Luxury Values in Bangkok: Baan Thai Wellness Retreat

The hotel trend in Bangkok these days is going "mini," according to a recent Travel and Leisure article. Smaller boutique hotels are setting the standard for affordable luxury and authentic experiences. Smack dab in the middle of the bustling cosmopolitan city (amidst soaring skyscrapers, a maze of traffic, and Sky Trains), the Baan Thai Wellness Retreat is a tranquil oasis in the Sukhumvit area of downtown Bangkok. Sprawling across a royal estate of five two-storey Thai teak homes transported from Ayutthaya (the ancient Thai capital), the hotel is straight out of the Old World, but wrapped in contemporary luxury. Rooms are outfitted with sumptuous Thai silk, antiques, and elegant teak furniture. Choose a suite with private pool, or opt for a spa suite with outdoor massage table and private treatment room. The Spa itself is a luxurious hideaway with a full menu of spa services. Three night packages start from $770 per person (double).