The next time you visit Bangkok, shy away from those slick international chain hotels and find a cozy boutique space to rest your head instead. After all, you’re in a city full of culture and charm. So why stay at yet another forgettable generic suite when you can wake up to a roomful of unusual quirks?
From funky colors and minimalistic styles to theatrical designs and colonial luxury, these cool boutique hotels in Bangkok are a notch above the rest.
Beat Hotel
Inviting you to “stay in the Art of Bangkok,” this 54-key hotel exudes an edgy, cool vibe that’s plain to see in its contemporary rooms, which are all designed and decorated by up-and-coming graphic designers, urban artists, and illustrators. That means each living space is an art piece on its own, tricked out by the likes of Lolay, Harisadhi, Jeep, Suntur, and Mamacup711.
Art enthusiasts can also wander around Phra Khanong’s W District, popping into Hof Art Space for a looksee or any of the eateries and cocktail bars nearby for a taste of the city. If you’d rather stay in, the all-day restaurant Melting Pot draws you in with its mishmash of styles, while the private library nook offers high tea sets and cozy couches.
Cabochon Hotel
The ivory structure may look like it hails from colonial days, but it was actually just built in 2012, conceptualized by an interior designer and furnished with reclaimed, vintage items such as antique wooden panels and French doors. Cabochon’s elegance is timeless, and that’s reflected in its studio and suite options that are casual enough to be relaxing, yet glamorous enough to make you feel like you’re vacationing in a mansion.
For views of the city, head up to the rooftop pool on a sunny afternoon. Or seek shelter in the snug Library Bar to sip on a cocktail or two. And before dinner at the hotel’s Thai restaurant, you can lounge around at the Joy Luck Salon de Thé for a glass of wine or whisky.
Inn A Day
Located in a four-story former sugar factory by the Chao Phraya River, this quirky little gem features 11 rooms designed in a variety of industrial chic looks, complete with views of the majestic Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn).
Service is warm and friendly at the family-run hotel, which is situated centrally to a couple of major tourist attractions in the city. It may lack an elevator on the premises, but that’s part of its rustic charm, we suppose. Plus, the staff will be more than happy to lug your bags up the narrow steps for you.
Loy La Long Hotel
This is the place of indie dreams, in a sleepy 30-year-old teak house by the Chao Phraya River, lulling you to tranquility with the water’s gentle waves. More bed and breakfast than hotel, the homely two-story space is taken over by just six snug rooms, each themed to a different color.
For example, White fits a family of four and features a hidden door that leads to the main terrace upstairs. Then there’s Blue, which opens up to the river with a private balcony, and Green, a romantic spot with idyllic bedside views. A stay here is like drifting off to a time before smartphones and social media – if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, this is it.
Nanda Heritage Hotel
The land on which the hotel is situated on has been in the family for generations, and its structure features original wood components from the teak-built Nanda Mansion, hence the name. A mix of old and new, the property is filled with warm woods and wood carving details, giving a neat spin to its modern design.
With an outdoor pool on its grounds, the place provides somewhat of an urban sanctuary away from the bustle of Bangkok’s roads. And if you’re keen to venture forth and make the most of your visit to the city, Nanda bikes and tuk tuks are available to ferry you out.
PlayHaus Thonglor
Theatrical? Yes. Tacky? Perhaps a tinge. But it’ll certainly appeal to theater types who crave being in the center of Thonglor’s nightlife action. PlayHaus has a flair for the dramatic, and you’ll know it the moment you step into its extravagantly embellished space.
Swanky and ornate, the Broadway-inspired rooms are styled after the familiar tales of Aladdin, Romeo and Juliet, and Mary Poppins, taking guests from fanciful whimsy to Shakespearean romance. Thailand’s famous production Four Reigns about the monarchy also gets its own decked out space, along with an in-theme bar designed to look like a backstage dressing room – bright lights and all.
Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok
A quaint spot by the Chao Phraya River, this stylish hideaway is most known for its riverfront rooms with Wat Arun in all its glory. Sure, it falls under the Thai hospitality company Sala Hospitality Group, but the 15-room boutique hotel radiates a charm of its own that’s pleasant as it is luxurious. If you can’t tire of lovely views, the alfresco rooftop lounge makes for a picturesque sunset spot, and the modern minimalist suites offer prime sights of the striking landmark icon.
Shanghai Mansion Bangkok
Just like its name suggests, Shanghai Mansion takes you to another place in another time, with royalty-worthy decor that’s reminiscent of the city’s opulence in the 1920s. Nestled in Chinatown, with roots as a trading house in 1892, thereafter transforming into Bangkok’s first Chinese opera house in 1908, the building has gone through plenty of changes through the years before getting its Art Deco makeover.
Vintage glamor blankets each room, where the sensuality stops short of kitsch. From regular rooms to family suites, you’ll be dozing off amongst antique items, red-hued chandeliers, rich brocades, and intricately patterned fabrics and walls.
