On September 25, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the first One, Two, and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in Thailand. Earning One Key (31 properties) or Two Keys (19 properties) is difficult enough, but only 8 hotels in the country received the highest hotel honor in the country, the exclusive Three Key distinction.
The Three Key hotels excel in all five criteria used to judge hotels by our Inspectors. You can learn all about those particular benchmarks, here. But in this series, we thought it fitting to focus on the most photogenic of the five — architecture and interior design.
Below, take a look at the spectacular interiors and exteriors of each of our Three Key hotels in Thailand.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
BangkokThe Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, has remained a top hotel for nearly 150 years, welcoming legendary guests like Joseph Conrad, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. Its original Victorian-era building, now one of three wings that make up the hotel, has been carefully restored, maintaining its timeless elegance alongside two 20th-century additions.
Today, the hotel continues to attract prominent guests and offers modern amenities such as butler service and stunning river views from its newer wings. The dining options are exceptional, with the one-MICHELIN-Star Le Normandie and MICHELIN-listed restaurants like Kinu by Takagi and Baan Phraya, a traditional Thai restaurant in a 120-year-old heritage house. Reached by a charming shuttle boat ride, the spa and Baan Phraya are located across the river, offering a unique and memorable experience.
Book Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok with The MICHELIN Guide →
The Siam
BangkokBangkok’s top hotels have often been large, corporate luxury establishments, known for world-class service. But if you're seeking a more intimate experience, The Siam offers just that. This family-owned, luxury boutique hotel, designed by Bill Bensley, features only 39 suites and villas along the Chao Phraya River. Owned by the Sukosol family, renowned musicians and hoteliers, The Siam blends comfort with rich character.
The hotel transports guests to Bangkok’s Art Deco period with vintage furniture and colonial-era touches. Spacious suites come with butler service, and the riverside location offers a peaceful retreat. On-site amenities, including restaurants, bars, the Opium Spa, a Muay Thai gym, and a private riverboat, keep guests connected to the city in style.
Book The Siam with The MICHELIN Guide →
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Chiang MaiThe Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai delivers the ultimate Northern Thai luxury hotel experience, set amid lush rice paddies and vibrant jungle. The pavilions and villas blend classic Thai design with contemporary luxury, offering a range of sizes but consistently providing top-tier comfort and elegance.
Guests can enjoy a large spa, a breathtaking infinity pool, and three exquisite restaurants. Yet, as is typical of the Four Seasons brand, it’s the exceptional service that truly sets the experience apart.
Book Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai with The MICHELIN Guide →
Keemala
PhuketHotel categories aren’t always clear-cut, but Keemala avoids labels by calling itself an "all-pool villa wonderland." Set on the edge of Phuket’s coastal rainforest near Kamala, each villa comes with a private pool, offering a secluded retreat surrounded by nature.
Inspired by imagined tribal dwellings, the villas range from tent-like domed Tent Pool Villas to two-level Tree Pool Houses and Clay Pool Cottages, which mimic traditional Thai huts. The standout Bird’s Nest Villas, with their woven wood and glass design, boast stunning sea and forest views. All accommodations feature high-end amenities like Egyptian cotton sheets, outdoor showers, and minibars. With breakfast delivered to your door and a private pool at hand, staying put is an easy choice.
Book Keemala with The MICHELIN Guide →
Soneva Kiri
Ko Kood, TratSoneva Kiri offers one of the most dramatic arrivals in Thailand. From Bangkok’s airport, you’re flown on the resort’s private plane to its airstrip, then whisked to the resort via speedboat and eco-buggy. This isn’t your typical beach resort. Soneva Kiri’s pale timber villas, personal infinity pools, and open-air bathrooms blend effortlessly into the landscape, creating a natural, organic luxury.
What sets it apart are the common spaces. Dining pods perched in the treetops offer stunning views, while the Den entertains young guests, allowing parents to unwind. The resort’s crowning feature is the Eco Villa, engineered to have zero carbon footprint. This clay and rubber plant “hobbit house” is a model of advanced sustainability, demonstrating innovative approaches to renewable energy.
Book Soneva Kiri with The MICHELIN Guide →
Samujana Villas
Ko Samui, Surat ThaniKo Samui may no longer be a hidden paradise, but it’s still a slice of heaven if you know where to stay. The private villas at Samujana, perched high on a hilltop overlooking a coral cove, offer just the right amount of seclusion. Each villa is equipped with an infinity pool, private cinema, a fully outfitted kitchen, and sweeping ocean views. There are no regular hotel rooms here — the smallest villa has three bedrooms, and some boast up to eight, ensuring ample space for relaxation and solitude.
The sleek, modern design blends indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Whether lounging with a book or enjoying a breakfast of tropical fruits, every moment feels like a luxury. A team of Thai chefs can whip up a feast of green curry or steamed snapper in your villa’s kitchen. If you venture out, explore the island’s dining scene, visit Big Buddha, hike to waterfalls, or stop by a local rum distillery for a bottle to enjoy at sunset.
Book Samujana Villas with The MICHELIN Guide →
Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
KrabiIn a crowded field of Thai luxury resorts, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, stands out by redefining opulence with a touch of understated elegance. What sets it apart is not just its lavishness but its refined taste. From the traditional-style welcome pavilion to the thoughtfully localized interiors of the villas, every detail feels meticulously curated.
An extravagant spa is a given, but Phulay Bay goes beyond the expected. Its diverse dining options range from freshly caught seafood and Thai favorites to Mediterranean classics, all served with effortless sophistication. It's the kind of resort that doesn’t just dazzle — it leaves a lasting impression, blending indulgence with impeccable style in a way that feels both timeless and modern.
Book Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve with The MICHELIN Guide →
Amanpuri
PhuketAmanpuri, the first in the Aman collection, exemplifies refined design, timeless luxury, and exceptional service. Located on Phuket’s lush western coast, this exclusive beachfront retreat is set on a former coconut plantation, gracefully overlooking Pansea Beach. Designed by Ed Tuttle, Amanpuri combines traditional Thai elements from the Ayutthaya period with a modern aesthetic. The resort features 40 pavilions and 44 private villas, each offering king-sized beds, expansive terraces, and luxurious bathrooms, with some boasting sweeping sea views.
Guests enjoy amenities such as private pools, outdoor dining pavilions, and dedicated live-in staff. The AMAN Spa offers holistic treatments, while the Beach Club serves Mediterranean cuisine. Culinary options include refined washoku at Nama, vibrant Thai dishes, and eclectic street food at the South American Lounge. Amanpuri is a 30-minute drive from Phuket Airport, with complimentary transfers for stays of three nights or more.
Book Amanpuri with The MICHELIN Guide →
Hero Image: Amanpuri, Phuket
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