From Bangkok’s sultry cityscapes to the palm-fringed shores of Phuket and Koh Samui, these are the finest places to check in for an opulent Thai adventure – White Lotus-style, minus the misfortune.
Bangkok Hotels
The Siam
For those who favour old-world charm, The Siam is an exquisite choice. Sitting along the Chao Phraya River, this Art Deco retreat, designed by Bill Bensley, is all about elegance and quiet glamour. A stay here means sipping cocktails in an antique teakwood house, basking in riverside serenity, and delving into a world of Thai antiquities. Yes please. Book it.
The Standard, Bangkok
For a playful take on luxury, The Standard Bangkok at the Mahanakhon Tower delivers bold, design-forward luxe. This urban retreat fuses cutting-edge aesthetics with the city’s electric energy – think mid-century modern meets maximalist chic. The rooftop bar, perched above Bangkok’s shimmering skyline, is where high-flying creatives and tastemakers gather for sundowners and stargazing. Book it.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
An absolute icon, the Mandarin Oriental remains the city’s grande dame when it comes to hospitality. With a legacy spanning over 140 years, this riverside sanctuary has played host to luminaries from Noël Coward to Somerset Maugham. The impeccable service, sumptuous spa, and Michelin-starred dining make this an enduring classic. The perfect marriage of discretion and decadence. Book it.
Phuket Hotels
Amanpuri
The original Aman resort, Amanpuri is the gold standard for tropical seclusion. All understated glamour, it sits on a private peninsula, framed by coconut palms and the cerulean Andaman Sea. Private pavilions and villas are set seamlessly within nature, making this place a true sanctuary of unparalleled calm. If you were planning on spearheading a White Lotus-style power play, this might just be the setting. Or, if that doesn’t appeal, you could just sunbathe, read and swim. The choice is yours. Book it.
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket
For those who dream of endless beachfront bliss, Anantara Mai Khao makes a sublime choice. Its pool villas, all contemporary Thai elegance, provide the perfect retreat, whether you’re hoping for a spot of romance or simply the perfect wellness escape. The resort’s location on the longest beach in Phuket means there’s ample space to soak up the sun, far from the madding crowds. Book it.
Koh Samui Hotels
Four Seasons Koh Samui
On the northwestern tip of Koh Samui, the Four Seasons offers a cinematic setting of dramatic hillside villas tumbling towards the turquoise sea. It is also the actual filming location for The White Lotus – so if you’ve been inspired, you can’t get closer to the vibe (minus the drama, we hope) than this. This is barefoot luxury at its best: think private infinity pools, jungle-fringed serenity, and sunset views that seem almost too perfect to be real. Whether you’re sipping Champagne or submitting body and soul to a spa ritual overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the Four Seasons is all about the refined escapism. Who couldn’t do with more of that? Book it.
Kamalaya
When you want to achieve a deeper relaxation than simply a hotel to bed down in and a pool to flop by, consider Kamalaya, which is built around a 300-year-old meditation cace. Most guests come on a dedicated programme, whether to detox or to cleanse. We’re talking more than a nice massage and some meditation: there are ‘life enhancement’ mentors with whom you can have therapy, dig deep into past trauma and thereby heal – all alongside the aforementioned meditation and spa treatments, which are mostly ayurvedic. Guests feast communally on ultra healthy food, and the water is like something straight from paradise. If you are in deep need of switching off and recharging yourself, this is the place. Book it.
