Notice I didn’t call this a design trip? That’s because it wasn’t. Usually, I’m all about the design inspiration when I travel. (Remember these trips to India and Marrakech?) But this time, I went totally off the clock and off the grid to eat, drink, spa (that’s a verb now), and visit high school friends who now live in Singapore and Thailand.
It was perfect. Beautiful settings. Incredible people. Flowing wine. I don’t ask for much, right? If you’re looking to kick back with me and laze in luxury, this post is for you. I’m sharing where I went, what I saw, and how it inspired me in a whole different way…
Hotel: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands was made famous by the movie, Crazy Rich Asians. I personally found it very luxurious, and how could it not be with this infinity pool looking over the skyline? The cherry on top was their great service. It’s nice to be pampered sometimes, and I think that’s what sets a five-star hotel apart from a luxury Airbnb. You get a lot of the same amenities, but the additional service? Yes, please.
Destination: Gardens By the Bay, Singapore
Gardens by the Bay is in the heart of Singapore and is well worth the visit. These structures may look iconic but they also have a purpose — and you know that’s the recipe for great design! (I had to sneak design inspiration in here somewhere, didn’t I?) These “supertrees” capture and convert solar energy to electricity, which lights them up spectacularly at night. And on the other side of the Gardens…
…they have the Flower Dome, where you can explore a collection of over 1.5M plants from every continent. Except Antarctica. These are intermixed with art, structures representing different countries, and other attractions, like an indoor waterfall. Proof that plants really CAN be exciting.
Attraction: Luxury Names in Champagne & Fashion
A Veuve Clicquot tasting and a celebratory exhibition of 200 years of Louis Vuitton? Saw. Tasted. Conquered. I told you this was a lifestyle trip. ;)
Hotel: Vana Belle, Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is a stunning island with blue water, pristine white sand, and lush greenery. The best way to enjoy it? At a luxury retreat right on the beach. Vana Belle is a beautiful resort, with spacious villas. Each has a private pool and an incredible view.
Of course, the beach-side dining wasn’t bad either, and the service was impeccable. If you’re looking to relax and unwind, this is the place to do it right.
Hotel: Peninsula Bangkok, Thailand
This 5-star hotel in Bangkok is old school luxury à la the Mandarin. The best part about this hotel is easily the views and the fact that it’s located right on the river in Bangkok. It’s pretty central, which made it easy to access other spots we wanted to visit. Like…
Attraction: Chatuchak Weekend Market
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand (and maybe the world) with 15,000 booths and over 250K visitors each Saturday and Sunday that it’s open. This may look like a tourist trap, but the locals come here too! (They call it JJ Market.) Fortunately for us out-of-towners, it’s split into easy-to-navigate sections based on what you’re looking for: Home Decor, Crafts, Plants, Food and Drink, Art, Antiques, Clothing, etc. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
And that’s it! It wasn’t my goal, but I think you got some design inspiration out of this, right? Or at least some inspiration for bringing relaxing, five-star, vacation vibes into your home. Or Airbnb listing, if you have one.
I’ll leave you with that for now, but stay tuned for next month, when I’ll be sharing a sneak peek at some of the projects we currently have in the works…
— Kelly
