Whilst Thailand is all about the backpacking for so many and is such good value for money – let’s not forget that the reasonable prices also mean you can get a mind blowing five star retreat for a total bargain.
I’m talking private pools, nightly turndown service with chocolates on the pillows, a buggy to take you to your room (in case the walking just becomes too much) and pillow menus for almost half the price you would pay in the UK or anywhere else. Sign me up! I’ll stay for a month.
But which island?
Too much choice in paradise. If you have the time then island hopping is without a doubt the way to go. Sadly we only had a week total for our stay as this was en route to Australia. In hindsight this actually made the decision easier as I’d always fantasised about going to Koh Samui. The original and classic one.
We decided on 2 nights in Bangkok after the long flight from the UK and then 4 nights in Koh Samui.
Lebua at the State Tower, Bangkok
My only experience of Bangkok prior to this holiday was by people either saying to me ‘Bangkok is crazy, you’ll love it!’ or by what I’d learned from the Hangover II.
Based on being wowed by the Sky Bar at Lebua at the State Tower which features in the film (plus the fact this is an all suite hotel), our choice seemed unquestionable.
We booked a private car through the hotel to pick us up from the airport. There’s no better way to deal with the heat that engulfs you as you step out of the terminal than by being swept up and guided towards the shining light of a Mercedes C class, waiting like a dear old friend with it’s air conditioning and bottled water in the back.
Lebua at the State Tower stands proudly to attention in the Bangkok Skyline. At 67 stories high, it is beyond huge. As we pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, a swarm of staff approached the car and greeting us with perfect Thai smiles.
As we were staying in the Tower Club section of the hotel, we were whisked to a private lounge to check in where we could help ourselves to drinks and snacks. A stay in the Tower Club also grants you to access to the Club Lounge where you can have snacks, drinks and afternoon tea at certain times of the day.
Our whopping great room on the 58th floor (yes, I haven’t typoed – floor 58) was literally an apartment rather than a room. A separate lounge/sitting area, huge corridors, kitchen area with Nespresso machine (tick) and my old favourite, the marble bathroom with walk in shower and separate bath tub and of course, heavily embossed white towels (another tick).
We had a balcony too, which frankly gave me vertigo everytime I approached it, but the views of Bangkok were insane!
We ate in the hotel both evenings, because of a combination of factors – a. jet lag, b. the sheer volume of restaurants on offer and c. because I was basically in love with the hotel. We had a really good Thai meal in Cafe Mozu, which is located right next to the pool and the second night had pizza in our room. Why not when you have a separate dining room within your suite? Amazing!
Let’s talk about the Sky Bar. At 64 floors high, it’s Bangkok’s highest bar and has made numerous ‘best bars in the world’ lists over the years. Having a drink here is the epitomy of the Bangkok experience. They even have a ‘Hangover-tini’ in honour of the film. When you arrive a flurry of beautifully dressed Thai staff are ready to whisk you over to the bar, complete with a torch to make sure you don’t trip on the steps. Top points for this. Especially as at 820 feet up, even the bravest people will be feeling a tad giddy.
Yes you can expect crowds here, but it’s well managed and you’ll be so engrossed in the views of Bangkok, that you wont notice!
Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui
The Tongsai Bay will always be known to me as the hotel that I cried in when I checked out purely because I didn’t want to leave.
The resort is a hidden gem tucked in it’s own private bay in Bophut. This sits on the North coast of the island and is a far cry from hectic Chaweng and Lamai.
Koh Samui airport in itself is an experience. The arrivals terminal isn’t a terminal, it’s a wooden hut. With one luggage carousel and a totally peaceful vibe that is so different from any other airport I’ve landed in.
We were greeted with a welcome sign and a car from the hotel. On arrival at the resort we were given welcome drinks whilst we checked in. The lobby is so light, airy and relaxed whilst still looking impressive.
Getting taken to our pool villa is a memory that will stay with me forever. I could talk about this villa for the rest of my life. Big mahogany doors at the entrance, from which leads an immaculate mahogany staircase to the front door of the villa. You feel like you’re stepping into your own private house on an exclusive estate.
The front door leads out onto a mahogany deck with a private plunge pool, day bed and bath tub. Plus outdoor dining area complete with a kitchenette which has a fridge full of cold drinks which you can help yourself too and coffee machine.
Steps up from the deck take you into the main villa with floor to ceiling windows, a walk in wardrobe, changing area and huge bathroom with a walk in shower and separate bath tub.
The bedroom was colossal with a king size bed that looks out onto the deck. Totally outstanding. Everything is in a modern Thai style which is really inkeeping with the surroundings of the resort. The Tongsai Bay pride themselves on being an eco hotel and they do this really well.
We spent most of our time in the villa (why would you not?) apart from venturing down to the pool and private beach areas. We ate at the beachside restaurant one night which was great. Each time we’d return to our villa we’d be left a little home made gift of either cookies or cake which was all freshly made in house.
Huge points for turndown service here too as we’d find flowers and poems left on the bed every night. Amazing!
We were even given a later 3 pm check out on our last day and the hospitality and warmth from the staff was the best I’ve received anywhere in the world.
The hotel offer their own taxi service included in the price of your room. We took a trip to see Big Buddha, 10 minutes from the hotel and the driver even waited there to take us home.
World class! This definitely falls into the category of hotels which make you want to pinch yourself every 5 minutes.
A short, but sweet Thailand stay and I feel like we barely scratched the surface! I can’t wait to go back. If you’re thinking about going, do it! It is without doubt one of the places where you get incredible luxury at a fraction of the cost that you would pay in other parts of the world. Plus the Thai hospitality is second to none!
Sophie
x
