Thailand is a hugely popular honeymoon destination. It really has almost everything you might need for a luxury honeymoon; glamorous beaches, exciting and busy cities, and great value for money – so you can have a proper spoil-yourself honeymoon for a smaller price. It doesn’t hurt that Thailand itself is actually a fascinating destination; it has a lot of history in addition to lovely beaches, so you can take a few day trips in addition to your laze on the beach.
It’s always a good idea to start your honeymoon off in Bangkok. The so-called ‘City of Angels’ is a fascinating city to visit. There are plenty of highlights to visit, for example the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun, and even Chinatown. Bangkok’s canals can give a further insight into life in the city, and if you travel around this way you will even get a taste of rural Thailand. The canal tour is an ideal choice for people who have already seen the big sights of Bangkok and would like to see a different facet of the city. Overall, though, Bangkok is hip, modern, and very fashionable – the perfect stop for nightlife, shopping, and sight-seeing.
Beach honeymoons, though, are really what most people head to Thailand for. Thai island beaches are unspeakably beautiful. It’s hard to pick out favourites because so many of them are truly outstanding resorts – with such gorgeous scenery, dedicated service, and luxurious lifestyles, there is no way to go wrong in Thailand.
One of our favourites, and a top seller, is Rasananda. Located on the relatively little-known island of Koh Phangan, Rasananda is relatively new and a true hideaway. The 44 villas and suites are set at the base of a tropical mountain and just above the lovely white powder sand beach of Tong Nai Pan Noi. Rasananda is stylish and natural, with a blend of technology and authentic Thai materials, and a spa experience that is simply exquisite.
Another favourite has to be YaiYa, another new hotel opened in 2008 and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It’s five minutes’ drive from the beaches of Hua Hin, which also boasts shops, restaurants, and temples to satisfy the curious traveller. Though the hotel is not itself on a beach, it boasts an infinity swimming pool and the luxury pool villas are lovely. The hotel also has the renowned AKA Spa Chiang Mai, set in a secluded garden and a range of treatments from traditional Thai to aromatherapy.
A little larger is the Pimalai, located on a secluded bay on Koh Lanta. Again, here, the Pool Villa takes the prize as the accommodation of choice. Each of the 39 villas are set on the hillside within their own walled compounds; this is truly as private as you’re going to get in a public hotel, though you can of course have spa treatments in your villa as well. Every villa has its own infinity edge pool with gorgeous views out over the bay and landscape.
Thailand is a truly exceptional honeymoon destination, well worth the visit, and absolutely excellent for a twin centre city and beach honeymoon.
