Category: Luxury Travel

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok to open in 2024

Posted on by admin

The Aman Group has announced the opening of its much-anticipated Bangkok hotel is scheduled for the third quarter of 2024.

Following the Group’s successful opening of Aman New York in 2022, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will continue the group’s mission to bring the Aman DNA of peace, sanctuary, exceptional design, service, and privacy to the world’s finest urban destinations.

Residences Garden Lounge
Bedroom
Lounge

Nestled in Nai Lert Park’s expansive tropical gardens Aman Nai Lert Bangkok comprises a 52-suite hotel, inclusive of an expansive Aman Wellness centre, Omakase restaurant, Teppanyaki restaurant and Jazz bar, plus signature Italian dining concept; Arva, as well as 39 Aman branded residences, situated on floors 11 to 36, providing owners and guests with the Aman lifestyle from a lofty sanctuary perched above the city.

Outdoor Infinity Pool

Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok combines the group’s signature design aesthetic with traditional Thai influences to draw connection to the local heritage and history of its setting.

Jean-Michel Gathy

The design draws upon the rich tapestry of influences at Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, as well as the intangible energy of the city of Bangkok to create a contemporary urban sanctuary amidst Nai Lert Park’s eight-acre private oasis.

Vlad Doronin, Chairman, CEO and Owner of Aman Group, said: “Aman Nai Lert Bangkok’s forthcoming opening marks another milestone in my long-term strategic vision for Aman Group to bring the unparalleled Aman experience to the world’s finest destinations both urban and remote.

“It has been an excellent experience to work in collaboration with the Nai Lert family who are the owners and custodians of Nai Lert Park and have an unrivalled legacy in Bangkok, and in particular Naphaporn “Lek” Bodiratnangkura who has been instrumental in bringing this project to life.”

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is located in Nai Lert Park, Bangkok and will open in the third quarter of 2024. Room rates, exact opening dates and booking release dates will be announced in due course.

Visit the website for more information

JW Marriott redefines luxury in Khao Lak

Posted on by admin

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is embarking on a new era of luxury hospitality in southern Thailand, as it unveils a newly transformed five-star beachfront retreat.

The resort has been reimagined with new activities, experiences, restaurants, bars, and accommodation, with a vision to become a “destination within a destination”.

An hour’s drive north of Phuket, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has revealed a significant extension: 76 Deluxe Lagoon Pool View Rooms, 28 Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access Rooms, 20 Family Pool Access Studios, two One-Bedroom Villas and a Two-Bedroom Villa.

With seamless, naturally lit living spaces, lush gardens and a private pool, the 140-square metre Two-Bedroom Villa will be a heavenly hideaway for families, friends, couples and honeymooners seeking a private space to unwind together.

The new accommodation is complemented by fresh facilities, including a pool, which at 2.4km, is the longest in Southeast Asia. With water slides, wave pools and a fountain trampoline, there are water features for all ages.

With 11 dining and social venues, the resort is a culinary destination in its own right. This portfolio of restaurants now includes DRIFT Beach Bar & Grill.

With a fitness centre, water sports, cultural classes, and the serene Quan Spa the resort offers leisure facilities to suit everyone. The kids’ club offers an array of entertaining and educational activities, inspired by southern Thai culture and offshore excursions to the idyllic Similan and Surin islands provide an opportunity for guests to experience some of the best snorkelling spots in Thailand.

The recent renovation has also created an outstanding new option for the MICE sector with a brand-new JW Grand Ballroom that can host up to 800 guests for corporate conferences, special events, and one-of-a-kind weddings.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa will soon be complemented by a sister property, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites: 52 two-bedroom suites, which will add another element of spacious and flexible accommodation to this ever-evolving destination.

More information HERE.

InterContinental Khao Yai Resort evokes the golden age of train travel

Posted on by admin

The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort has opened its doors, welcoming guests to explore the golden age of train travel.

To celebrate the opening, the resort has curated a wide range of enriching experiences and outdoor adventures designed to uncover the secrets of the destination.

Transported Back in Time

The resort was designed by award-winning designer Bill Bensley, who was inspired by the region’s history as gateway for rail transportation to Northeast Thailand during King Rama V’s reign. On arrival, guests are ushered to a check-in area styled like a ticket counter, where a stationmaster bell rings to welcome them and they are served a glass of yellow dragon fruit juice, a fruit the area is famous for.

Adorned with railway memorabilia – from vintage trunks to old tickets – the arrival area sets the stage for the rest of the stay, and each of the 45 rooms in the main buildings is adorned with wall hangings inspired by the vintage railway signs that once hung in train stations around the province.

Curated Experiences

Developed exclusively for Intercontinental guests, the resort offers a series of curated adventures through Khao Yai’s lush mountains and landscapes. Highlights include Welcome to Khao Yai, visiting to Baan Sa Nam Sai, one of the oldest communities in the area, Khao Yai Life & Legends, a chance to experience the traditional way of life here, visiting the Tha Maprang community, or the ‘Tour de Khao Yai,’ cycling around the resort and its surrounds.

Experience-Led Dining

With a focus on culinary expertise and the use of locally sourced, organic produce, the resort offers an eclectic selection of authentic culinary experiences. Somying’s Kitchen is a farm-to-table concept; with most ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own organic farm, whilst local farmers will also contribute to the pantry. Tea Carriage, set in a heritage railcar, offers a formal afternoon tea set with optional Champagne, rosé or sparkling wine pairings, as well as a selection of Signature Iced Coffees and Teas.

Transformative Wellbeing

Complimentary stretching, Hatha Yoga & Pilates group classes are on offer, whilst a Resident Healer will guide guests through their personal wellness journeys. A Cross-Fit-inspired fitness centre overlooks views of Swan Lake and a series of jogging and cycling tracks wind through the resort.

A Commitment to Sustainable Stays

Sustainability has remained a key priority since the construction stage of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort; Bill Bensley and his design team made use of locally sourced materials and upcycled train carriages in the resort design, in line with BENSLEY’s pledge to create sustainable hotel design solutions.

In line with IHG’s commitment to reduce plastic waste by removing bathroom miniatures, InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is one of the first in Thailand to introduce European luxury brand Byredo in a full-size format. Wooden keycards and biodegradable eco-friendly cleaning products will be used across the resort, whilst the culinary team work closely with farms in the region to source seasonal ingredients and minimise food waste.

Later this year, a French brasserie and speakeasy bar will be added to the selection of dining offerings, with a spa and the brand’s signature Planet Trekkers programme further enhancing the guest experience. A range of 19 railcar suites and villas will also be unveiled.

More information HERE.

How Anantara Resorts are saving Si Kao’s dugongs

Posted on by Deborah

Dugong-eating-sea-grass

Not far from Phuket, you can experience unique encounters with one of the world’s most endangered animals; dugongs in Si Kao.

These loveable ‘Cows of the Sea’ are sadly endangered, mainly due to loss of habitat, losing their seagrass grazing ground to coastal development. Anantara Resort Si Kao Resort has developed a new eco-tourism experience to help save them.

Si Kao is in the southern Thailand region of Trang, a coastal town around an hour’s drive south of Phuket which is famous for its dugong population. It’s the main tourist attraction here, but sadly, their numbers are decreasing. Latest estimates put their number at around 150.

Dugong Education & Conservation Centre by Anantara Si Kao

A few marine conservation groups are doing what they can to save this dwindling population, and they now have the support of Anantara Si Kao Resort. As well as supporting local conservation efforts, the resort’s sustainability manager, Mark Isenstadt, takes guests on a Dugong Experience day trip in which you can learn all about dugongs, their habitat, behaviour, threats and what we can all do to help.

Ko Libang dugong tour guide_3370

The long-tail boat tour starts with a lesson about sea grass – which is a lot more interesting than it sounds because Mark is a passionate story teller. Sea grass forms the main dietary component for dugongs, and sadly the world’s sea grass beds are disappearing due to coastal development. But that’s not the only threat to dugongs, as Mark explains, many are caught in fishing nets or injured by boats in the busy waterways that surround Trang and the islands in the southern Andaman Sea.

Si Khao dugong tour_3373

A marine reserve has been established at Koh Libong, which is where the tour takes you next, to see these delightful ‘sea cows’ that once fooled short sighted sailors into thinking they’d seen a mermaid. The boat idles slowly through the marine reserve as the keen-eyed skipper looks out for dugongs, and while it’s hard for kids to stay quiet, the quieter you are, the more likely you’ll spot them.

Si Khao dugong tour 17 of 33

After an hour or so of dugong spotting, the tour takes you to a small fishing village for lunch before the next part of this adventure, this time using another traditional Thai form of transport, a tuk tuk. The tuk tuk takes you to the base of ‘Point Dugongs’, a tall limestone carst with a viewing platform at the top, which you reach by climbing through a series of caves. There’s not many places you can climb a mountain from the inside, it’s an adventure in itself passing through caverns, making your way to the top along narrow paths around large stalagmites and stalactites.

Si Khao dugong tour 25 of 33

The view from the top is spectacular, the perfect viewing point for dugong spotting, and it shouldn’t be long before you spot one or two in the clear water far below.

Si Khao dugong tour 22 of 33

While it’s an amazing view, it’s also clear from this height that the marine reserve is too small. Local conservation groups are trying to have the area increased, and a big part of this fight is educating local villagers on the benefits. Anantara is helping with this too. The resort is building a Dugong Education Centre, where they can bring locals and school groups, to teach them all about dugongs, how they can help save them – and perhaps benefit from dugong-related tourism.

Si Khao dugong tour 28 of 33

For more information, visit Anantara’s website.

Anantara Si Kao Resort - Aerial Overview

5 Hotels in Thailand that will take your breath away

Posted on by Deborah

Looking for a dreamy Thailand holiday? The experts at Expedia have compiled a list of five hotels in Thailand that will have you day-dreaming of your next getaway.

  1. lebua at State Tower, Bangkok

If your checklist includes incredible views, extravagant suites and Michelin-starred restaurants, look no further than lebua at State Tower. Hit the open-air pool on M Floor and when it’s time for dinner, make your way to the 51st floor to dine at Breeze, one of the finest restaurants in the city. Indulge in gourmet delights while taking in the best views imaginable, and cap your night off with a cocktail at Sky Bar.

lebua at State Tower Bangkok

  1. Amari Phuket

Located on Patong, one of the most popular beaches in Thailand, the Amari Phuket is the perfect choice for a romantic getaway. Just imagine waking up in your one-bedroom suite and eating breakfast on your private balcony while the ocean sparkles just a short walk away. But the luxury doesn’t end with your room—wait until you experience the full-service spa and the fine wine pairings at the on-site Italian restaurant.

Amari Phuket

  1. Millennium Hilton, Bangkok

High above the city is a rooftop pool that has a lounge chair with your name on it, at the Millennium Hilton. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the view from your roof top lounge chair will be spectacular. When you feel like treating yourself, reserve a few hours with the experts at the spa and you’ll emerge feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Millenium Hotel Bangkok

  1. Centara Villas Samui, Koh Samui

The second you arrive at Centara Villas Samui, you’ll realise this place redefines the definition of luxury. The villas have ocean views that are accompanied by private balconies —some even come with your very own hot tub and swimming pool. You never have to leave, but if you want to dig your feet into the sand, the resort’s secluded beach is just off the pool deck.

Centara Villas Samui

  1. Bhu Nga Thani Resort and Spa, Krabi

At the Bhu Nga Thani Resort and Spa you can start your day in your private pool villa and go for an early morning swim before breakfast is served. (That breakfast will consist of one of the most extravagant buffets you’ve ever seen.) After you’ve filled up for the day, catch a ride in a long-tail boat and cruise the pristine waters of Railay Bay.

Bhu Nga Thani Resort and Spa, Krabi

Take your Thailand holiday to the next level with a stay at one of these beautiful hotels. Private villas, oceanfront suites and Michelin-starred restaurants are all just waiting you you to complete the picture.

How to Have the Best Girls Weekend in Thailand

Posted on by admin

Women around the world know that when you get the chance to gather the girlfriends or escape solo, you’ve got to treat yourself. And where else are you going to find glorious weather, laid-back locals, and fabulous spas and shopping than on the islands of Thailand? The experts at Expedia Australia have put together a how-to guide with activities, attractions, and accommodation to help you enjoy the best girls’ weekend ever. Continue reading “How to Have the Best Girls Weekend in Thailand” →