The city of sin. The mistress of all mistresses. Bangkok is like that ex you keep going back to. Bangkok is still cool and still the best night out in Asia but it is also the home to all things luxury.
WHERE TO STAY – THE SIAM
There are endless luxury hotels in Bangkok but before booking, think about what kind of holiday you want. Is it a party holiday or more of a sight seeing trip? Earlier this year in March 2020, we decided on culture and a little bit of burning the midnight oil – it is Bangkok after all and you can sleep when you get home!
We found another family owned gem that was built from scratch – an urban luxury haven in Dusit, the historical and political district of Bangkok. Enter The Siam Hotel. Set on 3 acres of lush gardens right on the river with its own pier, The Siam (a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts) is a great spot for Bangkok’s must-see historical and cultural attractions.
THE HOTEL – Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, this art deco hotel is littered with 4000 antique masterpieces curated by co-owner Kriss Clapp throughout with new items popping up all the time. The Siam was Kriss’s brainchild when he bumped into Bill Bensley by chance which led to the opening of The Siam in 2012. This property is luxury personified in every way and is also frequented by members of Thailand’s royal family.
LOCATION – Right on the river with its own boat and pier, this is where to stay to beat Bangkok’s traffic. There are no high rise buildings in the area around The Siam. This is the only luxury hotel in the Dusit district and a base to explore the classic Bangkok sights including The Grand Palace, Chinatown and floating markets.
SUITES AND VILLAS – No rooms here. Instead, 39 spacious boutique suites and villas with so much luxury at every turn. Our Pool Villa (210) was breath taking. When we entered I had to ask if this was all for us?! As we enter the courtyard past a plunge pool, I spot a staircase (which is also just ours!) that led to a furnished sunroof.
Our 130 square metre villa was so spacious/comfortable but the bathroom was another level – two sinks, three person bathtub and a 20 foot ceiling made it feel like a palace.
The personalisation continued when we found a 4G phone which we took out and used mainly as a map to navigate around Bangkok and book taxis (the main app everyone uses is Grab so download that before you leave). We were also able to even text our butler when out and about!
BUTLERS – Gosh they’re all so handsome. And so very knowledgeable. The epitome of discretion and dauntlessness, the team can help with anything from directing you around the hotel to unpacking your suitcase. No request is too small. Bangkok is a city where when you have the knowledge, you have the power. Your butler will help you to enjoy Bangkok to the max.
I asked my butler where I could buy some specific underwear which I purchased on the streets of Silom 5 years ago. He told me exactly which shop to go to, how to get there and offered to call ahead to check on stock. That’s the level of ultimate expertise going above and beyond. These wonderful butlers are even featured in a coffee table book all about The Siam called Our World.
The equally handsome Aussie hotel manager Nick should also be on your Siam itinerary. He is charming, hands on and an expert in the finer detail.
BOATS – You just must take advantage of The Siam’s private pier and boat. At The Siam, you are just a short luxury cruise ride away from all of Bangkok’s riverside attractions. Your private boat operates from 10am-10pm but the ultimate thing to do is a cruise at sunset. You can also pop over to Bangkok’s poshest mall ICONSIAM which has a pier right outside. The boat goes from The Siam Pier to Saphan BTS Pier and can also stop along the way.
THINGS TO DO AT THE SIAM – Bangkok takes time to explore but just being at The Siam is intriguing. There are plenty of amenities including a 25 metre infinity pool which catches the sun most of the day as well as a Muay Thai boxing ring, Ayurvedic treatments, library/ cinema and antiques gallery. Look out for a nostalgic lifesize model of ET rescued from an old theatre warehouse located (appropriately) in the Screening Room.
Something we have never seen before is a tattoo studio in a luxury hotel. Sak Yant tattoos are a sacred Thai tradition of geometric and deity symbols that are said to impart magical powers for luck, protection, charisma and fortune.
The whole hotel is an ever changing antiques gallery so if design is your thing you won’t even need to leave the hotel! As you wonder through you will come across vintage vinyl records, tigers, a collection of 69 antique cameras, a card from the Nazis to a Thai family outside Suite 201, artistic photos in the gents and ladies toilets and our favourite piece, a 1930s kids toy car in the Racing Room. This belonged to an English family in Burma and has had The Siam touch applied to it with completely reupholstered leather seats.
You won’t find a fridge magnet in the hotel gift shop. Instead, the hotel gift shop called Curio will do just as its name suggests: stoke your curiosity! Filled with precious finds from Kriss’s personal collection, check out this museum of trinkets which your butler can help choose.
Take time to see The English Garden (above) – so perfectly manicured that it reminded us of the Palace of Versailles.
RESTAURANTS – Breakfast is an a la carte affair which can sometimes be annoying but glancing down the menu, there are so many tempting options from a bullet proof coffee, eggs through to traditional Thai favourites.
Skip lunch and try a champagne afternoon tea at Café Chao or amongst The Siam’s unique collection of art and antiques. The tom yum popcorn and charcoal & roasted coconut scone with jasmine-pandan jam are worth skipping lunch for but also save space for the caviar and smoked salmon sandwich.
For dinner, take a table outside at Chon Thai Restaurant and admire the Thai teak wood houses that make up the restaurant. To eat, try a creamy soft shell crab curry.
The sticky rice and mango is not to be missed. Also for coconut lovers, a dessert with coconut ice-cream, coconut jelly, fresh coconut meat and young coconut water is a beauty.
The Siam is the epitome of urban luxury and is a one of a kind heritage-style hotel.
To discover more and book, visit: www.thesiamhotel.com
All imagery courtesy of The Siam Hotel.
5 things to do in Bangkok near The Siam
Dinner at Michelin starred Saawaan – Michelin starred Saawaan (which means heaven) offers Thai fine dining without pretention. There is emphasis on showcasing traditional cooking techniques and locally sourced ingredients. Available as a set 10-course menu (with an optional wine or tea pairing), dishes are full of creativity including a stunning raw sea urchin with Madan fruit and chilli jam. If you are into pineapple check out Casa Sapparod, a pineapple themed restaurant/bar celebrating Thailand’s abundant variety of pineapples where you can find this prickly delicacy in every single drink and dish.
Grand Palace – The dazzling Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Bangkok. Built in 1782, the palace complex is best explored with a guide to take you to the impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Don’t forget, long trousers are required to be worn for gents and ladies must be modestly dressed.
Night time fun – Steady on. Take the Siam boat to Yodpiman Pier for the Pak Klong Talat flower market which is a feast for all the senses. Follow this with a short hop to Ratchawongse Pier and venture through the bright lights and buzz that is Bangkok’s Chinatown.
A rooftop bar – There are many but The Speakeasy is rather cool. Perched atop the Hotel Muse Bangkok, this two floor jazzy 1920s style space is on the 24th and 25th floor of the Hotel Muse with a focus on classic cocktails.
Shopping – Bangkok is a shopping dream. For luxury stick to ICONSIAM but for a more local feel, Sampeng Market is a fun daytime Chinatown market near The Siam packed with souvenirs, gadgets, fabrics, crafts & Asian snacks.
Farewell for now Thailand… See you very soon.
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