The pandemic has wreaked havoc on Thailand's key tourism industry, which is an understatement. The country's big-ticket sites have been devoid of international visitors for the past two years or more. Thailand's unique lively blend of high-octane restaurants and nightlife, as well as idyllic beaches and sceneries, has been denied, visitors.
CAPELLA BANGKOK
Capella Bangkok has lived up to expectations, even without the luxury of international travel for a considerable part of its history so far.
The hotel's stunning position along the Chao Phraya River, as well as its design by Andy Miller and Richard Scott Wilson of Singapore-based firm Hamiltons International and interiors by acclaimed Californian firm BAMA, are all impressing guests.
FOUR SEASONS BANGKOK AT CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
Since its debut at the end of 2020, the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya has developed a constructive rivalry with its neighbor, the Capella Bangkok.
The hotel, which was created by renowned hotel architect Jean-Michel Gathy, makes the most of its riverside location. Indeed, the hotel's proximity to the ocean, along with the light and airy decor, gives it the feel of a resort rather than a city hotel. Wall-sized artworks by local artists and a special museum that displays Thai talent in cooperation with Bangkok's Museum of Contemporary Art add to the visual appeal.
THE STANDARD BANGKOK MAHANAKHON
The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon aims to turn around the King Power Mahanakon skyscraper, Thailand's tallest landmark's mixed fortunes.
At 314 meters, the unusual "pixelated" tower stands strong. However, it failed to anchor well-known hotel brands such as The Edition and Orient Express, which both planned to open but never did.
CENTARA RESERVE, KOH SAMUI
When the previous Centara Grand Beach hotel closed in 2019 for renovations, Thai hoteliers vowed that something spectacular would take its place. They weren't lying to you. The facility, which was the first in the brand's ultra-luxe "Reserve" category, is now one of the country's most enticing resorts.
The 184-room resort is set in verdant gardens accentuated by towering coconut palms on Chaweng beach, the most paradisiacal of Koh Samui's lengthy lengths of sand. Here, attention to detail is a top focus. Food and beverage are incorporated into treatments at the Reserve Spa Cenvaree for a totally holistic wellness experience.
SAII PHI PHI ISLAND VILLAGE
Under the cover of the pandemic, strange things have been happening on Koh Phi Phi. The most remarkable development happened in early 2022, when Maya Bay, one of the country's most iconic locales and the setting for the 2000 film The Beach, reopened to guests after a three-and-a-half-year closure.
On the beach, which had become overrun by tourists, nature has regenerated. With the help of tourists.