Client Blog: The Hawtin family’s Thailand adventure

When Dave and Nina, along with their two daughters, came to me in search of a big summer adventure, Thailand quickly rose to the top of the list. I was recommended to them, which is always the loveliest way to meet new clients. From our very first Zoom call, it was clear how excited they were, and I loved helping them shape a trip that balanced culture, adventure and luxury.

Over a few weeks of planning, their itinerary grew and refined. New ideas came into play. Elephant Hills, for example, was something they had not even heard of at the start, and it turned out to be one of the highlights.

Here is the Hawtin family’s story of discovering Thailand...

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13 July: London to Bangkok

We flew from Heathrow to Bangkok and were met with a private transfer to Shama Lakeview Asoke, where we stayed on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel was in a really convenient part of Sukhumvit, safe and easy to explore. There was even a complimentary tuk tuk to the stations.

We had two connected rooms, which gave us plenty of space, and the rooftop pool, open until midnight, was a brilliant bonus. Bangkok was everything we had hoped it would be. Temples, markets, tuk tuks, cheap local restaurants, and a street food tour were all highlights and a huge hit with the girls.

18 July: Chiang Mai

From Bangkok we flew north to Chiang Mai and stayed five nights at Kantary Hills on a bed and breakfast basis. The rooms were enormous, with a full kitchen and even a washing machine, which was very handy halfway through the trip.

The location was a little outside the old city and under the flight path, but the mountain views were beautiful and it was easy to get into the centre by taxi or Grab. We loved the cooking class we took, the trek into the hills and of course a Thai massage.

23 July: Phuket

Next we flew south to Phuket, where we stayed three nights at Banyan Tree Phuket in a Signature Pool Villa. This was luxury beyond anything we had imagined.

Our villa had its own pool and was surrounded by tropical gardens. The rooms were huge, the service was exceptional and breakfast was amazing. We all agreed that this exceeded every expectation. In fact, we wished we had spent an extra night here instead of Chiang Mai.

The only downside was that Nina had food poisoning from an expensive restaurant. It had nothing to do with any of the hotels, just unfortunate timing, and it showed that sometimes street food is the safer option!

26 July: Khao Sok & Elephant Hills

After Phuket, we travelled by road to Khao Sok National Park and stayed at Elephant Hills, Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp.

Day 1

We canoed down the Sok River - spotting snakes, monkeys, and birdlife - before enjoying a Thai cultural evening and a buffet dinner. The safari style tents were comfortable, with proper beds and hot showers. What mattered most to us was the ethical approach. There is no riding and no performances. These elephants are rescues and you can learn about them, help prepare food and watch them at a respectful distance.

Day 2

Our bags were transferred for us and waterproof bags were provided as we travelled across Cheow Larn Lake. We swam, kayaked and stayed at the Rainforest Camp, where the tents float on pontoons. Canoeing at sunset and waking to mist on the lake was magical.

Day 3

We joined a canoe safari before leaving for the coast.

28 July: Koh Samui

Our final stop was Koh Samui, which we reached by car and ferry as flights were no longer available. The journey took five and a half hours, but it was worth it.

We stayed seven nights at Melati Beach Resort and Spa. The gardens were beautiful, there were two pools and we had a private beach to enjoy. The location was quiet but within reach of Fisherman’s Village and Chaweng. It was a lovely place to relax, although in truth we had been rather spoilt by Banyan Tree Phuket, which remained our favourite hotel of the trip.

4 August: Homeward bound

We flew from Koh Samui to Bangkok and then on to Heathrow. Every flight and transfer ran smoothly, which made travelling stress-free.

Our Highlights

• Seeing Phoebe and Eleanor experience Bangkok for the first time, from the temples to the tuk tuks, the bustle of the markets and the street food.

• Being completely blown away by Banyan Tree Phuket, which exceeded every possible expectation.

• Experiencing Elephant Hills and seeing first hand their welfare-first approach to caring for elephants.

• The balance of cities, culture, adventure, luxury and beach time made it a holiday we will never forget.

Our Top Tips

• Download Grab, the Thai version of Uber. Load your card before you travel and it makes journeys easy and cash-free.

• Public transport in Bangkok is reliable, but elsewhere taxis, Grab, and pre-arranged transfers are the simplest way to get around.

• Do not assume the fanciest restaurant will be the safest. Sometimes the opposite is true.

Would we recommend this trip?

Yes, yes, yes.

We have already sorted 2026, but with milestone birthdays ahead, both of us turning 50 and our daughter turning 18, we know 2027 will be a year of big celebrations. We are already looking forward to Nikki helping us with that too.