UPCOUNTRY

Veranda The High Resort, M Gallery

192 Moo 2, Banpong, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, 053-365-007.
Enjoy the scenic view of Hong Dong’s mountains from lanna-inspired rooms.

Veranda Resort & Spa, M Gallery

737/12 Mung Talay rd., Cha Am, Petchaburi, 032-709-000.
Eight room types, ranging from a compact 44-sq-meter deluxe to a large-yet-private pool villa, and a huge swimming pool for the kids.

B-Lay Tong, M Gallery

198 Taweewong Rd., Patong, Phuket, 076-344-999.
One of the most distinctive hotel in Phuket; the geometric buildings of B-Lay Tong face the beachfront on a quieter part of Patong. Colorful furniture and decorative details abound and you’ll love to soak up the view from its glassed-walled infinity pool.

W Retreat Koh Samui

4/1 Moo 1, Maenam Beach, Koh Samui, 077-915-999.
The first W property in Thailand sits its edgy design on a rocky ledge where Maenam and Bo Phut beaches meet.

IN BANGKOK

Hotel Muse, M Gallery

55/555 Langsuan Rd., 02-630-400. www.hotelmusebangkok.com
Hidden in Langsuan, Hotel Muse opts for a late 19th century décor mixing industrial and baroque. Locals can check out Italian restaurant Medici in the basement or The Speakeasy, a rooftop bar with a view.

VIE Hotel, M Gallery

117/39-40 Phayathai Rd., 02-309-3939. www.viehotelbangkok.com
A major cineplex tycoon built this hotel where the McKenna movie theater once stood. The 145 rooms and suites have soaring ceilings and a dark, masculine decor.

Sofitel So Bangkok

2 North Sathorn Rd., 02-624-0000. www.sofitel.com
The new 32-story hotel overlooking Lumpini Park was designed by big names including Nithi Sthabipanonda and Rujiraporn Wanglee. Grab a drink at the 9/F Mix Bar.

W Bangkok

106 North Sathorn Rd. www.whotels.com
The 403-room hotel is set to open Dec 1.

Judging by the newly-opened 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai or the Cabochon in Bangkok, independently owned (and operated) boutique hotels are still going strong in Thailand. But major hotel chains like Accor and Starwood now want a piece of the action, and are increasingly modeling themselves after their boutique rivals.

“Leisure travelers generate more revenue than business travelers. Their frequency of travel cannot compare to business travelers, but they tend to spend more,” explains Surachai Meephien, Travel Incentive Marketing Manager at American Express (Thailand), on why big hotel groups are so keen to follow the lead of boutique hotels.

As early as 1998, global hospitality group Starwood launched W Hotels, a brand they define as boutique. Over 11 years later, Accor, the Paris-based hospitality group, finally caught on with the launch of M Gallery in 2009. “Hotel chains are adjusting to follow the market trend. They are either launching boutique-like brands or rebranding their old brands to be more boutique-like,” says Narisa Leelathawornpanya, an assistant editor at Lonely Planet Magazine.

On paper, the M Gallery brand is a perfect compromise between an independently-owned hotel and a chain hotel. “There are many unique, family-run hotels in Europe. These hotels would come to Accor and ask, ‘What can you do with us?’” says Paul Stevens, Director of Operations at Accor Thailand. “So we created a brand [M Gallery] to take care of them. Under the brand, they can benefit from our system and resources while preserving their own identity.”

The number of rooms or being independently owned are no longer what define “boutique,” though. The term has mostly come to mean any property that’s hip, technologically savvy and provides personalized service. “What we find is that lifestyle travelers who choose to stay in boutique hotels have strong relationships to certain products, like Apple, Armani or Hugo Boss. They want to be identified with products that are a bit unique, a bit cutting edge—or something with history,” Stevens adds.

Starwood, too, has redefined ”boutique” as simply meaning a brand with fewer properties and more character. “We usually find that the smaller resorts we operate are the ones people equate with luxury. W Hotels, Luxury Collection and St. Regis are the group’s most-loved brands,” explains Joshua Lee, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But Starwood has also tried to take things down a notch with mid-level brand Aloft, launched in 2008 in Montreal. Labeled “A Vision of W Hotels,” it offers a kind of no-frills chic with the usual mix of design and technology. There are now 46 Aloft hotels worldwide, including Bangkok. But is it boutique? W Hotels’ Alongkorn Srichuen, Senior Marketing Communication Manager at W Retreat Koh Samui, doesn’t think so.

“W is the only chain brand that has maintained its boutique character,” says Alongkorn. “W Hotels are not hotels; we are a lifestyle. We offer hip lifestyle-related experiences, from music to fashion. And we don’t try to be mainstream.” Even so, the upcoming W Hotel Bangkok will feature 403 rooms set in a gleaming glass high-rise, a far cry from the 50-room hotels that originally characterized the segment.

Size does have its benefits, though. Global loyalty programs, in particular, offer the kinds of perks independent hoteliers simply can’t compete with. “These people [chain hotels] are very good at making you want to come back,” American Express’s Surachai says. But Lonely Planet’s Narisa, doesn’t believe you can get the best of both worlds, as chains offer standardized service, while boutique hotels should throw up surprises. “Service at [real] boutique hotels is not 100% perfect. If you stay in a boutique hotel in Northern Thailand, locals don’t necessarily speak proper central Thai, but they serve you with sincerity; and that’s unique.”

CHIANG RAI

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

From B75,150 per night, all inclusive. Ruak River, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, 053-910-200. www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle
One of the world’s most luxurious tented camps (it won the top prize from Conde Nast Traveler in 2010), this places takes “glamping” to a whole different level. Fifteen spacious 54-sq-meter tents, which sleep two and come with their own copper bathtubs and air-con are scattered amid the lush forest of the Golden Triangle cape, on the banks of the river overlooking Burma. Excursions include visits to the nearby elephant rehabilitation camp, cooking classes and jungle trekking.
Getting there: Upon arrival at Chiang Rai Airport, guests will have a 45-minute drive to the resort’s private pier before catching the slow boat up stream to the jungle resort.

TRAT

Keereeta Lagoon

B4,000 per night. 24/1 Moo 4, Koh Chang, Trat, 081-855-5004. www.keereetalagoon.com
Even though Koh Chang, the country’s second largest island, has proper roads the location of Keereeta Lagoon on the other side of a large canal means you can’t reach it by car. This tiny five-room boutique hotel sits on the banks of Klong Nam canal, just 200 meters from the beach. Rooms are cute with vivid colors and more than a hint of Moroccan influence, and include a small swimming pool and adjacent living area. If you really want to get away from it all then hire all five rooms and have the resort to yourself.
Getting there: Get a ferry from Trat to Koh Chang, and turn right from the pier. Keep going till you see the signs for Aana Resort. Turn into the soi, park the car, call the hotel, and they will come pick you up by small boat.

KANCHANABURI

The Floathouse River Kwai

From B3,750 per night. 55 Moo 5, Wangkrajae, Saiyoke, Kanchanaburi, 02-642-5497, 084-725-8686. www.thefloathouseriverkwai.com
The River Kwai’s latest floating resort lets you enjoy the stunning natural scenery of Kanchanaburi without having to slum it. Ten pretty opulent floating cottages come with teakwood furniture, big screen TVs and even free Wi-Fi so you never have to suffer true isolation, even as you relax out on the floating sun deck.
Getting there: Drive to Kanchanaburi and then follow the sign to Sai Yoke Noi waterfall. Resotel Pier is 8km from the fall’s entrance and is where you hop on a long-tail boat to the resort.

KRABI

Rayavadee

From B11,500 per night, for Thai residents only. 24 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi, 075-620-740. www.rayavadee.com
Due to the steep mountains that encircle it, Krabi’s most famous beach destination is simply inaccessible by any other means than long-tail boat. And the most luxurious resort on this isolated piece of the mainland is Rayavadee, a hideaway whose location manages to give you access to all three main beaches: Railay East, Railay West and Phranang. The 98 two-story cottages and their four villas, sat among 28 acres of coconut groves and verdant jungle, blend elements of colonial and Thai design. Just kick back in a hammock, explore the local islands or go kayaking through the mangroves.
Getting there: From Krabi Airport, you’ll travel to the private pier where the resort’s speedboat will whisk you to the resort in less than 20 minutes.

Hotel Hideaways in Bangkok 

Bangkok Tree House

60 San Phawut Soi 23, Phra Pradaeng, 02-995-1150. www.bangkoktreehouse.com
Bangkok Tree House is a cluster of three-story suites sitting a long way downstream in the green lung of the city, Bang Krajao. Featuring clean-cut architecture it combines mineral (metal, glass and lots of mirrors) and organic (wood and bamboo) materials to perfection. Ideal for a staycation, suites are B6,000, inclusive of breakfast, Wi-Fi, free ice-cream and bike rentals—useful as Bangkrajao is a great cycling spot.
Getting there: There are two options: (1) get a ferry from Sanpawut Pier (call upon arrival), 1.5km from BTS Bang Na, inside Wat Bang Na Nok or (2) go to Wat Bang Namphueng Nok, and then it’s a five-minute walk through a small soi.

Praya Palazzo

757/1 Somdej Phra Pinklao Soi 2, Bangyeekhan, 02-883-2998. www.prayapalazzo.com
The 1920s Italian-style mansion, once home to a noble family during the King Rama V era, was restored into a classy 17-guestroom hotel with one of the best views of Chao Phraya River overlooking Phra Sumane Fort. You’ll get to walk on century-old wooden floors, stay in a classically decorated room and dine on a selection of Thai dishes in an opulent ambiance.
Getting there: Get a ferry from Phra Arthit Pier or Wat Rachathivat Pier—the latter also provides a parking space. You’ll have to call upon arrival.

Overview: After the success of Sony’s first smartphone, the Sony Xperia S, the Japanese company has just rolled out a more affordable version. The Sony Xperia P looks pretty identical to its sister but it’s cheaper, so some elements like the screen size and camera resolution are slightly reduced.

Plugged:
• Xperia P’s 8MP camera works really well in both bright and dark conditions, thanks to its Exmor R technology. So well, in fact, that you can’t really tell the difference from pictures taken with the Xperia S’s 12MP camera unless you really use the zoom function.
• Its Sony BRAVIA technology featuring Reality Display with Magic promises a brighter screen whether in daylight or outdoors.
• We love its matted aluminum surface that’s extremely smooth in the palm.

Bugged:
• It shares the same three issues that put us off iPhones: the battery is non-removable, the memory is non-expandable with an SD card, and it’s only compatible with a micro sim card.
• Sony’s live wallpaper might look pretty but it seriously drains the battery life.
• Even though we’ve now handled quite a few different Xperia phones, we still think its user interface is tricky to navigate.
• The bottom part of the phone is changeable (to other colors) so there’s a possibility it may become loose after a while.

Verdict: Honestly, we don’t see much difference between this phone and the Xperia S, so if you’re a Sony devotee opt for this cheaper version. And if you’re not a big fan of Sony’s interface, there are better Android phones out there on the market.

Price: B14,990

Specs: 4-inch touchscreen (540 x 960 pixels) with BRAVIA technology, 1GHz dual-core processor, 8MP camera and VGA front camera, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, HD video (1080p) compatibility. 122 x 59.5 x 10.5 mm, 120 grams.