Once a throwaway line in Meet the Parents, “Koh Samui” now sits firmly on the global travel map. And it’s not just Koh Samui. Thailand as a whole has evolved into one of the most imaginative, alluring luxury destinations on Earth. Think less about ticking off landmarks, and more about slow, sensory experiences, the kind delivered by jaw-dropping resorts hidden in jungles, perched over oceans, or reimagining what it means to stay somewhere “nice”.
Below are ten stays that go far beyond the usual luxury offering. Each is its own world.
Raya Heritage – Chiang Mai
Set along the tranquil Ping River just 20 minutes from Chiang Mai’s Old City, Raya Heritage feels like a peaceful retreat miles from anywhere. Marketed as Thailand’s first “artisanal resort”, it’s built in collaboration with Northern Thai craftspeople, with traditional Lanna elements reimagined in minimalist, modern design. Calming, cultural, and totally unique.
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Amanpuri – Phuket
The first-ever Aman, Amanpuri remains a flagship for understatement and excellence. Set on a former coconut plantation on Pansea Beach, the design draws from Ayutthaya-era architecture, blending ancient Thai elegance with barefoot luxury. You don’t come here to be seen. You come here to disappear in the best way.
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Soneva Kiri – Koh Kood
You reach Soneva Kiri by private plane, then speedboat, then eco-buggy. And then? You eat dinner in a bamboo pod suspended high above the forest, looking out over white-sand beaches. The experience is cinematic, but the soul of the place is rooted in sustainability, slow living, and natural luxury.
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InterContinental Khao Yai – Khao Yai
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a vintage train car surrounded by tropical jungle, this is your moment. Located on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO site, the InterContinental Khao Yai turns upcycled railway carriages into whimsical, elegant suites by the lake. A fairytale for design lovers and nature seekers.
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Kimpton Kitalay Samui – Koh Samui
Kimpton’s Californian cool meets Thai island warmth at Kitalay. Located on the quieter northeastern edge of Koh Samui, it offers direct access to Choeng Mon Beach with playful, eclectic interiors and modern nods to traditional Thai design. Relaxed, stylish, and surprisingly family-friendly, it’s the ideal intro to upscale island life.
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Andara Villas – Kamala, Phuket
Overlooking Kamala Beach on what locals call the “Millionaires’ Mile”, Andara is a collection of oversized villas and suites made for celebrating. Expect private pools, sweeping ocean views, and high-touch service. This is Phuket dialed all the way up, perfect for families, groups, or anyone after the top-tier villa experience.
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Six Senses Samui – Koh Samui
Perched on a promontory in the Gulf of Thailand, Six Senses Samui offers a masterclass in laid-back island luxury. The 66 villas are spread across 20 acres of tropical hillside, each with warm hardwood interiors, open-air bathrooms, and (mostly) private pools facing the sea. Come here to unplug, detox, and reconnect.
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Samujana Villas – Koh Samui
There are no hotel rooms at Samujana, only sprawling hilltop villas with private cinemas, infinity pools, kitchens, and space for everyone. Even the smallest options have three bedrooms. The atmosphere is exclusive but casual, perfect for milestone celebrations or long, lazy holidays with people you love.
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Rayavadee – Krabi
Accessible only by boat, Rayavadee sits beneath towering limestone cliffs on Krabi’s Phranang Peninsula. The resort is laid out like a lush, luxurious Thai village, with over 100 villas and pavilions hidden among jungle paths and tropical gardens. It feels ancient, magical, and entirely removed from the outside world.
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Keemala – Phuket
Treehouses. Clay cottages. Tented villas. All with private pools. Keemala defies hotel categories and creates something mythic. Overlooking the rainforest near Kamala, each pool villa tells a different story, inspired by fictional Thai tribes. Staying here feels like stepping into a dream you don’t want to leave.
