The three-pearl, 62-room De Lanna Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Chiang Mai's Old City, just a five-minute walk from the famous Sunday Night Market and near Wat Phra Singh. It's decorated in a modern Thai Lanna style with dark hand-carved wood furniture, centered around an inner courtyard with gardens and an outdoor saltwater pool with a poolside bar. Air-conditioned rooms include furnished balconies, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and serves international cuisines, plus a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold options. Travelers preferring a quiet location away from the touristy city center might like the Sakorn Residence instead, which adds a fitness center and a coffee shop.
The three-pearl, 62-room De Lanna Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Chiang Mai's Old City, just a five-minute walk from the famous Sunday Night Market and near Wat Phra Singh. It's decorated in a modern Thai Lanna style with dark hand-carved wood furniture, centered around an inner courtyard with gardens and an outdoor saltwater pool with a poolside bar. Air-conditioned rooms include furnished balconies, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and serves international cuisines, plus a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold options. Travelers preferring a quiet location away from the touristy city center might like the Sakorn Residence instead, which adds a fitness center and a coffee shop.
Ban Sabai Spa Village is a small three-pearl boutique resort located near the Ping River about 30 minutes outside of central Chiang Mai. It's a relaxing vacation destination in its own right as it has a comprehensive spa for detox treatments, a romantic restaurant, and a garden swimming pool. Twenty rooms here range from newer Jacuzzi Suites that have in-room whirlpools, to elegant Thai villas that feature wood floors and furnishings along with their own private steam room and sauna. The resort has free bicycles to explore the area and offers yoga classes. The major downside is the isolated location. Prices are similar to nearby spa resort competitors like RarinJindra Wellness, but Ban Sabai is far more intimate and has a wider selection of rooms.
Ban Sabai Spa Village is a small three-pearl boutique resort located near the Ping River about 30 minutes outside of central Chiang Mai. It's a relaxing vacation destination in its own right as it has a comprehensive spa for detox treatments, a romantic restaurant, and a garden swimming pool. Twenty rooms here range from newer Jacuzzi Suites that have in-room whirlpools, to elegant Thai villas that feature wood floors and furnishings along with their own private steam room and sauna. The resort has free bicycles to explore the area and offers yoga classes. The major downside is the isolated location. Prices are similar to nearby spa resort competitors like RarinJindra Wellness, but Ban Sabai is far more intimate and has a wider selection of rooms.
The Grand Pacific Sovereign Resort & Spa is one of Cha Am’s larger upscale properties, with 224 rooms, four restaurants, three large swimming pools, plus a fitness center, spa, kids' club, ballrooms, and meeting rooms. Modern rooms have carpeted entrances, wooden floors, and relatively contemporary Thai decor with traditional accents. While the facilities are great, the hotel is in the middle of nowhere and the beach isn't that nice. Additionally, the resort is expensive, yet has no in-room Wi-Fi and charges for items like ice and breakfast. For half the price, one can stay at places like Hotel De La Paix Hua Hin Maganged by Accor and find larger rooms and more style.
The Grand Pacific Sovereign Resort & Spa is one of Cha Am’s larger upscale properties, with 224 rooms, four restaurants, three large swimming pools, plus a fitness center, spa, kids' club, ballrooms, and meeting rooms. Modern rooms have carpeted entrances, wooden floors, and relatively contemporary Thai decor with traditional accents. While the facilities are great, the hotel is in the middle of nowhere and the beach isn't that nice. Additionally, the resort is expensive, yet has no in-room Wi-Fi and charges for items like ice and breakfast. For half the price, one can stay at places like Hotel De La Paix Hua Hin Maganged by Accor and find larger rooms and more style.
The Ao Muong Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a stunning cliffside, with simple rustic dwellings overlooking the picturesque Mango Bay. This tranquil wilderness retreat has exceptional scenery but is back to basics with generator power (no daytime electricity) and steep climbs. The remote beachfront location is only accessible by boat (free transfers) or off-road vehicle and the property doesn't include any facilities except for a simple restaurant. The intimate white-sand bay offers great snorkeling, but can get a bit crowded with day trippers. The 25 rooms (suites or standalone bungalows) have wood-clad interiors, modern amenities, large windows, and balcony seating areas. Guests wanting to stay closer to downtown Koh Tao may want to consider Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort, which also features a scenic beachfront location.
The Ao Muong Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a stunning cliffside, with simple rustic dwellings overlooking the picturesque Mango Bay. This tranquil wilderness retreat has exceptional scenery but is back to basics with generator power (no daytime electricity) and steep climbs. The remote beachfront location is only accessible by boat (free transfers) or off-road vehicle and the property doesn't include any facilities except for a simple restaurant. The intimate white-sand bay offers great snorkeling, but can get a bit crowded with day trippers. The 25 rooms (suites or standalone bungalows) have wood-clad interiors, modern amenities, large windows, and balcony seating areas. Guests wanting to stay closer to downtown Koh Tao may want to consider Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort, which also features a scenic beachfront location.
The mid-range Lanta Pearl Beach is a small, 32-unit resort located about halfway down Long Beach, on Lanta's west coast. Modern concrete bungalows have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, along with terraces with hammocks to relax on. There's also a small restaurant, a bar, and a coffee spot, but no pool or other typical resort facilities. Although it's fairly basic in terms of decor and amenities, it's not as expensive as nearby spots like Lanta Sand Resort.
The mid-range Lanta Pearl Beach is a small, 32-unit resort located about halfway down Long Beach, on Lanta's west coast. Modern concrete bungalows have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, along with terraces with hammocks to relax on. There's also a small restaurant, a bar, and a coffee spot, but no pool or other typical resort facilities. Although it's fairly basic in terms of decor and amenities, it's not as expensive as nearby spots like Lanta Sand Resort.
With mountains on one side and the beach on the other, this two-pearl resort is best suited to travelers with a sense of adventure and those who want to unplug on a gorgeous stretch of isolated Ko Phi Phi beach. All 25 bungalows have a rustic, basic charm (some are made entirely of bamboo), but a few are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and TVs. Ko Phi Phi's town is only accessible during the daytime by local boat, but water sports are available at the hotel and there is a great restaurant and bar. Guests should also know that there is no electricity during the day and should be prepared for a little interaction with local fauna (like bugs and lizards).
With mountains on one side and the beach on the other, this two-pearl resort is best suited to travelers with a sense of adventure and those who want to unplug on a gorgeous stretch of isolated Ko Phi Phi beach. All 25 bungalows have a rustic, basic charm (some are made entirely of bamboo), but a few are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and TVs. Ko Phi Phi's town is only accessible during the daytime by local boat, but water sports are available at the hotel and there is a great restaurant and bar. Guests should also know that there is no electricity during the day and should be prepared for a little interaction with local fauna (like bugs and lizards).
Villa 360 Resort is a super-secluded all-villa property overlooking the Andaman Sea. Built into a steep hill, the resort’s common areas -- a 24-hour infinity pool and an all-day restaurant -- and 33 freestanding villas have outstanding views of the bay and outer islands. The luxurious units have glossy hardwood floors, free French-press coffee and tea, and free minibar items, plus large bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. Grounds are extremely steep, so free shuttle service is provided 24 hours a day. Kayaking and snorkeling is available, though note that the property doesn’t have a true beach. And while some guests are thrilled by the sense of isolation, others find it lonely and even frustrating for seeing the rest of the island. As an alternative, the next-door Phi Phi Island Village Resort offers more liveliness and features, including a true (and big) beach.
Villa 360 Resort is a super-secluded all-villa property overlooking the Andaman Sea. Built into a steep hill, the resort’s common areas -- a 24-hour infinity pool and an all-day restaurant -- and 33 freestanding villas have outstanding views of the bay and outer islands. The luxurious units have glossy hardwood floors, free French-press coffee and tea, and free minibar items, plus large bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. Grounds are extremely steep, so free shuttle service is provided 24 hours a day. Kayaking and snorkeling is available, though note that the property doesn’t have a true beach. And while some guests are thrilled by the sense of isolation, others find it lonely and even frustrating for seeing the rest of the island. As an alternative, the next-door Phi Phi Island Village Resort offers more liveliness and features, including a true (and big) beach.
