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Thailand's best low-season travel deals

The wetter months offer massive discounts on rooms and flights. Here are the best reasons to start packing.

7 years ago

travel

By Lily Kittisrikangwan | Jul 16, 2017

The wetter months offer massive discounts on rooms and flights. Here are the best reasons to start packing.

By Lily Kittisrikangwan
| Jul 16, 2017

10 Incredible Low Season Hotel Deals

Veranda Resort Pattaya

Accor Hotels

For bookings through Aug 31, you can get discounts of up to 40 percent on swish hotels like So Sofitel Hua Hin, Veranda Resort Pattaya, Manathai Koh Samui, Sofitel Krabi Phokeetra, Mera Mare Hotel and Little Nyonya Phuket. Applicable for stays until Sep 3. See the full list at bit.ly/2sTnmK6.

Conrad Koh Samui

Through Dec 20, this luxury pool villa resort on the southwestern coast of Koh Samui is offering discounted weekend stays for Thai residents, starting at B16,500/night (from the usual B18,500) in the 130-sq-meter Waterfront pool villa, inclusive of breakfast for two and your own 10-meter pool. Groups should check out the 297-sq-meter Oceanview two-bedroom pool villa, inclusive of breakfast for four guests, at B29,000/ night (from the usual B33,500). Reservations at [email protected].

Escape Khao Yai

Sansiri’s ever-reliable Escape hotels in Khao Yai and Hua Hin are offering discounted stays through Sep 30. Kick back amid Khao Yai’s verdant hills starting at B3,200/night (down from B3,575) for a deluxe room, inclusive of breakfast and an afternoon tea set for two. For a beach stay in Hua Hin, you’re looking at B3,050/night (down from B3,250), inclusive of breakfast and a poolside snack. Book directly at 063-187-0777.

Keemala

Kamala’s rainforest resort has an enticing two-night deal for Thai residents that includes breakfast, daily refill of homemade chocolates, teas and coffees, and your choice of two of the following: roundtrip airport transfers, 90-minute aroma massage, afternoon tea set or set dinner at Mala Restaurant. All of this will cost you B31,600, available until Nov 15. Otherwise, a stay in the Clay Pool Cottage with breakfast is B15,000/night (down from B19,000), available through Oct 31. Reservations at [email protected] or 076-358-777.

Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa

Marriott

Through Oct 31, the “Summer Getaway” package at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi gets you the third night free along with daily breakfast, boat trip to Hong Island and other perks. At B34,400 all up, that’s a saving of B17,200. A similar deal at Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa is B13,800, also with daily breakfast, 60-minute spa treatment and late checkout—all for a saving of B6,900.

Six Senses

The stunning Six Senses resort on the northern tip of Koh Samui is offering 20-percent off all villas, inclusive of breakfast. That means a stay in the Hideaway Villa will cost you B13,480/ night, available from now through Aug 31. There’s no minimum number of nights required, either. Closer to home, a two-night stay in one of Evason Hua Hin’s pool villas is B19,499, covering daily breakfast, three-course dinner and bottle of house wine, 60-minute massage, round-trip shuttle to Hua Hin town, free use of bicycles and late check-out. Available on stays through Oct 31 at www.sixsenses.com.

Socialgiver

By utilizing rooms that would otherwise go unbooked, this social enterprise offers awesome deals of up to 50-percent off through Oct 31. Some of the top bargains we spotted: pool suite at The Slate Phuket at B9,500/night (down from B16,000), Seascape room at Veranda Resort and Spa, Pattaya at B4,500/night (down from B10,000) and a floating villa at Floathouse River Kwai at B3,950/night (down from B7,950). Your money goes towards various charities and foundations around the country. Double win! For the complete list, see www.socialgiver.com.

Sri Panwa

The luxe resort on Phuket's Cape Panwa is slashing up to 30-percent off rooms till Aug 31. As a result, a night’s stay in the new onebedroom Habita Pool Suite West Ocean View costs you B9,975/night, down from B14,820, inclusive of breakfast and minibar. Stays of two nights or more get you a special gift set, too. Book at www.sripanwa.com.

U Khao Yai

U Hotels

From Aug 1-Oct 31, get 40-percent off twonight stays at U Pattaya, U Zenmaya Phuket, U Inchantree Kanchanaburi, U Chiang Mai, and recent openings U Nimman Chiang Mai and U Khao Yai. Traveling in a group? Hit up the twobedroom suite at U Nimman at B9,734/two nights—averaging out to around B1,600/person for six people. You’ll have to book before Sep 30 at www.uhotelsresorts.com.

X2 River Kwai

X2 Resorts

The boutique design resort chain is offering 63-percent off a variety of rooms for weekday travels, and 61-percent off snappy weekend bookings (three days in advance). That means your stay at X2 River Kwai’s Luxe Cabin could be as cheap as B3,420/night for weekdays and B3,632 for weekends. For X2 Koh Samui, a stay in the pool villa could set you back B8,135 on weekdays or B8,836 with Champagne breakfast. Don’t forget, this includes free unlimited spa treatments throughout your visit. Check out all the offers at www.x2resorts.com.

The Best New Hotels Worth Traveling For

Chiang Mai

Villa Mahabhirom

Sitting in the shadows of Doi Suthep, this hotel is made up of beautiful 100-year-old teakwood houses. Two to three villas can even be reserved together to form a "terrace villa" or "private pool villa" that each come with a saltwater plunge pool and garden courtyard. The signature restaurant serves up home-cooked Thai dishes using ingredients from the Royal Projects. Low season rate: Through Oct 31, a two-night stay for two will cost Thai residents B18,000, inclusive of daily breakfast, 60-minute spa session for two, transport from the airport and a variety of F&B discounts.

62 Moo 10, Suthep, 053-271-200. www.villamahabhirom.com

Chiang Rai

The Explorer Lodge at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

The very green, very luxurious resort recently lifted the lid on its exciting new room type. Designed by the Bangkok-based master of exotic luxury resorts, Bill Bensley, the two-bedroom Explorers' Lodge measures a very spacious 232 sq meters, complete with long outdoor table and private pool looking out over verdant forest. Inside is replete with safari touches like a bronze bathtub and Northern-style homespun cushions, though the ivory headboards are a controversial touch. Low season rate: From B172,000/night for up to six people.

8 Chiang Saen, 053-910-200. www.fourseasons.com/GoldenTriangle

Hua Hin

Hotel Bocage

Located on the third floor of the Seenspace Hua Hin beachfront mall, this hotel from starchitect Duangrit Bunnag blends with the rest of the pro ject through simple yet brutal concrete lines. Inside is a vision of elegance, with minimal furniture, gray-scale colors and abundant natural stone. The tech-savvy property also offers mobile app check-in that lets you access your room without even having to stop at the lobby. Low season rate: Starting at B5,300/night, inclusive of breakfast for two through Nov 30.

4/F Seenspace Hua Hin, Hua Hin Soi 35, 091-712-8822. www.hotelbocage.com

Kanchanaburi

Kwai Tara Riverside Villas

This resort comprises 20 loft-style villas along the River Kwai, located only a short distance from Erawan Waterfall. While the Canal Access Villas give you beautiful views of the mountains, we love the spacious 80-sq-meter Floating Villas, which bob over the water complete with their own stylish hammocks, river terraces and upper decks. Low season rate: Thanks to a B1,000 discount during soft opening, a stay in the Canal Access Room costs B4,000/night and the Floating Villa B4,500/night, inclusive of breakfast.

214 Moo 6 Sai Yok, 093-925-8883. www.kwaitara.com

Pai

Puripai Villas

Sitting on a small hill on the outskirts of Pai town center, this luxurious resort boasts excellent views of the early morning mist. They just unveiled three new standard villas, one three-bedroom villa and two three-bedroom pool villas, each furnished with Northern teakwood furniture. Low season rate: From B9,257-B14,242 for the villas or B2,604 for a deluxe room.

130 Moo 1, Mea Na Theung, 086-339-4048 www.puripaivilla.com

Phang Nga

The Cape Kudu

Sitting on the secluded east coast of Koh Yao Noi, the charming and little-developed island between Krabi and Phuket, these 55 clean-lined rooms evoke a colonial style through wooden construction, high ceilings and rattan furniture. Low season rate: Until Oct 31, they’re halving the cost of all room categories, with prices starting at B4,300. Book the Robinson Crusoe Suite overlooking Phang Nga Bay for B8,600 (normally B13,600) or a Pool Villa for B7,500 (down from B10,800).

25/55 Moo 5 Koh Yao, Phang Nga, 076-592-600. www.capekuduhotel.com

La Vela Khaolak

The first beach club hotel on the serene stretch of Bang Niang Beach is named after the Vela constellation (Latin for the sails of a ship). The 181-room resort features a heavily geometric design courtesy of TROP: Terrains + Open Space, whose credits include Casa de la Flora, Botanica Khao Yai and Veranda Pattaya. Most rooms come with a bath or outdoor Jacuzzi, as well as a grand seven-foot bed. Low season rate: Thai residents can snag deals starting at B2,650/night for a stay of two consecutive nights through Oct 31. Book by the end of July for a bunch of bonus goodies, like free dinner set or massage, depending on room type.

98/9 Moo 5, Khao Lak, Phang Nga, 076-428-555. www.lavelakhaolak.com

Phuket

Avista Hideaway

Located on the hillside at the southern end of Patong Beach, this new opening by Sofitel boasts clean lines with a luxurious tropical edge. The 150 guestrooms come decked out with rich local woods and natural stones, while three saltwater pools are split over different levels. Low season rate: From now through Dec 31, every direct booking (from B3,754) gets you complimentary breakfast, two beers and two soft drinks served in-room daily, and one 30-minute Thai massage. Book any suite for three consecutive nights and receive a set dinner for two at Sizzle Restaurant.

39/9 Muen Ngern Rd., Patong, 076-681-681. www.avista-hideawayphuket-patong.com

Ranong

Baan Nai Mong

The new homestay offers six types of compact-sized, eco-friendly accommodation. Each room is designed to reflect the owner’s love for a simple, natural way of life. The highlights are a treehouse for relaxing and an outdoor hot spring onsen by the lake that uses pure water from the mountains (B500/family between 5-9pm). You can grab the homestay’s bike and cycle to Ranong town center or take an excursion to Koh Phayam, the Andaman’s up-and-coming island. Low season rate: B1,900 for the mountain-view Smallville Room or B1,950 for the Eco Cabin.

88/22 Moo. 4, Muang, Ranong. www.fb.com/bannaimong

Sukhothai

Sriwilai Sukhothai Hotel

Sukhothai-Lanna architecture sees 54 rooms garnished with old-fashioned lanterns, colorful cushions contrasted with white-washed walls and four-poster beds. Touting eco-credentials, the resort uses solar panels to heat its water and a zero-chlorine system for the infinity pool. Their location is golden, too, right opposite the UNESCO-protected Sukhothai Historical Park. Low season rate: Book directly and save up to 35 percent. The superior room starts from B2,790/night, including breakfast and bike usage, available through Oct 31.

214/4 Moo 2, Sukhothai, 055-697-445. www.sriwilaisukhothai.com

Awesome Flight Deals

Special Journey with Bangkok Airways

Socialgiver (see page 4) has teamed up with Bangkok Airways to offer some cut-price deals. Log onto socialgiver.com to claim vouchers that get you round-trip deals like Bangkok to Samui for B4,500 (as opposed to the usual B10,000). Better yet, Bangkok to Chiang Rai goes down to B1,000, Lampang B1,050 and Sukhothai B900. Be quick, some destinations have already sold out. Of course, these deals won't be valid for travel over long weekends, and you can expect airport tax to be tacked on, but these prices do get you full service and luggage allowance. Oh, and 100 percent of what you pay goes towards the Love Wildlife charity.

Bangkok Airways - Women's Journey

Women can score some amazing flight deals thanks to Bangkok Airways’ latest collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. That translates to single-leg flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai,Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Trat, Krabi or Phuket going for as little as B1,290. Return flights are the same, with the exception of Sukhothai (B1,390) and Trat (B1,390). Book through Aug 31 at bit.ly/2tHpN3r for flights till the end of that month.

Air Asia

Thai Air Asia is always offering super-cheap flights every other week (if you spend enough time looking). Most recently, they've launched flights to the Maldives that start from as low as B3,790, begining this August. More details on www.airasia.com.

Thaismile

In addition to the newly added flights from Bangkok to Phuket and Chiang Mai, Thai Smile will also be running special promos to support ladies' domestic travels this August, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Check out the latest updates at www.thaismile.com.