Wing – a luxurious, discerning, private enclave – features 119 rooms (10 suites) along with butler service and a private pool. The hotel serves vacationers and business travelers (with copious banquet – the Grand Ballroom – and conference space) with a comforting Spa and a large fitness center and views.
The brand is superb. It’s all class.
It also serves: the kids; chocolates and pastries; great dinner at any of four restaurants (the dinner buffet is cosmopolitan, diverse and fresh) and a floating dinner on the chic Horizon Cruise.
The Shangri-La’s 802 rooms have towered over the Chao Phraya River for 26 years and continue to impress and shine. Five categories of suites
While all of the formal accoutrements and details give the guest comfort, it’s the exuberance that makes it special.
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“World-renowned, and elegant in every aspect, [it] is synonymous with tasteful luxury and distinguished service.”
Room: Pools: Pool: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
802 (two adjacent towers: Shangri-La Wing and Krungthep Wing); classic Thai décor (silk and teak accents); Horizon Club (four stories) one at each Wing award-winning CHI, The Spa Salathip, Angelini, NEXT2 Café, Shang Palace, The Chocolate Boutique The Long Bar, Lobby and Riverside Lounges Health Club; tennis courts butler service, boat rides Horizon Cruise - dinner cruise and private charter
+66 (0) 2 236 7777 +66 (0) 2 236 8579 Fax 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand www.shangri-la.com/bangkok
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The Peninsula Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand
I
f this hotel were a woman, I would propose.
Elegant, sleek, worldly, sophisticated and suffused with Old-World charm, the Peninsula is one of the best in Bangkok. It holds your hand, caresses you and whispers in your ear. It’s love at first visit. Towering over the frenetic Chao Phraya River – and a rapid ferry ride to the shopping and business enclaves (and the BTS) – this gracious hotel personifies class and luxury. “We make your visit special,” says Khun Kee, the Director of Public Relations, as she took my impressed Director, Khun Bew and me from room, to spa, to pool, to the restaurants. And much to relate here: it’s eye-opening and superb. Arrive by car, riverboat or helicopter. Travel in a Rolls
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Royce or a custom, open-air tuk-tuk. It is grand. Plush. Oozing style. It’s a favorite. And it was honored at the Top City Hotel in Asia in 2012 by Travel + Leisure. Its 370 spacious guest rooms (each a sumptuous 46 square meters) and classical suites, rising 37 floors, all provide sweeping, river views of the City of Angels. The three-tiered pool flows toward the river. Tennis courts and a Fitness Center keep you buff, and the restaurants insist that you indulge (try the idyllic Thiptara, for Thai food by the river; Mei Jiang is award-winning). The spa is magic. Romantic? You bet. Business? Voted third best business hotel in Asia-Pacific. A must.
“Elegant, sleek, worldly, sophisticated and suffused with Old-World charm...”
Room: Pool Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
370 (All rooms offer River views) flowing toward the River elite splendid: Mei Jiang, Thiptara, River Cafe & Terrace The River Bar excellent and elaborate, personal trainers, three tennis courts arrive by helicopter, Rolls Royce or tuk-tuk; Peninsula Academy Programme: Thai Martial Art, Herbal Discovery
+66 (0) 2 861 2888 +66 (0) 2 861 1112 Fax 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan Bangkok 10600 Thailand pbk@peninsula.com www.peninsula.com/bangkok
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Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand
Room Pool: Spa: Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Parking Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
316 (five categories, 30 to 45 sqm; two suites, 85 sqm) outdoor yes MoMo CafĂŠ Pool Bar yes 40 spots for hotel new Executive Lounge great location to shop and wander
+66 (0) 2 690 1888 155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1, Rajdamri Road Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand www.courtyardbangkok.com
T
his is a refreshing, wonderfully-situated and wellrun hotel with superlative (but unpretentious) accommodations.
Tucked away on a wide, classy locale in the snazzy, downtown Rajdamri area (a walk to Central World), this 316-room Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok provides all the convenient, vital essentials for your Bangkok stay. The new refreshing stay where location meets urban
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“...provides all the convenient, vital essentials for your refreshing Bangkok stay.”
flair with the friendliest service and warmest smiles and available to you all year round. This hotel is a casual alternative to many of its stuffy neighbors and has all the amenities for the vacationer or business traveler: pool, fitness, conference facilities and – new since its opening – an Executive Lounge at new heights looks over the city life. A perfect place to relax after a day of shopping and sight-seeing or to get work done.
The extensive lobby provides spacious areas and the all day dining MoMo Café restaurant serves up delicious menus both indoor and the outdoor terrace. Courtyard is simply the new kind of stay. Urban, pragmatic and convenient. It’s the new refreshing stay. With: Stephanie Anantachotkakul Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri Bangkok, Thailand
O
ne of the principal benefits of visiting Thailand is value. The glory of the trip emerges when that value blends into an extraordinary fusion of luxury, service and special amenities. Then your vacation becomes unique. During my 10 years of traveling in and out of Thailand (with considerable time in Bangkok), I have been a guest at countless hotels and resorts. Nowhere in my exhaustive travels have I encountered a
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country (and major city) with such value-added luxury. It’s a wonderful currency. Then factor in comfort (large rooms), exceptional service and extraordinary value. Several years ago I stayed with my visiting brother at this new (and imposing) 526-room hotel on a quiet and refined location. We dwelled in a spacious (111 sq.m) two-bedroom suite. The location is superb: a short walk from major shopping malls and the Skytrain (Ratchadamri Station; Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Central
“...an extraordinary fusion of luxury, service and special amenities.”
World, Pratunam). Excellent location for eating, shopping, movies and soaking in the culture. Luxurious lobby, attentive service, and large, comfortable rooms make it a delight. And wonderful facilities: swimming pool, fitness center, sauna/steam, Jacuzzi, Entertainment Room, Reading Room, Residence Lounge, Playgroup and Kids room.
Room Pool: Spa:
526 (starting at 44 sqm) large and one for the kids RarinJinda, 8th floor
Restaurants Fitness: Parking Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
MESAMIS CAFE, G floor complete with sauna and steam room, Jacuzzi yes entertainment room, kids room, a most excellent location for shopping and sight-seeing +66 (0) 2 670 5000 153/2, soi Mahatlek Luang 1, Radchadamri Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 THAILAND rsvn_ratchadamri@centrepoint.com res_ratchadamri@centrepoint.com www.grandecentrepointratchadamri.com
Impressive. Special. Service at its finest. First class. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 Bangkok, Thailand
Rooms: Pool: Spa:
498 (five categories, 32-70 sqm) with city or lake views large yes
Restaurants & Bar: Fitness: Parking: Fun Facts:
BlueSpice Pool Service (Non-Alcohol) tennis court, jogging track ample in the heart of the action; direct access to Terminal 21 and the BTS and MRT mini-putting green
A WHAT?:
+66 (0) 2 681 9000 2, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 19 (Wattana), Sukhumvit Rd., Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. www.grandecentrepointterminal21.com
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I
t towers in the heart of popular Bangkok and is a fabulous complement to the burgeoning, classy neighborhood that continues to throb with activity: restaurants, shopping, nightspots and recreation. The Grande Centre Point (it is grand, and it is in the center – that’s the point!) has been a popular, luxury addition to the pantheon of central Bangkok’s five-star hotels. I like it for many reasons: an excellent location, refreshing city panoramas, wonderful architecture, a host of services, access to Bangkok’s hotspots, and a plethora
“This has been a popular luxury addition to the pantheon of central Bangkok’s five-star hotels.”
of fun playthings. It offers: cosseting service; commodious guestrooms; kitchens; an outdoor park; sprawling pool, a kids room; spa; Executive Lounge; fitness center and outdoor facilities (tennis court and jogging track); and a broad array of recreational facilities. If this soaring hotel were your blind date you would be pleased with the sparkling glamour and the warm personality. And a bonus…golf!! Who would believe that – at a luxury hotel in the pulsating heart of metropolitan Bangkok – a
guest could enjoy an outdoor, six-hole, mini-putting green. It rests above the Skytrain and the underground MRT at the Asok junction. You can easily access the entire city. So convenient. The studios (32-46 sqm), one-bedroom (70 sqm) and executive suites house short and long-term guests, a hallmark of the Centre Point brand (which has nine hotels and serviced apartments throughout Bangkok). A wonderful, multifaceted property. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Hansar Bangkok Hotel Bangkok, Thailand
“H
ansar: …to be in the moment of great happiness or enjoyment.”
How apt is that Sanskrit: sky gardens and vertical green walls with hanging tropical plants; a fantastic, central-Bangkok location; muted grace and sophistication; handsome, commodious suites. Let me quote their perspicacious media materials:
Suites: Pools: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Parking: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
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94 (five categories, 59 to 125 sqm) 26-meter infinity swimming pool full-service spa (eight treatment rooms) with garden, and salon Eve, Café Boca, Vue (live piano) Zest (pool bar) double story, state-of-the-art Lifefitness equipment and yoga room 40 spots for hotel interior design is world-class, with green walls, Thai silks, custom furnishings location, congeniality, and romance on the roof
BEST OF CLASS
Hansar Bangkok was designed with the Boutique Traveler in mind …[and] is to be discovered, revisited… [by] customers who yearn for an authentic and unpretentious luxury experience in an intimate environment where no luxuries are forsaken.
The 94 roomy guest suites (59 to 82 sqm; and two, grand, duplex Loft Suites at 125 sqm – with butler), are bedecked with teak furniture and built-ins, imported silk fabrics and wall coverings, hand-woven carpets, and lighting fixtures – all custom-designed. It is suffused with Thai culture. And lots of space.
“...muted grace and sophistication; handsome, capacious suites.”
Everything, it seems, is elegantly-outsized: •
the dramatic, 10th floor, Luxsa spa stretches down a 100-meter-long teak corridor with eight treatment rooms (enter, turn right, walk to the end for a premier private suite with Jacuzzi and shower encased in tropical gardens);
•
a double-story fitness center and yoga room;
•
two spacious but cozy restaurants: Eve (breakfast was classy) and Café Boca (excellent lunch, from soup, salad, a Thai specialty, to homemade desserts)
•
the Rooftop Sky Terrace
Tucked into a fashionable Soi, and a four-minute walk to the BTS Skytrain, convenience is coupled with casual glamour. The warm-tones, high ceilings, hanging gardens and sensational, sensuous space make this a splendid, luxurious aerie in the heart of bustling Bangkok.
+66 (0) 2 209 1234 +66 (0) 2 209 1212 Fax 3 Soi Mahadlekluang 2 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 www.hansarbangkok.com
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Sivatel Bangkok, Thailand
O
verlooking the British Embassy compound on Wireless Road, this wonderfully urbane, elegantly contemporary and environmentally-conscious hotel is a constellation (all-star, five-star; whatever…). Crisp, clean, clear, marvelously convenient – and hosting some fabulous views of nearby central Bangkok – this is a commodious alternative for the traveler seeking both living space and stylistic grace. Talk about prime location. The mixed-use building sends you to the capacious 17th floor for check-in (do step out onto the balcony); and there’s no place to go from here
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but up. The 32nd floor is one of three top tiers that houses 10 long-stay serviced apartments. The remaining floors showcase Regal Suites (64 sqm), Regent Suites (96 sqm) and more suites (144 to 196 sqm – the Regal Suite with private terrace). Sweet. The accoutrements are bountiful and special, from an IPTV with an Apple platform, to recliners, in-room dining, complimentary everything, post office and bank, sky-diving launch-pad and camel racing (I made some of that up). And a glorious, seductive, infinity pool offering sunshine and views. The refinements (see the metaphorical mural on the wall as
“...wonderfully urbane, elegantly contemporary and environmentally-conscious...”
Rooms: Pool: Spa: Restaurants
you escalate), service and attention to detail are special. Khun Apichan Sivayathorn, the executive director and GM, whose family has owned the property and the two+-year-old hotel for more than 50 years, smiles gently as he discusses its genesis and core values: “We believe in green. We have invested in energizing our environment. The tri-part Sivatel logo symbolizes harmony and the focus we must put on sustainable and healthy life-style options. Balance.” The mantra is persuasive and the calm pervasive. It earns another star for holistic.
& Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
75 (beginning at the 18th floor) one-and two-BR suites; top three floors are serviced residences 22-meter outdoor infinity pool (with green chlorination system) Eight Spa is gracious Cafe Jardin (casual), The Porch (poolside and duplex, with live music), The Terrace; Bubble (poolside drinks) Eight Health Club has what you need and a bonus yoga, aerobic work-out room “clean, green and smart” and passionately environmental-centric All-suite hotel in a superb location with a great view of the bustling streets of Bangkok +66 (0) 2 309 5000 53 Wittayu Rd. Lumpini, Patumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand info@sivatelbangkok.com www.sivatelbangkok.com
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Swissôtel Le Concorde Bangkok, Thailand
T
his visit was an unexpected treat. An elegant, first-class, urban hostelry has emerged on the fringe of Bangkok’s traditional business zones. It conquers the area with its presence and its service. It is replete with delightful surprises. Tucked away in busy Ratchadapisek Road, 15-minutes north of the Asok/Sukhumvit hubbub, this is the only hotel of dignified significance in the burgeoning area. It is taking full advantage of its neighborhood star-turn. Four Executive Club floors, with a capacious and comfortable Lounge (and private gym), crown this 22-story building, which currently is home to “407 well-appointed”
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rooms; as well as a massive Grand Ballroom and 17 multifarious conference rooms. Marcel Sawyere, the buoyant GM, happily points out a host of salubrious features: “We have four restaurants [the Chinese and Japanese are outstanding] which draw 90% of its business from outside the hotel,” he nods. Impressive. “Our Spa and expansive fitness complex [with a sprawling fifthfloor pool], also, attract many of our neighborhood friends.” But that’s not all of the good news. “We have just unveiled our intention to embark upon an ambitious campaign to renovate and upgrade the hotel. We begin shortly, three floors at a time,” Marcel added.
“This visit was an unexpected treat. An elegant, first-class, urban hostelry...”
Rooms: Pool: Spa: Restaurants
Well, what about the “407 well-appointed rooms” (and they are – or were)? “They are to be modernized and – simply – made more elegant. “We are aiming to position hotel as one of Bangkok’s leading MICE hotels.” They are blessed with an underground stop (four minute walk) and a bounty of planned development in Ratchadapisek: new shopping malls, office buildings, and the relocation of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
& Bar: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
407 well-appointed (but, still to be renovated…) outdoor and large (5th floor ) expansive and enthusiastic excellent with many locals dining (Takumi, Fountain Café and the Deli) the capacious Loong Foong (2nd floor) with party rooms; Crossroads Bar large and complete hard to believe, but they want to renovate; easy access all over the city; 10 golf courses within 45-minutes wonderful dining options and in-hotel pleasures +66 (0) 2 694 2222
“Business dynamics are changing, and we are here to serve,” he states with an enthusiastic smile.
204 Rachadapisek Road, Huay Kwang Bangkok 10320 Thailand
So far, so good.
www.swissotel.com
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Doi Chiang Dao also known as Doi Luang Chiang Dao (ดอยหลวงเชียงดาว) is a 2,175 m high mountain in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is the third highest peak in Thailand. Doi Chiang Dao is part of a limestone massif located 6 km to Chiang Dao town and less than 40 km south of the border with Burma at the eastern end of the Thai highlands. This mountain is part of the Pha Daeng National Park, formerly known as “Chiang Dao National Park”.
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MOUNTAINS For any traveler wishing to explore the wonders of nature, a Thailand National Park is an outstanding destination. There are many forest parks if you long to explore the tropical rainforest or travel deep into the wild jungle to see some of the exotic animals in Thailand. If you prefer scuba diving, snorkeling, or sea kayaking there are a number of national marine parks in the south and east of Thailand that are simply stunning. In fact, Thailand has over 100 national parks, including more than 20 marine parks; each park in Thailand contains unique flora and fauna as well as basic amenities, including some bungalows with electricity and grounds for camping (even if you don’t bring your own tent). Most of these parks are easily accessible and admission fees are relatively modest, though booking ahead is often recommended as some parks are very popular with Thai visitors, particular over long holiday weekends. Eco-oriented activities at a national park in Thailand range from trekking, kayaking, nature photography, camping and snorkeling to spotting exotic birds and other animals in Thailand unlike those found elsewhere in the world. However, simply relaxing and enjoying the pristine beauty of unspoiled Thai nature may be the most rewarding experience of all. A few of Thailand’s more popular national parks are: Doi Inthanon National Park in Northern Thailand features Thailand’s highest peak and contains waterfalls and forests containing numerous species of orchid. The area is also inhabited by indigenous hill tribe villagers. Pha Hom Pok National Park, the highest hill in the park is about 2285 meters above sea level. On the top of the hill, there is granite and a shallow layer of soil. It is quite windy all the year. and the ridge road being parallel with the border of Thailand-Myanmar. It is interesting to visit the national park in winter because of the cooler weather, mountain mists and migratory birds such as purple cochoa, brown-breasted bulbul. Sam Roi Yot National Park is a favorite for bird watchers as the coastal region of the park features marshes that are home to a variety of waterfowl and other marine life. Erawan National Park, located in Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand, features a renowned seven-tiered waterfall and a tropical forest that contains numerous wildlife species.
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MOUNTAINS (Chiang Mai) MOUNTAIN HOTELS 108 110 112 114
Howie’s Homestay Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhavi Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort
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PLACES TO GO
Chiangmai Zoo - a well-managed large zoo, The most popular stars are a couple of pandas and kid.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - the most important and visible landmark, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop.
Huai Nam Dang National Park - a demonstration site for planting and researching flowering plants, temperate fruit trees, vegetables and other crop under the patronage of the King
Ratchaphruek Garden - unique and delicate artwork and architecture which enriches the minds of its visitors with its seductive natural beauty
Doi Ang Khang - overlooks Doi Chiang Dao and is a superb spot to see sunrise amid cloudy valleys in the early morning
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Howie’s Homestay Chiang Mai, Thailand
Rooms: Pools: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
one to four infinity masseuse on call he does the cooking ‌and provides the wine list on property an exquisite estate and quasi museum a US$15 million extravaganza of consummate good taste +66 (0) 81 882 8345 www.howieshomestay.com howie@howieshomestay.com
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Y
ou talk about an exquisite B&B! This is off the charts.
A Thai dream-house on the northern fringe of Chiang Mai in the Himalayan foothills and featured in (among others): Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times; this is a five-star, boutique beauty.
First, a disclosure: I know Howard Feldman, and watched as he and world-famous architect Bill Bensley created this manse over a 10-year period. Lovingly designed and magnificently constructed, this is a masterpiece, an architectural tour de force.
“A Thai dream-house on the northern fringe of Chiang Mai.”
have spent many weekends visiting him and his darling wife, Jerri, on this five-acre estate and have thrived in the hospitality. This guy can cook, entertain, fix your luggage, build you a bookcase, and arrange your next flight to Bhutan. He may be Chiang Mai’s only Renaissance Man! Guests are tucked into the one-bedroom Teak Pavilion with an eight-meter teak ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto tropical gardens. An outdoor bathroom with sunken bath caresses you. Look forward to intimate privacy, home-
cooked Thai dinners served by the palm-fringed pool, daily massages, a car with a driver…ahhh. The neighboring Four Seasons often uses his estate for functions. For the guest, it is an elegant sanctuary. Quiet, luxurious, private, stunning (on the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List 2013) and – most of all – tasteful. And expensive. Check out the web site and drool. Six stars. Maybe a constellation. Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhavi Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, Thailand
Rooms: Pools: Spa: Restaurants & Bars: Fitness: Fun Facts: A WHAT?:
54 suites, 64 villas, five residences Two main The Dheva Spa (18 treatment suites) Farang Ses (French), Fujian (Chinese), Le Grand Lanna (Thai), Akaligo (International), Oriental Shop (Pastries); Colonial Pool Bar, Loy Kham Bar, Horn Bar Fully-equipped, jogging paths, two flood-lit, tennis courts, bicycles Library, Lanna Kids Club The most magnificent grounds – a tourist attraction!
+66 (0) 53 888 888 51/4 Chiang Mai - Sankampaeng Road Moo 1, T. Tasala, A. Muang Chiang Mai 50000 mocnx-reservations@mohg.com www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai
T
his is a luxurious, stylish and inimitable resort in the polished and historic northern city of Chiang Mai. It is all class.
I visited years ago shortly after it opened and was dazzled by the setting, artistry, diversity and lush surroundings. The architecture is magnificent. Someone has his heart and soul into this project and the exquisite details show. Marvelous. Expensive – but, ohh, so worth the visit. The setting is majestic, on 60 acres, with a design influenced
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“...a luxurious, stylish and inimitable resort...sumptuous”
by the rich heritage of the Lanna Kingdom with rice paddies, a Thai village and colonial buildings. A wonderful ambiance. The range of accommodations is magnificent. Luxurious, colonial suites (54) start at 75 sqm; 64 private, marvelous villas and five residences range to – get ready – 644 sqm, all with separate sitting areas, some with private plunge pools and Jacuzzis. Whew! It is impressive, manicured, refined and grand. Take a leisurely walk and fill your senses. Opulent.
Restaurants proliferate with four offering an international range of fine dining. The Dheva Spa is world-class (18 treatment rooms) and offers a wide array of creative and healing treatments. The fitness facilities are state-of-theart and a jogging trial and two tennis courts increase the aerobic options. Manage to stay for, at least, a weekend, and wander around the superlative, manicured and landscaped grounds. Sumptuous.
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Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand
T
he rhythmic sounds of the waterfall surround the hills of Chiang Mai.
Panviman Chiang Mai is one of your ultimate luxury resort selections. The compound is located 45 minutes from Chiang Mai International airport and the city center. One gets the impression of an exclusive, private getaway when entering the long walkway of the lobby decorated in a high, wooden ceiling. Be lured with two swimming pools that come with a
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sizeable waterfall. The resort is decorated in historical, temple-like style with antique wood. It is recognized as having the most “Green Area” and implements a policy of “Smoke Free” environment. Linger in different rooms of the Panviman’s villas with a scenic view of the green hills. Most come with a private balcony, Jacuzzi, or a steam room. Soak yourself in the outdoor Jacuzzi or at the Sala Massage, perched on the wooden balcony. The Panviman Spa has
“...a unique, adventurous experience.”
42 (Valley, Mountain and High Mountain Deluxe, Steam, Jacuzzi, Viman Pool, and Family) two-story swimming pool (with waterfall) Pools: Panviman Spa (12,000 sqm), Thai massage, and Foot Spa: massage pavilions Restaurants Panorama Restaurant, Spa Plus Restaurant Pool Bar & Bars: Yoga studio, mountain bikes, Fitness Center, jogging track, Fitness: pool table, Boxing Fun Facts: The Kid’s Playground, Mini-Golf Course, Archery, Petanque, Giant Chess A WHAT?: Hill Tribe Terrace, Moon terrace for barbecue, Meditation cave, Panviman Spa Academy
Rooms:
been awarded the 2nd best spa in Thailand. It is ranked 4th best spa in Southeast Asia. Have an unforgettable dinner, either during a sunny day or under a starry night, at the Panorama restaurant. It serves Thai and international food menu that gives a 360 degree view of Chiang Mai’s mountain top. Beyond the luxury of the resort, venture out to the nearby attractions sites of Chiang Mai town: Botanical garden, orchid farm, white-water rafting.
+66 (0) 53 879 540 197/2 Moo 1 Tambol Pong-Yang Amphur Maerim ,Chiang Mai, 50180 Thailand reservations@panviman.com www.panviman.com
BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand
Rooms:
35 (29 deluxe, deluxe pool rooms – 46 to 53 sqm; five suites – 93 sqm; villa – 164 sqm) Pools: indoor and outdoor pool, Kid’s pool Spa: Wellness Spa – herbal steam room, Jacuzzi, hydro pool, detoxifying, chromo therapy Restaurants Deck 1 Restaurant Fitness: complete; yoga studio Fun Facts: Chiang Mai’s most comprehensive and technologically innovative spa facility A WHAT?: a fabulous Spa beside the river, with historical architecture and pond
+66 (0) 53 247 000, +66 (0) 53 303 030 1, 14 Chareonraj Rd., T. Wat Kate, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand info@rarinjinda.com www.rarinjinda.com
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T
he antiquities of Chiang Mai can be discovered through a visit to this gracious resort in Chiang Mai (historically known as the Kingdom of Lanna, which played a significant historical, cultural, and commercial role during the 13th to 18th centuries in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s most populous city in the Northern region). This five-star spa resort has 35 luxurious deluxe rooms, suites and a villa, which offer private veranda and ceiling fans that give the views of the swimming pool and the Doi Suthep mountain and the Ping River.
“The pleasure of the resort lies in its state-of-the-art Spa facilities...”
The location of RarinJinda is exceptional as it is just 10 minutes’ walk from the Night Bazaar and a 15 minute drive from Chiang Mai Airport.
facilities (winner of World Luxury Spa Awards 2012, Best Luxury Destination Spa - Thailand) and offers a sensational variety of programs ranging from hydrotherapy to sauna. [NB: Visit the Bangkok spa at the Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri or Phuket Spa behind Jungceylon Center].
Beyond the cultivated facilities, one can do countless excursions: trekking, day trip to Chiang Rai, and sightseeing to the Sankampaeng district.
The Deck 1 restaurant located by the river will entice you. End your day with the full moon under Chiang Mai’s skyline.
The pleasure of the resort lies in its state-of-the-art Spa
A perfect escape for the winter months in Thailand.
An even more historical highlight is the sedate, 140-yearold, elegant, antique Thai teak-wood home that houses the resort within the compound of the Wat Ket Community.
BY: Salinthip (Joyce) Tangpanjapon Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Thailand
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Useful Telephone List Emergency & Information Ambulance and Rescue Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Crime Highway Police Immigration Department Medical Emergency Call
1554 1555 1195 1193 02-287-3101 1669
National Disaster Warning Centre 1860 Police (General Emergency Call) 191 SOS - Police And Fire Department 199 Time Service 181 Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation 1784 Tourist Assistance 1337 ext 9
Embassies & Consulates in Bangkok Argentina 02-259-0401 Australian 02-344-6300 Austria 02-303-6257-8 Bahrain 02-636-7892 Belgium 02-108-1800 Brazil 02-679-8567-8 Bangladesh 02-390-5107-8 Brunei 02-714-7395-9 Bulgaria 02-108-1800 Canada 02-646-4300 Chile 02-260-0045-8 China 02-245-0088 02-245-7043-4 Czech Republic 02-250-9223-4 Denmark 02-343-1100 Egypt 02-726-9831-2,3 Finland 02-207-8700 France 02-657-5100 Germany 02-287-9000 Philippines 02-259-0139
Poland 02-645-0367-9 Portugal 02-234-0373 02-234-2123 Romania 02-240-2522-3 Russia 02-234-9824 02-268-1169 Saudi Arabia 02-2639-2999-60,63 Singapore 02-286-2111 Spain 02-661-8284-7 Sri Lanka 02-261-1934-5,7,8 Sweden 02-263-7200 Switzerland 02-674-6900 Turkey 02-274-7262-3 United States 02-205-4000 United Kingdom 02-305-8333 Vietnam 02-251-5838 Yugoslavia 02-391-9091 Japan 02-207-8500 Korea (South Korea) 02-319-2686-7
Transportation Airport Information Suvarnabhumi airport
02-132-1888
Don Muang Airport (DMK) Bangkok
02-535-1192
Domestic Airline Thai Airways (TG) 02-356-1111 Bangkok Airways (PG) 1771 Thai Air Asia (FD) 02-515-9999 One-Two-Go (OG) 1126 Nok Air (DD) 1318 Car Rental Krungthai Car Rent & Krungthai Operating Lease PLC. Master Car Rental Co., Ltd. Petchburee Car Rent (1978) Ezy Rent A Car
Bank & Credit Card
Bangkok Bank PCL Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) Krung Thai Bank PCL
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02-291-8888 ext 130-133 02-663-3030 02-318-8888 02-615-1103-9 ext 104, 217 02-638-4000 02-777-7777 02-208-8699
Skytrain / Subway BTS Skytrain Call Center BRT Call Center MRT Subway Call Center
02-612-2444 02-643-8855 02-354-2000
Taxi Services Taxi Services Center Bangkok Taxi Cooperative Issara Taxi Cooperative Krung Thai Taxi Cooperative Siam Taxi Cooperative Arsa Samak Taxi Cooperative Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative Taxi Borvorn Cooperative
1681, 1661, 1668, 1545 02-424-1859 02-270-1716 02-509-8510 02-944-5061 02-433-3231 02-618-2680-2 02-410-3495
Train Railway of Thailand (Pathumwan Office)
02-621-8701
TMB Bank Public Company Limited 1558 Kasikorn Bank 02-888-8888 Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited 1572
is published annually by Lihn’s Golf Guide (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 199/12 Chicha Castle, Sukhumvit Soi 31, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110 +66 (0) 2 259 5185 and +66 (0) 87 351 7722 E-mail: info@lihnsgolf.com.
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INDEX Beaches Krabi Pimalai Resort & Spa + 66 (0) 23 205 500 + 66 (0) 23 205 503 Fax 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand. reservation@pimalai.com www.pimalai.com
Koh Samui Conrad Koh Samui +66 (0) 77 915 888 +66 (0) 77 915 899 Fax 49/8-9 Moo 4, Hillcrest Road, Tambol Taling Ngam, Amphur Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand 84140 conrad_koh_samui@conradhotels.com www.conradkohsamui.com Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas +66 (0) 77 915 000 +66 (0) 77 601 239 Fax 111/1-2 Moo 5 Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 contact@bhundhari.com www.bhundhari.com InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort +66 (0) 77 429 100 +66 (0) 77 423 220 Fax 295 Moo 3, Taling Ngam Beach, Koh Samui Suratthani 84140 Thailand reservations@ickohsamui.com samui.intercontinental.com Napasai Koh Samui +66 (0) 77 429 200 +66 (0) 77 429 201 Fax 65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui Surat Thani 84330 Thailand info@napasai.com www.napasai.com Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa +66 (0) 77 429 300 +66 (0) 77 429 333 Fax 208/1 Moo 4, T. Maret, Lamai Beach Koh Samui, 84310 Thailand www. renaissancekohsamui.com ShaSa Resort & Residences Koh Samui +66 (0) 77 913 888 +66 (0) 77 913 899 Fax 116/1 Moo 2 Tambon Mared, Laem Set Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310 Thailand unforgettable@shasahotels.com www.shasahotels.com
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Vana Belle
Paresa
+66 (0) 77 915 555 +66 (0) 77 915 556 FAX 9/99 Moo 3, Chaweng Noi Beach Surat Thani, Koh Samui 84320 www.vanabellekohsamui.com
+66 (0) 76 302 000 +66 (0) 76 302 001 Fax 49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay road, Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand reservations@paresaresorts.com www.paresaresorts.com
Phuket Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas +66 (0) 76 337 300 +66 (0) 76 337 399 Fax 18/40 Moo 6, Nakalay Road, Kamala Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150 mail@capesienna.com www.capesienna.com
The Bell Pool Villa Resort +66 (0) 76 279 914 +66 (0) 76 279 412 Fax 41/31 Moo 5, Baan Hua Khuan, Soi Bell, Kamala, Phuket 83150 Thailand reservation@thebellphuket.com www.thebellphuket.com The Naka Island
+66 (0) 76 303 300 +66 (0) 76 303 303 FAX 106/27, Surin Beach Road, Mu-3, Cherngtalay, Talang, Phuket 83110 Thailand www.doubletree3.hilton.com
+66 (0) 76 371 400 +66 (0) 76 371 401 Fax 32 Moo 5, Tambol Paklok, Amphur Thalang, Naka Yai Island, Phuket 83110 Thailand naka.reservations@luxurycollection.com www.nakaislandphuket.com
Indigo Pearl
The Racha
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket-Surin Beach
+66 (0) 76 327 006 +66 (0) 76 327 338 Fax Nai Yang Beach and National Park Phuket 83110, Thailand Info@indigo-pearl.com www. indigo-pearl.com Kalima Resort & Spa +66 (0) 76 358 999 +66 (0) 76 358 988 Fax 338/1 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150 rsvn@kalimaresort.com www.kalimaresort.com Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa + 66 (0) 76 371 371 + 66 (0) 76 371 372 Fax 138/21 Moo 4, Mai Khao Thalang Phuket, Thailand 83110 maikhaorsvn@maikhaodream.com www.maikhaodream.com Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa Natai +66 (0) 76 401 301 +66 (0) 76 401 305 Fax 55 Moo 6, Kok Kloi, Takuathung Phang Nga, Thailand 82140 natairsvn@maikhaodream.com www.maikhaodream.com
+66 (0) 76 355 455 42/12-13 Moo 5, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130 reservation@theracha.com www.theracha.com Twinpalms Phuket Resort +66 (0) 76 316 500 +66 (0) 76 316 599 Fax Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110 book@twinpalms-phuket.com www.twinpalms-phuket.com
Hua Hin Amari Hua Hin +66 (0) 32 616 600 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae, Hua Hin www.amari.com/huahin Dusit Thani +66 (0) 32 520 009 +66 (0) 32 520 296 Fax 1349 Petchkasem Road Hua Hin 76120 Thailand www.dusit.com Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa +66 (0) 32 538 999 +66 (0) 32 538 990 Fax 33 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin 77110, Thailand huahin.reservations@hilton.com www.huahin.hilton.com www.facebook.com/hiltonhuahinthailand www.facebook.com/beerhousehuahin
City (Bangkok)
Mountains Chiang Mai
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa
Shangri-La Hotel
+66 (0) 32 708 000 +66 (0) 32 708 088 Fax 1573 Petchkasem Road Thambol Cha-Am Hua Hin 76120 Thailand www.sheraton.com/huahin
+66 (0) 2 236 7777 +66 (0) 2 236 8579 Fax 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand www.shangri-la.com/bangkok
Springfield Village Golf & Spa
The Peninsula Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhavi Chiang Mai
+66 (0) 2 861 2888 +66 (0) 2 861 1112 Fax 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan Bangkok 10600 Thailand pbk@peninsula.com www.peninsula.com/bangkok
+66 (0) 53 888 888 51/4 Chiang Mai - Sankampaeng Road Moo 1, T. Tasala, A. Muang Chiang Mai 50000 mocnx-reservations@mohg.com www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai
Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok
+66 (0) 53 879 540 197/2 Moo 1 Tambol Pong-Yang Amphur Maerim ,Chiang Mai, 50180 Thailand reservations@panviman.com www.panviman.com
+66 (0) 32 709 222 +66 (0) 32 709 234 Fax 208, 208/1 Moo2, Sampraya, Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120, Thailand reservationbkk@springfieldresort.com www.springfieldresort.com Springfield @ Sea Resort & Spa +66 (0) 32 709 300 +66 (0) 32 709 333 Fax 858 Jumnong-Poomivej Rd., Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120 Thailand reservationbkk@springfieldresort.com www.springfieldresort.com Wora Bura Resort & Spa +66 (0) 32 536 999 +66 (0) 32 536 752 Fax 83/199 Soi Moo Baan Nonggare, T. Nonggare, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Thailand 77110 rsvn@worabura.com facebook.com/WoraBuraHuaHinResortandSpa www.worabura.com
Pattaya - Koh Chang Pattaya Sea Sand Sun Resort and Spa +66 (0) 38 238 654-8 78/4 M.8 Sukhumwit K.M. 163 Na Jomtien, Sattathip, Chonburi 20250 sales@seasandsunpty.com www.seasandsunpty.com Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa +66 (0) 38 412 120 218 M.10 Beach Road,Pattaya, 20260 pattayamarriott@minornet.com www.marriott.com/PYXMC Panviman Koh Chang Resort +66 (0) 39 619 040-5 +66 (0) 39 619 038 Fax 8/15 Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang (Trad), Thailand reservations@panviman.com www.panviman.com
+66 (0) 2 690 1888 155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1, Rajdamri Road Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand www.courtyardbangkok.com Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri +66 (0) 2 670 5000 153/2, soi Mahatlek Luang 1, Radchadamri Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 THAILAND rsvn_ratchadamri@centrepoint.com res_ratchadamri@centrepoint.com www.grandecentrepointratchadamri.com
Howie’s Homestay +66 (0) 81 882 8345 www.howieshomestay.com howie@howieshomestay.com
Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort
RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort +66 (0) 53 247 000, +66 (0) 53 303 030 1, 14 Chareonraj Rd., T. Wat Kate, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand info@rarinjinda.com www.rarinjinda.com
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 +66 (0) 2 681 9000 2, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 19 (Wattana), Sukhumvit Rd., Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. www.grandecentrepointterminal21.com Hansar Bangkok Hotel +66 (0) 2 209 1234 +66 (0) 2 209 1212 Fax 3 Soi Mahadlekluang 2 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 www.hansarbangkok.com Sivatel +66 (0) 2 309 5000 53 Wittayu Rd. Lumpini, Patumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand info@sivatelbangkok.com www.sivatelbangkok.com Swissôtel Le Concorde +66 (0) 2 694 2222 204 Rachadapisek Road, Huay Kwang Bangkok 10320 Thailand www.swissotel.com
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