WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK’S MOST VIBRANT NEIGHBOURHOOD
Two properties that tick all the right boxes in one of Bangkok’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
137 PILLARS SUITES & RESIDENCES
WHY STAY HERE
Location, location, location. 137 Pillars Suites & Residences is located right in the heart of Bangkok, along the upscale section of Sukhumvit. While the area is usually bustling with locals and tourists, the hotel is situated slightly away from the crowd so you’ll still get ample rest throughout the night. Whether it’s a short walk to Phrom Phong BTS Station or the hourly complimentary shuttle to EmQuartier Shopping Mall, the property makes travelling convenient and comfortable for just about any type of traveler. Of course, those looking for a dip in the pool will be in for a surprise as well, as the 24-hour rooftop infinity pool located on the 26th floor comes with a spectacular 360-degree city view, best enjoyed during daybreak or sundown.
Those who are familiar with the brand will find the same colonial-modern elements of the 137 Pillars Suites & Residences (Chiang Mai) throughout the building’s design. The fashionable, moodier interiors come interspersed with teak elements in unexpected places like the lifts and the doors, an ode to the Chiang Mai outpost.
THE ROOMS
In the living room of the 95-sqm Ayutthaya Suite, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open onto a spacious balcony that directly overlooks the Phrom Phong neighborhood. In the morning, I watch the city stir to life on the large daybed; and in the evenings, the rocking chair provides a rhythmic pace for the twinkling city lights. The Posturepedic king-sized bed is dressed in 400-thread count bed linen for the ultimate good night’s rest, but a personal favourite of the entire suite has to be the bathroom.
The hotel’s signature marble bathroom comes with a large freestanding bathtub that sits across yet another television for entertainment – simply get your personal butler to have the bath drawn before you arrive – and the beautifully jasmine-scented amenities to remind you that you are in fact, on vacation in Thailand. If you have guests over, a separate guest bathroom connected to the living room is a handy addition, coupled with a walk-in pantry, a private wine cellar, and a maxi bar.
DINING
The hotel covers a bit of everything, from modern interpretations of local delicacies (the ant soup Iksan and mango sticky rice) at Nimtr, to casual all-day dining options at the street-level Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Bar or Baan Borneo Club. Guests who enjoy a clandestine nightcap can find themselves at Jack Bain’s Bar, a cosy watering hole dressed as a gentlemen’s club.
SPECIAL TOUCHES
Arrange for the airport transfers, where you’ll be greeted at customs and ushered to a chauffeur-driven limousine for a movie-style entrance. The staff at the Nimtr are also more than willing (and trained, it seemed) to take gorgeous shots of you at Nimtr, complete with sweeping views of the Bangkok skyline.
For more information, visit 137pillarshotels.com
INTERCONTINENTAL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT
WHY STAY HERE
InterContinental Sukhumvit is positioned right by Thong Lo BTS Station in the prominent corner at the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and Sukhumvit 59, just a stone’s throw away from Bangkok F&B hot spots like the Phed Mark and Tichuca. Wellness junkies will also note that it’s an easy 20-minute stroll to Health Land Ekkemai, as well as one stop away from the newly-opened EmSphere Mall.
At first glance, the modern traveler would feel at home with InterContinental Sukhumvit’s contemporary design. Still, upon closer inspection, they’ll find the property laced with traditional Thai textile patterns to infuse a local touch to this fashionable structure. To be fair, it will feel a lot smaller than what you’d imagine an InterContinental property would be, but this made the experience a lot more personal: Staff were conscientious and warm at all times, no matter the time of day you left or returned.
THE ROOMS
241 guest rooms and suites are available for your choosing at InterContinental Sukhumvit, and a city view unlike any other is enough reason to choose to stay in the Premium Room. The gentle murmur of the BTS train along the tracks at the station will nudge you awake in the morning, perhaps due to the extensive pillow menu that’ll keep you in bed a little longer than usual. Get ready with the Byredo toiletries and you’re ready to start your day. Guests from different time zones will also appreciate the power clock glow to help with jetlag in the vibrant city.
DINING
Gastronomy is at the forefront here at InterContinental Sukhumvit. AVA Brasserie makes for a safe brasserie-style dining choice with a neat international menu, while the Lobby is where we’d want to be for a mean cup of joe or chocolate in the middle of the day.
If you’re lucky enough to be around on Fridays and Saturdays, Rouges, the hotel’s semi-hidden bar, has a live jazz performance that’ll keep you swaying throughout the night with your drinks in hand.
Guests of Club InterContinental are also welcome to complement their stay with afternoon tea and sunset drinks at the Club InterContinental exclusive lounge area, nestled on the 31st floor. The honeyed Thonglor Sundown, in all of its golden glory, made for the perfect pre-dinner cocktail whilst overlooking the buzz of the Sukhumvit neighborhood below. Breakfast can also be had here instead of AVA Brasserie for a quieter, a la carte experience.
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