This is the last you'll hear from me on Thailand for quite a while I promise, but I cannot emphasize enough what an amazing country this is to visit right now!
Beautiful, friendly people, incredible value at the luxury end of the market, culture, adventure, beaches. It has it all. The whole team would agree that we have enjoyed an invigorating and exciting trip, from the ultraluxe Capella Hotel in Bangkok right to the other end of the spectrum with dinner in a Mom and Pop street food restaurant where 5 delicious dishes that we shared cost under $13.
Here are our Top 5 highlights from the last week.
Top 5 - Chiang Mai to Ko Samui
1. Pea (above)
Pea was our gracious host for a detailed Central Thai cookery class. It's experiences like this that make trips extra special. She spoke about her life and family and her insights into life in Thailand were fascinating, plus the food was delicious and the organic garden (below) provides a large percentage of what her family eats.
In fact for Thais, their home herb and vegetable gardens helped save them during the long pandemic lockdown here.
2. Napasai, a Belmond Hotel (above and 2 below)
While the photos above and below may look like an overview of the whole resort, they are in fact just our 2-bedroom oceanfront suite. We felt spoiled and grateful here from the minute we arrived until the moment of departure and I have never stayed anywhere where I have been less inclined to leave my own confines. Quite the quandary.
3. Ang Thong National Marine Park
As you can probably tell from my face (above) the 1,650 ft climb and subsequent descent to/from the Pha Jun Jaras viewpoint on Wua Ta Lap island took pretty much everything I had, but as in life, with that much effort it's usually worth it!
Overall an amazing day in Ang Tong National Marine Park, which also included the remarkable
Thale Nai (Emerald Lake) hidden in the middle of a tiny island.
4. Hyatt Regency Ko Samui (above and below)
Kendall and Shanna on the team had already departed but I still had another few nights to go in Thailand. I moved to Hyatt Regency Ko Samui mainly because I needed just another couple of nights to requalify for Hyatt Globalist status for 2023. Please feel free to reach out any time if you wish to discuss hotel loyalty programs and especially why I believe World of Hyatt leaves other programs in the dust.
The Hyatt Regency is not Napasai for sure but still a great 5-star property particularly fitting for families. Plus with our Hyatt Prive benefits we are able to confer on our clients, it's an incredible value.
5. Moon Bar, Banyan Tree Bangkok (above and below)
My last 2 nights before finally returning home today were spent back in Bangkok at the Banyan Tree, yet another super 5-star property. While it's another stunning luxurious property with very large entry level rooms, the highlight is probably the rooftop bar on the 61st floor, regularly voted in the Top 10 rooftop bars in the world.
And when I say you need to visit Thailand, I truly believe that. It is more than a travel destination, it is a whole mental, spirtual, physical, and beautiful experience. When you're ready to have your own Thailand vacation we are here to help give you the proper experience that will leave you more enriched than ever. Click the button below to get started planning your own bucket list trip.
I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to be building a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
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