January 25, 2007

ASIA | THAILAND | Chiang Mai

Dark Days, Hot Nights

By Mark Jolly

Disasters be damned — Thailand’s hotel boom surges on.

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For a nation still rebounding after the 2004 tsunami, a military coup in September and a series of bombings over New Year’s Eve, Thailand’s prayers to welcome back tourists have been answered with an outbreak of avian flu. But why should acts of God, civil unrest and a fatal virus put you off the kingdom? In February, Sofitel officially opens its ninth Thai property, a 74-room resort perched on the banks of Chiang Mai’s River Ping. Guests will check in to the Riverside Chiang Mai on an eight-seat scorpion tail-boat that ferries them to the five-star lodge, designed in the traditional Lanna (read “wood terraced”) style of northern Thailand.

Meantime, Koh Samui’s latest luxe address is Moo 2. Yes, that’s the actual address for the Library (pictured), an ultra-minimalist beachfront complex comprised of 26 scattered duplex suites, a red swimming pool and, needless to say, a library. The Design Hotels property was inspired by the simple concept of wanting to lie around on a beach and read a book. Sounds like a reasonable elixir in the tropics — at least for now. In 2008, not one, but two major lifestyle resorts are slated to open: W Retreat & Residences and Conrad Koh Samui Resort & Spa.