Well Hotel Thailand Ever stopped opening? The start of the pandemic brought a few luxury darlings, and some major new developments in the coming years promise to bring more. But in 2023, an astonishing array of resorts is changing the game for beach locations, a much-needed downtown innovator… and Bill Bensley’s bizarre railroad-inspired project near Khao Yai National Park. Think wonderful ideas. Here are the 10 best new openings, reopenings and expansions in Thailand in 2023.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai
Provided by Anantara Grand Island Hotel
Deluxe Family Ocean View Suite.Offered by Anantara Koh Yao Yai Villas Resort
Infinity pool in penthouse apartment with ocean view pool.Offered by Anantara Koh Yao Yai Villas Resort
Located between Krabi and Phuket in the karst-strewn waters of Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Yai has long been neglected, maintaining a sleepy, low-key nature that stands in stark contrast to nearby tourist superstars. This year marks a big change, with the launch of Anantara Koh Yai Yai Resort Villas in the autumn, and the island welcoming a massive luxury tourism industry. The ambitious resort features 148 spacious suites, pool villas and penthouses, with two dining options, a spa and two show pools. Although large, the idyllic atmosphere remains true to the gentle spirit of the island. Activities on offer include adventures to Hong Island, with its secluded white sand beaches and crystal-clear lagoons, and tours of rubber plantations in vintage sidecars.
www.anantara.com/en/koh-yao-yai-phuket; Double room from THB 10,430 (USD 291)
Andaz Jomtien Beach Pattaya
Duplex manor villa with outdoor swimming pool.Courtesy of Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
Duplex manor villa with pool bedroom.Courtesy of Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
Manor duplex villa with pool bathroom.Courtesy of Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
Pool Villa.Courtesy of Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
In recent years, Pattaya’s reputation has been boosted by refreshingly positive changes. Arguably, no development has done more to boost the destination’s appeal than the opening of Andaz Pattaya. The hotel is Thailand’s first Andaz resort, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by century-old banyan trees and lush landscaped gardens on Tawanron Beach. This glorious sense of seclusion is reflected in the resort’s 204 guest rooms, suites and villas as well as comfortable amenities including a spa, yoga studio, thoughtfully designed retail spaces, spa and wellness areas, and a 24/7 fitness center. The resort’s dining is particularly strong. The beachside restaurant Fish Club serves fresh seafood, and other dining specialties include La Cucina (Italian restaurant), Wok Wok (Thai/Asian restaurant) and Village Butcher (BBQ restaurant).
www.hyatt.com/andaz/utpaz-hyatt-andaz-pattaya-jomtien-beach; Double room from THB 9,338 (USD 261)
ASAI Bangkok Sathorn
Provided by ASAI Bangkok Sathorn
Provided by ASAI Bangkok Sathorn
No hotel brand captures the new Bangkok zeitgeist better than ASAI. This fashion factor comes to the fore at the second ASAI opening in the Thai capital. Located in the heart of Sathorn, Bangkok’s titular business district and home to some of the city’s best bars, galleries and spas, the hotel caters to the modern urban explorer/digital nomad in the big city All base needs. Bijou rooms and suites are small in size but perfectly laid out and equipped with eco-friendly ASAI amenities. Other hotel highlights include ERR: Urban Rustic Thai, where chef-couple Dylan Jones and Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava (whose Bo.lan has raised the bar for Thai cuisine in Bangkok) serve up unpretentious cuisine. Get along well with your partner.
www.asaihotels.com/locations/bangkok-thorn; Double rooms from THB 2,174 (USD 60)
Chatrium Hotel Bangkok
Provided by Chatrium Hotel Bangkok
Provided by Chatrium Hotel Bangkok
Bangkok’s enduring popularity with tourists means there’s always room for new hotels in its business hub. Of course, it helps if a hotel is as versatile as Chatrium. It is strategically located next to Siam Paragon and a stone’s throw away from CentralWorld. The hotel balances convenience with plenty of home comforts and inviting decor. Rooms and suites in the hotel’s twin towers feature tastefully minimalist interiors, spacious floor plans, and (on the upper floors) stunning views of the space-age cityscape. Other hotel highlights include a tropical pool deck, a state-of-the-art spa offering innovative treatments such as salt and oxygen therapy, and Casia, a signature fine-dining restaurant specializing in French Mediterranean cuisine.
www.chatrium.com/grandbangkok; Double room from THB 8,580 (USD 240)
InterContinental Bangkok
Oasis Pool.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok
Classic room.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok
Junior suite.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok
Classic room.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok
The InterContinental Bangkok was replaced with a new one and reopened this year after a comprehensive renovation. A long hiatus (the hotel was closed for more than a year) prompted a refresh that transformed the hotel and introduced a series of new highlights. All 381 guest rooms have been carefully renovated, and the redesigned rooftop pool offers stunning city views. The interior design incorporates artistic elements inspired by Bangkok’s grand palaces and space-age skyline. Other noteworthy new additions include SoCal, a new California-style restaurant featuring wines and fresh cuisine from the Sunshine State, with a focus on organic, seasonal ingredients.
bangkok.interContinental.com; Double room from THB 6,843 (USD 195)
InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit
Junior suite bathroom.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit
Junior suite bedroom.Provided by InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit
The network of streets that stretch like tendrils around Thonglor offers Bangkok’s richest rewards. Thailand’s most famous high-society playground has a new luxury hotel gem, the InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit. The hotel has 241 guest rooms and suites, blending traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern style. Tor-mue, a traditional intricate hand-weaving technique, is used throughout the hotel’s design and touchpoints. Signature dining options include AVA Brasserie, serving creative international cuisine inspired by air travel, and Rogues, a vibrant cocktail bar. Meanwhile, THE SPA by HARNN is a concept inspired by Japan and Thailand, with signature treatments including origami designed to evoke the feel of traditional Japanese origami and Thai garland weaving.
www.ihg.com/interContinental/hotels/us/en/bangkok/bkktl/hoteldetail; Double room from THB 8,828 (USD 247)
InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping
Provided by InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping
Provided by InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping
Chiang Mai’s ranks of brand-name luxury hotels are quietly growing. The new InterContinental Chiang Mai Binh is the latest hotel in Thailand’s northern capital to combine modern five-star comfort with unique Lanna charm. The hotel has 240 elegant rooms and suites with Lanna-style décor, spacious Zen bathrooms and views of the Old Town or towering Doi Suthep Mountain. There are five restaurants and bars in the hotel, among which catering is particularly outstanding. The hotel works with highly vetted local suppliers, such as bees and cocoa farms, to source ingredients for restaurants like The Gad Lanna, which specializes in northern Thai cuisine. Additional connections with local heritage can be made through a range of carefully planned activities, from pottery and umbrella making to traditional toy workshops.
chiangmai.interContinental.com; Double room from THB 7,962 (USD 223)
InterContinental Khao Yai
Heritage Train One Bedroom Suite.Courtesy of InterContinental Khao Yai
Heritage Train One Bedroom Pool Villa.Courtesy of InterContinental Khao Yai
When Bill Bensley conceives of a design theme, it pays to have him implement it. Such is the case at the gleaming InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, which adds a major gloss to its original glory with the unveiling of its resort suites – a series of upcycled vintage train carriages into one of Thailand’s most distinctive accommodations. While some may quibble with the choice of concept (Kauai has no history as a major rail hub), no one can question Bensley’s commitment to making everything exciting. The new suites feature narrow marble showers, ceiling-mounted luggage racks and futon-style beds on slightly elevated platforms at the end of each cabin. Meanwhile, the interiors showcase inspiration from rail travel in Asia through intricately carved wooden headboards, silk fabrics and ceramics.
khaoyai.interContinental.com; Suites from THB 22,974 (USD 645)
Iniala Beach House
Sarah on Collecto.Offered by Inyala Beach Villas
Private swimming pool on the top floor.Offered by Inyala Beach Villas
Bianca’s room.Offered by Inyala Beach Villas
There is no more quirky, boutique hotel than Iniala Beach House. Located on Natai Beach in Phang Nga Province, just half an hour’s drive north of Phuket International Airport, the resort has five spacious guest rooms for a total of 12 bedrooms, two of which will be unveiled when the hotel reopens in November 2023. If that’s not enough, British chef Simon Rogan (whose Lake District restaurant L’enclume holds three Michelin stars) has just opened Aulis Phuket, a completely revamped restaurant space with a 15-seat chef’s table, including a stylish open style kitchen and cozy dining room.
www.inialathailand.com; Double rooms from $1,112 per night, three-night minimum stay
——Vincent Vicht-Vadakan
Rebecca Erin Resort
Courtesy of Irene Resort Koh Lipe
Courtesy of Irene Resort Koh Lipe
Courtesy of Irene Resort Koh Lipe
With its gin-clear waters and dazzling white sand beaches, Koh Lipe has long been the epitome of Thai tropical paradise. However, the island may lack the firepower of luxury resorts to rank among Saudi Arabia’s elite destinations. The opening of Irene Resort in the northwest corner of Koh Lipe has injected fresh high-end appeal into Koh Lipe. The resort’s 16 pool villas are thoughtfully conceived and constructed using reclaimed wood and designer fabrics, cleverly blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. If you’re in the mood, take a leisurely stroll from your villa to the resort’s restaurant, Bok e’tto, which serves tapas and small plates with Japanese and Mediterranean influences.
ireneresort.com; Villas from THB 12,825 (USD 359)
Le Méridien Khao
Main pool.Courtesy of Le Méridien Khao
Pool access.Courtesy of Le Méridien Khao
Phuket’s northern beaches may lack the vibrancy of the island’s southern beaches, but they retain an unspoilt tranquil atmosphere that’s perfect for families. Le Méridien Mai Khao takes full advantage of this child-friendly potential, offering a wealth of attractions for both adults and children. The resort features an outdoor lagoon pool, children’s play pool, kids club and plenty of outdoor activities. The hotel offers a variety of family rooms with bunk beds. There are also new pool rooms, private cabana rooms, two-bedroom suites and private pool suites. In terms of catering, Ocean Kitchen is a signature Mediterranean restaurant where guests can enjoy freshly prepared European and Middle Eastern cuisine.
www.marriott.com; Double room from THB 6,398 (USD 182)
Lede and Hero images courtesy of Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach.
