Thailand’s Newest Beach Resorts

Two new beach resorts are bringing style and sustainability to Southeast Asia.

By Jennifer Chen

The first property in Ritz-Carlton’s new culturally conscious Reserve collection, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve(doubles from $700) is set on the quiet shores of Krabi, Thailand, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Thai artisans crafted the hand-painted shutters and custom-made furniture in the 54 spacious villas, where personal butlers ensure you needn’t lift a finger. To reach Six Senses’ four-month-old Soneva Kiri (doubles from $1,900), on the Gulf of Thailand’s Koh Kood, guests board the resort’s private jet in Bangkok for a one-hour flight. Tented roofs, open-air bathrooms, and beds draped in mosquito netting lend a safari feel to the 29 villas, while personal electric buggies allow you to zip freely through the 102-acre palm tree–dotted compound to the 32,000-square-foot spa and private white-sand beach.