A Romantic Escape to Thailand
Thailand is an idyllic escape for tourists looking for breathtaking beaches, ancient temples, and close interactions with some of the world’s most fascinating animals. Unlike Europe, North America, and other popular destinations, Thailand has managed to slowly reopen to tourists in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is still far less busy than other parts of the world. When Thailand Insider reached out to us about taking a romantic trip around the country before the crowds start returning, Kaan and I couldn’t wait to get to this widely celebrated travel destination.
During our time in Thailand, we were able to visit several diverse regions, indulging in the local specialties and enjoying some of the unique luxuries that you can only find in Southeast Asia. If you are looking for a place to spend your honeymoon or carve out some time for a spontaneous romantic getaway with your significant other, continue reading to find out everything we saw and did during our recent vacation.
All our Thailand stories are also saved to our Instagram highlights :)
Bangkok
HOTEL IN BANGKOK
Our first stop in Thailand was the dynamic city of Bangkok. Bangkok represents a fascinating mixture of ancient spiritual centers, skyscrapers, adventurous street food, and high-end dining experiences. We stayed at the Peninsula Bangkok hotel in one of their gorgeous deluxe suites. This hotel was the perfect introduction to the grandeur and tropical feel that you can only find in Bangkok. Our spacious suite was beautifully furnished and complete with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mesmerizing cityscape.
WHERE TO EAT IN BANGKOK
If you’re like us and are a little bit obsessed with Thai food, Bangkok is where you will find the height of Thai cuisine. One of our first stops in the city was Iconsiam shopping center, where we stumbled upon an expansive, indoor floating market with all of the usual suspects like pad thai, curries, and more.
We also decided to take full advantage of the city’s world-renowned culinary scene by visiting some of Bangkok’s top-rated restaurants. On-site at the Peninsula Bangkok is a stunning, fine dining restaurant called Thiptara. We wandered to our table underneath the glow of countless Thai lanterns before dining alongside the property’s lush, tropical gardens and Banyan trees. The chef-curated a traditional Thai meal for us with a Western twist, giving us our first glimpse into the city’s reputation for high gastronomy.
After a peaceful meal in nature, our next fine dining experience took place at Vertigo restaurant, which offers a breathtaking rooftop view of the city skyline. This was a great way to take in the vibrancy of the city over some handcrafted cocktails and delicious bites.
BEST TEMPLES IN BANGKOK
One of our favorite things about the city of Bangkok is the fact that you can be sipping cocktails on a luxurious rooftop one moment and getting lost in an ancient temple complex the next. During our time in the city, we visited the Grand Palace, which is known for its beautiful architecture, golden decorations, and intricately carved facades. We also visited the Wat Pho temple where you can find monks dressed in their typical bright orange garb, wandering around the premises. Lastly, we stopped at Wat Arun which is an expansive temple complex with breathtaking photo opportunities everywhere you turn as you climb the steps up to the elevated structure.
THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK
With just a few days in the big city, we wanted to make sure we saw all of the most important highlights before moving on to our next Thai destination. One of our favorite experiences was a tuk tuk tour where we were able to see the city by night and stop for some of Bangkok’s iconic street food. We also took an intimate cruise down the Chao Phraya in a small river boat. Both of these tours were so much fun and gave us a chance to sit back and relax while exploring the sights.
Chiang Rai
HOTEL IN CHIANG RAI
Chiang Rai is a unique part of the world known as the “Golden Triangle” due to its position directly in the center of Burma, Laos, and Thailand. We stayed at a very special resort called Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Sanctuary and Resort. Staying on this unique property was an experience in itself. Not only did we get to enjoy the height of luxury in a massive suite decorated with dark wooden accents and overlooking a lush landscape surrounded by mountains, but guests can also expect to get up close and personal with the sweetest Thai elephants!!
The entire property is a sanctuary where elephants have been rescued from the streets of Bangkok, as well as tourism riding camps, shows, and zoos. This is in fact, the only sanctuary in the world that is legally allowed to release their rescues back into the wild if and when they are ready.
THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG RAI
We were lucky enough to be able to do the Jungle Bubble experience where you spend the night in a clear dome while looking at elephants outside. During this experience, we were also treated to a beautiful dinner alongside the animals, and stargazed inside the bubble at night. There’s nothing better than waking up in the jungle and enjoying your morning coffee while looking at elephants eating their breakfast right outside your terrace!
In an effort to prevent tourists from harmful activities such as elephant riding or spectacles, the sanctuary also offers an excursion called “Walking With The Giants,” where you can go for a peaceful walk through nature, guided by the elephants themselves. This was definitely one of the most memorable experiences that we have ever had in Asia.
Before leaving Chiang Rai, we also enjoyed a fun ride around town in sidecars attached to motorcycles, which was a great way to get our adrenaline going after some of the more relaxing experiences that the region has to offer.
BEST TEMPLE IN CHIANG RAI AREA
Chiang Rai is well known for its remarkable ancient architecture and dedication to spirituality. The Wat Rong Khunn is one of Thailand’s most photographed temple complexes, which is no surprise given its beautiful white and silver details.
Chiang Mai
HOTEL IN CHIANG MAI
In Chiang Mai, we stayed at the 137 Pillars House, which is a luxury chain with two locations throughout Thailand. We stayed both in their Chiang Mai location, as well as their Bangkok hotel. This gorgeous property was inspired by the surrounding jungle paradise - some of the highlights being a long, Bali-style swimming pool amongst the trees, outdoor showers, and a massive soaking bathtub inside every suite. One evening, we were led down a long, candlelit corridor on-site at the resort where there was a romantic dinner waiting for us inside a billowing tent surrounded by sounds from the jungle. Our stay here was so peaceful and gave us the perfect chance to rest and reconnect after all of our adventures.
THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG MAI
I had the unique opportunity in Chiang Mai to visit a place called Studio Naenna, where I weaved and dyed my own silk scarf with natural indigo. This was such a fun experience and I love that I have a meaningful souvenir to take home with me. Before leaving Chiang Mai, Kaan also visited the famous Silver Temple. Unfortunately, this is a male-only site, so I didn’t get the chance to look inside, however from the outside it looked absolutely incredible.
We also roamed around the Pgra That Dog Suthep, where I had the privilege of being blessed by a monk. This complex overlooks the beautiful landscape, offering an incredibly serene feel.
Koh Samui
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH SAMUI
The last stop on our romantic getaway was the beautiful island of Koh Samui. We were so excited to see this beach paradise without the crowds of tourists that you normally find in these highly instagrammable destinations. We decided to do it right by staying at the glamorous Ritz Carlton Koh Samui. The hotel was everything that you would expect from the Ritz - pristine decorations, high ceilings, modern furnishings, infinity pools overlooking the ocean, and more. At this resort, each guest is allocated their own small house amongst the trees and crystal clear water. This is Southeast Asian opulence at its finest.
THINGS TO DO IN KOH SAMUI
Our first order of business at the Ritz-Carlton was to take advantage of their spa facilities with a relaxing couples massage. Another highlight was a private sailboat ride around the island where we popped champagne and soaked up the sun. I couldn’t think of a more decadent way for Kaan and I to enjoy some quality time.
WHERE TO EAT IN KOH SAMUI
When you’re in Koh Samui, all you want to do is spend time on the ocean. For our first dinner on the island, we tried Cocotams, which is a trendy spot right on the beach where you can enjoy some great food and watch fire dancers light up the night sky. We also had the luxury of enjoying a romantic, private dinner on site at the Ritz-Carlton. As expected, the chef prepared an unforgettable meal for us, full of local flavors.
Our time in Thailand was the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and relaxation. All of our bookings were done through the Canada office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). We highly recommend checking out TAT’s travel guide at www.thailandinsider.com so that you can curate your own unique experience!
All our Thailand stories are also saved to our Instagram highlights.
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