1. The Naka Phuket
The recipient of a gold award at this month's ARCASIA Awards, The Naka Phuket is a great example of how modern architecture can be made to blend impeccably with nature. Designed by Thai starchitect Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP, and located near Kamala Beach.
www.thenakaphuket.comPrice: starting B17,600/night
2. Iniala Beach House
Located on Natai beach, the property is the work of 10 international designers, with each room offering a different design. Famous names include Brazil’s Campana Brothers, A-Cero, Graham Lamb and Joseph Walsh. The Villa Siam was designed by Eggarat Wongcharit, Thailand's Designer of the Year in 2007. Nightly rates might put Iniala out of reach for all but the Kardashians, but the signature restaurant Aziamendi is considerably more affordable, though no less luxe.
www.iniala.comPrice: starting B106,000/night
3. Casa de La Flora (Phang Nga)
This member of Design Hotels (a global group of fashionable hotels) features the work of some of Thailand's pre-eminent talents, from the original design of architect Vasu Virajsilp (Vaslab) to the landscape architecture of Pok Kobkongsanti (TROP) and product design of Anon Pairot.
www.casadelaflora.comPrice: starting B10,922/night
4. The Library, Samui
The Library is Samui’s modernist poster-child: White floors, cement structures, flat roof, open space and floor-to-ceiling windows. Aesthetically, it’s a huge success and has been featured in many glossy magazines. Its stunning red-tiled swimming pool tops our list of swimming pools to Instagram ourselves in.
thelibrary.co.thPrice: starting B11,900/night
5. The Beach Samui
It's not even open yet, and The Beach is rolling in gushing praise (look no further than the Design Hotels panel). The hotel is designed by a reputed London-based architecture firm Archer Humphryes, while the interior comes from Yoo Design Studio, co-founded by legendary French designer Philippe Starck.
www.thebeach-samui.comPrice: starting B6,400/night
6. The Slate Phuket
Designed by the renowned architect Bill Bensley, this gorgeous hotel takes its inspiration from Phuket's history as the center for tin mining in the South.
www.theslatephuket.comPrice: starting B9,900/night
7. The Surin Phuket
Another Thai hotel listed in the Design Hotels group, The Surin Phuket was designed by Paris-based American architect Edward Tuttle. It's praised for seamlessly blending with the lush green tropical surrounding.
www.thesurinphuket.comPrice: starting B15,784/night
8. X2 Kui Buri
The minimalist, modern architecture helps make this hotel a peaceful retreat from the chaotic city. The heavy use of wood and rock seem to bring it closer to nature.
x2resorts.comPrice: starting B5,300/night
9. Keemala (Phuket)
This brand new all-pool villa resort overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea has recently opened its doors to the public. Taking its inspiration from the early Phuket settlers with clay pool cottages and bird’s nest pool villas, the whole thing is connected by a network of jungle walkways.
www.keemala.comPrice: starting B15,000/night
10. The Siam
Another hotel from the Bangkok-based American architect Bill Bensley, The Siam adds Art Deco accents to owner Krissada Sukosol Clapp's (aka Noi Pru) love for all things vintage. The outcome is one of Bangkok's most gorgeous hotels.
www.thesiamhotel.comPrice: starting B17,970/night
11. Como Point Yamu (Phuket)
Situated at the peaceful tip of Cape Yamu, the hotel is the work of Italian designer and architect Paola Navone, where guests can enjoy ocean-facing views from each room, as well as the spectacular 100-meter swimming pool.
www.comohotels.com/pointyamuPrice: starting B12,500/night
12. Hilton Pattaya
Designed by one of Thailand's leading achitects Amata Luphaiboon (Department of Architecture), the hotel is praised for its simple yet stunning use of dynamic wave lines, as seen in the lobby ceiling, and bars with sweeping views of Pattaya Bay. www3.hilton.com
Price: starting B6,200/night
13. Hotel de la Paix Hua Hin (Now is So Sofitel Hua Hin)
Also designed by Duangrit Bunnag, the Hotel De La Paix has been praised for its flat concrete architecture that blends so well with the natural surrounds. The grandiose entrance provides a stunning view of the vast pool.
http://www.sofitel.com/gb/Price: starting B4,500/night
14. Kata Rocks (Phuket)
Set on the hill above Kata Beach, this cutting-edge, nautical design resort and private residence boasts one of the country's most spectacular infinity pools. The rooms are no less futuristic, packed with ultra-modern amenities.
www.katarocks.comPrice: starting B26,500/night
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