Story :  Danny Calderbank   
Images : courtesy of resorts
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Having a partner employed by a global brand travel company has innumerable advantages in that while she is working I get
to carry the bags to some of the best resorts in Thailand.

With that in mind, here follows a totally independent recommendation to ten luxury weekend getaways in the kingdom.

Rayavadee Krabi
Topping the list for sheer location alone is Rayavadee in Krabi. A feeling of exclusivity dawns as you board the resort’s private speedboat - the only mode of transfer. Guests stay in two-storey pavilions set on a peninsula overlooking the Andaman Sea. The resort lies in 26 acres of landscaped gardens, framed by limestone cliffs and surrounded by three beaches, so you’ll never get bored of the same view. And if you do, there are jogging trails, spa, gym, squash and tennis courts, although my game was hindered by a monkey that ran off with a ball.

Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
For the ultimate in pampering the Hyatt Regency in Hua Hin has an exceptional spa. Walking into The Barai is like stepping back in time into an ancient Khmer kingdom. A long softly lit corridor leads past towering red walls and shimmering pools into the treatment rooms.

Sheraton Pattaya Resort
On the eastern seaboard, the Sheraton provides a peaceful sanctuary far removed from the mayhem of South Pattaya. After a frustrating day spent hitting golf balls into lakes, I opted to spend the evening in the hotel’s cool bar Latitude. The view from the floor-to-ceiling window framed the nearby islands and I quickly forgot how close I was to sin city.

Sala Samui Resort & Spa
Set on Samui’s Cheong Mon Beach is the Sala Samui. Each room has a private pool surrounded by tropical plants. You can continue to soak your feet during dinner as tables are set up in the shallow end of the pool.

Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa
On Phuket, the Evason resort’s private pool villas excel the heights of luxury. My accommodation consisted of two pavilions - one for day use, the other for sleeping, with a large infinity pool overlooking the Andaman. Another highlight is the resort’s private Bon Island - providing the perfect Robinson Crusoe experience for lunch.

Anantara Resort Golden Triangle
An early morning flight to Chiang Rai, followed by an hours drive, and you can be breathing cool air in the Golden Triangle. This infamous region is home to the equally captivating Anantara Golden Triangle, a lavish resort overlooking the mighty Mekong. The hotel even has its own elephant camp where I spent a day bathing elephants and trekking through jungles and rivers.

The Paradise Koh Yao
Boutique Beach Resort & Spa
With its palm tree-lined beach and amazing views over the islands of Phang Nga, the Paradise Beach Resort Koh Yao really does live up to its name. Inspired by the eco-friendly surroundings I joined an early morning trek through the jungle to witness the multitude of animal and bird life on the largely untouched island.

The Chedi Chiang Mai
The Chedi in Chiang Mai is highly recommended. The tastefully designed riverside hotel is close to the night market. In the middle of the resort is an old wooden colonial house which has been converted into The Restaurant, the perfect place to unwind.

Le Meridien Khaolak
Le Meridien Khaolak is a sophisticated contemporary resort and is perfect for scuba divers as the dive centre in the hotel offers day trips to the Similan Islands, one of the top dive destinations in the world.

Millennium Hilton Bangkok
If time is tight to travel to any of the latter, why not spend a weekend break in Bangkok? The Hilton Millennium provides the perfect city break with a beach feel. I spent a perfect afternoon by The Beach, a sandy area by the pool. Dinner in Flow maintained the feeling of being in a resort as the large tropical plants shielded the urban sprawl, and the frogs chorus from the large pond blocked out the noise of traffic.