Since moving to Thailand over a decade ago, I’ve stayed in some (if not most) of them. Bangkok’s best hotelsfrom stunning riverside retreats to beautiful boutique retreats in less visited corners. Picking a favorite used to be an impossible feat. In a city that has perfected the art of world-class hospitality, every other luxury hotel is a rival.

However, with the opening of Capella Bangkok at the end of 2021, I got my answer. This highly anticipated outpost of the famous Capella group offers perks the city hasn’t seen before: Villas located right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, where you can watch long-tail boats with rainbow-colored roofs pass by, water flowing just below. foot. There are balconies outfitted with private plunge pools and ultra-luxurious yet understated interiors that, until Capella’s arrival, no other hotel in the city looked quite right. All this comes wrapped up in a low-rise building on lush grounds tucked between the river and the temple-filled Charoenkrung district, giving the hotel a delightful boutique feel compared to many of its big-money rivals.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited since my first stay. When I’m in the area (Bangkok’s historic district, especially the riverside area, is my favorite part of the city), I often stop by the sunny terrace of the hotel’s Thai restaurant, Phra Nakhon, for lunch. I love meeting friends for cocktails at Stella, the on-site bar that hits the sweet spot between fancy and casual. When I need a break, I book a staycation; A weekend at the pool with endless river views always reminds me why I fell in love Bangkok in the first place.

Yes, it’s one of Bangkok’s priciest hotels (rooms start at $750 in low season), and its marble-heavy design might not scream “Thailand” the way some classic properties down the river do. But it offers plenty of Thai touches to remind you of where you are: cold jasmine-scented towels and coconuts on arrival (stylishly branded with the hotel’s logo) and linen-clad staff who nail their extremely attentive service to a T. The menu covers all the Thai morning staples — joke porridge, noodle soup and even mango sticky rice – the activity program relies heavily on local arts and crafts.

If you have the budget for five-star pampering in Bangkok, few hotels can do it better. Read on to find out why Capella Bangkok is one of my favorite hotels in Thailand.

rooms

No matter which category you book, each of the 101 guest rooms frames a dreamlike view of life along the Chao Phraya River in its floor-to-ceiling windows. The interiors are comfortingly simple: all blond wood, a subtle hint of gold and touches of stylish dark lacquer. Bathrooms feel like miniature wellness retreats, with floors covered in creamy travertine, rain showers, and tubs large enough for two people, as well as the most comfortable hooded robes you’ll ever wear. Most open to a cozy balcony with river views, while those on the Patio level come with an outdoor whirlpool tub and pillows. sala lounge.

My favorite room type is the villas, which are very few in number. These ultra-spacious seaside hideaways open to private tropical teak gardens. sala lounge and plunge pool. You’ll want to fold open the living room’s glass doors to let the breeze in and create a giant indoor-outdoor living space where your dedicated Capella Cultural Expert butler can host cocktail sessions, in-villa breakfasts, or afternoon teas and—I did on a recent visit—with all the bells and whistles. a private barbecue party.

Food and Beverage

The fact that Capella’s two restaurants are always packed with locals means a lot in a foodie city like Bangkok. At Côte, which has already earned two Michelin stars, chef Davide Garavaglia (under the tutelage of renowned Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco, who designed the menu) draws on produce from Thailand and the French and Italian Rivieras for his rotating Mediterranean-inspired fine-dining menus. almost every day: Delicious creations await you, such as Dover Brittany crab in grapefruit gelatin cigars and spiny lobster with silk-like apricot-coloured chanterelles.

With a tree-shaded beachfront terrace, Phra Nakhon stands out for its authentic Thai family recipes from all corners of the country, such as the northeast. after a while papaya salads and coconut-rich curries from the south. Breakfast is also served here, both as a rich buffet with tropical fruits, dim sum and pastries, and as an à la carte menu with soft pancakes, cheese croque madame and smoked salmon omelette.

Skip dessert at dinner and stop by Stella, a bodega of a bar hidden behind a heavy wooden door; Here cocktails are paired with nightly live jazz and amazing desserts.

Activities and Facilities

Staying here is as relaxing or active as you decide. The hotel offers a range of complimentary activities, from early morning yoga classes on the riverside lawn to ball exercises and Muay Thai boxing workshops in the well-equipped gym. To balance this with a little indulgence, there are cocktail classes, wine tasting and culinary workshops where you can learn how to cook Thai. woman sweets.

For an additional fee, the hotel’s concierges (Capella Cultural Experts) can organize activities around the city, including cycling excursions to little-known corners of the Old Town or deep dives into Bangkok’s temples and royal palaces on a private boat. tuk-tuk and a long-tail boat tour with an expert guide. After a day of sightseeing, the hotel’s infinity pool, lined with comfortable daybeds and linen-covered cabanas, is the perfect place to cool off.

Spa

Tucked away behind a tropical meditation garden in the heart of the hotel, the Auriga Wellness spa is a quiet haven for Thai massages and chakra balancing sessions that include singing bowl meditations, Reiki healing and crystal therapy. For a serious repair, the staff can organize special treatment programs at Phra Nakhon that include macrobiotic meals.

The hydrotherapy lounge, equipped with muscle-melting hot baths, massage jets and a steam room, is accessible to all guests, so it’s worth stopping by even if you haven’t booked a treatment.

Family Friendly Offers

“Capella” was one of the first words in my son’s vocabulary when he was little, and that should give you an idea of ​​how much he loved his first stay here. Younger guests can look forward to special treats upon arrival and a personalized tent set up in the room. In addition to child-friendly bathrobes and soft slippers, restaurants also offer child-friendly menus. The daily activity list includes many options for children to enjoy, from traditional Thai activities. hon. From mask painting workshops (my son really enjoyed it during my last visit) to paper umbrella making lessons.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The property strives to reduce its environmental footprint. Chefs at all the restaurants do their best to ensure their suppliers comply with sustainable farming practices, and many herbs and vegetables are grown in the organic garden behind the hotel. Plastic water bottles and single-use toiletries are banned, and the hotel works with a handful of local Thai charities to support educational programs across the country.

Ramps and elevators to each floor and restaurant allow guests with wheelchairs to access the venues. Two of the bedrooms also had grab handles and wider entryways installed to improve accessibility.

Location

The hotel shares its riverside grounds in the city’s atmospheric Old Town with the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, with several bars and restaurants within easy reach, including the hot-ticket BKK Social Club. Saphan Taksin station, the gateway to Bangkok’s boat lines and the convenient BTS Skytrain network, will take you around 15 minutes on foot or take the hotel’s free shuttle boat, which will also take you upriver to the expansive IconSiam shopping centre. . If you’ve got money to spend, a tour on the mahogany-lined Hacker-Craft boat is a stylish way to spend the sunset on the river.

How Can You Get the Most Value from Your Stay?

Standard room rates range from $750 in low season to $900 in peak season, not including taxes and service charge. The brand doesn’t have a guest loyalty program, but Capella Bangkok frequently announces promotional offers (think free room upgrades and extra nights at home) on its website. The property is part of the Virtuoso and The Leading Hotels of the World networks; this way you can unlock additional benefits like resort credits, room upgrades, and free breakfasts.