A Luxury Guide to 4 of Thailand’s Most Iconic Destinations

Adventures

With shimmering golden temples, white-sand islands punctuated by chic villas, the neon jungle of Bangkok, and the lush green jungles of Chiang Rai, Thailand — the Land of Smiles — presents a tapestry of colourful contrasts. However, it’s only when you involve all of your senses to dig through the layers that you begin to really understand it.

Walk the streets of Bangkok, and you’ll notice the air is laden with a cocktail of sizzling satay, Thai basil fried with pork and sweet, smoky incense billowing from a temple. Listen and you’ll hear the mutterings of aroy (tasty), confirming the food is excellent, while a bell tolls to call a line of turmeric-robed monks for afternoon chanting. Go south to Phuket to feel soft white sands against your feet, soon washed away by a gentle lick from the diamond-clear Andaman Sea.

It may be slightly cliché to say, but Thailand truly is a feast for all the senses.

360 Private Travel curates trips to Thailand that are rooted in discovery and connection: the beaches, the cities, the experiences that define Thailand’s endless appeal. But we go a bit deeper than most, showcasing the moments in between the major destinations: the Thai people and their legendary hospitality, the stupas hidden in mist-ringed mountains, the best of Thai food (on the street and the finest restaurants), and its incredible spas and hotels.

Whether you’re chasing White Lotus glamour at an elegant Koh Samui retreat, envisioning a perfectly planned family holiday in Phuket or a foodie exploration of Bangkok, these are our hand-picked experiences and luxury hotels to inspire an indelible escape to the Land of Smiles.

Join the Bangkok Bustle:

The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

No single narrative could define Bangkok: it is a city of striking temples shimmering in the shadow of sleek rooftop bars, longtail boats drifting past bustling riverside markets, and fragrant jasmine sweetening the scent of salty, sizzling street food. In Bangkok, adventures weave seamlessly between cultural immersion and playful exploration: couples cruising the Chao Phraya River to discover scenic canals, families wandering the kaleidoscopic aisles of the Flower Market, learning jasmine garland weaving, or catching dizzying Siam views from the Mahanakorn Skywalk. Bangkok rewards those with curiosity, and with your Travel Designer’s expert guidance, each turn becomes a story unravelled, whether amongst the halls and temples of the Grand Palace, on tuk tuk tours weaving towards Yaowarat Road, or in conversation with locals over steaming bowls of noodles in a hidden foodie haunt.

We highly recommend the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, for your stay in the Thai capital. Set on a scenic bank of the Chao Phraya River, it has been the grande dame of Bangkok luxury hotels for nearly 150 years. The hotel’s vibrant gardens and riverside pool create a tranquil contrast to the city’s exuberance, while its legendary service (and attentive butlers) ensures every detail resonates with your needs. But equally, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, lies within easy reach of Bangkok’s major attractions and just a few minutes walk from the brilliant BTS Skytrain for cross-city journeys. After a day’s exploration, retreat to your suite’s private balcony to watch the river glitter under a burning sunset sweeping across the magnificent Bangkok skyline.

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Observe Elephants in Chiang Rai:

The Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

From the skyscrapers and golden spires of Bangkok, your journey drifts north to the cool, misty hills of Chiang Rai. Much of the Chiang Rai experience is characterised by the exemplary Four Seasons Tented Camp, with days dedicated to jungle hikes and wildlife experiences in the elephant camp. But all of Chiang Rai is stunning. It’s here, where you’ll find a more laid-back rural Thailand. The Thailand of early morning mists over forested hills unfurling into the shimmer of the Mekong, animated by children playing at its banks. The Thailand of rice paddy treks and a revealing tête-à-tête with student monks. Furthermore, Chiang Rai is the gateway to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Here, you can sail along the legendary Mekong to visit lively markets, learn the delicate art of traditional bamboo weaving, trek through lush jungle trails to hidden waterfalls, and witness far-flung vistas on a mountain ridge, marking the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

The Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers unmatched immersion into Thailand’s wild north. Perched above the thick jungle canopy, the open-air tents, each uniquely themed, feel like a luxurious, contemporary update on those used by early explorers. Some are finished with wooden bathtubs and sweeping views of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers from airy wooden terraces. By day, you’ll have opportunities to observe the local elephants at their morning bathing ritual in the elephant pond, kayak picturesque rivers, or unravel the intricacies of Thai cooking with a local chef. By night, gather for lantern-lit dinners under the stars, serenaded by jungle sounds or head to the Burma Bar for cocktails paired with views of the elephants playing below.

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Discover A Place of Peace in Phuket:

Amanpuri, the Original Aman

Next, we fly south to Thailand’s biggest island, Phuket, a mosaic of sublime white sand beaches licked by the luminescent turquoise of a sea dotted with towering karst islands. But explore further and you’ll find this island alive with contrast: the salt of ocean air mingling with sweet aromas from bustling street markets, the rustle of leaves as you paddle a kayak through a mangrove forest. Take a day to discover Phang Nga Bay via private yacht and kayak, following the magical shimmer of phosphorescent plankton, lighting beaches and caves like millions of stars, creating a universe in miniature. Local culture is found in Phuket’s Old Town, where colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture frames lively street markets and restaurants. And if you’re searching for a soirée, then you’ll find Phuket’s nightlife is the stuff of legend.

We recommend the original Aman: the family-friendly Amanpuri (meaning ‘Place of Peace’ in Sanskrit). This tranquil luxury resort is an icon in Phuket, a serene sanctuary with exquisite temple-like pavilions painted across the hillside of a former coconut plantation. Each of the pavilions forms a lavish private retreat, opening to gardens and expansive decks, most with private pools, where the sea breeze carries the scent of the coconut palms.

Between adventures, unwind at one of Thailand’s best spas, with everything from sunset yoga classes and crystal healing sessions to IV infusions and multi-day detox programmes. For families, the Amanpuri has educational wildlife safaris, Thai dance classes and dedicated children’s wellness programmes. But the wealth of experiences includes things like romantic private yacht charters to the sun-bleached shores of the Phi Phi Islands and scuba diving the dreamy blues of the Andaman with expert guides.

Set-Jetting in Koh Samui:

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

From island hopping in the Andaman, journey to the iconic Gulf of Thailand and its star island: Koh Samui. Koh Samui is all about cinematic contrasts, the kind of scenery that’s so perfect, it feels as though it’s entirely composed, perfectly framed like a photograph. Think turquoise seas brushing against paradisiacal beaches beset with swaying palms, jungle-covered hillsides where waterfalls tumble into hidden pools, and luxury resorts so polished that they serve as sets for cinema and TV. Activities here encompass all the island-hopping luxuries you can imagine: diving kaleidoscopic coral reefs off a private yacht, luxuriating with evening Thai massages on a beach lit by candlelight, or a family excursion to Koh Madsum to meet its cheery resident pigs. If you’re planning to indulge in a spot of set-jetting, travelling to Thailand in search of all that White Lotus glamour, then sink into a sunset cocktail in your villa, island-hop over to Koh Phangan for the legendary Full Moon Party, or charter a yacht to the 42 jungle-clad islands of the breathtaking Ang Thong National Marine Park… wearing your Jacquemus leopard-print sunglasses, of course.

Set in a lush retreat of palms cascading down beautiful hillsides to a sublime private beach and infinity pool, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (you may know it better as White Lotus Resort & Spa Thailand) is the island’s most elegant hideaway. The lavish villas are designed for lingering, whether over breakfast served on your deck or in your expansive private pool, mesmerised by sunset vistas of the Gulf of Thailand. Step away from your villa for beach barbecues where the catch of the day is grilled and smoked to perfection, learn the art of Muay Thai in a hilltop ring with views over the islands, or reset in the verdant surroundings of the Secret Garden Spa.

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Whether you’re drawn to the vast cityscape and fragrant street food of Bangkok, the opportunity to meet elephants in Chiang Rai, the cinematic White Lotus backdrops in Koh Samui, or a secluded slice of paradise in Phuket, let your 360 Private Travel Designer create your luxury Thailand holiday exactly, if not even better than you imagine it.

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