The arrival of Marriott’s boutique brand conceived by legendary hotelier Ian Schrager—the first guy to ever coin the phrase “boutique hotel”—has long been promised as part of the ultra-luxe MahaNakhon Tower development at Chong Nonsi. 2018 looks to be the year. There are only 10 other Edition hotels in the world right now, all glamorously well detailed and frighteningly expensive. For the rest of us there promises to be “five levels of public space.”

 

Set to open in late 2018, the mega B50-billion riverside development by three property giants—Siam Piwat, Magnolia Quality Development and Charoen Pokphand—will transform an 80,000-sq-meter plot of land on Charoen Nakhon Road into something approaching a brand new suburb. It will consist of the Mandarin Oriental Residences (two luxurious skyscraper and condominiums, 70 and 52 floors), 100-plus restaurants, a 3,500-seat auditorium, a “Heritage Museum” and the giant Takashimaya mall from Japan.

First slated to open in 2015, Waldorf Astoria is really, truly opening in the second quarter, 2018. It’ll be the first incursion of the Hilton’s luxury hotel brand into Southeast Asia. Perched nearby the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Ratchaprasong Intersection, the hotel features interiors by architect Andre Fu. The 171 rooms and suites—including some of the largest in downtown Bangkok at 300sq meters—each feature floor-to-ceiling windows. There will be six high-end F&B outlets, including a 55th-floor rooftop bar decked out by local firm AvroKo. 

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Koh Samui

The colorful, affordable hotel chain’s latest opening (scheduled for late ’18) will feature 129 rooms, a rooftop bar, a market-style restaurant and a location in stumbling distance of Hard Rock Cafe and Central Festival Samui. You know your stay will be far from quiet, but the upside is you’re only a short walk away from the night street. ibisstyleskohsamuichawengbeach.com

Situated on Koh Yao Noi, a small island set in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, Thailand’s 2nd W Retreat is a 30-minute speedboat ride from Phuket. The 79 villas each come with private plunge pools overlooking the sandy white beach and turquoise waters rich with coral. It’s not all lazing in the sun, though—this island is especially known for its diving, snorkeling and rock climbing. Scheduled to open in Jan, 2018.