The Siam Hotel - A Tranquil Escape From Bangkok

As you arrive by their river cruiser, it is not one of those “look at me” edifices, but something subtler that almost falls under the radar sight line and yet stands out because of the simple and striking black and white architecture. The Siam Hotel is nothing short of stunning, no matter which angle you choose to admire it from. mylifestylenews writes.

The arrival experience is one you won’t forget soon. With your own private boat that runs on schedule, picking you up from the Saphan Taksin pier that whisks you straight to the hotel’s private dock by cruising along the non-stop action on Chao Phraya River where most of the city’s significant sights like Wat Arun and The Royal Palace and among others popular sights are somehow best to be viewed from a different perspective.

In a sense, you have even started with the historical sightseeing tours, before arriving in style where the staff awaits your arrival with the welcoming smile and warm Siam hospitality. The Siam Hotel truly aims to create a luxury experience embracing every moment and every individual with sincerity, integrity and a passion for service.

Nestled on the Bangkok side of the Chao Phraya River and at the base of Krung Thon Bridge in the historic Dusit district, this charming boutique hotel is conveniently accessed. With the Vimanmek Teak Palace Museum, Dusit Zoo, the Hall of Throne and many other sights like sacred temples, exotic local markets and fascinating monuments just moments away, this is the home of Bangkok’s must-see cultural sights.

The inspiration to build the hotel was to house the substantial collection of antiques. This may sound a little droll and conjure images of fusty cobwebbed spaces, but on the contrary, this whole creation is a breath of fresh air. With plenty of natural light and art deco accents, it is a joy to discover over every inch of the property.

You will not stop exploring every corner and marveling at each antique and historical piece that can tell you more about where Thailand came from and the influences that King Rama V brought back from travels overseas.

Very edifying and delightful, plus you have a hotel that never stops wowing you by renown interior designer/landscape architect Bill Bensley with the bold architectural elements and cutting-edge interior design, providing the perfect ‘canvas’ for the owner’s personal collection of antiques, numbering in the thousands.

The Siam River View Suite was our home for the duration of our stay with an indispensable butler service and we felt like we were home. As the most sought-after suite, it has a very residential and personal feel to it with stunning picture postcard views of the resort and all the lush gardens and greenery. At some 110sqm, you are not short of space and the long layout with floor-to-ceiling windows is perfect.

As you enter, a long mirrored corridor leads you into the suite and your attention is immediately drawn toward the river view windows, where the natural light is flooding in and this definitely piques your interest.

The living and bedroom areas can be separated by a blackout curtain, but the bedroom and living area has blurred lines, so you can feel comfortable relaxing in either part. With a plush sofa at the end of the bed and a large flat screen television cabinet that swivels 180 degrees which covers almost every angle to suit your comfort.

The suite has a meditative feel with high ceilings, subdued lighting and lots of dark timber with pale coloured walls. The palatial bathroom is the back portion of the suite with a large his and hers vanity and two free standing wardrobes behind either side framing the entrance to the wet areas, as it were, a curtained off shelving and luggage rack to the right before entering the bathroom.

There is a large free-standing bathtub in the centre and spacious rain shower room separates the toilet cubicle fit for a royal with a contemporary, chic and smart design touch. Each suite has an over-sized king bed that would have to be one of the most comfortable we have ever slept in and with the most luxurious embroidered linens that leave you cocooned in absolute heaven.

The living room in the River View Suite.

This urban resort in the city is not short of gorgeous amenities, such as a library of some generous proportions and antiques to peruse, a private screening room off the library with antique French cinema chairs, the Curio shop off the lobby for some gifts with a difference (filled with precious finds from the owner’s private warehouse stock), a riverside infinity lap pool with the Bathers Bar, Café Cha for indulging in afternoon tea, Chon Thai for superb Thai food, Deco Bar and Bistro for international comfort cuisine inspired by the jazzy ambience, and lastly, the opium Spa for signature treatments.

Private screening room off the library with antique French cinema chairs.

Café Cha for an indulging afternoon tea.

Sunset lounges on the deck by the Chao Phraya river.

Bathers Bar by the infinity lap pool.

The hotel dedicates one corner of the compact but sumptuous fitness centre to Muay Thai training. The Siam’s gymnasium is the first professionally equipped luxury Muay Thai facilities in Bangkok. Training package includes boxing along with a special diet and massage programme, which has proved to be a solid success.

*Image by The Siam Hotel

You may also immortalize your stay with an ancient and sacred tradition. The hotel has also taken the step to integrate another ancient Thai tradition with the opening a few years ago of a specially consecrated space devoted to the inking of sacred tattoos, which is a Thai tattoo tradition over 2,000 years old.

*Image by The Siam Hotel

Known as Sak Yant in Thai, the magico-religious designs in black ink can be traced back to their use among animistic Thai tribes in southwestern China and northwestern Vietnam two millennia ago. Along the way the intricate patterns, which run the gamut from purely geometric sigils to vivid animal or deity figures, picked up Brahamist and Buddhist content as well.

Breakfast served in Chon Restaurant is a splendid affair overlooking the Chao Praya River, while you may be in a city resort, with this breakfast location you feel like you are in another place watching the world go by in more peace and harmony than many other city locations can provide.

Breakfast is served in a semi-buffet style, you can then launch into a multitude of hot offerings ordered a-la-carte to whet your appetite and there is nothing but fabulous food cooked with passion on all counts.

We tried a few dishes to see how the kitchen handles Western and Asian food and there was not a fault to be found, but only delicious food in portions that have you exploring the menu further to see what other delectable morsels you missed.

Tasteful table setting at Chon Restaurant.

We slowly walked through the corridors and public spaces admiring niches and tiny precious objects. We were constantly soaking up the beautiful internal courtyard greenery in the middle of the hotel which provided an oasis of tranquility by its very being with the large green traveler’s palms reaching skyward but emanating a coolness against the white walls and floors and water pond from which they grow.

A passage connecting to the guest rooms.

A serene "le jardin du secret " courtyard surrounded by hanging ferns.

The staff truly offer personalized service with a discreet air, with nothing to interrupt your private conversations or observations. Our butler always seemed to know where we were but was always in the background and nothing seemed too much to ask. He is attentive and enquiring of our every need and did not hover over around us, they are knowing where they need to be and appear at opportune moments to assist with your every need. It definitely takes the worry out of changes to travel arrangements, dinner bookings, taxi bookings and the like, plus giving helpful tips about timings to get around Bangkok, as traffic has peaks and troughs and your butler knows when to plan for more preparation when getting out and about in this metropolis.

One of the biggest benefits to consider staying at this luxurious retreat is the personal butler service as well as the front line staff, which goes beyond the norm and sets a standard that many other resorts do not achieve. All good things come to an end, but this is a resort you may never want to leave. The architecture design, luxury comfort level and service is the key to the success of this luxury design hotel and each blends seamlessly into the other.

The designs created are timeless, comfortable and above all beautiful, creating a feeling that ‘this is your home’. There is a harmony from within, with such attention to details and an undisturbed flow of light and movement.

The Siam Hotel is a resort hotel that you don’t judge by its looks, as this can be very deceptive. Amenities in many luxurious boutique hotels are quite standard in comparison, but The Siam Hotel is a hidden gem in a corner of bustling Bangkok that takes it up a notch and you may have yet to discover….in person.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 5/5

Room Amenities: 5/5

Food & Beverages: 5/5

Housekeeping: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value For Money: 5/5

Experience: 5/5

Highlights:

 Architecture Design

Service

The Siam Hotel

3/2 Thanon Khao,

Vachirapayabal, Dusit

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2 206 6999

The Siam Bangkok is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Image Credit:
Copyright of mylifestylenews & *The Siam Hotel

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.