My boyfriend and I were  looking for a far-flung holiday and found Thailand to be the perfect destination for hip hangouts, serious shopping, and heavenly relaxation 😉

As one of Asia’s most stylish cities, Bangkok has all the exoticism of the Orient, with the excitement of a modern metropolis and with the enchanting beaches of Phuket, Phi Phi and Khai Island located a mere two hours away, world-class spas, sun, sea and sand are all within easy reach.

Combining a short two night stay in Bangkok, with a week of R&R in the nearby Phuket  island resort proved the best of both worlds.

Take a look below for our top getaway picks:

BANGKOK

SEE & DO

Thanon Na Phra Lan, Ratanakosin  Bangkok         Tel. Grand Palace: +66 2 224 3273      Tel. Wat Phra Kaew: +66 2 224 3328

If you have time to see only one tourist attraction in Bangkok, make it the Grand Palace. It’s spectacular and it will blow your mind away. Located in Bangkok’s historical area by the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace is one of the most important architectural landmarks in the country, consisting of over 100 glittering buildings including Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew.

We were deeply impressed by the perfectly harmonious blend of Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture, detailed and colorful decorations both of the insides and the outsides of the buildings, as well as hundreds of phantasmagorical statues of mythical creatures spread out throughout the complex.

Though the current royal family lives in Chitralada Palace, the Grand Palace was the preferred royal residence from the 1700s until the mid-1900s, and is still used for royal functions and state ceremonies.

The palace is a photographer’s dream and I just wish the weather had been better when we were there, so that my pictures could do justice to the splendor of the Grand Palace.

The jewel in this royal crown is undoubtedly Wat Phra Kaew, a temple boasting possession of the famous Emerald Buddha. Carved from a single jade stone, this 26-inch-tall statue holds significant value for Thai Buddhists and spent several hundred years being carted about the country before it was enshrined here during Rama I’s reign in 1782.

SEE & DO

2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, 10200 Bangkok          Tel. +66 2 225 9595

Noteworthy for: Measuring more than 46 metres in length, the reclining statue is the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand.

A trip to Bangkok is not complete without a visit to the 16th century Wat Pho and its fantastic Reclining Buddha.

Lying in its own room, the Buddha is entirely covered in gold, except for the soles of his feet, which are inlaid with mother of pearl.

During the days of King Rama III (1824-1851), Wat Pho was a centre of learning where monks taught both religious and secular subjects like anatomy and botany.

More recently, the temple has gained international recognition as a meditation centre and a school for traditional Thai massage. If you have the time, opt for a massage in a private cloister for a small fee 😉

SEE & DO

34 Arun Amarin Road, Kwang Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai

Word to the wise: The stairs to the top of the temple – where there are spectacular views over the Chao Phraya river – become a hazard when wet, so take care.

This beloved Bangkok icon is one of the city’s most popular images for postcards and souvenirs. Construction of the Khmer-style temple began during the Ayuttayha kingdom period (1350-1767), and the building has since been exquisitely and intricately decorated with seashells and porcelain that was once used as ballasts on ships from China.

If you can, try to make your trip to Wat Arun coincide with sunset or sunrise: the sight of the sun disappearing or appearing from behind this imposing structure, with the Chao Phraya River in the foreground, is unforgettable! 😉

SEE & DO

Rama IV Road  /  BTS station: Sala Daeng  /  MRT station: Silom

This is a place that takes you away from it all for a little while: locals and travellers visit daily to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city and to take advantage of the park’s grassy knolls, wooded areas, and wide-open spaces, but we never felt crowded and there were plenty of places to sit down and relax in piece and quiet.

Among the numerous facilities on offer there’s a 2.4-kilometre path for walkers, joggers, and cyclists; an outdoor gym; various pieces of training equipment; playgrounds for children and free open-air aerobics classes (!)

We have seen a few parks in the world, but this is definitely one in the Top 3. Very neat, spacious and well kept. We had a very felaxing 2 hours before jumping back on the plane to fly to Phuket 😉

SHOPPING

First floor, Siam Centre / BTS station: Siam  Te. +66 2 658 1147

Noteworthy for: Tipayaphong Poosanaphong is a local fashion sensation who creates wearable, reasonably-priced pieces.

On the first floor of the Siam Centre is a little boutique worth a special trip. Tipayaphong Poosanaphong (or Tipa for short) spent his teen years honing his sewing skills at prestigious couture houses like Emanuel Ungaro in Paris. Now, he sells his own line of supremely feminine dresses, separates, suits, bags, and hats at his own boutique, which is run by his older sister, P’ Aor.     Constructed from luxurious fabrics and full of gorgeous details, his pieces are unique and beautiful – and he sews every single stitch himself. Keep your eyes out since this hands-on designer is often at the shop, ready to help you with your fit.

SHOPPING

2/F, Gaysorn shopping centre, 999 Phloenchit Road   Bangkok   Te. +66 2 656 1125

Noteworthy for: Designer Pim Sukhahuta’s debut ‘dreamland circus’ collection in 2003 launched her into the international fashion-sphere.

A Bangkokian family affair (read the name backwards), Sretsis is one of the most exciting names in Thai fashion. Head designer and former Marc Jacobs intern Pim Sukhahuta’s womenswear line is very sweet vintage, full of the kind of 1950s-style, bow-detailed numbers favoured by Katy Perry. Sibling Matina collaborates her jewellery line for each of Pim’s collections, while marketing guru Kly has driven the brand onto the pages of ‘Nylon’ and ‘Teen Vogue’.   Local fashionistas go mad for the innovative, ultra-feminine floaty chiffons and fruity details

SHOPPING

Room B1a, Market Place, Thong Lo Soi 4, Sukhumvit 55  Bangkok   Tel. +66 8 9486 5359

Noteworthy for: Again and Again is chock-a-block with an amazing selection of costume jewellery, from chunky gems to show-stopping sparklers.

Sick of getting completely lost in Chatuchak’s vintage sections, or trawling through the alleyways of the city’s night markets? Again and Again solves your second-hand predicament by offering up all manner of sparkly vintage items in an altogether more refined environment.
Popular with the Thai in-crowd and geared primarily towards a female clientele, Again and Again stocks high-quality vintage (to me, one of the best vintage store), for the discerning retro fan. Owned by Masiri Tamsakul (the fashion editor of ‘Marie Claire Thailand’) items are impeccably sourced and in pristine condition. Don’t be surprised if you happen upon a designer number or two while you’re scanning the rails.

HOTEL

27 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn 10120 Bangkok   Tel. +66 2 625 3333

 

The hotel is quite central in Bangkok, but still very quiet. We liked the modern contemporary style of the entire hotel, and the lovely scent when you enter the lobby.

The staff are extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful. We love our room – decked out in luxurious natural fabrics and furnishings and with a minimalist approach to design: the bed was low-slung Makha wood numbers, the bathroom comes kitted out in sleek limestone, offering a lot of space and looking very nice being of high quality.

 

Breakfast at Glow Restaurant was absolutely fabulous all very fresh produce, offering various cereals, continental meat and cheese selection, and you can select from the al a carte menu for no extra cost. The fresh fruit juices are all worth trying too.

When the bold and the beautiful need a place to stay in the city, Metropolitan offers all the understated elegance required. What’s more, it’s still pretty affordable for a five-star hotel and we were very impressed! We would definitely return 😀

 

BARS & NIGHTLIFE

 The Dome at Lebua, 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak 10500 Bangkok   Tel. +66 2 624 9555

Noteworthy for: On the 63rd floor, Sirocco features a breathtaking view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river.

 

Simply an amazing view and experience! Perched on top of The Dome at State Tower and pulsating with energy, this place is packed with international jet-setters. It’s wide open and the sides are plexiglass, so I felt that I was suspended in mid air among the skyscrapers of Bangkok. As if the panorama wasn’t enough to keep you entertained, live music performances featuring internationally-known vocalists surrounding the entire event: it’s so cool!!