A new collection of intimate boutique hotels and resorts has sprung up in Bangkok and beyond. Julian Tan reviews the new players
Holidaymakers escape to Thailand for a number of good reasons: the shopping temptations of Bangkok, the white sugar-fine beaches of Phuket, Samui and Krabi in the south, a romantic vibe that’s irresistible to couples eager for quality time and the wide range of activities geared towards families. As if that wasn’t enough, lip-smacking Thai cuisine and the capital’s lively nightlife remain undeniable draws.
Recent civil unrest may have rocked Thailand’s international standing, but visitors, both new and repeat, continue to arrive although perhaps, not in the numbers of previous years. As always, the Thai tourism industry is willing to wait out the downturn, optimistic that better times are just around the corner. During this hiatus, a slew of boutique hotels and resorts have sprouted around Bangkok and beyond, enhancing stay options for those who brave the negative publicity and end up being charmed by the Thailand experience.
Here, we preview some of these new kids on the block.
BANGKOK
Frequent travellers to Bangkok will have heard of or even stayed at LUXX, the 13-room boutique hotel along upmarket Decho Road. In May, the no-frills hotel brand expanded, adding nearly four times the previous number of guestrooms, to produce LUXX XL with 51 studio rooms and suites – hence the “XL” in the label.
Unlike its predecessor which lacks a pool, gym or bar, LUXX XL is built with a 12m infinity-edge pool by the garden, bar and restaurant (called Milk) – a boon for travellers used to standard hotel facilities. A gym, sala-style business centre and lounge will open next year.
At LUXX XL, as the name suggests, guests won’t feel hemmed in with the garden occupying more than half of the hotel’s area size. Studios start from 33sqm, with a spacious bathroom, work area, pantry and mini lounge area, while suites have one or two bedrooms and range from 66sqm to 208sqm. You can shut yourself out from the world, but still be linked as free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas.
Location-wise, this hotel is close to BTS Chidlom and BTS Rajdamri.
Also centrally located (in the CBD and 7km from Grand Palace), Siam Heritage Boutique Suites boasts 73 rooms, suites and serviced apartments with polished wood flooring, antique-style teak furniture, original artwork and handicrafts. There are 30sqm Superior Rooms, 30sqm Executive Rooms with pantries, 50sqm Executive Suites, 60sqm Presidential Suites and 90sqm Heritage Suites, all equipped with king-size (or twin for some) beds and broadband internet.
Once you step out of your room, a host of amenities beckons: the rooftop swimming pool with Jacuzzi, health bar, full-service spa, fitness centre, karaoke room, a restaurant for international and Asian food (relaxing music is performed here nightly from 8pm to midnight) and a versatile function room for up to 25 people in a theatre setting.
KOH SAMUI
Accor has launched two boutique properties, Mercure Samui Buri Resort and Mercure Samui Fenix Hotel on the island.
Located on the secluded northern Maenam Beach, Mercure Samui Buri Resort offers exclusivity in 56 rooms and 29 villas. Views are promised in each room, either of the ocean, swimming pool or an outdoor terrace with sun lounge and direct access to the pool. Built to resemble traditional Thai houses, villas provide premium guests with the privacy of being surrounded by tropical gardens and their own pool with a sundeck.
Over at Lamai Beach, east of the island and 20 minutes away from Samui Airport, the Mercure Samui Fenix Hotel is slightly smaller. The beachfront property provides 52 contemporary rooms and eight villas with large balconies and daybeds.
The location is equally tempting, with the hotel bordering a lush jungle, leading to isolated bays, small villages, temples and Hinta Hinya, a phallic-shaped rock formation literally translated as the “Grandmother Grandfather Rock”.
Opening on December 1 is Langham Place Samui
at Lamai Beach, with 77 villas and suites, mostly featuring private
plunge pools and views over the Gulf. Upon arrival, expect to be wowed
by the sea views from a raised lobby, with the added luxury of a DJ
spinning music.
A restaurant (with sea views,
too) offers salas or pavilions for dining or for working out a tan
while sipping cool martinis on the deck. Alternatively, indulge in some
TLC with traditional Thai medicine-based treatments offered at Chuan
Spa. For art lovers, there is a gallery promoting works by a group of
local photographers.
PHUKET
The cliffside Paresa is situated on the Andaman coast at Kamala, also known as “Millionaire’s Mile” for its upscale resorts and vacation homes dotting the area. From each of the 49 rooms, guests take in views of the ocean on the private verandah.
Accommodation is offered in several categories. The Talay Suites allow guests access to shared infinity pools; Aqua Suites come with spacious balconies and private infinity-edge plunge pools; Dima Suites have private steam rooms; and Cliff Villas are equipped with cantilevered infinity pools. Six Grand Villas cater for large families.
For a rejuvenating experience, guests can indulge in a spa experience at the Paresa, complete with sea-facing treatment rooms and offering traditional Eastern and modern Western therapies as well as non-invasive dental procedures by DC One.
