Hopefully, you’ve arrived here following on from my previous post covering Phuket & Koh Yao Yai. But, for those who’ve yet to catch up, a quick re-cap…
Back in October, I joined one of my lovely travel partners, Lusso Travel, on a fabulous familiarisation trip to Thailand. We covered so much ground that, rather than overwhelm you, I decided to split my experience into two separate posts. As you’ll discover, this post covers everything we got up to in Khao Lak & Bangkok…
Khao Lak
Located on the mainland, a little north of Phuket, you’ll find the village of Khao Lak. It’s along this stretch of the Phang-Nga coastline you can expect to find some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches and, it’s where we spent a couple of days and nights exploring the following hotels and experiences…
Khao Lak Hotels
Devasom
I absolutely loved Devasom! The style is neutral, understated and invites a real sense of calm. I instantly fell in love with it’s location, set on a beautiful stretch of soft white sand. It’s perfect for venturing into Khao Lak village to sample the local bars, market and street food vendors. Not to mention, it’s pretty good value for money given the level of luxury and service.
During our whistle-stop visit we managed to squeeze in a lovely relaxing sound healing workshop and took a sneak peak at the gorgeous spa – a real retreat. Overall, I was super impressed and can’t wait to return for a stay.
The Sarojin
Next up, we checked in to The Sarojin for a two-night stay. The property is a secluded, luxury oasis, set in beautifully manicured grounds. It’s small & boutique, with an emphasis on privacy and personal service. Very much geared up for adults or families with older children.
You’ll find the accommodation, known as ‘The Residences’ dotted throughout the gardens. They’re super spacious, simply furnished but stylish, and some come with private pools.
Guests have two main restaurants to choose from, Edge & Ficus, as well as the more casual Beach Bar. A night at the Sarojin Beach BBQ at Edge was a brilliant experience. Think, live cooking stations and traditional Thai music/dancing. The a la carte breakfasts at Ficus are superb – I highly recommend the Eggs Royale served with a glass of champagne. Follow this with a leisurely morning and poolside lunch of Shrimp Caesar Salad washed down with a glass of Whispering Angel. Take it from me, this Thai take on an Italian classic is such a treat!
A visit to Ficus Wine Cellar for wine tasting with the hotel sommelier should also be on your list. I’m sure (like I was) you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover some excellent Thai wines.
In addition, Pathways Spa is a secluded haven. Luxuriously integrated with the natural garden surroundings and sounds of the Andaman Sea – it’s a key part of The Sarojin’s wellbeing’ experience. Don’t miss out on a 60-minute massage! It was one of the best I’ve had in a long time and much needed after a week of exploring.
Khao Lak Experiences
Most of the experiences we had in Khao Lak were focused in and around resort initiatives, including;
Tree Planting at Pakarang Cape
The Sarojin’s “One Booking, One Tree” initiative (launched in 2022) aims to restore Khao Lak’s coastal ecosystems by planting one tree for every booking. For guests who like to get their hands dirty, you can join in…..We spent a an enjoyable morning at Pakarang Cape planting mangrove trees and shrubs where the goal is to re-establish the mangroves destroyed in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
Afterwards we took a visit to the Tsunami museum which was very moving. Movie fans will also enjoy driving past the Takua Pa Hospital, one of the locations featured in the 2012 film, ‘The Impossible’.
Yoga for the Community @ The Sarojin
Another lovely resort based experience was the sunrise yoga session. Moving through a gentle-flow on the open-sided deck whilst listening to rain fall on the surrounding trees was the perfect way to start the day. Not to mention, the feel good factor of knowing that the money raised goes to supporting the local community. An element of hotel sustainability that I love.
Glimpse of local life in Takua Pa Old Town
Lastly, we took a lovely half-day tour to Takua Pa Old Town where our friendly guide led us on a wander through the local market and treated us to a local delicacy ‘crispy chicken skin’. Apparently it’s a popular snack for school children to grab on their way home. We rounded up the tour with a visit to a beautiful temple where we took a moment to light candles and remember loved ones who have passed.
Bangkok
As a result of being the major hub for international flights, a stop in Bangkok is almost inevitable. However, unlike some other hectic South-East Asian cities, a few nights here comes highly recommend.
After taking our domestic flight from Phuket, we landed at Bangkok domestic airport where our driver picked us up and transported us our final hotel of the trip…
Bangkok Hotels
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
When it comes to the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, it is clear that no expense has been spared in achieving the highest level of luxury, service and attention to detail. This stunning, elegant and grand hotel might just be the most prestigious address in Bangkok.
The beautiful lobby is mesmerising and the seamless check-in service instantly let’s you know you are in for a special stay. Each of the rooms and suites are perfectly designed and classically styled. With many of them overlooking the Chao Praya River and Bangkok skyline, you can’t really go wrong. During our stay we were lucky enough to be among the first guests to see the recently re-modelled Royal Suite – truly another level of luxury!
Bangkok offers no shortage of dining options and the same can be said of the Mandarin Oriental. The hotel itself has 11 bars and restaurants to choose from including Anne-Sophie Pic At Le Normandie – a French, two-star Michelin. With only one night in residence we didn’t get to try it, but we did have a lovely and fun evening at Sala Rim Naam. This traditional Thai restaurant offers an authentic, set menu dinner, served alongside a live cultural performance.
After-dinner drinks at the Bamboo Jazz Bar are not to be missed. As a celebrated Bangkok institution, sipping on elegant cocktails whilst sinking into a cozy chair and listening to live jazz, is the perfect way round off a wonderful evening.
In addition, guest access to the hotel boat makes hopping across the river to the ICONSIAM Shopping Mall easy, ideal for those who love a spot of retail therapy. Plus, the riverside pool is the perfect place to retreat after exploring this vibrant city.
The Siam
Our visit to The Siam may have been brief but I have to say, it might just be my favourite hotel in the city! Breathtakingly stylish – this low rise, riverside hotel (set in 3 acres of lush gardens) oozes glamour. It also has the most impressive art and antique collection I’ve ever seen in a city hotel. The suites and villas are chic, whilst maintaining an authentic Thai edge. I have to say, it’s a true oasis amongst the chaos and I can’t wait to return to experience a stay.
Bangkok Experiences
When arranging trips for clients, I would always recommend at least two, if not three nights in Bangkok, especially for first time visitors. There is so much to see and do… From private tours to some of the city’s most beautiful temples to sunset cruises along the Chao Phraya River. Or, culinary journeys through world-class restaurants to enjoying some of the best shopping experiences that southeast Asia has to offer.
With only one full morning, we chose to spend it on the water…
River Journey on the Bangkok Klongs
After an early morning breakfast overlooking the river, we departed from the Mandarin Oriental pier to enjoy a river journey on the Bangkok klongs. Sailing on a traditional long-tail boat, we travelled through the backwaters of the city, passing by Wat Arun and the infamous Grand Palace. It was a fascinating and wonderful way to enjoy the final moments of our trip.
There was just about time to squeeze in a few last minute rays and refreshing bowl of lemon sorbet, before our driver came to collect to take us to the airport.
It’s amazing how much you can fit into a week when you put your mind to it, although I have to say, moving at this pace isn’t something that I’d personally recommend to clients.
That being said, hopefully these updates have given you a great taste for what’s on offer!? This trip certainly reignited my love for the country and I’d love nothing more than to help you plan a journey to this beautiful destination.
If a trip to Thailand is on your cards for 2026, then please do get in touch and we can create something wonderful together.
Until next time, Emma x
