Best hotels in Thailand

With the looks of a storybook house that was slipped into the lanes of downtown Bangkok, Ariyasom Villa is the picture of heritage and homespun hospitality. Built by the owner's grandparents in 1942, this old family home has taken on new life and provides the perfect bolthole between temple visits and trying every street food in the vicinity. The villa may be on the boisterous Sukhumvit Road but from its peaceful garden setting, you'd never know it. Greeted with a wai (bow) and refreshing drink, the staff make you feel like a cherished guest.

Where craggy-faced mountains, abundant valleys and relics from Thailand's ancient kingdoms meet, Chiang Rai is a picturesque village to relax for a few days. Perched along the river, The Legend was inspired by textured Lanna design while bringing its style a few centuries forward with breezy tropical rooms, manicured lawns and a freeform infinity pool (with a whirlpool hot tub!). There's plenty of rustic charm to go around with scenic hikes in search of a waterfall to swim below and the chance to spend time with members of a local hill tribe. After a day of temple-spotting, settle on the riverbank for a cocktail while the sun sets.

The crystaline waters, green-capped karsts and world-class beaches make Krabi a one-of-a-kind destination. And amidst the dancing palms, Rayavadee holds all the allure of an island getaway! Its natural surrounds are reflected in the bamboo-themed feature walls, sea life murals and mushroom-shaped villas. Chattering monkeys can be heard overhead as you stroll to the beach and, being in the heart of a marine reserve, schools of fish paint the water with colour as you snorkel off nearby reefs. Whether you spend all day on the beach, do as many water sports as you can, or zip across the bay to picnic on a sandbar, the view is sweet as coconut milk.

An oasis of urban style might not be what you expect from a family hotel in Phuket, and whilst it's certainly unusual, somehow The Slate just works. The space is perfectly suited to both adults and kids, with plenty of pools to splash in, a spa for parents to retreat to, a restaurant with exciting cuisine for big and small - and a bar for when the little ones are asleep! It's also very close to the airport, so there shouldn't be too many 'are we there yets?' from wriggly kids after a longhaul flight! But don't worry, the lush walled garden blocks most airport noise, and the private gate leading to silky Nai Yang beach and completes the holiday picture.

On approach by speedboat across the Andaman Sea, Yao Noi lies like a hidden paradise and you might just feel like you've fallen into a movie scene. After all, the famous James Bond Island is just a reef or two away. Six Senses pulls no punches in its design, sitting somewhere between a mansion and a treehouse, the villas are nothing short of gorgeous. Every one of them comes with an utterly private infinity pool! Rejuvenation flows throughout, from specialised sleep programs to coconut body scrubs in the hillside spa. The resort also has a robust collection of island activities - kayaking past picture-perfect scenes is just the tip of the iceberg.

If sweet, sweet chocolate therapy, tai chi on the lawns and peaceful river views are your idea of a retreat, then this is the resort for you. Anantara gives the disarming impression that it's far from the well-walked streets of Chiang Mai but it happens to be in easy reach of revered temples and downtown markets. Make the most of this choice locale with a ride on the resort's river boat, sipping on champagne as you drift past quaint Thai homes and spice gardens. Par for the course in this ancient city, Anantara has quite the backstory as the former British Consulate. Trust us, the hotel pays homage in rather original ways!

In the company of northern Thailand's remote and rejuvenating hideaways, Tatvani gives new meaning to the word 'exclusive'. Only two residences sit on a lush 29 acres where waterfalls bubble nearby as you enjoy a tension-dissolving massage and dining on a menu of your own making is a daily occurrence. Looked after by a personal team of staff, there's little need to leave your villa, which each have a solar-heated pool overlooking tranquil lotus ponds and a well-stocked entertainment hub. Take a scenic cycle through sleepy villages and tea plantations (or a more adventurous meander up mountain trails) and visit the centuries-old temples of Chiang Rai.

Anurak is the type of place to utterly immerse yourself in nature. Each morning, step out onto your private patio surrounded by endless swathes of palm trees and the forested peaks beyond. You'll use up every bit of sunlight tracing the rivers, jungle trails and caves on adventurous days spent boating across Cheow Lan Lake, following in the tracks of forest elephant or canoeing down green waterways, the cackle of birdlife filling the air. After sipping a few Mai Tais and a hearty Thai dinner, you'll fall asleep to the sound of gibbons calling from the trees, and dream of doing it all again the next day.

On a grain of land off Thailand's coast, Pimalai combines the best of jungle escape and high-brow resort. Translating as, 'a little patch of heaven', Pimalai certainly lives up to its name. Drink in views of the shimmering Andaman Sea from a shaded lounger on the beach and listen for the calls of macaques in the garden, which happens to be 100 acres of cashew, palm and coconut trees. It's hard to beat cocktails at the Horizon pool, which, at 200 feet above sea-level, feels like it's floating on air. The island of Koh Lanta is is just perfect for adventures from the seat of a motorbike and the ocean never has to call twice.

Although just a 5 minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Chaweng Town, Sala Samui manages to provide a haven of calm, right on the water's edge. Sun-splashed, whitewashed and beautifully understated, the resort ticks many boxes for a seaside resort. Alongside the usual lineup of private pools and daybeds to lounge on, added luxe extras include toes-in-the-sand dining every evening if you so desire and movie nights on the starlit beach. Gorgeous views of the Gulf of Thailand complete the picture - and we haven't even told you about the Sala Spa with its solar-themed treatment rooms and world-renowned products. Bliss, indeed.

Down the road from the time-worn temples and lofty pagodas of the Old City, this hotel sits behind walls of greenery that keeps the buzz out. Named after the 200-year-old tamarind tree at its centre, a tunnel of arched bamboo leads from the outside world to fragrant foot baths, jasmine garland-making and a restaurant that draws patrons from miles away. When you're ready to extract yourself from the comforts of Tamarind Village, the head-turning sights of Chiang Mai beckon. The city's plethora of shrines, museums and markets are in walking (or cycling) distance. In the company of snazzy resorts, Tamarind is a timeless classic.