We’re quite partial to U hotels throughout Thailand, such as the charming U Hotel Chiang Mai and the peaceful U Hotel Kanchanaburi, right by the River Kwai. Now, the chain just opened a new property near Nai Harn beach, U Sunsuri Phuket, with a similarly blocky and minimal architecture softened by warm earth tones. It’s on a bigger scale than the aforementioned boutique hotels, though. The 128 rooms range from 45 to 55 sq meters, and there are two types of villa (three one-bedroom villas, one two-bedroom villa). This is just the beginning of the brand’s massive expansion, with 10 properties scheduled to open in 2014 in Phuket, Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Goa and Hanoi.