Dream Destinations: Hotels in Phuket and Phang Nga, Thailand

I love staying in hotels, especially when affordable luxury is so readily available in Thailand. We have now stayed at 200 hotels and resorts across the Kingdom since 2020. Someone once called me Thailand’s Staycation Queen, and the name stuck!

Why Hotel Staycations?

In 2019, I won an International Bloggers Competition awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The winners’ trip connected me with rural community tourism and gave me the direction to offer an English-speaking voice for those in need, ranging from Thailand Village Academy to elephant tourism.

When Covid struck, and Thai tourism closed, I was no longer invited into the paddy fields or mangrove swamps and found my new home in the luxury hotel market! 

Bangkok Staycations 2020

During our initial Bangkok lockdown in March 2020, the Thai government advised people to stay and work at home. From our apartment on the 31st floor of a Sukhumvit tower block, we had a bird’s eye view of the city and could see the empty soi streets below. 

The pandemic advice was well heeded, and the city’s population diminished as businesses shut and those who could fled home to cheaper life in the provinces. Oh, how I missed my family’s weatherboard house in Australia, my garden, and the dog, but we stayed for my husband’s work.

Our coping mechanism was simple. Every Saturday night, we drove the car, which sat idle in the garage, directly to a hotel and switched to self-isolating in our apartment for the same time at an exquisite Bangkok hotel! For more, see Our Best Bangkok Staycations

Genius, if a bit Titanic-esque, as we were often the only guests there! The more we did this, the more we connected with hoteliers and their staff who were so appreciative of our visits.

The Siam, Bangkok

Hotels without guests are like schools without kids; they are not meant to be like this! Soulless and empty, I resolved to do my bit to encourage others to staycation. I wrote my Love Letter to the Hoteliers of Bangkok.

Many Bangkok hotels closed their doors at this time. We knew, however, that every bed we slept in, every meal that we ate, every suitcase that was delivered to our room was a job for someone.

We felt blessed by full employment, and we said it was our duty to go away every weekend and share the love!

Our staycations felt like a win-win for everyone, even behind masks, we could see the indomitable spirit here in the Land of Smiles!

Phuket Staycations 2021

In December 2020, we went to Phuket for Christmas. International borders were closed, but domestic travel was possible. In January 2021, Thailand’s second wave led the Government to issue a further ‘do not travel, work from home’ mandate and Thailand’s emergency decree continued.

Mr Wren and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and said we’d better stay in Phuket.

We were extremely fortunate that our Bangkok landlord had a villa in Phuket. The deal was we carried on paying the big Baht for our Bangkok apartment and, in addition, paid a nominal rental for a beach villa that, under normal conditions, we could never afford! AND every weekend we continued to staycation.

We lived the entire year in this way, extending week by week as my husband’s company, along with many others, never fully reopened their office. Our working from the beach stretched from a few weeks to an entire year. 

In Jan 2022, we packed up, moved out, and for the time being are based in Phuket.

Discovering Phuket and Phang Nga Hotels

I can’t wait to show you around this glorious island and beyond, which has captivated our hearts. I first arrived in Thailand over thirty-five years ago and have now lived here for six years.

Phuket during the pandemic reminded me of the 1980s; the beaches were empty, and the wildlife returned.

It has been gorgeous, but sad in human terms. Without tourists, businesses were forced to close, jobs were lost, and people were hungry. Life bag food deliveries were very much part of the way of life here, supporting the locals.

Little Wandering Wren

Ninety-three per cent of my first 100 hotel stays were funded by us. Hotels were offering unbelievable deals, and they needed our support. Whilst this may not be the typical way that some might operate in this market, I sleep easily at night doing things my way.

It was our way of contributing to Phuket, in appreciation of all we received. When you are one of only a handful of guests, or even in some instances the only guests, you get beautifully looked after!

Diamond Resort, Phuket

I hope you have enjoyed reading some of the background to why I have developed such a passion for staying in Thailand’s Hotels.

From barefoot luxury on Phuket’s golden shores to the dramatic limestone landscapes and tranquil hideaways of Phang Nga, this corner of Thailand offers the perfect blend of relaxation, culture, and adventure.

For travellers looking to combine tropical beauty with exceptional hospitality, Phuket and Phang Nga remain two of Thailand’s most inspiring dream destinations. Places where warm smiles, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable hotel stays create memories that linger long after the journey ends.

If you’re planning your own Thai escape, these stunning hotels may just inspire your next great adventure.

Check out some of our fabulous Phuket and Phang Nga Hotel Stays here:

Our Hotel stays