There’s nothing quite like the feeling of someone greeting you once you arrive at an airport, particularly if that person then ushers you into the back of a limousine and drives you to the entrance of your hotel.
That’s exactly what The Week Portfolio was met with after a short flight from Koh Samui, an island in Southern Thailand, to Bangkok. We were transported to the city’s newest addition, the Rosewood hotel, situated on one of Bangkok’s busiest streets: Ploen Chit Road.
The hotel, which only opened in late March, is simply stunning to behold from the street. It boasts an asymmetric, pyramid-like design that is truly unique to the Bangkok landscape and hints at the opulence that awaits guests inside.
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After entering were promptly taken to the lifts, with every staff member giving us a cheerful welcome all the way, and whisked up to the 21st floor.
Above the city that never sleeps
Plenty of cities lay claim to never sleeping, but Bangkok definitely delivers on the promise. Bangkok is a city where you’ll find a food market next to an outdoor aerobics class - and both will be packed all the way through to midnight.
It’s exhilarating to be a part of it all, but you’ll get a new perspective from the panoramic windows of your room. Our suite provided stunning views over the busy shopping district below and the BTS Skytrain line that runs above the traffic-packed streets.
The view is jaw-dropping at night. It’s somewhat calming to sit by the window, staring out at the neon glow of surrounding skyscrapers as if you were playing a real life version of a city-building video game. But flick one of the many switches on your bedside control panel and the electronic blinds will block out the city nightlife; the bustle of Bangkok instantly silenced.
(Image credit: OWEN RAGGETT)
And the automatic blinds aren't the only hi-tech part of the room. The bathroom comes with a jet-powered Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and a bath with its own television screen. Even the toilet is futuristic, boasting a heated seat and a lid that automatically opens when you enter the bathroom. It makes you wonder why these Japanese-made lavatories aren't yet popular in the West.
The hotel's decor is the work of Celia Chu, a Taiwanese designer known for mixing traditional Western style with a contemporary twist. For instance, the furniture and wall decorations give the room a contemporary feel, though they’re juxtaposed with an assortment of classic books and ornaments that add a sense of homeliness. It all oozes opulence, but you won’t feel out of place curling up in bed and watching a movie.
An added bonus to the room was our butler Niko, who was on hand throughout the day to book us a table at one of the hotel’s restaurants or organise a transfer to the airport. Having little-to-no experience with butlers, asking Niko to make reservations and sort out our laundry was - admittedly - a little peculiar at first. But we quickly accustomed to the friendly service, which ultimately made our stay that little bit more relaxing.
A spa with a hi-tech twist
Upon arriving at the Sense spa, we were handed a dense flyer about the services one offer. In fact, “flyer” may be an understatement, what we were handed was closer to paperback novella.
The spa facilities are equally extensive, including five treatment rooms and a salon. Each is decorated with lavish marble surfaces and dark woods, a mix of modern Western luxury and traditional Thai decor.
As with the bedrooms, technology plays a key role in your choice of treatment.
In many spas, a massage table is simply a padded board with a donut-like pillow to rest your head. But the massage tables at the Sense spa are somewhat different. The boards are equipped with a series of motors that lets therapists bend and angle the table, helping them to deliver your chosen treatment more effectively.
The centrepiece is the pool, which delivers stunning views of the city skyline in one direction and a man-made waterfall at the other, where water tumbles down ten floors before splashing down into the pool. It’s an impressive, almost sci-fi-like piece of architecture that continues the futuristic theme of the hotel.
Fantastic food - and where to find it
(Image credit: OWEN RAGGETT)
You’ll have probably worked up an appetite after a long spa session. Thankfully, there are a couple of restaurants inside the hotel’s walls, serving a mix of European, Chinese and vegan cuisine.
Our restaurant of choice for the evening was the Lakorn European Brasserie (above), where we began with a delectable lobster soup followed by tender servings of beef cheek and an array of desserts to top the meal off.
After your meal, you can take the elevator to Lennon’s (below), a chic record bar that’s already gained the attention of the Bangkok elite. It’s not hard to see why, either, given the sweeping views it provides and the collection of 6,000 vinyl records that guests can listen to.
(Image credit: OWEN RAGGETT)
But Rosewood sits in a city known for its cuisine, so you’ll no doubt be tempted to venture into the capital to discover what Bangkok has to offer.
Usefully, the hotel is connected to a skywalk, linking it with a number of extravagant shopping malls. Our favourite, the closest to Rosewood, is Central Embassy - a more luxurious shopping centre than the nearby Central World and Siam Paragon.
Inside Embassy, you’ll find Bangkok’s typical mix of chic cafes and noodle bars, but - for a true taste of Thailand - be sure to visit Easy Buddy for a plate of Pad Kra Pao. It’s considerably more expensive than most casual restaurants in Bangkok, but is among the best in the city - and carries a considerable kick.
Bangkok is rich with non-Thai food as well including top-notch Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Italian restaurants dotted around the many malls in the local area. Our pick would be Nonna Nella, an Italian eatery with impressively authentic food, given its distance from Italy, and a wonderful selection of wines. It’s about a ten-minute taxi ride from the hotel, which, naturally, you could ask your butler to arrange.
Price start from around 9,450 Thai baht (£252) per night for a regular double room. Suites, which include a butler service, are priced from 19,350 Thai baht (£517) per night. Visit: rosewoodhotels.com/bangkok
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