Anyone who has visited Thailand will know it more than lives up to its nickname of the Land of Smiles. Offering unrivalled hospitality and a rich cultural heritage, there’s a reason it’s high on many people’s bucket lists. But with a varying landscape, ranging from mountainous, dense jungle in the north to idyllic islands and coastal havens in the south, planning an itinerary that takes in the best the country has to offer can be overwhelming. Not sure where to stay? Consult our guide to the best hotels in Thailand. 

Bangkok

Thailand’s capital city is as wild, vibrant and chaotic as you’d expect. Although it’s synonymous with nightlife, there is much more to do here than just visit casinos and clubs. As the historic home of the Thai royal family, Bangkok isn’t short on palaces and temples: case in point, the Grand Palace – official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782 – and the sacred Buddhist Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho Temples. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River, otherwise known as the ‘River of Kings’, feeds a network of canals that connect the north and south of the city before flowing into the Gulf of Thailand. Must-try foodie markets include Chatuchak, Khlong Toei, Nang Loeng and Or Tor Kor – go hungry because there will be more gyozas, noodles, fried rice dishes and curries than you can shake a chopstick at. 

Madi Paidi

Madi Paidi may have only been open for a year but it has already cemented its position as one of the best hotels in Bangkok. It was Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection debut in Thailand, and as the name suggests – ‘ma dee’ meaning a pleasant arrival and ‘pai dee’ being bon voyage in Thai – the hotel is centred around heartfelt hospitality. Inside the cosmopolitan space, choose from 56 rooms named after Thailand’s precious gemstones, which provide a relaxing haven contrasted with the lively vibe of the Thong Lor district outside, famous for its eclectic bars and shops.

The jewel that sits quite literally in the crown of the five-star hotel is its rooftop pool, Vitamin Dee, featuring a 10-sunbed terrace that’s helpfully serviced by a concise menu of ice-cold drinks and an array of lighter bites. For something more substantial, head to ground floor flagship eatery Ekkaluck, helmed by executive chef Wuttisak Wuttiamporn. Offering continental breakfast in the morning and a la carte dishes of braised lamb shank massaman curry, and tender roasted black chicken in the evening, it would be rude not to try the exquisite seven-course tasting menu. 

From £190 per night. 

Shangri-La Bangkok

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya, Shangri-La opened its high-end riverside retreat in 1986, making it one of the first on the Thai capital’s luxury hotel scene. Its prime location on the famous ‘River of Kings’ contributed to its rapid popularity, and the success of the initial 25-storey Shangri-La Wing saw the addition of the smaller, more exclusive second tower, the Krungthep Wing, in 1991. Inside, modern Western-inspired decor is enhanced by the beauty of Thai decorative motifs and colourful handcrafted artwork, while the 802 rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the sprawling city beyond. 

Two tropical swimming pools, one exclusively for guests staying in the luxurious Krungthep Wing, and large terraces make for the perfect spot to relax after exploring the city. Only a few steps from the Krungthep Wing is the Saphan Taksin skytrain station, which will whizz you across Bangkok, while historic landmarks on the opposite side of the river, and therefore a short boat ride away, include the Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn and the Royal Barge Museum.

From £180 per night. 

The Siam

Also nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the heart of the royal district of Bangkok, The Siam epitomises the spirit of Thailand’s capital city. It’s stood proudly on this slice of the river since 2012, first created by the Sukosol family and designed by renowned architect, Bill Bensley, to offer a serene riverfront setting, lush gardens, and meticulously-curated interiors including thousands of antiques and artworks from the owner’s personal collection. 

Alongside the luxurious suites and private pool villas, The Siam is a go-to for exceptionally good food. Providing authentic hospitality in spades, the hotel’s Chon Thai restaurant showcases the finest, home-cooked Thai cuisine, while the design-led Story House takes its cues from international ingredients and techniques, designed to be devoured right on the riverbank. Elsewhere, the Opium Spa offers guests rejuvenating wellness experiences deeply rooted in traditional practices and even features an exclusive Sak Yant tattoo studio for that ultimate Thai blessing and memento.

From £730 per night. 

Phuket

A gateway to southern Thailand, Phuket has long been dubbed a destination for debauchery (thanks, Patong Beach) but away from its vibrant nightlife, you’ll also find a world of barefoot luxury awaits. Today, the largest island in Thailand is home to a number of five-star hotels, popular with those using the destination as a launchpad to explore the 42 islands of the Gulf. For those staying in Phuket, however, don’t miss its leafy mountainous peaks, white sandy beaches and jungles primed for exploration, as well as authentic eateries serving pineapple fried rice, fragrant curries and fresh seafood. The picture-perfect Old Town is a world away from the grit and soul of the party strips and is famous for its Sino-Portuguese architecture, while the climb to the Big Buddha will reward you with panoramic views across the island. 

Como Point Yamu

La Sirena

Named one of the best hotels in Thailand, the five-star Como hotel is one of a select few situated on Phuket’s sought-after eastern Cape Yamu, offering panoramic views of a horizon dotted with remote islands in the Phang Nga Bay and, therefore, some of the best spots to catch the sunrise on the island. Add its remote but exclusive location to thoughtful design, authentic restaurants and impeccable service and it doesn’t take long to realise how this hotel draws tourists year after year. 

The open-air concept of the hotel was designed by Italian architect Paola Navone, comprising two wings featuring 79 sites and a small neighbourhood of private villas that have hosted Thai and Malaysian royalty on a whopping 32-acre estate. Follow your nose to the cliff-top pool to discover the property’s two restaurants: La Sirena and Nahmyaa. Contrasting cuisines – the former is Italian while the latter serves authentic southern Thai delicacies – foodies are truly spoilt for choice here. Unwind at the Como Shambhala spa, offering a roster of classes, from yoga and Pilates to stretching, as well as an array of bespoke treatments. Book the expansive double treatment room that faces the bay for the most Instagrammable backdrop to your traditional Thai massage. 

From £250 per night. 

Banyan Tree Veya Phuket

For those in search of a luxury wellness break, look no further than the Banyan Tree. Located on the pristine shores of Phuket, this resort is the flagship of the Veya brand, offering international travellers everything they need for a rejuvenating break. Book here to enjoy pool-villa accommodation nestled around a lagoon and tropical gardens, as well as a dedicated villa host to ensure you won’t have to lift a finger during your stay. 

The resort also boasts seven restaurants, ranging from vegan, eco-conscious plates at Veya to romantic opulence at The Watercourt. By day, take to the lagoon to experience paddle boarding, kayaking and three-wheel water cycling, or practise your serve and swing at the tennis courts and Laguna Golf Phuket. The latter is an 18-hole, par-71 golf course, measuring 6,756 yards and spanning coconut groves and undulating fairways to be one of the best golf courses on the island. 

From £420 per night. 

Amanpuri

Image: Aman

Image: Aman

Perched on Phuket’s western coast, Amanpuri’s accommodation takes its cues from Thai temples, ranging from raised peaceful pavilions with terraces overlooking the sea, lush green gardens and private pools, to private villas featuring sloping roofs, wooden accents and armed with personal chefs. Unsurprisingly, given the brand’s reputation for stand-out spas, the wellness offering here is a highlight, infusing modern therapeutic practices with ancient healing rituals to offer a roster of treatments, from ayurvedic massages to vitamin IV drips.

Elsewhere, take to the surrounding sparkling waters thanks to Amanpuri’s fleet of boats and paddle boards, while jet-skiing or scuba diving facilities are also available. Back on land, get those endorphins pumping at the sea-view gym, four tennis courts, Pilates studios, and a Muay Thai boxing ring before dining on an array of cuisines spanning Thai, Italian, and Japanese.

From £715 per night. 

Southern Thailand

Comprising untouched islands and home to some of Thailand’s most rural communities, much of Southern Thailand remains unspoiled by mass tourism. While the likes of Krabi and Koh Phi Phi have been on travellers’ bucklists for a while, we’d recommend venturing further into the Gulf to experience a more authentic taste of island life (and without a Burger King in sight). Must-see islands include Koh Yao Yai and Noi, as well as Koh Lanta and Koh Tao for unbelievable scuba diving excursions and Ko Pha Ngan for its infamous Full Moon parties. 

Anantara Koh Yao Yai

While the Anantara Koh Yao Yai resort only opened last summer, it’s safe to say it’s one of the best hotels in Thailand. Having won the bid to be the only five-star luxury property to open on the island of Koh Yao Yai – one of the last untouched islands in the Phang Nga Bay, whose name translates as ‘long and large’ – the 148-key resort occupies a 27-acre coconut plantation that’s just a 45-minute boat ride from Phuket. For impressive views of the imposing uninhabited island of Ko Lo Ka Lat, book a beachfront villa with the full works: private butler service, complimentary bicycles, direct beach access, not to mention the ensuite bedrooms and a pool terrace with an outdoor rain shower. 

While the restaurants – one being the Italian-inspired Beach Restaurant in an open-air dining space, and the other being Pakarang, specialising in contemporary Thai dishes – are brilliant, it’s the immersive and cultural excursion programme that proves the hotel’s five-star status. Whizz around the island and its abundance of rubber plantations in a charming sidecar, driven by local staff, visit Laem Haad – dubbed the Maldives of Thailand thanks to its white sandy beach and swaying palm trees – sightsee at Hin Kong bridge, and enjoy a boat trip into the bay to discover some of the untouched islands of Thailand: Hong, Bamboo and James Bond. 

From £216 per night. 

Six Senses Yao Noi

Located on the small and unspoilt Thai island of Koh Yao Noi, just a 45-minute speedboat from Phuket, Six Senses Yao Noi boasts privacy and adventure in equal measure. The property is the only five-star resort on Koh Yao Noi (which translates to ‘long island’, and the little sister to aforementioned Yao Yai) and is home to 55 elevated villas, divided into two categories: one half boasts coastal views of the limestone rock formations rising from the ocean beyond, and the other immerses guests in nature thanks to mountain vistas that look across a plantation of rubber trees and tropical forest. Take your pick…

Integral to the Six Senses’ offering, the in-house spa features 10 serene individual wellness rooms to refresh and rejuvenate, while using ethical products and incorporating traditional Thai healing practices. When dinner calls, look no further than the exclusive Hilltop restaurant that serves up contemporary western dishes, coupled with views of Phang Nga Bay, while the Living Room is a relaxed beachfront restaurant offering international cuisine and timeless grill classics. 

From £1,120 per night. 

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites

Occupying an enviable beachside setting on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, JW Marriott opened its family-oriented resort in 2022. Khao Lak is one of southern Thailand's quieter coastal destinations and its tranquil charm, golden sandy beaches and scuba diving are ready to cater to well-heeled travellers with little ones in tow. A collection of pool-access suites invites guests to step straight into the inviting waters of south-east Asia’s longest swimming pool – a sparkling 2.4km lagoon featuring a water slide, wave pool, and even an aqua trampoline. Young guests staying in pool access suites can choose to be transported to their room by boat, while looking out for the resort’s Coconut Boat, which cruises around the lagoon loaded with fresh, ice-cold coconuts.

Elsewhere, discover the Aqua Play Zone, a fully-equipped gym, racket sports, the Kids Club and Quan Spa, which offers holistic healing therapies using organic coconut oil produced onsite. The resort's collection of 11 restaurants and bars cater to every type of guest, ranging from casual to formal dining, and serving traditional Thai to Japanese and Italian cuisines. 

From £313 per night. 

Koh Samui

Koh Samui, known by locals as ‘coconut island’, has long been famed for its beautiful beaches and proximity to neighbouring Koh Phangan, making it a hotspot for island-hopping tourists. That was until luxury hoteliers moved in and made the island a destination in its own right, offering a tamer, more carefully-curated slice of island life than that on the rough-and-ready, untouched islands elsewhere in the Gulf. While the main hub of Chaweng has steadily built on its reputation for all-night parties, look beyond its hustle and bustle to discover palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense mountainous rainforests. The landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple is located on an adjacent small island connected by a bridge causeway, and is surrounded by quaint shops, authentic eateries and modern coffee counters. 

The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui

Built on a former coconut plantation, the Ritz-Carlton bagged 58 acres on the island’s north-eastern corner to create its 175-key neighbourhood. We say neighbourhood because no bog-standard hotel would be able to also host seven restaurants, a literal spa ‘village’ and a fitness centre with its own Muay Thai boxing school, all neatly connected via winding roads where the only traffic comes from the electric golf buggies that are at your beck and call throughout your stay. 

You’ll struggle to get bored of the culinary offering here: sample popular street food favourites in a market-style atmosphere at Baan Talat one night, and then head to Pak Thai for southern Thai delicacies the next. Taking its name from the eponymous native dialect that still survives in some southern regions, order a variety of plates from an extensive menu of appetisers, soups, deep-fried, wok-fried, and steamed food and, of course, curries. Just be prepared for more than a hint of spice… 

From £320 per night. 

Nikki Beach Koh Samui

To experience Thailand’s legendary parties without the grit of Bangkok or Phuket’s Patong Beach, head to the Nikki Beach outpost that occupies a prime slice of sandy Samui coast. While the lavish beach club offering sets this hotel apart, its design thoughtfully and seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings, staying true to Nikki Beach’s signature barefoot ethos and white décor. Divided into three distinct areas – a central promenade from which to access the spa, fashion boutique, gym and beach club, the 48-room hotel to one side of the 75-metre pool, and garden bungalows, beachfront villas and the Escape restaurant to the other – the hotel has something for every traveller. 

If the thumping music at the beach club isn’t your thing, don’t fret. Other wellness activities include paddle boarding and kayaking in the calm bay beyond,  alongside a roster of bookable electric surfing and beachfront yoga lessons. Head to the Tone Gym for 24-hour access to a variety of equipment guaranteed to work up a sweat, while the signature Sense 8 Spa offers an array of massages, such as the Koh Samui Supreme, which uses rocking, stretching and acupressure on the body’s sip sen (ten lines) to relieve tension. 

From £215 per night. 

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui

The first Hyatt hotel on Koh Samui, this five-star property is located in the vibrant area of North Chaweng and is nestled among 600 protected Yang Na and coconut trees, offering guests a private retreat with direct access to a semi-private beach. The resort’s simple yet captivating spaces were created by Bangkok architects and also celebrate Hyatt’s artistic roots, showcased via the Gallery of Eight – a curated series of eight photogenic spots dotted around the resort, inspired by the island’s idyllic lifestyle and unique landmarks. So, where to rest your head? Pick from 140 rooms, including 24 spacious suites and villas – all with private balconies and stunning sea views – where modern simplicity meets artisanal ocean-inspired décor with refreshing blue accents dotted throughout. 

Foodies can satisfy their culinary cravings at the resort’s four restaurants and bars, including Yangna, an all-day dining restaurant showcasing Thai and international cuisine, and the open-air Sesun Grill & Beach Bar where diners can enjoy fresh seafood and Mediterranean sides alongside relaxing sea views. Elsewhere, stroll through a valley of tropical flora and fauna, pick fresh ingredients in the organic garden for a cooking class, experience a taste of the local fishermen’s lifestyle, and capture the stunning sunrise or sunset from elevated viewpoints.

From £167 per night. 

Northern Thailand

The northern territories of Thailand are among its most historic. It’s the land of rescued elephants, sprawling jungles and ancient cities – two of the most notable being Chiang Mai and its aptly named sister Chiang Rai. The former was founded by King Mangrai in 1296, and became prominent for its location on the Ping River which boosted the city’s trade links. Today, visitors can still walk around its walled city, now dotted with boutique shops, bars, restaurants and gold temples, all enveloped by a tree-shaded moat. Three hours north, however, lies Chiang Rai, close to the borders of Laos and Myanmar. Visit Wat Phra Kaew – the most sacred temple in Thailand – and the bright white architectural masterpiece that is the Wat Rong Khun temple. 

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Providing the perfect setting to experience Northern Thailand in all its glory, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is a great base for both couples and families. Shaded by the dramatic Doi Suthep mountain, and enveloped by rice paddies, the resort spans 32 acres of landscaped gardens which feature two small lakes, lily ponds, waterfalls and a working rice farm complete with its own family of water buffalo. Designed by local architects, the resort emulates a rural Thai village, blending cultural influences from Burma, India and China while also ensuring guests feel at home in one of the 98 rooms and suites. 

For the epitome of Thai wellness, head to the temple-inspired Wara Cheewa Spa to enjoy signature treatments including the herbal compress massage – an intense Thai-style massage using lemongrass, prai, turmeric and makrut lime peel to invigorate the muscles – and the harmonic hand massage: an ancient healing practice applying pressure to restore healthy energy flow and relieve muscle tension. Take your pick from three restaurants and two bars, and don’t skimp on the northern delicacies from the flagship outlet, Khao. Expect delectable dishes of spicy roasted scallop with mango, Chiang Mai noodles with chicken, and Thai curry with roasted Australian wagyu beef. 

From £650 per night. 

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Chiang Rai

Unfolding across 160 acres of ancient jungle, Anantara’s Golden Triangle Elephant Camp is perched on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak rivers. The secluded location is positioned to provide an astounding view across Thailand, Laos and Myanmar – otherwise known as the Golden Triangle – as well as rescued grazing elephants in the most stunning of natural settings below. While the main hotel, hidden by the jungle at first glance, offers 40 rooms, 15 suites and six family suites, for the full experience we recommend booking one of the transparent Jungle Bubbles perched on raised wooden decks and offering uninterrupted views of the elephants, as well as stargazing at night. 

New for 2024, the hotel has revealed an elevated dining concept that takes guests to dizzying new heights: Canopy. This tree-top dining experience is perched 52m above the grassland offering 360-vistas of the Golden Triangle, while the menu speaks to the resort’s eco-conscious ethos and its commitment to promoting authentic regional flavours, serving delectable dishes of Laotian riverweed paired with zesty yellowfin tuna larb and Chiang Rai’s own curried pork on roasted rice toast. 

From £1,040 per night. 

InterContinental Chiang Mai

Amid the antique splendour of Thailand’s northern capital is the InterContinental, drawing inspiration from Chiang Mai’s rich history and combining it with five-star amenities. Inside, architectural motifs and traditional Lanna arts weave through the interiors, while the Presidential Suite is the jewel in the hotel’s crown, spanning 165 square metres and boasting an auspicious view of Doi Suthep mountain from the floor-to-ceiling window that spans the length of the suite.

Downstairs, Kam Lobby Lounge easily competes for the best bar in town, while the Gad Lanna serves traditional northern specialties and Hong offers Sichuan, Cantonese and Taiwanese cuisine. Using the five-star hotel as your base, the helpful concierge team can arrange curated experiences that highlight the best of Chiang Mai, featuring pit stops at vibrant streets and hidden alleys in the city, ceramics classes at The Pottery Wheel, tea tasting at the Monsoon Tea Boutique and hot air balloon adventures. 

From £216 per night. 

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