Akyra Chura

Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, 02 514 8112, www.theakyra.com
Akyra is like a small Japanese village sitting on a pristine beach—two-story traditional style wooden houses outside, raw cement and generous use of blonde wood inside. Not only is it blessed with the island’s whitest sand and clearest waters, its sake bar is a great way to unwind. Rates are from B3,210.

Akatsuki

Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, 077 485 704, www.akatsuki-resort.com
Meaning “dawn” in Japanese, Akatsuki offers an uber private resort experience as you need to hire the whole resort, which means five traditional Japanese-style suites (yes, it’s a trend), a spa with therapists, a restaurant with private chef and butlers. Rates are from US$2,000 (B59,670) per night for a maximum of 17 guests through Dec 31.

Baan Narupakorn

31/22 Soi Hua Hin 83, Hua Hin, 032 515 879, www.baannarupakorn.com
Another old bourgeois home turned into a pretty resort. Baan Narupakorn has combined a retro British style, a 60s Hua Hin beach house and minimalist contemporary architecture to create a warm and welcoming ambiance in all of its 10 rooms. Rates are from B2,500.

Conrad Koh Samui

49/8-9 Moo 4, Hillcrest Rd., Koh Samui, 077 915 888, www.conradkohsamui.com
Last year the big new names on Samui were Banyan Tree and W. This year, Conrad bacomes the latest addition to the fellowship of high-end resorts in Koh Samui. Eighty luxurious villas perched on a remote cliff are tucked away at the southwest tip of the island, offering picturesque sunset views from their individual terraces—not to mention Conrad’s standards of luxury. Rates are from B20,000 for a one-bedroom ocean-view villa.

Glur Ao Nang

591 Moo 2, Soi Ao Nang 11/1, Muang, Krabi, 075 695 297, www.krabiglurhostel.com
It seems like it’s all about luxury these days. Did everyone (except us) win the lottery? Mere mortals will be happy to hear that there’s a new budget solution in Krabi. A minimal white-and-raw cement building resting underneath coconut trees, Ao Nang’s only hostel has accommodation ranging from an 8-bed dorm to a double-bed room with en-suite bathroom. You don’t get the beachside location for these prices, but if you can ride a motorbike, the sand is just five minutes away. Rates are from B350 per bed.

Sheik Istana Hotel

10/1 Moo 3, Padad Rd., Muang, Chiang Mai, 053 273 142, www.skeikistanahotel.com
The newest theme hotel in Chiang Mai, on the bank of the Ping River, adopts Hua Hin’s now tired and slightly obnoxious Moroccan trend. All 35 rooms are painted in colorful hues and decked out with Arabian-style details—which makes perfect sense in the heart of the Lanna Kingdom. Rates are from B2,300.

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