Thailand
Four very different countries in one. A city that never stops, islands with granite coves, a limestone coast, and a walled old town in the north where everything finally slows down.
Where to stay
Aira Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
Bangkok · Sukhumvit 11 · near Nana
A rooftop pool above Sukhumvit, and Netflix in the room for the jet-lagged first night.
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Two hundred and fifty-five rooms on Sukhumvit 11, near Nana Square. There's a rooftop outdoor pool with a lifeguard, the Kingston Lounge restaurant, a gym, a coffee shop and fast WiFi throughout. Rooms have 55-inch smart TVs with Netflix, rainfall showers and bidets. It's the practical choice for a first or last night in Bangkok — central, well connected, and comfortable enough to recover from a long flight in.
Rooftop outdoor pool with sun loungers
255 rooms on Sukhumvit 11, near Nana
Kingston Lounge restaurant and coffee shop
Gym and fast WiFi throughout
Smart TVs with Netflix, rainfall showers
Rocky's Boutique Resort — Veranda Collection Samui
Koh Samui · between Lamai and Chaweng · private beach
A private beach split into three coves, sheltered by granite boulders.
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Fifty rooms on Koh Samui with a private beach broken into three coves sheltered by granite. Two outdoor pools, a full-service spa doing traditional Thai treatments and oil massages, two restaurants serving French food, and beach and poolside bars. Kayaks and paddleboards are free to use, and there's a complimentary shuttle to Lamai and Chaweng when you want the busier end of the island for an evening.
Private beach across three granite-sheltered coves
50 rooms and two outdoor pools
Full-service spa with traditional Thai treatments
Two French restaurants, beach and poolside bars
Free kayaks, paddleboards and shuttle to Lamai and Chaweng
The Brown Hotel
Krabi · downtown · walk to the markets
Downtown Krabi rather than the resort strip, which is rather the point.
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A small 3.5-star in downtown Krabi, close to the local shops and markets rather than out on the beach road. There's a spa, a library, a snack bar and a small grocery, with an airport shuttle available. It's the budget-sensible option on this page and it rates well above its class — staying in town means you eat where the people who live there eat, and the beaches are a short songthaew ride away.
Downtown Krabi, near local shops and markets
Spa and massage services
Library, snack bar and small grocery
Airport shuttle available
Consistently high guest ratings for its class
8 Bucket List things to do in Thailand
10 of the best Thai Tours
The best places to stay in Thailand
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Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never colonised by a European power.
Bangkok's full ceremonial name is the longest place name in the world. Locals just say Krung Thep.
There are more than 1,400 islands, spread across two very different coasts.
Songkran, Thai New Year in April, is a nationwide water fight lasting several days.
Temples expect covered shoulders and knees, and shoes off. Carry a light scarf.
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Best time — November to February is the cool dry season and the best all round; March to May is very hot. The islands split by coast: the Andaman side (Krabi, Phuket) is best November to April, while the Gulf side (Koh Samui) is drier May to September. Pick the right coast and you can travel almost year-round.
Getting around — Cheap domestic flights link Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Samui. The overnight train north is comfortable and a genuine experience in itself. In cities, use Grab rather than negotiating tuk-tuk fares.
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Thailand is one of the most solo-friendly countries in the world — a well-worn independent-travel infrastructure and locals entirely used to people arriving on their own. Eating alone is completely normal; street stalls and night markets are made for it. Three practical notes: cover shoulders and knees at temples and take your shoes off; use Grab rather than unmetered taxis; and think hard before hiring a scooter unless you're licensed and insured, because scooter injuries are far and away the most common thing that goes wrong for visitors.
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