The Siam, Bangkok

Bangkok was the first city I visited in Asia over 25 years ago, and what an introduction it was. Hot, humid, crowded, motorbikes everywhere, tuk-tuks whizzing past and me, being 6’3” with a bright red face from the heat, standing out quite literally head and shoulders above everyone else. I loved it.

The hotel scene in Bangkok has undergone considerable evolution since my first visit, and it continues to do so. There are some truly stunning hotels in the city, and places like the Mandarin Oriental, arguably the grand dame of the city, continue to draw visitors.

However, I’m going to recommend a hotel that, in my mind, helps transport you to a different era of Bangkok. Not because it is old-fashioned, far from it. It feels art-deco, its black and white design (by the well known designer Bill Bensley) is contrasted by the verdant planting throughout the hotel, and its location is right on the Chao Phraya river. Antiques, old posters, the teak, the marble…it feels different and spectacular. Its name is The Siam.

The old saying that pictures speak a thousand words rings true with this property. But in summary, the ‘standard rooms’ are suites (80 sqm) and with only 38 rooms and villas, the whole experience is intimate. It’s serene, it’s quiet. Yet, this hotel has a large riverfront infinity pool, a gym, a delightful spa, a movie theatre, you can learn some cooking and Muay Thai boxing, and to cap it all off, you can get a “sak yant” (a sacred Thai tattoo with a huge amount of meaning behind it).

For food, Chon Thai set in 200 year old Thai teak wood houses, delivers first-class Thai food. The Story House offers international food and The Pier serves up fantastic cocktails on the hotel’s private pier, all beautifully furnished and lit.

It’s located in the royal district of Dusit within a short boat ride from the city’s main temples and museums. The hotel’s river boat will help transport you to pretty much anywhere up and down the river so you get the benefit of a quieter part of Bangkok. The river is also the best way to travel in a city that is notorious for its traffic.

Yes, you could go and stay in one of the big hotels with 350 rooms in Bangkok. In doing so, you would miss out on a truly special property which earns its place on my bucket list.