A hand-picked portfolio of exciting and unusual places to stay in some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating locations - put together by a small team of passionate travellers, and backed up by an award-winning online booking service…
read more >Choose from over 1,000 boutique hotels, stylish villas, city apartments, eco-retreats, safari lodges and tailormade tours. We visit them all and pick only our favourites.
Did you know that every year, from Britain alone, half a million
people travel halfway round the world to holiday in Thailand? Quite
impressive. But the astonishing thing is that the vast majority
have been several times before. So what draws them back time and
again?
The attractions are obvious enough. Firstly, the beaches:
soft white sand, bright turquoise waters, astonishing marine life,
and a backcloth of swaying palms and dramatic cliffs. Secondly, the
cities: colourful temples, bustling markets, funky bars,
mouth-watering food-stalls and swish boutiques. Thirdly, the lush
hills and rainforests of the north are prime trekking
terrain, with hill-tribes, elephant rides and rafting on
offer.
These three in combination make Thailand a something-for-everyone
paradise. But there's more to it than that. Perhaps it's the Thai
people – unrushed, helpful, calm and they really can
smile. Or meeting other travellers and swopping life-stories
en route. And let's not forget the food: achingly fresh fish
and prawns, spicy curries, exotic fruit, veggie stir-fries. Plus,
of course, it's still ridiculously cheap - though some parts
are going upmarket.
Whatever it is, it's certainly addictive. We spent two months
combing the country from top to bottom in search of the funkiest,
friendliest
places
to stay – a gruelling task, you will agree – and
now we can't wait to go back. Join the club!
Tourism in most areas continues as normal, though there is an
ongoing threat of terrorism in the extreme south.
It can be hot and humid in dry season, and wet in
monsoon season (see
Climate).
Some coastal areas have succumbed to mass tourism, with
tacky resorts, boozy bars and sex shows. Beware opportunistic
theft, and scams, where strangers promise cheap
jewellery, free taxi rides etc. With 12-hour jetlag,
unintelligible language and complete change in climate, it takes a
while to adjust from Europe. Some mosquito-borne diseases,
but only the Ko Chang is malarial.
In Bangkok:
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