Unique Experiences from our Hotels & Resorts in Thailand & Vietnam

Our hotels and resorts don’t just offer exceptional rooms, facilities and fancy bathroom lotions and potions. They also offer a pretty incredible array of experiences – some that immerse us in the local environment, others that take us back into the history of the region and others that offer the chance to learn a new skill.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite offerings to add to your list for your next visit to Thailand and Vietnam…

Panhou Retreat, Vietnam

Drink tea with a Red Dao family

Located in the Northern Highlands of Vietnam, Panhou Retreat offers endless opportunities for explorations by foot. The 4 to 5 hour hike to Yen Son Village passes through a village of Yao people who still wear traditional long tunics and live in stilted houses perched on the mountainside. Walk through breathtaking terraced rice fields and bamboo forests. Take a break at a Red Dao House and enjoy a cup of tea with the family, then help them to prepare a simple village-style lunch. More hiking tours are available from the hotel, including overnight hikes.

Villa Mahabhirom, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Float over Chiang Mai in a hot air balloon

Imagine drifting with the wind in a hot air balloon high above the teakwood rooftops and ancient pagodas of Chiang Mai. Villa Mahabhirom, a boutique heritage hotel located in a leafy suburb of Chiang Mai, has elevated its romantic experiences with the addition of this sky-high adventure that offers a unique perspective, far-reaching views and great photographic opportunities of the incredible scenery below. Whether proposing, celebrating an anniversary or just treating yourself, this unforgettable flight is the ultimate way to view Chiang Mai.

The Slate, Phuket, Thailand

Learn to cook like a Michelin Chef

The Slate’s Black Ginger, housed in traditional Thai houses hovering over a luminescent lagoon, is a modern masterpiece of Thai art certified by Michelin Guide 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. But if you don’t want to restrict yourself to just one gourmet experience – the sensational ‘Chef’s Table’ allows you to sample dishes in four more of the resort’s sumptuous dining venues. You can also expand your own culinary expertise in a cooking class with the resort’s resident chefs in which you learn to whip up ancient Thai recipes that honour local culinary traditions.

Paresa Resort, Phuket Thailand

Walk the historical streets of Old Phuket

Paresa Resort, located on the island’s ‘Millionaires Row’, is giving you the opportunity to relive history with a private walking tour of Old Phuket Town. A leisurely walk through the historic streets offers a delightful peek into this lively cultural town with its brightly painted Sino-Portuguese shophouses, colourful Chinese shrines, colonial-style mansions, aromatic Thai restaurants and chic coffee shops. Stop to sample artisanal ice cream from family-run stores and street food specialties such as sweet fried bananas.

137 Pillars Chiang Mai, Thailand

Spend a day in the life of a teak wallah

137 Pillars House offers guests a rare opportunity to delve into the rich history of Chiang Mai with their ‘Tales and Trails of the Teak Wallahs’ tour which chronicles the colourful lives of ‘gentleman foresters’ who worked for European-owned companies. The tour starts in the small museum at 137 Pillars House and ends with a horse-drawn cart ride in Lampang. Stops include one of the oldest houses in Chiang Mai; the old Colonial Sports Club founded in 1898; the Foreign Cemetery; the British Consul General W.A.R. Wood’s residence; and the iconic Lampang railway station

Bayphere Hotel Pattaya

Golf, play, jump and box!

Bayphere Pattaya is located on laid-back Jomtien Beach, but you’re never more than minutes away from the energetic allure of the city. Golfers are spoiled for choice with three world-class courses nearby. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving. Families can choose from three waterparks, cycling, go karting, aquariums, floating and night markets, botanical gardens, temples and cultural shows. And for the adventurous, there’s sky diving, bungee jumping and Thai Boxing. The hotel’s concierge can help with bookings and transport.

Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta, Thailand

Learn the Art of Thai Massage

From May to September, Pimalai Resort & Spa, located on the idyllic island of Koh Lanta in Southern Thailand, is offering complimentary classes in the art of Thai Massage. Learn the various techniques of this deep tissue massage that uses pressure points, pulling and twisting techniques to stimulate blood circulation and release tension. In addition, learn how to make a herbal pouch using Thai herbs that have been used for centuries for cooking and medicine.

Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok, Thailand

Sample a true taste of Mexico

Food and travel go hand in hand, and the Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok offers world-class dining at several award-winning restaurant concepts. Mexicano Restaurante Autentico has been thrilling diners for over two decades and has gained a reputation as a fun outlet for excellent Mexican food. The menu offers a selection of of exciting house-original Mexican fares accompanied by large jugs of sangria, fruity margaritas and live Latin music. Then head up to 1826 Mixology & Rooftop Bar, a high-altitude hangout for jaw-dropping views of the city and original cocktails including ‘Once Upon A Time In Rembrandt’!

Ad Lib Khon Kaen

Uncover 160-million-year-old dinosaur fossils

Ad Lib Khon Kaen is an exciting new opening, centrally located in the city of Khon Kaen in the north-east of Thailand. Well connected to Bangkok by multiple daily one-hour flights, the youthful university city of Khon Kaen offers various diverse and authentic experiences. The city’s walking market offers handmade products, while foodie night markets tempt with regional delicacies. Eco-tourism and adventure seekers can view dinosaur fossils in Phu Wiang National Park and explore the serene lake by bike or pedal-boat. There’s also artistic hubs, several museums and a multitude of temples and shrines. The hotel’s concierge can help with bookings and transport.