Thai breakers: 10 ways to pitch Thailand to clients
A one-time backpacker secret that grew into a UK holiday favourite, Thailand has a warm welcome that is famous, and the Thai smile is now back in full force with a plethora of ways to pitch it to clients.
Many clients like to multi-centre in Asia, but as Thailand has its own variety there’s not really a need to add another destination. Bangkok, the mountainous, jungle-clad north around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and a beach option is the classic three-centre combination, with Koh Samui best in summer and the other resorts in the opposite seasons.
When it comes to accommodation, Thailand is particularly known for its chic boutique properties, but the variety is wide and new options open all the time from all-suite skyscrapers to small island hideaways.
David Kevan, Pata spokesperson and product and relationships director for Chic Locations, says: “South-east Asia has some exceptional hotels – luxurious and trendsetting – and Thailand probably has the largest range, with several relatively new names. In Bangkok, the Capella is superb, riverfront with huge rooms and equally spacious balconies. In Krabi, the Banyan Tree has raised the bar in the area offering extensive beach and island views and innovative dining options.”
“Phuket has several well-known luxury hotels like Aman, Banyan Tree and Trisara and now the low-rise all-villa style of Rosewood adds to the choice. Samui has also seen several new introductions and a personal favourite now is Centara Reserve, the first venture into luxury from this well-known resort brand,” he adds.
With so many UK travellers now repeat visitors to Thailand, it pays to make the most of the country’s varied landscapes and its cultural offer when itinerary planning. Kevan advises telling clients the draw beyond the beach embraces “culture, scenic variety, plus eco-adventures”.
For the latter he particularly recommends Elephant Hills’ jungle and floating camps within reach of Phuket and Krabi or their new base near Chiang Mai.
1. Double bubble
Sleeping under the stars in a two-bedroom ‘Jungle Bubble’ suite is a unique back-to-nature experience offered by Anantara Golden Triangle resort. The trio of linked transparent bubbles, which form the accommodation, are located close to the site’s free-roaming elephants, so it is possible for guests to watch the animals from the comfort of their beds, living room, private deck or plunge pool. Meanwhile, the latest Thai Anantara is opening on Koh Yao Yai off Phuket in April. Here ocean-view suites and pool villas are set along a kilometre of white-sand beach. Families are well catered for with suites furnished with bunkbeds and slides. Transfers to the resort will be by speedboat from Phuket or Krabi, anantara.com
2. Family fun
For adventurous families, Carrier has a suggested 16-night Northern Thailand Eat, Play & Explore itinerary with plenty of action to keep all ages happy. It starts with a foodie tour by SkyTrain and tuk-tuk of Bangkok’s restaurants and street vendors and a meeting with Thai expert and best-selling author Philip Cornwel-Smith. Continuing into the Chiang Mai countryside, families have the excitement of elephant meets and river rafting and even helicopter hiking in Doi Mae Salong’s tea plantations. Back at the coast, the itinerary ends with a cooking lesson and a kayak tour of Phuket’s Phang Nga Bay. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Six Senses Yao Noi and Phuket’s Trisara, which has one- and two-bedroom villas, are among suggested hotels, carrier.co.uk
3. Sky high
Rooftop cocktail bars with dramatic views add wow factor to Thai city stays. The newest is Mai The Sky Bar on the 22nd floor of the Melia Chiang Mai (pictured above). From two sections connected by a glass bridge, guests can enjoy views of the River Ping and famous mountaintop Doi Suthep Temple. In Bangkok, hotels with popular rooftop bars include the Millennium Hilton, Lebua at State Tower, Banyan Tree, and Sofitel So Bangkok.
4. RAKxa relaxer
An immunity boost focusing on gut health and a long Covid package concentrating on lung function are among programmes at new RAKxa wellness resort. The retreat is situated on jungle-covered Bang Krachao island, just outside Bangkok and around an hour from the airport. Five- seven and 10-night packages are available for guests to de-stress or improve mobility with the help of a scientific wellness clinic, holistic wellness centre and a medical gym. There are also weight control and advanced aesthetics programmes, rakxawellness.com
5. Well women
Women’s wellness is the theme of a Phuket retreat coming up in early March at COMO Point Yamu. The weekend is co-led by Renata Citrons, a yoga teacher, sound healer and art therapist and Dr Benita Perch, a naturopathic physician. Optional post-retreat private consultations are also available in person or online. The women’s weekend is among COMO Hotels & Resorts’ new series of signature experiences dubbed COMO Journeys, which have so far also included an art retreat at the Phuket resort. A wellness brunch is also offered by COMO Point Yamu on the fi rst Saturday of every month, with each dish designed to boost energy and balance blood sugar levels. The meal is accompanied by a sound healing session, mini massages and a 10-minute detox consultation for adults, or a health workshop with smoothies for younger guests, comohotels.com
6. Soho in the house
Soho in the house Bangkok is set to gain an offshoot of fashionable members’ club Soho House by the end of the year. Set over three floors, the house is located in the former Eugenia Hotel building and has a garden with a 12-metre pool set amid greenery and chequered marble flooring. Inside, a club space with two bars will offer drinks and light bites, the House Kitchen will meanwhile serve up Soho House classics, as well as local recipes developed especially for Bangkok. On the second floor, an intimate lounge bar will host events programmed by Soho House, sohohouse.com
7. Foodie stars
Bangkok has numerous Michelin starred-restaurants and this year new stars were awarded to six varied eateries: Aksron (Thai), Cote by Mauro Colagreco (French), Gaa (Indian), Igniv (European), Savelberg (French) and Yu Ting Yuan (Chinese). Those gaining or retaining two stars in 2022 are Chef’s Table at Lebua at State Tower (pictured above); Le Normandie at the Mandarin Oriental; European-style Mezzaluna; Thai sharing-style restaurant R-Haan; Sorn, which showcases southern cuisine, and Suhring, which offers modern German tasting menus, guide.michelin.com
8. Pack your trunk
Clients can help tend these incredible animals alongside their mahouts at Elephant Hills The Bush Camp Chiang Mai. It’s the long-awaited sister eco-resort to Elephant Hills Khao Sok, near Phuket and offers the chance for guests to learn the mahout way of life and how the free-roaming elephants that once worked in the logging industry are now cared for in their natural habitat. Guests can relax over mountaintop sundowners and watch the animals from the on-site cafe but the highlight is the elephants’ bath time; transfers from Chiang Mai take around two hours, elephanthills.com
9. Multi-marvel
Although Thailand has plenty to offer on its own, obvious cousins locally make for compelling combinations. Black Tomato goes a step further and offers a multi-centre linking Thailand, Cambodia and the Maldives (from 7,988pp excluding flights). Bangkok and Khao Lak are teamed with Siem Reap in Cambodia, where clients can explore the Unesco-listed Angkor Wat temple complex with a guide and kayak among the floating communities on Tonle Sap Lake before receiving a water blessing from Buddhist monks. The added dimension of the Maldives can see clients spend the end of their 12-night itinerary in overwater villas at COMO Cocoa lsland, blacktomato.com
10. Divers' charter
Guests can charter the Lady Sarojin boat from its namesake resort at Khao Lak to snorkel and dive in the celebrated waters of the Similan and Surin Islands or simply to take a romantic cruise in Phang Nga Ba. Further romance is offered by the chance to dine privately by candlelight beside a waterfall. The boutique hotel is also welcoming back travellers with Sarojin Cares packages. Amid adventure and pampering experiences, these offer the chance to interact with the community by receiving a temple blessing, planting mangroves or cooking for local children. The boutique resort has made an additional commitment to plant a tree for every visitor, sarojin.com
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