Experience Thailand through heritage, hospitality, and cultural immersion
Embrace the easygoing pace of life in the Kingdom of Thailand with a stay that brings its finest foods, lavish spas, and natural sites to your doorstep.
By Lucie Grace | July 30, 2025
With dazzling cities and tropical islands, it’s tempting to plan a whistle-stop tour of Thailand’s varied regions, but its real appeal is in slowing down to a local pace. You’ll often hear “sabai sabai” (relax, relax), which is how things are done in the Land of Smiles. There’s no rush; life should be relished, one delectable bite at a time. So, elevate your visit by delving deeper into Thailand’s unique cultural experiences with a leisurely stay at these three elegant and contemporary hotels.
Ease into island life
Famed for sprawling, sandy beaches and palm-lined coast, Koh Samui is a scenic showstopper. Quiet corners are yours to discover, such as the azure inlet Silver Beach, where the rock formations create the perfect swimming cove. Conrad Koh Samui is perched on its own secluded hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, with sweeping panoramic views and fiery sunsets that are best viewed from the infinity pool at your private villa. The immersive nature of Conrad Koh Samui extends to every dining experience, as dishes are created using herbs, vegetables, and spices from the resort’s private garden. Respect and reverence for Thai culture is expressed through the resort’s experiences, such as the tea sensory workshop at the Botanikka Café, a tour of the resort’s sustainability-focused Iris Farm, or a visit to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. For a deeper understanding of Thailand’s coastal heritage, spend a day cruising the water on an iconic long-tail boat from Conrad Koh Samui to the island-speckled Gulf of Thailand, where fishermen and sightseers congregate to experience the best of this important maritime gateway.
Delight in world-famous cuisine
The busiest hub in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a 24-hour city that pulses with activity, from the high-speed expressways to the slimmest of alleys. But a slow-paced stay is ready to be enjoyed through multi-course meals and flavorful escapes. The city is a bona fide haven for epicurean delights, boasting 36 Michelin-starred eateries such as street-food icon Jay Fai. Although fine dining establishments abound, Bangkok’s street food and night markets offer the quintessential Thai experience for those hoping to savor traditional dishes and unique delicacies. In the heart of the city, Conrad Bangkok offers award-winning cuisine of its own with its five restaurants and bars — from Cantonese to Japanese to Western. Immerse yourself in Thai culinary traditions with an elevated cooking class, where a chef guides you through creating Thailand’s iconic dessert, mango sticky rice, using native Nam Dok Mai mangoes. You can also learn the art of brewing the perfect cup of Thai tea, blended with Thai spices.
Indulge in self-care
Bangkok’s high-end wellness offerings have flourished in recent years, with clinics, retreats, and spas adopting both eastern and western methodologies. Discover the birthplace of Nuad Thai (Thai massage), the country’s signature treatment practiced worldwide, during a visit to Wat Pho temple. Here, you can explore the archives of the treatment's origin while also taking in the site’s stunning tiled chedi (stupa) and Reclining Buddha. Thai massage uses a blend of stretching, yoga, and acupressure to provide full body relaxation, and you can indulge in this profound cultural practice for yourself at Waldorf Astoria Spa, located in Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, a refined haven from Bangkok’s bustling scene. In addition to Thai massage, the spa’s sophisticated specialists use organic products crafted from indigenous ingredients to rejuvenate skin, mind, and body across a variety of treatments. Enjoy the private steam room and rain shower in tandem with any treatment you choose for complete relaxation.
Lucie Grace
British Maltese travel writer Lucie Grace has been living in Thailand for four years and has enthused about the Land of Smiles for National Geographic Traveler, Lonely Planet, The Daily Beast, and numerous in-flight magazines and U.K. newspapers. She has visited 60+ countries and is the co-author of eight Lonely Planet titles including India, South India, Croatia, and The Balkans, as well as penning two books for Hoxton Mini Press: Britain’s Best Saunas and Music London, to be released later this year.
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