Thailand isn't often the first place that comes to mind when people think of luxury getaways. But if you look beyond the backpacker hostels and street food, you'll see that Thailand does have a lot to offer for high-end travelers. In the different cities within the Land of Smiles , you can easily enjoy authentic local experiences by day and come home to five-star accommodations at night.
That being said, here's what to add to your itinerary for a luxe Thai getaway.
Meet the elephants in the mountains of Khao Sok
If you want to experience the great outdoors without getting down and dirty, then glamping (as in, "glamorous" + "camping") is for you. At Elephant Hills in Khao Sok, you can do just that, with the pleasant addition of their resident elephants. Tents are located atop floating platforms, while amenities like toilets and beds are all included. Visitors may also take kayaks to get from point to point. The best part is that the place is also a conservation area, so rest assured that Elephant Hills doesn’t confine nor capture these magnificent creatures for tourism, but rather, lets you meet them in their natural habitat. You can even help feed and bathe them!
Stroll down the beaches at Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular tourist destination, boasting the most luxurious resorts in the country. However, the true luxury of visiting Phuket is seeing the white sands and blue seas. There are plenty of beaches in the vicinity, but for the high-end traveler, Kamal beach is where you want to be. This is the place where the famous “Millionaire’s Mile” — an area with some of the world’s most expensive hotels and villas — is located. Situated near the entrance is hotel Cape Sienna, where you can enjoy a five-star stay.
Spend a night at Savan Legends
Opulent casinos are often synonymous to luxury hotels. Unfortunately, they're hard to come by due to the country's strict gambling laws. As such, those who want to have a lavish gaming experience have to make their way to Laos, which is just a train ride away from Thailand. Expat Bets' guide to Thailand's gaming scene recommends Savan Legends, which is one of the grandest hotels in Laos. In fact, many expats in Thailand make frequent trips there just to visit it, since it's right at the border between Thailand and Laos. Guests can enjoy a range of high-class amenities like saunas, arcade rooms, and private minibars.
Curb your designer fix at The Grand Canal Shoppes
Speaking of country-hopping, Thailand is also a ferry ride away from Macau, the mini-Vegas of Asia. Besides the active nightlife, lots of travelers drop by to visit The Grand Canal Shoppes the largest indoor shopping center in the country. Located on the third floor of the Venetian Resort Hotel, Grand Canal has over 350 stores, which offer clothing, accessories, gifts and sporting goods. So, if you’re all about luxury brands (like bona fide globetrotter Noah Cappe), then you should definitely not miss out on this.
End your stay at Banyan Tree’s rooftop restaurant
At the heart of Bangkok, the Banyan Tree luxury hotel stands at 60 floors high. Atop the roof deck is a restaurant called Vertigo, which is open to non-hotel guests too. There, you can indulge in some of the most luxurious meals Banyan Tree has to offer, while watching the sun drop from the city skyline. Vertigo typically offers course menus, complete with entrees, main dishes, and desserts.
Luxury travel is an experience that can be found in more than just classy hotels and expensive tours. Whether it's white sands or breathtaking views, there's a luxury to be found in everything, if you know where to look.
Photos by : Jacada Travel, Full Suitcase, Phuket Deluxe, Vexplore Travel, Maaya Legaspi, AspirantSG on Pinterest,