Christmas is always a fabulous time to visit Thailand. With hot days and balmy evenings, you can swap wintry British nights for sultry sunsets, eschew roast turkey for excellent pad thai, and sip coconut water instead of hot cocoa. And right now, there has arguably never been a better time to do so.Roughly a month into its official reopening, only a fraction of the usual high-season crowds have trickled in, meaning that those who visit will find the country in a sweet spot. Beach bars and night markets have kicked back into action, with tourist strips in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui livening up again – but you won’t have to compete for the best tables, there will be no queues at the sights, and the beaches will be quiet.

And while we have been gone, a slew of enticing new hotels has opened. From a sprawling resort on Krabi’s golden sands to a high-design hideaway on the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, here is our pick of Thailand’s best new hotels to book for a much-needed dose of winter sun.

Banyan Tree, Krabi

Taking over a golden stretch of sand at the far end of Tubkaek Beach, Thailand’s latest Banyan Tree resort has perched itself on one of Krabi’s most photogenic corners. With unobstructed views of Phang Nga Bay’s dramatic karst formations, the hilltop lobby is a highlight, but the 72 suites and villas offer a lot to love too: all come with their own pool and hot tub, separate living rooms and spa-like bathrooms swathed in marble. The beachfront is home to a lounge-y, beanbag-strewn lawn and two sets of swimming pools (one is a mini waterpark for children), plus a fabulous full spa.

Staying here: Doubles from £330 including breakfast (00 66 7581 1888; banyantree.com)

Capella Bangkok

With just 101 rooms, this intimate riverfront retreat might be one of the smaller players in the field of five-star properties around town, but its perks are top-notch. Rooms here come with unobstructed river views, some with private plunge pools on their balconies. There are riverfront villas – a Bangkok first – with private pools and indoor-outdoor bathrooms, and the hotel tapped chef Mauro Colagreco, behind three Michelin-starred Mirazur in France, to lead its signature coastal Mediterranean restaurant. Guests also have a small army of “Capella culturists” on call to fix everything from monk-guided meditation sessions to private training with a Muay Thai pro. 

Staying here: Doubles from £600 including breakfast (00 66 2098 3888; capellahotels.com)