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THAILAND
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November14
Spending Your Free Time
THE OLD WAY
Spend zero time in your hotel, especially if you booked
a box in a corporate behemoth. Besides, you don’t
come to Bangkok to relax; that’s what Krabi is for.
THE NEW WAY
Enjoy your hotel. Escape to it. The Siam has spacious
suites (the river view suites are particularly great for
families) and pool villas (repeat: villas – in the city)
with vine-streaked courtyards, bi-level bedrooms and
private rooftop balconies. The villas also boast extras
that turn a basic hotel room into a holiday retreat
– things like dressing areas, walk-in closets, large
bathrooms with skylights and over-sized bathtubs. It’s
the details that make the difference: finally, a waist-
high mini-bar so we’re not forced onto all fours to
nab a mini-bottle of Perrier. There is a library, a piano
conservatory, a secluded yoga garden, a professional-
grade Muay Thai gym and Thailand’s only chemical-
free spa (with swank ergonomic treatment beds). And
all of this is shared between only 39 rooms, so there’s
a good chance that communal spots like these will be
enjoyed in total solitude.
Cramped hotel
hallway or a
room entrance
like this? You
decide!
Pool villa
courtyard with
fountains,
bamboo
clusters,
lounge area
and spiral
staircase to
second-floor
balcony