The Best Of Thailand | Travel in Thailand with Ashley

Sofitel So Bangkok makes a 5 element ultramodern statement

The location is at the junction of Sathorn and Rama IV Roads at Lumpinee Park, next to the Dusit Thani and HSBC.  When you cross the threshold of their designer entrance, you know that you have entered a living and breathing space that will excite your creative palate. 

The 9th Floor lobby that frames Bangkok's impressive skyline and Lumpinee Park

The Earth room theme - Stylish and Mythical is an enfolding haven adorned by Thai primeval wall paintings - mythical creatures, shadows flickering in the light

Earth theme bathroom

Earth theme rain shower

Earth Theme entrance door

Wood Theme - Calm and affectionate gives you a feeling of entering a calm oasis. Murals sketched on silk evoking old Siam, alive with colour and the touch of a master

Wood Theme loveseater

Wood Theme room

Wood Theme bathroom

Water Theme  walk in closet

Water Theme...Sleek and Sophisticated. Organic curves like flowing water. Onyx glowing against cool dark marble. Drink in skyline panoramas from every vantage point. 

Water Theme bathroom with a view of Lumpinee Park and Bangkok's skyline

Metal Theme...Pure and Elegant...Frenetic Bangkok comes to a halt. A collage of metal, whites and glass. A transcendence of time and space.

Bathroom amenities at the Sofitel So Bangkok

A minibar that is free at last:)  No last minute delays because your hotel cashier says you consumed a Coke that wasn't even there when you arrived!

All 238 rooms and suites feature Apple® Mac mini with fully integrated entertainment and guest services; enhanced with the latest iPad in all suites. Guests are invited to Stay Connected with broadband internet and free WIFI throughout the hotel.

 

Pattaya's Hard Rock Hotel wears a totally new upmarket look

 

If you used to associate the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya with just the Beach Foam X party, think again!

I was very surprised upon walking into the Hard Rock Hotel to find that the 15 month renovation has resulted in a very good upmarket product. The lobby looks posh and cosy if a little boutique as they have taken a large section of the former lobby to create a new lounge. 

The rooms too wear a very plush look with a colour scheme which is almost corporate. 

 

 

Worth checking out on your next leisure trip or MICE trip to Pattaya!

 

The Spa at the Sofitel Phokeethra is probably the best value spa in Krabi

The So Spa at the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi offers twelve treatment rooms with treatments that range from traditional Thai massage and aromatherapy to body wraps, manicures and pedicures. 

Besides its plush and relaxing interiors, the spa therapists know their craft well and spending an hour or two here is pure bliss (whether you fall asleep which you are likely to) or awake.  Some people might compare the prices here to Bangkok and moan that they are on the higher side but you just need to compare this with the Ritz Carlton down the road to see that you are getting value for money. 

Treatment room for manicures and pedicures

Treatment room for Aromatherapy oil massage

Relaxation area

Loved the bronze wash basin and tap!

Treatment room for Thai Traditional Massage

The Opera Suites at the Sofitel Phokeethra are ideal for honeymooners!

If you're looking for a pool access suite at Krabi, look no further than the Opera suite at the Sofitel Phokeethra.  The 1109 sq. ft. (103 m²) suite has a separate living room & bedroom, 2 televisions and DVD players. It offers private direct access to the upper lagoon of the pool and features an outdoor tropical shower and an in-water moorage. 

 

The living room has a colonial look that follows the rest of the hotel

Toiletries are from Hermes Paris

A private jacuzzi

Old colonial baths

The bedroom

Hotel Tropicana Pattaya located on Beach Road opens as a 4 star hotel after a complete refurbishment

Located right next to the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is the Tropicana Hotel.  The location right in the heart of Pattaya's famous strip puts you within striking distance of the nightlife and shopping of Pattaya.

With 184 rooms and suites in the Cabana and Main Wings, this 4 star Hotel is reminiscent of a bygone era with its large lobby, its extensive grounds and its two beautiful swimming pools. 

Large lobby

The rooms are surrounded by tropical gardens, within easy access to the lap pool, located on the eastern side of the hotel.

Superior Cabana room

Bathroom of Cabana room

Large grounds

The hotel also has a conference room that can accommodate about 60 pax. 

 

Salakphet Seafood and Restaurant Koh Chang serves some of Thailand's best and freshest seafood

What do you think crabs this size cost ?  Would you believe that this plate of crabs cost USD 20 only  ? 

What do you think this garoupa cost ? Besides being delicious, it set me back only USD 15. 

Tom Yum Kung, the signature soup of Thailand at the Salakphet Seafood and Restaurant tasted quite unique.

Salakphet Seafood and Restaurant is a fishing village, diving school, resort and restaurant that organises boat trips out to the islands as well. They usually sell only to Thai tour groups and I have been to Koh Chang several times without even having heard of Salakphet. It is probably one of Koh Chang's best kept secrets only known to the locals who have invested a good deal of time on the island.

If you turn left as you come off the Thamachat ferry at Ao Supparod and drive for about half hour, you will come to Koh Chang's highest peak and best seafood restaurant. 

It is very rare to see houses built on stilts in Thailand but I saw it here. The villa which is priced around USD 170 is an idea I'd definitely like to try out some time soon !

The restaurant has friendly staff and has a very local feel. 

 

Aiyapura Resort & Spa at Koh Chang helps you rediscover the meaning of tranquility

Imagine yourself on a tropical island. Koh Chang where the Aiyapura is located is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket and has South East Asia's best rain forest cover. Imagine immersing yourself into an easy chair and an interesting book simultaneously. There is only the drone of fishing boats as they make their way in with their catches as the Aiyapura is located on a river with lush green hills on the opposite side of the river.  Well you don't have to imagine. You can have all this at the Aiyapura Resort and Spa managed currently by Furama hotels. Peacocks thrown in complimentary:)

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The Garden Villas at the Aiyapura were my favourite out of their various categories of accommodation that include Deluxe rooms, Premier rooms, Pool Villas and Royal Pool Villas.

The other villas look kind of dated to me. In fact the entire resort is stuck in a time warp. This is its drawback and its charm. Located on 40 acres of land with only 87 rooms and villas, the resort offers you space, plenty of family activity including a children's play area, kayaks, mountain bikes and a swimming pool. 

 

The villas have a hammock and a couple of easy chairs

A fishing boat coming in with its catch.

I would recommend this hotel to honeymooners, couples, families and to anyone looking to be far from the madding crowd and wanting to commune with nature.

 

Thailand Tourism: Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve at Krabi offers the most individualized service for the journey of a lifetime

A picturesque retreat, Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve at Krabi brings you the best of Thailand, one of Thailand's emerging holiday destinations located on the Andaman Sea. This exotic ocale is 800 kilometres south of Bangkok and 170 kilometres from Phuket with easy accessibility from either Krabi or Phuket International Airports. Krabi provides you with numerous natural attractions including beaches, coral reefs, large and small islands, forests with caves and waterfalls. 

The spacious villas and intimate pavilions create a peaceful haven. Accommodations include private tropical garden or ocean views, spacious his and hers walk-in wardrobes and wash basins, rainforest showers, indoor and outdoor baths, verandah with outdoor lunge beds and plunge pools. While the pavilions are par for the course, the accommodations begin to get really interesting at the Reserve villa category up. The picture of one is below:

Memorable dining options include Lae Lay, a seafood grill with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea (photo below). 

The first ESPA resort destination Spa in Thailand is a unique oasis offering one-of-a-kind design and experience. Spa amenities include eleven spa treatment rooms, spa vitality pool, wellness studio, relaxation areas with private outside entrance and a spa cafe with offerings that compliment exercise and spa programs. 

The Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve at Krabi offers the most individualized service for the journey of a lifetime. 

 

Travel in Thailand: Thai Garden Resort Pattaya is now officially recognized as a 4 star hotel

In a country where it is not compulsary to be graded officially and hotels rate themselves, the Thai Garden after spending millions of dollars on their renovation did not  officially need to get themselves a rating. However Mr. Rene Pisters, GM of the Thai Garden Resort thought it important that the hotel be officially recognized as a 4 star resort so they went through the cumbersome process of meeting with all the parameters of the Thai Hotels Association before the official 4 star recognition was conferred upon this beautiful resort. 

Congratulations to Rene and his team !

Best of Thailand: Laze around your own pool at the Muthi Maya Resort Khao Yai and take in the subtle hues of the changing skies at dusk

Best in Thailand: Travel in Thailand with the best guidance on Thailand Tourism.