Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles – and they certainly come easily when you have butlers on hand and some of the finest travel experiences in the world at your finger tips
There’s a good reason The White Lotus producers chose Thailand for its latest season – the country has long been a force in luxury travel, and has some of the most compelling five-star travel anywhere in the world.
If you’re looking for a considered luxury escape, the Land of Smiles can offer you everything from cultural richness and natural beauty to private island villas, Michelin-starred dining and bespoke wellness retreats.
Enjoy our Square Mile Guide to doing Thailand in style…
Ultra-luxe stays
Across the country, you’ll find fabulous, five-star accommodation, whether it’s slick city pads or perfect pool villas. Check into the newly upgraded Dusit Thani in Bangkok, with its sprawling views over Lumpini Park, or the Aman Nai Lert, a hidden gem designed by visionary architect Jean-Michel Gathy with a signature 1,500sq m Aman spa and wellness centre.
Opening late in 2026 is the elegant, riverside The Langham, Custom House Bangkok – a treasured heritage building which has been restored to its former glory – as well as the stunning, revamped suites at Lebua at State Tower.
This year, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok marks its 150th anniversary – a milestone befitting one of the grandest names in Asian hospitality. Set on the banks of the Chao Phraya, the hotel has long served as a refuge for royalty, writers, artists and well-heeled travellers. Its Unfolding Legacies programme brings together a series of thoughtfully curated experiences that celebrate the property’s singular history and enduring cultural pull.
Outside on Bangkok, there are many world-class hotels to enjoy. In proud possession of coveted Michelin Keys are both the Sarojin Khao Lak (two Keys) in the Phang Nga Province, which brims with boutique charm, and Phulay Bay (three Keys), a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi.
If you’re after luxury poolside villas, try The Pavillions Phuket – a secluded hilltop retreat above Layan Beach, where private pool villas, panoramic Andaman Sea views and assured service create a deeply indulgent, grown-up escape.
Or the Samujana on Koh Samui: ranging in size from three to eight bedrooms, these striking private villas boast vast infinity pools, open-plan living and seamless service.
If you prefer more rustic allure, try a jungle retreat like Elephant Hills Khao Sok, whose tented camp lets you immerse yourself in the stunning natural environment; the innovative Anantara Jungle Bubbles from which you can observe elephants up close and engage with them ethically; or the indulgent Four Seasons tented camp in Chiang Rai.
Feeling good
Thailand is home to a wide range of world-renowned spas, detox retreats and holistic resorts, all aimed at bringing balance back into your life and leaving you feeling like new.
Perhaps the best-known is Chiva-Som, Hua Hin [pictured above] – one of the country’s first ever wellness retreats – which is home to a range of top-notch medical, health, fitness and spa facilities offering everything from weight-management to Muay Thai-based exercise classes.
The Barai, also in Hua Hin, is an award-winning destination spa whose treatment philosophy is to address all five senses to restore mind, body and soul.
At Six Senses Samui, you can participate in tai chi and acupuncture, reiki and sound healing, while nearby Kamalaya blends Eastern and Western philosophies from which guests can choose their own, personalised programme.
And at RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort in Chiang Mai, wellness is rooted in traditional Thai therapies but delivered with the polish of a modern retreat. Days unfold between hydrotherapy circuits, tailored treatments and a slower, more deliberate pace of living that lingers long after you leave.
Exclusive experiences
Imagine gliding through Bangkok’s otherwise chaotic streets in a classic car, stopping only to see some of the city’s most iconic sights.
You could be whisked to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in a beautiful, vintage car; or take a private yacht charter around Phang Nga bay, a protected marine national park famous for its dramatic limestone karst islands, emerald-green waters, and sea caves, where you’ll pass by the iconic James Bond Island (Khao Tapu) and Ko Panyi fishing village.
For a longer, leisurely journey, a luxury river cruise from Bangkok to Ayutthaya (Thailand’s former ancient capital) offers an intimate, slow-travel experience through history in a restored rice barge or traditional teak vessel.
Equally unhurried, a sunrise hot air balloon over Chiang Rai offers a gentler kind of spectacle, drifting above mist-laced landscapes as the day begins.
And if you’re looking for a more dramatic vantage point, take to the air on a helicopter tour, where beaches, cliffs and cities unfold in cinematic detail – or hop between islands by seaplane.
Go off the rails
The new Blue Jasmine is a premium train journey which runs north from the capital, Bangkok, to Chiang Mai. A restored heritage sleeper train originally built in Japan, the Blue Jasmine features only ten carriages and no more than 37 passengers, offering what’s been described as a “timeless rail journey through Thailand”. Interiors have been designed in collaboration with Jim Thompson, with rich textiles and design elements, and there are dining and lounge cars with wraparound windows to maximise the views.
En route, you’ll stop at UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, filled with ancient temples and atmospheric ruins – and Uthai Thani, home to the striking Crystal Temple, is an absolute must.
On the way back to Bangkok, you’ll also visit Sukhothai, known for the massive seated Buddha at Wat Si Chum.
Appetite for life
If there’s one thing Thailand has always done well, it’s food. Some of its best is found on the street – think: authentic pad thai and spicy papaya salads – but it’s also equally accomplished in the fine dining space.
You’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the country, from Sorn, famous for southern Thai cuisine, Sühring, offering modern German dining, or Chef’s Table, which celebrates French cooking.
And last year, five restaurants were awarded a Michelin Green Star for eco-focused dining, including PRU and Jampa in Phuket and Baan Tepa in Bangkok.
Get dressed up for dinner in designer duds from some of the world’s biggest brands; in the capital you’ll find stores from the likes of Hermès, Chanel and Gucci.
For more information, visit fanclubthailand.co.uk