The islands of Thailand are a picture-perfect honeymoon destination–imagine sparkling, blue waters lapping sugar-white sand beaches ringed by a green halo of coconut palms.
Add to this beguiling beauty a culture that’s warm, friendly and all-embracing; affordable, luxurious accommodation, most with a fabulous spa as an added bonus; fantastic shopping, pulsating nightlife and a delectable cuisine plus a myriad of water sports and adventure activities and you have the ultimate honeymoon destination.
Rhonda Bannister discovers a beautiful collection of accommodation options for a blissful honeymoon…
Phuket
The island of Phuket is the largest and most sophisticated of all the Thai islands. Whatever your dream honeymoon consists of, we think you’ll find it here because Phuket is the perfect destination for romantics with a penchant for uber-luxe, a beach-lover’s dream, a shopaholic’s nirvana and an adventurer seeker’s holy grail. It truly does have something for everyone!.
Holidays for Couples has handpicked stunning Thailand destinations just perfect for honeymooners or couples wanting a romantic getaway. Find your escape here.
Carved into Nature
Extending out from, and winding its way down, the dramatically sculptured cliff tops of Kamala Beach is Paresa, a secluded, romantic hideaway overlooking the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman Sea and offering honeymooners a paradise of unrivalled luxury and indulgence.
Whether you choose to stay in a pool suite, a spa suite, a cliff top villa or in a luxurious Cielo Residence, your accommodation is nothing short of spectacular. Don’t expect the traditional concept of a hotel/resort because Paresa is anything but, except in its modern day reinterpretation of Southern Thai architecture and design–understated yet elegant.
Dining takes you to a whole new level and I mean that quite literally! Dine under the stars enjoying 270 degree ocean views from the spectacular deck at Diablo, Paresa’s Italian restaurant, while sampling some of the finest wines from around the globe … the food here is as divine as the view!paresaresorts.com
Read about ten of our favourite spas in Thailand.
Island Idyll
If it’s an island hideaway you’re seeking, look no further than The Racha. Set on the white sands of Batok Beach on the island of Racha Yai, it is just a short boat ride from Phuket, but a world away in terms of romantic seclusion.
Here the sand sparkles whiter than a toothpaste commercial and the water is so clear, you can easily see colourful fish darting through its aquamarine splendour.
The resort offers a variety of luxe accommodation including pool and garden villas and junior suites, and the three restaurants serve up a delectable variety of dishes so you won’t be bored with the selection.You also have three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, an activities centre to organise diving and snorkelling and a wonderful spa offering a range of treatments that will have you floating back to your room in a state of blissful relaxation! theracha.com
Spoilt for Choice
It’s a unique concept–a destination resort spanning 1,000 acres of tropical parkland along an eight kilometre stretch of pristine white-sand beach with seven deluxe hotels offering high-end accommodations: luxury spas, fine-dining restaurants, chic beach clubs, a golf course and club and a boutique shopping village. Laguna Phuket on Phuket’s west coast has everything honeymoon dreams are made of–even a charming Chapel-on-the-Lagoon sitting on stilts above one of the resort’s many tropical waterways which has hosted many happy weddings–so handy for a combined destination wedding and honeymoon!
Laguna Phuket’s flagship property, Banyan Tree Phuket, with its luxurious private villas, pampering spa and fine dining restaurants and bars, is certainly a destination that will impress and if you want to enjoy the ultimate romantic interlude, book their Sanya Rak dinner and enjoy the experience of traditional music and melt-in-the-mouth cuisine as you float along the lagoons in a traditional long tail boat.lagunaphuket.com
Secluded Luxury
The scene is set when you arrive at Andara Resort’s elegantly proportioned lobby where towering statues of benign monks beckon you forward, up a series of small stairs, into the lift and then into a buggy for a short ride up the hill to your amazing pool villa. I don’t like using this word, but in this instance ‘amazing’ is a true reflection of what is in store for the lucky couple spending their honeymoon here.The sense of luxury is all encompassing, from the lavish bedroom and bathroom to the full sized kitchen, dining room and lounge area which leads onto a timber deck with outdoor entertaining facilities, infinity-edge lap pool and stunning sea views beyond. Andara has thought of everything to make a honeymoon special–award-winning restaurant, deluxe spa and even a beach club on Kamala Beach–I promise you won’t be disappointed.andaraphuket.com
Private Romance
Sala Phuket Resort & Spa is a stunning, deluxe pool villa resort situated in an enclave of high-end resorts and hotels on lovely Mai Khao beach on the peaceful northwest coast and just 20 minutes from Phuket airport. And the perfect honeymoon accommodation? A pool villa of course! Talk about private romance… picture soaking in the free-standing bathtub in your open-air bathroom, a glass of bubbles in hand or perhaps the ultimate romantic dinner on the rooftop where tables ‘float’ above their own reflection pool. There’s also a hip beachfront bar for late afternoon and early evening cocktails–honeymoon heaven we think! salaresorts.com
Koh Lanta
Travelling further afield just a few hours drive or a ferry ride from Phuket but also with its own international airport, is the lovely area of Krabi and the offshore islands of Koh Lanta. On Koh Lanta Yai, an idyllic island around one hour by boat from the mainland, is the heavenly Pimalai, a resort which is totally unique and very special. This is a place to escape from the world and immerse in each other surrounded by mother nature’s best.pimalai.com/en
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a popular honeymoon destination as it’s got everything you need to make this special time even more memorable. Great restaurants and a happening nightlife in Chaweng; truly lovely beaches of white sand and swaying palms and a spa culture that’s quite unique as Samui is the home of health and wellness retreats and certainly has an aura of deep spirituality–they say it has something to do with where it’s situated on the earth’s meridians. Here are some of our favourite honeymoon resorts on this gorgeous, peaceful island:
The Tongsai Bay, set into the hills on 25 glorious acres of privacy with its own beach, is a heavenly honeymoon escape. Check out the pool villas–simply divine for a honeymoon!tongsaibay.co.th
Rocky’s, a boutique resort on Lamai beach which is perfect for couples. rockyresort.com
The Library, a trendy beachfront property, is situated in lively Chaweng and just perfect for couples who love modern, clean design (you have probably seen images of its famous red tiled pool!). thelibrary.co.th
Sala Samui Resort & Spa is a pool villa resort located beachfront on Choeng Mon beach where the relaxed, toes in the sand luxury appeals to honeymooners who want to be close to the action but far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet. salaresorts.com
