Thailand in 2025: The Must-Visit Destination for Culture and Luxury

Discover Virtuoso’s Top Destination on the Rise with Authentic Experiences and Unforgettable Stays…

Meliá Koh Samui

Set to release on February 16th, the highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus is already reshaping 2025 travel plans – from the moment the series and location was announced,  Virtuoso®, the global network renowned for luxury and experiential travel, immediately saw a spike in bookings to Thailand and even crowned it its top ‘emerging destination’ in the 2025 Luxe Report (full report linked here).

Meliá Koh Samui

Nestled on the serene Choeng Mon Beach, Meliá Koh Samui combines the natural beauty of southern Thailand with the elegance of a modern luxury retreat. Guests are immersed in lush tropical surroundings, with a variety of accommodation options such as the Level Boat Suite Sea View – offering a front-row seat to the Gulf of Thailand’s breathtaking views from a restored teak barge. Gourmands will appreciate the international flavours at Koko Kitchen and the Mediterranean-inspired menu at Breeza, each offering a unique culinary experience befitting of its surroundings. The hotel’s proximity to local attractions such as the vibrant Fisherman’s Village and the Big Buddha Temple make it an apt choice for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the island’s rich culture and history.

Rooms start from £267, to book and for further information, visit: https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/koh-samui/melia-koh-samui

COMO Point Yamu, Thailand, Phuket

Cutting edge wellness facilities, sunrise yoga and sophisticated Italian cuisine – Como Point Yamu in Phuket offers true escapism on the secluded and peaceful east coast of the island.  With panoramic ocean views, bright aquamarine and burnt orange interiors to reflect the presence of the sea, Thailand’s Buddhist culture and the colourful influence of Phuket’s Peranakan culture, this exquisite hotel reflects the locality of its surroundings.  COMO Point Yamu acts as a 5* base for some of Phuket’s most interesting and sustainably committed activities such as the gibbon rehabilitation project, and diving in the Andaman Sea which is home to some of the world’s richest marine life and remarkable coral structures. When it comes to wellbeing, the COMO Shambhala retreat sits at the tip of Cape Yamu with treatment rooms overlooking the pristine ocean and the dramatic limestones of Phang Nga bay, offering an extensive menu of Asian inspired therapies. Como Point Yamu offers private villas which offer space, privacy and natural social distancing. 

Rooms start from £175 per night on a B&B basis, to book and for further information, visit:  https://www.comohotels.com/en/pointyamu

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, Thailand

A luxury urban escape nestled in the centre of the bustling Thai capital, COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is located in a former YMCA building on Sathorn Road, filled with character the hotel boasts some of the largest rooms and suites in the city guaranteed to provide the perfect retreat, whether it be for a brief stopover, or weekend of exploration. With three restaurants for guests to choose from, each offering something different, from Glow, serving up healthy and organic cuisine including delicious fresh juices and sumptuous salads, to Nahm, one of the finest eateries in the city, the Michelin-starred restaurant was created by David Thompson and serves an eclectic assortment of Thai dishes beautifully presented with a modern twist. Whilst the Met Bar offers pizzas and other Western dishes alongside the 60 different cocktails and 120 wines that fill the menu.

Aiming to provide guests with perfectly curated experiences of the city, the concierge are on hand to ensure no request is left unmet, from a customised street market trip around Bangkok, to a tailor-made programme of treatments at COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, a variety of experiences can be arranged for guests depending on their wants and needs. For those looking to head out and explore the city’s offerings, the hotel is just a short walk from Lumpini Park and its numerous jogging trails and boating lake, as well as an abundance of boutique shops and lively restaurants, whilst those wanting to go further afield can take one of the regular shuttle buses to Sala Daeng BTS skytrain station and beyond. 

Rooms start from £110 per night on a Bed & Breakfast basis, to book and for further information, visit: https://www.comohotels.com/en/metropolitanbangkok