Take a look at Tyler and Hayden's honeymoon across some of Thailand's most popular cities and island destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi.
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Following Tyler Spearman and Hayden Williams’ Christmas-inspired winter wedding, the newlyweds set off on an adventurous and relaxing spring honeymoon across the cities and islands of Thailand.
When planning the trip of a lifetime with their travel agent Julia Capanna of ALTOUR, they decided to start off their honeymoon on an adventurous note. “My husband is someone who can’t lie on a beach for a week straight, and I’m someone who wants to truly unwind and disconnect while on vacation, so this trip was the perfect combination for us!” affirms Tyler.
Flying in from Dallas, Tyler and Hayden at last arrived at The Standard, Bangkok, where they stayed for two nights. “We loved that the hotel is centrally located, and we also appreciated that one of the best restaurants in Bangkok is located in the same building, which was great for us after a 24-hour travel day,” adds Tyler of the incredible Ojo restaurant on the 76th floor of the second-tallest building in Bangkok, which offers 360-degree views as well as an observation deck accessible after dinner.
Photos courtesy of The Standard
Thanks to their convenient accommodations, they found it easy to walk outside and hail a cab or a tuk-tuk to explore the city, visiting various temples, discovering local restaurants, having “the most amazing Thai food for less than $20 at SomTumDer,” as well as experiencing the city’s unique transportation options.
Photos courtesy of Tyler & Hayden Williams
Dining at Ojo. “We would highly recommend the restaurant at the top of our hotel for the incredible views and also amazing food.”
Finding local favorites. “I highly recommend not making plans for lunch and finding local spots while exploring. We stumbled upon two Michelin-starred restaurants by chance.”
Sightseeing by Thai transport. “We visited the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples by tuk-tuk and riverboat – such fun ways to see the city.”
“The number-one place our friends recommended was Chiang Mai,” Tyler affirms. Thus, the pair spent three nights at AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai, which they highly recommend for its accommodations, service, and central location.
Photo courtesy of Amanor Hotel Chiang Mai
On their first full day, they hiked Monk’s Trail through Doi Suthep-Pui National Park to the iconic golden Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at the summit, ending the day at Grandma’s Home Cooking School, “which might have been one of the best parts of our whole trip,” smiles Tyler of the experience. Their final day took them to an elephant sanctuary, coincidentally on National Elephant Day.
“Our concierge did an amazing job of suggesting non-tourist restaurants and bars, including one of our favorites, Kao Soy Nimman. “From a bustling night market, Muay Thai fights, and rooftop bars, there were so many opportunities to immerse ourselves into Thai culture... Visiting Chiang Mai was definitely one of the biggest highlights of our trip.”
Photo courtesy of Tyler & Hayden Williams
Discovering temples. “We saw many temples throughout our time in Thailand, which we highly recommend to really get a deep look into the country’s culture, spirituality, and artistry all at once.”
Cooking Thai dishes. “We were brought to a beautiful farm where we learned to cook a four-course traditional meal with ingredients sourced from the garden.”
Celebrating National Elephant Day. “It was amazing to see these beautiful animals up close.”
After a week in Thailand’s most-popular cities, it was time for the honeymooners to finally relax and unwind while visiting two of the country’s famous islands. “Phuket has always been a destination Hayden and I both wanted to see,” affirms Tyler. “From hearing about the amazing nightlife and beautiful beaches, we knew this stop had to be on our list.”
Photos courtesy of Amari Phuket
The couple spent three nights at Amari Phuket, which provided easy access for the newlyweds to walk to the “crazy nightlife” on Patong Beach or take a quick tuk-tuk ride to Kata Beach, known for its golden sand and clear turquoise waters, along with incredible shops and restaurants offering fresh seafood, Thai fare, and international cuisines at a wide range of eateries.
The honeymooners also made sure to explore Phuket’s West Coast, driving up to Catch Beach Club to spend all day on an oversized daybed with stunning views of crystal-blue water.
Photos courtesy of Amari Phuket
Unwinding on the sand. “As this was the halfway point of our trip and the first half was full of excursion and adventure, we were excited to get to the beach to finally relax.”
Dining at Kata Beach. “There are endless open-air restaurants with fresh ‘catch of the day’ options to choose from.”
Lounging at Catch Beach Club. “The food, music, and atmosphere here were amazing – definitely our favorite part of our time in Phuket.”
The absolute highlight of their entire trip was a four-night stay at “the ultimate honeymoon resort,” Rayavadee Krabi. “We felt like we were in the middle of Jurassic Park,” Tyler says of the stunning grounds bordering Krabi Marine National Park, which allowed for daily monkey sightings, a world-class spa experience, and a private boat tour. “I would highly recommend seeing the islands from the water – the views are truly out of this world,” she adds.
Photos courtesy of Rayavadee
“We loved that we were able to get out of the serene hotel bubble for a quick bite or to grab a Chang (local beer) for $2 and then enter right back into luxury,” Tyler smiles. The location also provided a front-row view of Railay Beach’s limestone cliffs and stunning sunsets. “I couldn’t believe that I was lucky enough to get to see something like this in my lifetime, and to experience that feeling with my new husband by my side made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” she confirms.
Photos courtesy of Tyler & Hayden Williams
Staying at Rayavadee. “It was quiet, peaceful, and offered us the perfect end to our amazing honeymoon.”
Discovering Lek’s Sushi. “We went out to dinner down the beach and stumbled upon the omakase of our dreams.”
“We really can’t recommend enough to not have a definitive plan for every meal and aspect of your trip. Part of the fun of being somewhere new is asking the people around you for suggestions on where to go, eat, shop, etcetera.”
“We were honestly surprised by how many people spoke English! It was very easy to get around and communicate, which we were not expecting.”
“We were so happy with the time of year we chose: March. While the temperatures were very warm at times, we were fortunate to have sun every day, which was great since we had so many outdoor excursions planned. We had a few tropical rainstorms on the coast, but otherwise we had good weather.”
Photo courtesy of Tyler & Hayden Williams
This story was originally published as a Travel Diaries feature in the Spring 2026 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a copy of the Spring 2026 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.
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