Looks like an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine voted Bangkok as the top city in the world for vacation travel. The Galapagos were voted the top island in the world for travelers. Last year the winners were Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia.
This is the first time that Bangkok has grabbed the title for top vacation city in the world and it’s about time. All of us that have been there know the charms of the Big Mango. About time the rest of the world discovered it too.
Hopefully this will helps Thailand‘s flagging tourism industry which has been notably weaker this year, probably due to increasing travel costs coupled with the strong Thai baht. I for one have been happily watching the baht weaken over the past month, although even at 33.75 baht to the dollar it’s no bargain. I’ll be glad to see levels back around the 40 baht to the dollar range. :>)
Surprisingly, none of Thailand‘s islands made it to the top 10 world wide although Phuket was #2 in Asia beating out Penang Malaysia, but losing out to Bali, Indonesia. I would have thought at least one of the hundreds of Thai islands would have been in the top 10 considering the crystal clear waters and great snorkeling and diving in the Andaman Sea islands. Well, maybe next year.
In the top 20 hotel spas the Four Seasons Spa in Chiang Mai came in #2 with the only spa beating it out being the Wickaninnish Inn Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada which I’ve never even heard of. I haven’t been to the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai yet, but it’s definitely on the list and if the service is even close to the Four Seasons Tokyo (where I have stayed) then I know it will be a great place to stay. Rounding out the top 20 for Thailand was The Oriental Bangkok at #12, which should come as no surprise to any of you who have stayed there. Even if you can’t afford the room rates I highly recommend the riverside dinner buffet which was outstanding last time I ate there.
Good to see Bangkok and Thailand represented in these top lists from Travel+Leisure magazine. Can you think of any other areas or hotels from Thailand that should have been included? I for one would have liked to see Koh Phi Phi on the list simply for it’s amazing scenery if nothing else.
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I first went to Thailand in 1997 and immediately fell in love with the country. Thailand at that time to me was mysterious and exotic, full of potentials and pitfalls.
Fast forward to 2010 and here I am after 13 years and many trips to the LOS sharing, with the help of my 
I think you should include the Sofitel Hotel in Khon Kaen as one of the best in Thailand. The buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner has authentic Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese selections that are unbeatable. And the choice of local fruit is endless. The gourmet Chinese restaurant on the mezzanine floor is a hidden secret – tremendous selection of “gourmet” dishes. The “so called” buffet was a quite unusual. I expected to see an array of dishes to choose from instead the “buffet” food is ordered from an endless menu. I hope it is still as great. I haven’t been back for a little over a year. Enjoy
Del
Bangkok is my favorite city. I wish to go there. So it is a very nice post to introduction Bangkok. So keep it up.
Interesting to see Bangkok to be the top city for vacation, I travel all around the world and I never thought about traveling to that city. Looks like I won’t be able to make it this summer, maybe next summer. Thanx alot for this post, viva bangkok.
I really want to make it to Bangkok, have never been…this is a great blog, I can understand why it would be under consideration as a top travel blog, keep up the good work!
Chiva-Som Spa Hua Hin was voted in 2004 as The Best Overseas Destination Spa’ by readers of Conde Nast Traveler (UK). Then, in 2006 it was awarded ‘World’s Best Spa’ by Travel & Leisure group …
During the early 90s, Hollywood went to Ao Phra-nang Beach (Princess Beach) in Krabi after it was voted by one American travel mag as the world’s top beach (i used to live in the area in those days).
Richelieu Rock, in the Andaman Sea is listed as one of the world’s top diving sites, in and out of the top ten.
Stephen,
Thanks for the extra info. I was aware of Hollywood’s trips to Krabi. Wasn’t there a Bond film shot there? I wasn’t aware of Chiva-Som Spa in Hua Hin, but then again I’m sure it’s out of my usual price range
Aren’t there several top ten dive destinations in the Andaman? Not sure about this, but I remember seeing a dive destination list in the past and seem to recall several listings for Thailand.
More importantly, thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you here more often as I am a huge fan of your writing and have enjoyed it for several years now.
“I think you should include the Sofitel Hotel in Khon Kaen as one of the best in Thailand. The buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner has authentic Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese selections that are unbeatable.”
I have to agree with Del, The Sofitel is awesome.
I guess I’ll have to travel there now. I’ve been to Florence and I would vote it #1, but I guess I have to go to Bangkok to make an objective decision.
I am planning to go to bangkok for my next vacation.I will check in SOFITEL HOTEL. hopefully they are not expensive???
Bangkok must be beautiful!
yeah, bangkok is really a great (beautyful) city. i was there last year – it was amazing.
My friends have been in Thailand – on return they’ve said that it’s the only place on Earth they’d love to move to and stay:)
Hi from sunny South Africa! Oh, how I hope I can visit Bangkok some day! It sounds like the most wonderful place. Thanks for an interesting post. I love reading about these far-away travel-destinations.
I really want to make it to Bangkok, have never been…this is a great blog, I can understand why it would be under consideration as a top travel blog, keep up the good work!
I am very happy to know that Bangkok is voted as the top city in the world for vacation travel. I have been there once and I enjoyed every moment staying in Bangkok. What a wonderful place!
http://www.morvacations.com
Very nice article. Enjoy thai massages on thailand beaches.You will find good shopping areas, hotels on the pattaya beach.One can undertake numerous adventure sports like parasailing, snorkelling, and surfing.Night life is amazing on the pattaya beach.For food enthusiasts Coral island is the best place. Tourist will enjoy the Pattaya Festival in mid april.Experience snorkelling or deep sea diving in phuket beach.ride on the speedboats is amazing.
Bangkok is one of the tourist spot in the world..I hope one of this days I spend my vacation there..Thanks for the information..keep it up!