Thailand surprised me in the best possible way.

It felt like three different versions of myself existed simultaneously here: resort-island ease and indulgence, spiritual depth and creativity, and full-throttle urban consumerism. Thailand somehow holds all of these without asking you to choose, and for couples, that range is exactly what makes it such a compelling place to travel together.

This trip was deeply gratifying for both of us. I’d been itching to take Ty to Asia, partly because I knew Thailand would be persuasive to the travel-hater in him: warm weather, incredible food, affordability, and daily massages, all things he genuinely loves. We were also blessed with excellent weather, zero travel issues, and an itinerary that balanced rest, adventure, culture, and connection.

If you’re a young couple, dual income/no kids, and looking for a trip that feels meaningful without being exhausting, this Thailand couples itinerary is for you.

Before You Go: A Few Practical Notes

These are the small things that made the trip smoother and more enjoyable, especially when traveling together.

Getting around: Grab is the Uber of Thailand. It’s affordable, safe, and extremely easy to use across cities.
Bathrooms: Thailand has far more clean public bathrooms than I expected, so you can stay hydrated without worry. Compared to Europe, this felt luxurious. In tourist areas, expect to pay 5–20 baht (less than $1 USD).
Massages: A fair price for a one-hour Thai or foot massage is around 300 baht (or about $10 USD). Anything significantly higher is charging for location or vibes. Fun fact: Locals get weekly massages, which helped me feel less indulgent and more culturally aligned.
Carry-on limits: Many Asian airlines cap carry-ons at 7kg (about 15 lbs), including roller bags. Fully packed carry-ons often exceed this, and it caused real repacking stress for us. Pack intentionally.

Flights: EVA vs. China Airlines Premium Economy

We flew premium economy on two different airlines to avoid doubling back.

EVA was the clear winner compared to China Airlines. Better food, better seat comfort, and a gate-to-gate concierge service during our tight Bangkok transfer. Both Ty and I got 6–7 hours of sleep on the flight to Thailand, which dramatically reduced jet lag. A key nuance here: Ty is 6'4", and while I personally had no issue with seat size on China Airlines, he couldn’t recline enough to get meaningful rest on that flight. On EVA, the recline worked much better for his height, which made a real difference for his sleep (& our collective start to the trip).

If you’re a couple trying to arrive rested and functional, EVA is worth prioritizing over China Airlines.

Phuket: Best for Ease and Indulgence

Phuket ended up being my least favorite stop, which many people subtly warned me about.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Kamala Beach, booked on Hyatt points. It’s mid-tier luxury, very family-friendly, with a solid gym and a lavish breakfast buffet. We worked out most mornings, then indulged hard, which honestly set a lovely rhythm.

What we did

Explored Old Town, including lunch at Blue Elephant (a MUST!)
Got caught in an epic rainstorm
Did yoga on the pool deck & meditated on the beach
Skipped the NYE full moon party on Paradise Beach in favor of lanterns and fireworks on Kamala Beach
Enjoyed many sunset cocktails at Casa Boho, conveniently located inside our resort
Took a private Muay Thai lesson at the hotel in preparation for a fight we’d see later in Bangkok

Couples take: Phuket feels like many resort islands around the world. What differentiates it is the party scene centered around Patong Beach and Bangla Road, where sex tourism is very visible. If that scene isn’t what you’re seeking, there are closer, easier places (at least, for Americans) to get “resort island” vibes. I honestly wish we'd prioritized some of the more lush, remote and unique parts of Thailand instead, like Mae Hong Son or Kanchanburi (two areas recommended to me by a Thai person on my TikTok recap). Even though Phuket itself felt chaotic and overpriced at that time of year, the NYE lantern release, a Northern Thai tradition symbolizing letting go of the past year and setting intentions for the next, was meaningful for me,

Phuket ultimately served as a soft landing for us, a place to recover from travel, settle into the rhythm of Thailand, and enjoy comfort before moving into a much more inward, connective part of the trip.

Chiang Mai: The Heart of the Trip for Couples

If Phuket is ease, Chiang Mai is soul.

I’ve never been to a place that felt so authentically spiritual and creatively alive. Temples, monks, elephants, craft traditions, and everyday Buddhist practice are woven into daily life here. These aren’t just historical artifacts, they’re living spaces with palpable energy.

Where we stayed

We stayed at Hotel Loy (not to be confused with Loy Hotel), a find through the Chase Travel Portal that turned out to be a gem. Teakwood styling, made-to-order breakfasts, an excellent location, and incredibly kind staff.

Food, drink, and slow exploration

Old Town wandering: We explored slowly, popping into temples and shops. Hand+Craft had stunning handmade jewelry, and I brought home a beautiful iridescent stone necklace for just $50 USD. There are so many cute spots in Chiang Mai, wandering is a must to stumble upon those coveted spontaneous gems.
Khao Soi for days: We queued for an hour at Khao Soi Mae Sai, widely considered the best in town. Two bowls cost about $5 USD total. In hindsight, this is a place to visit after you’ve tried other versions, so you can truly appreciate its simplicity.
Cocktails at Back Country, an intimate upstairs bar where we met another couple from San Francisco.
Coffee crawl at SELF, &Then, Akha Ama, and GRAPH. Thailand’s coffee scene rivals craft cocktails in creativity; in their concoctions, you'll find options like fermented fruits & "fluffy" style americanos.
Thai Farm Cooking School, a highlight. Cooking together, learning everyday techniques, and sharing the experience with fellow travelers from France (a family of five boys under 18!) and the Netherlands (of course, we befriended the Dutch) made this experience feel communal and joyful.

Cultural experiences that deepened the trip

Massage with purpose: We visited a massage school that employs formerly incarcerated women. Thailand has one of the highest female incarceration rates per capita due to strict drug laws, and supporting rehabilitation efforts felt meaningful to me. The massage was truly excellent, too.
Temples: Chiang Mai literally has a stunning temple around every corner, and asking ChatGPT about each temple’s specific history and rituals transformed the visiting experience. At one, we learned about Chinese Zodiac offerings and fortune-telling sticks. As a long-time meditator, sitting in active temples alongside practicing Buddhists and monks felt deeply grounding.
Doi Suthep sunrise hike: This did not go as planned. One pack of wild dogs, a locked temple gate, and a mild panic attack later, we still made it to the top, meditated briefly, and shared one of the simplest, best breakfasts of the trip afterward. Not every moment needs to be perfect to be meaningful. I’d recommend driving to the top if you want to see sunrise here.
Elephant Nature Sanctuary: About 1.5 hours outside the city, this experience was ethical, educational, and awe-inspiring. While our direct interaction with the elephants was limited to just being near them, being that close to elephants was another spiritual experience. You can understand why elephants have been a sacred symbol in Thai history.
Yoga at Wild Rose: Held in an open-air teakwood pavilion, it felt local, grounding, and different from my usual practice at home, helping me stay flexible in both body & mind.
Kalm Village: You must visit this stunning, design-forward cultural space that celebrates Northern Thai craft and creativity. If I were a digital nomad in Chiang Mai, their library and café is exactly where you’d find me most days.

Couples take: Chiang Mai has a spiritual density I’ve never experienced elsewhere, including Angkor Wat. The temples are alive with monks and everyday worship, and that energy is tangible. It’s ideal for couples who value shared rituals, reflection, creativity, and slower days. This is where we felt most grounded and reflective; it was an excellent place to ring in the new year.

Bangkok: Big, Bold, and Surprisingly Loved

I was told repeatedly that Bangkok was skippable. I couldn’t disagree more.

Yes, it’s loud, dense, and traffic is relentless. But if you like food, shopping, culture, nightlife, or beauty culture, Bangkok delivers.

Where we stayed

Park Hyatt Bangkok, booked on points and upgraded to a mini-suite after politely asking. It’s connected to the Central Embassy mall and feels indulgent without being stuffy. It's got two Michelin keys & can be booked for as few as 25,000 Hyatt points a night - a steal for a property this luxe. This is the nicest hotel we've ever stayed at, and it was completely free with the strategic use of Chase/Hyatt points.

Highlights

Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium, easily one of the most fun experiences of the trip. The newly renovated stadium is immersive, playful, and surprisingly educational. Between rounds, there were dance-offs and light shows. Ty & I picked fighters to root for each round, which made it even more engaging.
Temples: We did a four-hour walking tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. In hindsight, I’d skip the tour and do this self-guided in 3 hours with the help of AI. Real talk: the Reclining Buddha was awe-inspiring; the Emerald Buddha was underwhelming.
Luxury movie theater at CentralWorld, fun once, probably wouldn’t repeat. The comfortable seats with blankets outshined the food. If you do this, I'd suggest going all in at the Embassy Diplomat Screens; it's $50 USD for two people, but supposedly the most luxe.
Eathai food court, a standout. An incredible variety of cooked-to-order safe street food at an absurd value with almost no one else around. We regularly got eight dishes for about $30 USD total. Highlights included pork satay, morning glory, tom yum noodles, and pandan lemongrass iced tea. I loved it so much that I made a (now viral!) TikTok about it.
Cosmetic tourism, which escalated quickly! We walked into a skin clinic expecting facials and left five hours later having invested meaningfully in things like lasers and exosomes. Not necessary for all, but a memorable bonding experience for Ty & I (& excellent value for the services). We chose Radiance Skin Clinic after doing a GPT deep research report based on our specific skin concerns & were happy with our experience.
Shopping, especially for Asian brands. I focused on MUJI, Tres, Greyhound Original, Jim Thompson, Uniqlo, COS, and then discovered Smileyhound and Picht. Everything I bought fit into a cohesive "dark autumn" palette I’m excited to wear all year!
Nightlife, including Tichuca rooftop bar and Sing Sing Theater. Tichuca got fun earlier (around 10pm) and felt more our speed. Sing Sing has a gorgeous, unique interior, but the progressive house set the DJ was playing was not for me.

Couples take: Bangkok works best if you embrace what it is. It’s not serene, but it’s electric, and shared sensory overload can be surprisingly bonding.

A Few Things I’d Do Differently Next Time

Looking back, we really don’t have many regrets. That said, a few small tweaks would have made the trip even better:

New Year’s Eve in Phuket: Instead of lanterns and fireworks on Kamala Beach, I would have booked Café del Mar in Kamala, a well-known club that offers a more polished NYE experience without the chaos of the full moon parties.
More beauty experiences in Bangkok: Bangkok has an excellent reputation for cosmetic tourism, and prices are often about half of what you’d pay in the U.S. If I could do it again, I’d add a personal color analysis and eyelash extensions. We loved what we did do, and there’s plenty more worth exploring if beauty and self-care are part of your travel joy.
More lush hiking landscapes: Our only real hike was Doi Suthep, and it honestly wasn’t great. Next time, I’d prioritize more unique, lush landscapes, places like Mae Hong Son or Kanchanburi, which were recommended to me by locals.
Packing differently: Given Asia’s strict carry-on weight limits, I’d bring one large checked suitcase per person and a sturdy, roomy backpack for carry-on. That setup would have saved us a lot of repacking stress.

None of these are major regrets, more gentle refinements for a future version of this trip.

Is Thailand Good for Couples?

Absolutely, and it’s worth addressing the question more directly: is Thailand romantic?

I think romance comes from a few core ingredients: beautiful surroundings, physical pleasure (great food, massages, warmth), and ease. It’s very hard to feel romantic when you’re stressed, rushed, or constantly worrying about logistics or money.

Thailand supports romance really well on all three fronts. There’s a level of infrastructure and service here that makes traveling feel smooth rather than effortful. Tourism is clearly valued and well supported, and we noticed how excellent the service was almost everywhere we went. We also weren’t stressed about money in the way we sometimes are in Europe, because the value is simply so good.

In fact, this trip felt more romantic to us than our honeymoon in Greece; we even started calling it our “second honeymoon.” Greece was beautiful and romantic in its own ways, but Thailand offered more ease, unique experiences, and day-to-day pleasure, which matters more to us in this season of life.

That said, it’s important to be honest about optics. You’ll encounter more street smells, visible power lines, and moments that aren’t picture-perfect in Thailand. If visual beauty is especially important to you, Thailand can absolutely still support romance, you’ll just want to intentionally optimize for luxury hotels, great restaurants, and elevated experiences, all of which are very accessible here.

Stepping back, Thailand offers:

Incredible value without sacrificing quality
A rare balance of rest and stimulation
Deep culture alongside modern comfort
Endless opportunities for shared rituals, food, movement, and meaning

This Thailand couples itinerary worked because we didn’t try to do everything. We chose experiences that supported connection, not just consumption. In fact, we explicitly sought out one unique "only in Thailand" experience per day and left the rest of the day to flow and spontaneity. And of course, we indulged in a massage just about every day.

Who This Trip Is For (and Who It’s Not)

This trip is for couples who:

Want depth without austerity
Enjoy food, wellness, and culture
Appreciate comfort but don’t need ultra-luxury everywhere

It’s probably not for you if:

You want constant partying
You’re looking for a purely beach-based trip
You prefer highly structured, fast-paced itineraries

Final Thoughts

Thailand held us exactly where we were. Curious, reflective, indulgent, joyful, overwhelmed, connected. For couples, that range is the gift.

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand with your partner, I’d love to hear what you’re most excited about or what questions you’re still sitting with. Comment below or on my TikTok. And if you’ve been, comment with what surprised you most!

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