MEMORABLE PLACES TO STAY

11 #HOTELS #RESORTS sensational

Thai hotels

Thailand has a vast range of accommodation options, from homestays to private island resorts. Here's a selection of the most memorable. By John Borthwick

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for a 360-degree view of The Sarojin.

THE SAROJIN, KHAO LAK The Sarojin’s lotus ponds and lawns roll down to a seemingly endless stretch of white sand beach, stretching out into the azure Andaman Sea. This 56-suite luxury haven near charming Takuapa Old Town gives you hectares of gardens to wander, plus pools and a secluded spa. Meanwhile, an exceptional wine cellar matches the delicious fare at the two restaurants.

ELEPHANT HILLS, SURAT THANI Elephant Hills pioneered glamping in Thailand in Khao Sok National Park. At Elephant Camp, you meet the resident pachyderms, and at the floating Rainforest Camp on Cheow Larn Lake, you can explore the surrounding landscapes by kayak, spotting birds, langurs and gibbons along the way.

CHAKRABONGSE VILLAS & RESIDENCES, BANGKOK This former palace beside the Chao Phraya River is a lush garden enclave of teak pavilions with four suites of differing size, three Moroccanthemed rooms and four studio apartments facing the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) on the opposite bank.

CAPE KUDU HOTEL, KOH YAO NOI Koh Yao Noi is located in one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world: Phang Nga Bay. At the boutique, five-star Cape Kudu Hotel, you have a front-row view of this marine Eden. A pool villa, private beach, spa and island-hopping trips complete the picture.

OPENING SPREAD: The Sarojin © Phillip Koschel THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Elephant Hills' floating accommodation on Cheow Larn Lake © Pete McGee; ChakraBongse House © John Borthwick; views of Phang Nga Bay © Jorg Sundermann RIGHT: 137 Pillars House © Masano Kawana (bottom)

137 PILLARS HOUSE, CHIANG MAI Dating back to 1889, this elegant building was once the headquarters of a grand teak trading company. And the history doesn’t stop there: the premium Louis Leonowens Pool Suites recall the founder and his family’s links to a famous Thai tale, The King and I. Now superbly restored, 137 Pillars features 30 luxurious suites, a fine restaurant, wine cellar, piano lounge and a 25-metre pool.

Jungle Bubbles at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

LEFT: ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE ELEPHANT CAMP & RESORT, CHIANG RAI From the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, you’ll see Thailand, Myanmar and Laos in one glance – but even better is the unique accommodation. Spend an unforgettable night in one of the transparent Jungle Bubbles while quietly observing elephants at large in their natural habitat.

CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT & VILLAS, HUA HIN A sense of ‘Old Siam’ blends with full modernity in this historic resort’s spacious guestrooms, suites and villas. Fine dining, four pools and a legendary high tea are part of the mix, as well as enormous gardens and wondrous topiary facing out toward the Gulf of Thailand. Don’t miss the seafront COAST Beach Club & Bistro for sundowners.

LOY LA LONG HOTEL, BANGKOK This tiny hideaway beside the Chao Phraya River has just six guestrooms. The name means 'Let it be, let it go, let it flow' – and so you do. Dine in or at nearby Chinatown, and then it’s a nightcap on the deck before drifting to sleep to the sounds of the river.

THE MOKEN ECO VILLAGE, KOH PHRA THONG The Moken Eco Village is a boutique resort with a handful of bungalows. While only 43 kilometres from Khao Lak, it takes a bus, boat and 4WD transfer to get here, so it feels very remote. At this peaceful retreat, you can swim, kayak and snorkel the pristine fringing reef, lounge in a hammock, or go on a sunrise birdwatching tour of the island’s savannah. THE SIAM HOTEL, BANGKOK This svelte riverfront retreat, designed by the ever-inventive Bill Bensley, features spacious suites with playfully eclectic Thai-Chinese period décor. Across the property's 1.2 hectares of lush gardens are several renovated, centuryold Ayutthaya teak homes that now house the Chon ('Spoon') restaurant, and you have a dress-circle view of the river that never sleeps. RAI SAENG ARUN RESORT, CHIANG RAI Here is rural Thailand at its best. Rai Saeng Arun Resort – nestled right beside the mighty Mekong River, 100 kilometres northeast of the city of Chiang Rai – has 14 comfortable timber cottages with uninterrupted views of the surrounding rice paddies and river. It's encircled by gardens, so it comes as no surprise that the food is exceptional – start your day with fresh-picked strawberries for breakfast.

ABOVE: Sunset at Moken Eco Village, Koh Phra Thong © Moken Eco Village

RIGHT, FROM TOP: The Siam Hotel sits amid lush gardens with a dreamy pool; the same hotel's courtyard. Both images © Sven Ellsworth

Designed by Bill Bensley, the Siam Hotel's spacious suites feature playfully eclectic Thai-Chinese period décor.

New & notable

Several new hotels have opened in Thailand recently, some winning international awards within months of opening. By Deborah Dickson-Smith

KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK Each room at this locallyminded lifestyle hotel in central Bangkok features a minimalist blend of handcrafted Thai textiles, oversized modern furnishings and metallic touches. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies bring the greenery closer, and a garden-enveloped pool and spa by HARNN make for a private urban oasis. CROSS RIVER KWAI, KANCHANABURI Cross River Kwai is located on the banks of the most beautiful stretch of the Kwai Noi River, its modern design meshing seemlessly with surroundings. With a spectacular backdrop of mountain ranges, every room has panoramic views; some lodgings actually float on the river itself, offering direct access to the water and your own private kayak.

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a tour of the Capella Bangkok neighbourhood.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Stunning bathroom decor at Capella Bangkok; riverside at Four Seasons Hotel © Ken Seet; retro furnishings in the Family Suite at Kimpton Maa Lai; floating suites at Cross River Kwai CAPELLA BANGKOK This 101-room beauty boasts private villas, a Capella Culturist for every room ensuring you have the best stay possible, fine dining overseen by three-Michelinstarred chef Mauro Colagreco, and personalised wellness programs provided at Auriga Wellness spa. Yet what makes this five-star hotel truly special is its location, perched on the Chao Phraya River in historic Sathorn, a neighbourhood steeped in tradition blended with fashionable cafes, bars and art galleries. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOK AT CHAO PHRAYA RIVER Also located riverside in Sathorn, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok is bordered by galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafes, and the hotel itself is a hub of energy and style. Designed by Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy, it affords guests sweeping river views from the lap and infinity pools, plus inventive cuisine ranging from French to Cantonese in the hotel’s restaurants. Or, simply relax in the green, bamboo-fringed courtyards.