Bangkok

Credit: waldorfastoria3.hilton.com

Waldorf Astoria

After six years of anticipation, Ratchadamri’s luxurious five-star hotel is officially open, with a line of ultra-posh bars and restaurants in tow, including the inventive “Nordic-Thai” Front Room, as well as a pampering wellness spa and stunning infinity pool. Inside, glide up a spiraling Art Nouveau staircase beneath soaring ceilings and dripping chandeliers to discover the 171 elegant gold-accented rooms and suites. Sizes range from 50-300 sq meters, each with floor-to-ceiling windows. 
151 Ratchadamri Rd., +6628-468-888. bit.ly/2QKreKD

Amdaeng

Looking like a Shanghai mansion crossed with a Thai-Chinese shophouse, this bold red riverside property lies in close proximity to Lhong 1919 and a three-minute boatride from charming Charoenkrung. Rooms come with high ceilings and bespoke touches—carved red woods, antiques and plenty of original artwork. The onsite NYE cafe serves Thai cuisine and wines, while the rooftop bar offers 360-degree views over the river.
12/1 Chiangmai Soi 1, +6621-620-138. www.amdaeng.com

Baan 2459

Following a sparkling but period-correct renovation, this colonial-luxe mansion dating back to 1916 marks quite a departure from the usual crumbling Chinatown shop-houses. There are just four 
rooms, each one an elegant blend of colonial furnishings and muted colors plucked from the Farrow & Ball school of design. Book suite “Two” for the full colonialist experience—four-poster bed, chandelier, private entrance and marble-clad bathroom.
98 Phat Sai Rd., +6682-393-2459. www.baan2459.com

Josh Hotel

If you love the quirky stylings of Wes Anderson movies, then this is the joint for you. This former apartment block five minutes from hipster-central BTS Ari now sports a look of pastel colors, cool
terrazzo and brass, complemented by the perfect mid-century touch—a courtyard swimming pool. The on-site restaurant, Marigold, does some wonderful southern Thai food, while the pool bar
not only makes a good cocktail but also soft-serve ice cream.
19/2 Ari Soi 4, +6621-024-999. www.joshhotel.com

Credit: www.nexthotels.com/hotel/riva-arun-bangkok

Riva Arun

This charming colonial-style hotel enjoys a truly impressive location along the Chao Phraya River. Not only is it close to landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, guests in some suites can even enjoy views of majestic Wat Arun from the comfort their own private outdoor Jacuzzi. Regardless which of the 25 rooms you stay in, it’s more than likely you’ll have impressive temple views
through your window.
392/25-26 Maharaj Rd., +6622-211-188. www.rivaarunbangkok.com

Chiang Mai

Chantra Khiri Chalet Resort

This all-villa 9,600-sq-meter resort offers panoramic views from its hilltop perch, just a short drive from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Decked out in Lanna style with dusky teakwood, multi-tiered roofs and spacious balconies offering stunning forest views, the two-story villas (from B4,375) are centered around a man-made waterfall, while the resort’s elegant Thai restaurant opens out onto a hillside swimming pool.
49 Moo 3, Baan Pong, Hangdong, 081-802-0666. www.chantrakhirichalet.com

Credit: www.facebook.com/Elliebum-Boutique-Hotel

Elliebum Boutique Hotel

In the city center, this colonial-style mansion boasts just 12 rooms. The minimalist interiors mix clean whites and lacquered blond wood flooring, saving all the fuss for the gloriously palatial gold-tiled bathrooms with their stencil-patterned appliances. Limited space means there’s no gym or spa, but they do have a Western-leaning restaurant onsite. Rates start roughly at B1,500 a night. 
114/3-5 Rachamankha Rd., 090-318-6429. goo.gl/pcqEV9

Onsen at Moncham

Bringing Japanese bathing to the peaceful rolling green hills of Moncham, this high-end retreat abounds in minimalist blond-wood and bamboo elegance. Each stay in the 16 rooms and suites (from B5,220/night) grants access to a range of therapeutic pools and private bathtubs capable of increasing your blood flow and rejuvenating your skin. A well-stocked bar, lakeside Thai-Japanese restaurant, gym and spa complete the list of facilities.
293 Moo 2, Pong Yaeng, Mae Rim, 053-111-606. www.onsenmoncham.com
 

Hua Hin

Hua Hin Movenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin

Taking over the former Asara Villa & Suite, this resort’s 96 private suites and pool villas (from B6,894/night) are homey yet modern with neutral tones, wood accents and Thai patterns. Go all out with the luxurious 400-sq-meter beachfront villa, comprising three pavilions, two bedrooms, its own private beach area and a pool (B19,989/night). Thai and French dining is available onsite, alongside two large pools and a gym.
53 Hua Hin Soi 5, 032-520-777. goo.gl/RLgMka

Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin

Enjoy a playcation at this 300-room, family-friendly resort inside Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park, where unlimited access means you can wake up with a ride on Abyss (Thailand’s largest water slide) or float down the Lazy River. To relax, there’s a resort spa, a 26th-floor pool bar and a rooftop bar with a glass-bottomed deck, while the beach is just 10-minutes’ walk or a short free shuttle ride away. Prices from B2,690/night.
129/129 Petchkasem Rd., 032-809-999. vananavahuahin.holidayinnresorts.com

Chocolate Box

With this new boutique hotel, you can stay at Hua Hin’s Seenspace mall all night. The hotel’s 23 rooms come in three flavors: White Chocolate (for two, B5,700), Milk Chocolate (for four, B7,800) and Dark Chocolate (for six, B9,900). Size aside, the rooms are fashioned from the same mold, each decorated in a modern, minimalist style and every shade of gray for a soothing vibe. Is there chocolate involved? Maybe.
13/14 Huahin Soi 35, 092-271-7448. www.enjoychocolatebox.com
 

Khao Yai Te Mata Glamping

Elevated high above the ground with a spacious terrace area on all sides, this spot’s singular, exquisite “tent” is equipped with a hotel-like bathroom and spacious living area. You can even roam the surrounding 3,200 sq meters of green fields on an ATV or bicycle. The rates depend on the number of guests: from B8,000/ night (two to three people),  B14,000 (for four to six) and B22,000 (seven plus).
97 Moo 6, Parkchong, 061-662-6615. www.temataglamping.com

Phuket

BaBa Beach Club

Sri Panwa joins the beach club craze on Natai Beach with this luxurious 42-rai opening. There’s a modish energy to the mix of Sino-Portuguese-inspired decor in the 16 villas and suites (B18,000/night), enlivened by royal blues and splashes of orange. In the middle of it all, the Baba Bar stands primed for beach parties with DJs flown in from around the world. 
88 Moo 5 Khok Kloi, Takua Thung, 076-429-388. www.bababeachclub.com

Xinlor House

Within an unassuming townhouse in the Old Town, head past rows of vibrant green potted plants and you’ll find an exclusive three guest rooms, each with a fresh white and blue color scheme (from B1,500). The Suite Room (B3,000) comes with a guest room, bathtub and balcony—ideal for observing the surrounding Indo-Chinese architecture and local goings on.
78 Dibuk Rd., 081-891-7733. www.fb.com/xinlorhouse

Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket

Breathing new life into the former Dewa Phuket Resort is the first Thailand opening from this youthful, affordable group. On Nai Yang Beach, backed by Sirinat National Park, Cachet is a sleek looking place dominated by black marble, polished concrete floors and deep mahogany. Rates start at B3,200/night.
65 Moo 1, Tambon Sakoo, 076-372-300. www.cachetphuketdewa.com
 

Samui

Cape Fahn Hotel

The Cape & Kantary chain’s super-sleek resort takes over a small private island just a little offshore of Koh Samui’s Choeng Mon Beach. Wooden construction, high ceilings, earthy tones and splashes of blue feature in the 22 villas—opt for the hilltop Ocean View Pool Villa, which opens out to a picture-perfect private plunge pool overlooking the sea (from B24,431 per night). Enjoy “Bistronomic” fine-dining at The Crest or bob in the pool while watching a Hollywood movie at the weekly Moonlight Cinema.
24/269 Moo 5, Bophut, 077-602-301. www.capefahnhotel.com

Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort

A world of warm woods and heavenly whites, every room (from around B14,493) at this beachside resort comes with its own pool, in addition to tasteful touches like circular bathtubs (very onsen-looking) and lunar-referencing light installations. The 52 completed villas and suites are set to be joined by 82 more by next year, as well as a spa, gym, hidden oasis swimming pool and beachfront restaurant primed for sunset.
99/10 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach, 077-905-888. www.salahospitality.com/chaweng

Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui

Turning a former coconut plantation into 175 luxurious suites and pool villas, this hotel vies for the island’s hottest new opening. Rooms (from B10,959) come decked out in a tasteful blend of neutral tones and natural stone, offering stunning views of Samui’s coastline, as well as access to two private beaches, the resort’s beachfront pool, spa pavilions, six dining outlets and an artificial reef. 
9/123 Moo 5, Bophut, 077-915-777. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/koh-samui