The Siam
Arriving at The Siam makes you want to exhale a slow, deep breath you didn’t even know you were holding. This cinematic boutique hotel on the northern banks of the Chao Phraya River unfolds like a dream of a bygone era. Designed by Bill Bensley and housing art and antiques from Ming ceramics to Khmer Buddhas (the owners’ private collection), its every corner tells a story.
And yet, there’s nothing fussy about this elegant place – the energy is effortless, the feng shui flow intuitive, and the service more like the quiet attentiveness of an old friend than a hospitality script.
A boat ride down the river – a preferred way to travel in traffic-clogged Bangkok – sets the tone. Sip cocktails onboard while taking in extraordinary views of the sun sinking behind the famous Wat Arun temple. With just 38 suites and villas, The Siam never feels crowded, more like an alluring hideaway situated out of the main city scrum. There’s a private screening room, the Opium Spa and a picturesque pool that invites quiet contemplation. As evening falls, linger over a watermelon salad and spicy crab curry at Chon Thai, the property’s antique, Thai-style teakwood restaurant overlooking the river.
While The Siam’s accolades are impressive – three Michelin keys and a spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list – they feel almost beside the point. The real magic of this place is how it insists you slow down and surrender to its embrace.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
For many well-heeled travellers, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a hotel that partakes in a kind of global mythmaking. The lobby, awash with orchids, the faint smell of jasmine and tall lanterns, has seen the likes of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Ian Fleming, Noël Coward and Joseph Conrad frequenting its luxury suites. This 149-year-old institution is a living narrative of the city, as the first hotel ever to be built in Bangkok.
But the Mandarin isn’t resting on its laurels. Even after weeks in Bangkok’s energy-charged streets, stepping inside feels like a homecoming. The sprawling property stretches across both sides of the river, with a charming teak boat ferrying guests back and forth. Rooms blend European elegance with Thai craftsmanship – silk panels, lush velvet, sculpted wood and rattan details – that just-right mix of modern comfort. Sure, the marble bathrooms and butler service lean towards opulence, but it all feels easy rather than overwrought.
Dining in Bangkok is its own theatre: the property’s two-Michelin-starred Le Normandie serves indulgent French cuisine, while Sala Rim Naam pairs fabulous local food with traditional music and dance performances. Indulge in the Moringa Project treatments on offer at the Mandarin Spa to experience a stellar local brand and its wonderful ingredients.
In a city that reinvents itself each decade, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has long held a certain status, but it is one that is worn so effortlessly: a place vibrant, alive and full of stories. And if you’re lucky, you’ll leave with one of your own.
RAKxa
Hidden on Bang Krachao Island – Bangkok’s so-called “Green Lung” – this new kid on the block feels like a secret you can’t wait to share. Going well beyond surface-level pampering, the RAKxa Integrative Wellness Retreat is an 80-acre property where ancient healing meets cutting-edge science. Villas are private cocoons of calm, each with garden views and private plunge pools, designed for deep rest and restoration.
Every guest begins with an integrative assessment. Whether it’s stress relief, gut health or RAKxa’s latest Aesthetic Programme, there’s an impressive depth to its bespoke diagnoses. This all sets the stage for transformative treatments that dig deep – think personalised dermatologist-led skincare programmes and restorative therapies inspired by traditional wisdom. Facilities and equipment are ultra-high tech.
RAKxa only opened in 2020, but impressed guests are quickly becoming converts. This isn’t just another luxury wellness retreat; it’s aimed to be a true personal reset – one at the very forefront of health tourism.
Capella Bangkok
In 2024, Capella Bangkok was named the best hotel in the world by The World’s 50 Best Hotels. And while rates might start at around $900 per night, some luxury nuts argue that the experience justifies the investment.
For those seeking unparalleled luxury in the Thai capital, service here is razor-sharp but never stiff. The Capella’s signature “Culturists” are there to curate anything from sunrise temple visits to boat rides revealing Bangkok’s hidden corners.
Wellness feels as personal as the service – Auriga Spa’s holistic treatments leave guests feeling recalibrated, not just pampered. The price tag? Steep, but many say it’s worth every baht. Côte by Mauro Colagreco, with its two Michelin stars, makes French Riviera flavours sing, while Phra Nakhon turns classic Thai dishes into something transportive. It seems that Capella Bangkok isn’t just setting new standards – it’s rewriting the rules on riverside luxury.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
Tucked into 11 acres of tropical greenery along the Chao Phraya, Anantara Riverside Bangkok is a world unto itself. It’s the kind of place where days stretch long and lazy, whether you’re drifting between the sprawling riverfront pool, sinking into a huge bed, or losing track of time in one of the nine restaurants and bars.
Food is a real event here – Trader Vic’s leans into al fresco charm, while Seen throws bold Peruvian flavours into the mix with rooftop views to match. The hotel chain may have started in Hua Hin over 20 years ago, but with 43 properties internationally and whispers of a cameo for the brand in The White Lotus, Anantara is set for its moment in the global spotlight. For now, though, this Bangkok outpost is holding on to its riverside magic – part urban retreat, part tropical hideaway, with just the right amount of decadence.
The Peninsula Bangkok
The Peninsula Bangkok doesn’t do flash – it doesn’t need to. Its signature W-shaped design is more than an aesthetic choice; it’s a bit of a masterstroke, ensuring that every room gets a front-row seat to the river’s quiet theatrics – morning sunlight flickering across the Chao Phraya, evenings with longtail boats gliding past neon-lit reflections.
Inside, the hotel is an ode to vintage era elegance – polished woods, classic pieces and rich silks. And then there’s the three-tiered pool framed by frangipani trees. Dining is equally thoughtful – expect refined Cantonese at Mei Jiang or take an old-world cocktail at The River Bar. The Peninsula doesn’t chase trends. It really doesn’t have to. It’s been setting standards on Bangkok’s riverside for years.
Previously the global editor in chief of Jing Daily, fashion editor of South China Morning Post and editorial director of Prestige Hong Kong, Jing Zhang is an international editor and journalist, whose work has appeared in Time, The Hollywood Reporter and Harrods Magazine
