The 30 Best Hotels in Thailand for Delicious Food, Friendly Service, and Great Views | Condé Nast Traveler

"Real fly-and-flop territory—touch down at the airport, and you’ll be at the gates of Anantara Mai Khao in just 20 minutes and sipping iced coffee by your pool shortly after that. Compared to other luxe hotels on the island—many of which can be a two-hour drive away in heavy traffic—this alone could be a reason to stay. The rooms are huge. All 83 of the standalone structures are private villas with high walls and extensive outdoor terraces (with loungers and shaded sala), huge pools, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Thoughtful design touches include sliding glass doors separating your living space and pool, and a huge stone outdoor bathtub (big enough for two) separated from the pool by a glass panel, allowing you to slip between hot soaks and cooling dips. The real star of a stay here is a meal at the Tree House, a Japanese omakase built into the branches of an ancient banyan tree. You can choose to dine at a table, gazing out over the gardens, but the more exciting seat is at the counter, watching the chefs prep ingredients that have recently jetted in from Japan. There's a spa and a kids club, as well as a babysitting service if parents are in need of a night off, and while the hotel isn’t the White Lotus hotel, the resort will likely be even more popular because of it." - Chris Schalkx, Lee Cobaj