Top 15 Hotels in Thailand by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards

The results of the 25th Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards have been announced. Here is their list of the “Top 15 Hotels in Thailand”:

1. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok: “Every hotel could learn something from this one. Staying here is an experience not to be missed.” The oldest hotel in Thailand, this property on the Chao Phraya River has a colonial Authors’ Wing, a contemporary River Wing, and a Garden Wing overlooking the pool. “It’s a beautiful location, with views of the river and its fascinating life.” All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and are decorated with teak and Thai silk upholstery in colors of deep blue, purple, and red. “It feels like home each and every time . . . and oh, the shampoos and pedicures!” Staff are “friendly and helpful.” Lord Jim’s has a seafood buffet lunch and a 52-foot aquarium.

2. The Peninsula, Bangkok: Sitting on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, this W-shaped tower was designed so that all rooms have river views. Accommodations have marble bathrooms with a television above the bathtub, and silk-clad finishes; some suites even have outdoor hot tubs. Guests value the “immensely attractive” waterfront location and the “amazing international breakfast” at The River Café and Terrace—it’s “the best in town!” The three-tiered pool is surrounded by lush landscaping; “you’ll be convinced that you’re at a tropical resort.” The ESPA spa is housed in a three-story colonial-style building with reflecting pools lined with silk lanterns; “the only drawback is that it’s across the river.”

3. St. Regis, Bangkok
4. Shangri–La Hotel, Bangkok
5. JW Marriott Bangkok
6. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai
7. InterContinental Bangkok
8. Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
9. Le Méridien Chiang Mai
10. Banyan Tree Bangkok
11. Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok
12. Conrad Bangkok
13. Shangri–La Hotel, Chiang Mai
14. Dusit Thani, Bangkok
15. Four Seasons, Bangkok

Bangkok Voted Number 1 City in Asia in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Thailand has once again been recognized as a premier travel destination in the 25th Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the highest accolades in the industry. This year’s awards reflect the opinions of a record 46,476 readers who participated in the survey, and who honored the Land of Smiles in several categories including the world’s top cities and the top cities, best islands, and favorite resorts in Asia.

Judged on factors such as Shopping, Ambience and Friendliness, Bangkok came in with a #4 ranking on the Top Cities in the World list, one spot behind Florence, Italy, and ahead of other world-class destinations like Vancouver, Sydney and Buenos Aires. As for the Top Cities in Asia, Condé Nast’s readers rated Bangkok #1 – edging out Hong Kong and Kyoto, who took 1st place in the 2011 survey – giving it high marks for its Restaurants, Lodging and Culture. Readers also heaped praise on Northern Thailand’s largest city and cultural centre, Chiang Mai, which earned the #5 spot in Asia sandwiched between Singapore and Ubud, one of Bali’s major arts and culture centres, and ahead of Tokyo and Shanghai.

Moving from the cities to the sea, Thailand continued to score high marks. In the Top 10 Islands in Asia category, it rang in with two of the top five selections once again. Phuket, ranked #2 on the list behind this year’s winner Bali, was favored for its beautiful beaches (scoring second-highest in Asia on that criteria behind only Lombok, Indonesia) and its wealth of activities; and Koh Samui, the #5 island in Asia, was buoyed by its lovely scenery and its diversity of lodging options and placed just a fraction of a point behind fourth-place Langkawi, Malaysia and one spot ahead of Hokkaido, Japan. Others making the list include Philippines favorites Luzon, Cebu and Mindanao, and Malaysian Borneo.