A Real Rest: Yok’s Family Escape to Amari Bangsaen
For Sirintra “Yok” Jiamanukoonkit and her husband Warinthorn, family holidays once meant anything but rest. Between long drives, packing lists, and keeping up with their lively five-year-old, she often returned home more tired than before she left.
“We’d have some very lovely photos to keep,” she said with a smile, “but behind those pictures, we were exhausted.”
This time, she wanted something different. A holiday that felt like a pause, not another task. Living in Tambon San Suk, just ten minutes away, Yok had often stayed at Bangsaen’s legendary The Tide Resort with her family over the years.
When she noticed that the familiar hotel was being rebranded as Amari Bangsaen, curiosity and trust in the Amari brand, convinced her to return and see the transformation for herself. With her husband and her son Darwin (named after Leonardo da Vinci, her husband’s idol), she hoped for a weekend that would finally feel effortless.
Checking in ahead of her husband, she carried the usual bags, toys, and snacks, and a quiet worry about handling it all alone. But before she could even ask for help, staff stepped forward to assist, greeting both Yok and her little boy with smiles and welcome drinks suited to both grown-ups and kids.
“That made me feel we were really welcome,” she recalled. At the hotel’s kids’ club, Darwin was quickly absorbed in games and puzzles, while Yok finally sat down to relax. “The best part? The door’s safely locked from the inside. Kids can’t slip out without an adult,” she said. “That gave me real peace of mind.”
The afternoon unfolded differently from any trip before. For the first time, Yok spent two full hours at the swimming pool with her son.
“Normally we’re done in fifteen minutes because the ground hurts our feet or we simply feel tired,” she said. “But here the floor felt soft and comfortable, not slippery or sharp.” The pool wasn’t too deep either, letting her stand safely beside him as they splashed together.
When rain arrived that evening, the family ordered room service: fried chicken and rice for Darwin, who polished off every bite. “That alone told me the food was good,” she smiled.
Breakfast the next morning offered even more joy: sausages, omelettes, and little burgers that delighted her son.
Yok has travelled abroad with her family to places like Singapore and Japan and while those trips were memorable, they often came with stress.
“In Singapore, we arrived feeling excited,” she recalled, “but the moment we got off the plane, we realised how complicated it was to move around with a small child. Many taxis wouldn’t take us because Darwin was too young to ride without a car seat. By the time we finally reached the hotel, we were already tired, and all we wanted to do was rest.”
Japan, she added, brought another challenge. “Once, we took the wrong train and missed our restaurant reservation,” she said. “We were both exhausted, but we promised not to fight in front of our son. We just took a deep breath and told each other, it’s okay, we’ll handle this together.”
It’s a pact she and her husband quietly keep. “When parents are tired, children feel it,” she said. “But if we stay calm and happy, our child learns from that too.”
That’s why Bangsaen now holds a special place in their hearts, because it allows them to simply be together without the chaos of travel. “Here, close to home, we still have energy left to laugh and enjoy each other,” she said.
As the day softened into evening, Darwin ran in circles beneath the shaded trees of Amari Bangsaen, his laughter mingling with the sea breeze. Yok watched him, her smile bright and unhurried.
“Moments like this,” she said, “remind me that happiness isn’t found in how far we go, but in how fully we rest.”
For Yok and her family, a simple weekend close to home turned into one of their happiest holidays yet. And for families from Bangkok, that same sense of calm and connection awaits just an hour away at Amari Bangsaen. Closer than Pattaya, yet every bit as refreshing, and truly made for families.
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Story: Sue Rattanamahattana • Photography: Poonsawat Sudtama
ABOUT HEARTMADE
Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ONYX Hospitality Group, Heartmade is a series of heartfelt stories inspired by the people who make every stay memorable, from dedicated team members to cherished guests across Amari, OZO, Shama, Oriental Residence, as well as our spa and dining brands.
Through personal memories, meaningful connections, and moments of genuine care, the series celebrates the warmth and spirit of hospitality that have brought people together for six decades. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the Heartmade series.