Bangkok is one of those wonderful cities that manages to combine luxury with low prices, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the hotel market.
Many 5* hotel rooms in the centre of the city can be had from around US$200 a night – an absolute steal compared to their (often smaller) equivalents in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and New York.
While ‘luxury’ can be a nebulous term, most will agree that such a hotel enjoys some combination of highly attentive service, indulgent comfort, lots of space, good facilities and cracking food.
Some elegant interior design certainly doesn’t go amiss either.
Although the city is just as well known for its budget backpacker hostels, Bangkok’s clutch of luxury lodgings more than fit the above credentials.
Here are our favourite 11; why not treat yourself?
1. Shangri-La Hotel
Where: Chao Phraya River
The Damage: From around US$180 a night
The Krungthep wing specialty suite
Grandly sat on the banks of the Chao Phraya is the plush Shangri-La, a modern journey in oriental design splendour. The Krungthep wing is particularly lavish, kitted out with brocade curtains, silk wallpaper and chandeliers while the Shangri-La wing boasts impressive views across the River of Kings. As you’d expect from an international 5* star hotel, the facilities are extensive, with tennis courts, a fully equipped health club, spa, 6 restaurants, sauna and even a Chocolate Boutique.
If you need persuading one way or the other, the Shangri-La is apparently the favoured Bangkok hotel of Chelsea Football Club when they’re in town.
2. The Mandarin Oriental
Where: Chao Phraya River
The Damage: From around US$340 a night
The Somerset Maughan Room at the Mandarin Oriental
The Oriental is the grande dame of Bangkok and boasts the price tags to match. Built in 1876, it boasts an impeccable heritage and has the style and atmosphere to back it up. A huge pool, spa, tennis courts, gym and ayurvedic penthouse are a given while the design is irresistibly the luxury Thai of yesteryear: all colonial influences, teak furniture and fine fabrics. Eight restaurants and famous jazz performances at The Bamboo Bar, together with the glamourous split-level suites, means that The Oriental will never go out of style for the travelling elite.
High profile past guests include a destructive Billy Idol, a malaria-ridden Somerset Maughan and, more recently, singer John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, who are regulars at Christmas.
3. The Siam
Where: Chao Phraya River
The Damage: From around US$450 a night
Classic Thai heritage meets Art Deco when it comes to the design style of The Siam; one of Bangkok’s most lauded luxury hotels. It’s relatively small in comparison with its luxury counterparts – there are only 28 suites – and so guests can enjoy the unparalleled service befitting a boutique hotel. The facilities here are outstanding too, and arguably some of the best in Bangkok: a 23-metre pool, huge Opium Spa, yoga and meditation, library, cinema, gym and 3 restaurants.
One of the more unusual services offered by The Siam is that you can receive a Sak Yant tattoo here; a hand-etched Buddhist tattoo supposedly imbued with magical powers.
4. Tower Club at lebua
Where: Silom
The Damage: From around $180 a night
The Hangover Suite
Voted the World’s Leading Luxury All-Suite Hotel at the World Travel Awards, Tower Club is home to 221 huge suites and takes up the 51st to the 59th floors of this behemoth amongst Bangkok’s skyscrapers. It boasts a state-of-the-art fitness centre, outdoor pool and spa, as well as some of Bangkok’s most celebrated bars and restaurants, including Sirocco and Sky Bar. You’re also not going to want to miss the unlimited canapes and drinks at the exclusive Tower Club Lounge.
The most famous suite in the hotel is undoubtedly the three-bedroom Tower Club Hangover Suite, which was home to the cast of The Hangover Part II while they were filming at the hotel.
5. The Peninsula
Where: Chao Phraya River (Thonburi side)
The Damage: From around US$190 a night
You have to cross the river to get to the Peninsula, but we promise it’s worth the short ferry journey. Classic and sophisticated, this is Thai luxury at its finest, and its location right on the river bank allows for breathtaking views across Bangkok and a deliciously tranquil atmosphere. Some of the highlights of the Peninsula include the incredible 60-metre long pool, the helipad (welcome you billionaires!), tennis court, a riverside restaurant and an array of tours and in-house workshops.
They also hold a variety of wine tastings and craft cookery presentations throughout the year.
6. Banyan Tree
Where: Sathorn
The Damage: From around US$120 a night
While not quite as grand as some of the other luxury offerings on this list, Banyan Tree is certainly a hit with highbrow tourists looking for excellent service, arguably the most comfortable beds in Bangkok and a foodie’s dream breakfast. Staying true to its inspired-by-nature name, Banyan Tree has the ambience of a spa – so much so that there’s waterfalls in the restaurant and a woman playing traditional Thai music in the lobby. The pool is on the small side but the gym and in-house spa make up for it.
There’s also 7 restaurants, including the sublime Vertigo and Moon rooftop bar and restaurant, which sports a view to rival the nearby Tower Club at Lebua.
7. InterContinental Bangkok
Where: Chit Lom
The Damage: From around US$180 a night
The Royal Suite
InterContinental is a brand name known around the globe for being synonymous with sleek, modern luxury. While it doesn’t perhaps possess the unique charm and heritage of some of the other names on this list, you know you’re in safe hands as regards facilities, service and restaurants here. It’s a large hotel with everything on a rather grand scale; from the cavernously tall ceilings, reams of escalators and cracking views across the city.
In terms of leisure, you can’t go wrong with the rooftop pool, cigar humidor and array of restaurants, including the celebrated Fireplace Grill and Bar, and Theo Mio, a recently opened Italian.
8. Okura Prestige
Where: Phloen Chit
The Damage: From around US$330 a night
The Okura is pure Japanese luxury in the heart of downtown Bangkok; exquisite interiors are paired with striking views and expansive bedrooms and suites. The impressive reception is found 25 floors above the city, the infinity pool is sublime and the thoughtful touches are charming – all the way down to the Japanese pyjamas. The in-house restaurants are Asian; the best being the Japanese Yamazato, complete with sushi bar and two teppanyaki tables.
9. The Sukhothai
Where: Sathorn
The Damage: From about US$120 a night
Close by the Banyan Tree, The Sukhothai enjoys the same sort of old Thai glamour as the sophisticated hotels down on the Chao Phraya: large, colonial suites kitted out with teak furniture and traditional fabrics are standard. The tranquil atmosphere, excellent onsite restaurants and general sense of oriental luxury make the Sukhothai a favoured hotel for local HiSo weddings and other such opulent events.
A tennis court, pool, gym and spa are all on offer in the name of relaxation.
10. Anantara Riverside
Where: Chao Phraya River
The Damage: From around US$130 a night
Opposite the popular Asiatique night market on the river, Anantara Riverside can really lay claim to being Bangkok’s premier luxury resort in the city, opting to sprawl across 11 acres rather than being just another city highrise. There’s a huge swimming pool, complete with resort-style swim-up bar, and swathes of beautiful tropical garden and palms. Furthering the image of a luxury resort is the onsite tennis courts, kids’ club, sauna, resort spa, 5 restaurants, cookery school and health club – even Bangkokians may want to take a break away from the hubbub of the city here!
For those that do want to escape the confines of the hotel, there’s a tour and excursion desk ready to open your eyes to the rest of Bangkok.
11. The St. Regis Bangkok
Where: Ratchadamri
The Damage: From around US$200 a night
Views for days in The Penthouse…
The Bangkok offering of The St. Regis chain is often described as the best in Southeast Asia thanks to their faultlessly polite and helpful staff, classically luxurious rooms and brilliant location, overlooking the Bangkok Royal Sports Club. The Elemis Spa, gym, butler service, 7 bars and restaurants and wide array of room and suite options combine to ensure a sophisticated and exclusive atmosphere. Artistic design is evident everywhere: from the standard deluxe rooms all the way through their suites, up to the two-storey Penthouse on the 44th floor.
If you really become attached to the St Regis, you could even invest in one of their residences… but that’s for another article.
Where’s your favourite luxury hotel in Bangkok?
*All prices are approximate and may be subject to additional taxes and fees. Figures were taken from the hotels’ own websites.
