THE SUKHOTHAI SPA - Discover “The Dawn of Happiness” Experience

Luxury spa options in Bangkok are plentiful and some brands just have not kept up with the times nor deliver on their brand promise, but with the recent upgraded expansion and luxury transformation of The Sukhothai Spa from the formal Spa Botanica, you will discover “The Dawn of Happiness” and find your contentment here. mylifestylenews writes.

While The Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok is infamous for its understated and sophisticated luxury and stunning contemporary classic Thai architecture, another ‘string to their bow’ is the re-opening of their Spa Botanica which is now officially called The Sukhothai Spa that has been expanded with newly added treatments as well as modern amenities and luxury facilities we could not be more excited about.

Nestled amidst 7,000 square metres of lush gardens, The Sukhothai Spa not only offers a harmonious escape from the buzzing sights and sounds of Bangkok, but you would also be hard pressed to think what they have missed, as the health and wellness covers a 25 metre long square infinity swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre (including Muay Thai instructors) all within a few steps of each other.

Being one of Thailand’s seventy-six provinces, the famous lower northern Thailand Sukhothai province is known as the “dawn of happiness”. With that inspiration, the newly opened Sukhothai Spa is unveiled, where the ancient Sukhothai-style culture is artfully integrated into its specific design and ambiance.

With the latest incarnation, bespoke health and wellness at The Sukhothai Spa has been elevated to another level of luxury. Not only has the architecture been re-imagined and expanded, we have to say it looks absolutely stunning as they are now featuring a luxurious and enormous Turkish Hammam, a state-of-the-art facial technology room with cutting-edge technology to elevate the experience to new heights without losing touch of what the sensory experience is all about.

The spa pavilion peaks above the sanctuary walls, so that when you step through the main external entrance into the spa courtyard, you are met with serenity and bliss in the form of reflecting pools either side, available seating in the secluded water garden for you to enjoy this urban serene oasis before or after the pampering  treatment.

In the flowing waters, you will be reminded of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, then reconnected. There is no separation.

Of course, appearances are not everything, so we needed to see what this newly formed team could do, given that they had a ‘shiny new toy’ to play with and we were completely won over by the ambience, so what about the software?

Our arrival experience was rather warm and welcoming and attended to quite promptly. We were first greeted and then ushered to be seated in the expansive spa foyer to discuss the choice of treatments, with a brief consultation of the spa ticked with purposeful execution and we could not have felt any more special while some house “pouring brand” herbal tea was served instantaneously.

Once the formalities were out of the way, we were escorted to The Suphannahong Suite which is located on the second floor that is perfect for couples and we were suitably impressed. The interior design is subtle, including a traditional wooden Thai door adorned with elegant bronze handles. Inside, two separate elevated spa beds are set in the middle of the cozy room with bright and relaxed soothing ambience.

The interior design also features a “Pra-Kon” wall pattern representing the Thai House that exudes the contemporary beauty that embraces a simple and direct representation of Thai architecture. High ceilings and curved shapes add a touch of softness, complemented by a jacuzzi tub using green terrazzo and light green mosaic. The soothing colours and motifs give a sense of “zen” and nothing was over-wrought, so just the right taste in all things.

The Sukhothai Spa features traditional, result-driven and modern practices from diverse cultures by offering a comprehensive range of treatments and we had chosen the Sukhothai Signature Massage, as this is always the litmus test for us to see what the basics are all about. The signature treatment allowed us to experience a blend of soothing and invigorating massage techniques, while being rooted in the ancient wisdom of Oriental energy meridians – sounds like well-pleasing mumbo jumbo, but it really is a skillful combination of calming kneading and rejuvenating stretching and we were hooked.

Our therapists clearly knew how to tap into the Oriental meridians and committed to deliver personalized attention. We both wanted to get the knots out of our muscles which they did with great aplomb! Our stress was alleviated and some flexibility returned with the expert stretching techniques, which equally promoted a profound state of relaxation as promised.

Once our treatment was finished, we had the luxury of lingering in the environs of the spa pavilion to enjoy the facilities, including a salt-water lap pool, jacuzzi, saunas and steam rooms.

Additionally, the wellness centre also offers quite an extensive array of services not only in the massage therapy but also beauty treatments, yoga sessions for beginners and intermediate level practices (a must go for the morning session), meditation classes and Pilates overlooking a wide and lush lawn, so everything is taken care of to enhance your experience from a complete holistic point of view in a discreet manner.

Every spa will tell you that they provide the most relaxing treatments with the best therapists, but we have found that to be wanting on many occasions with supposed esteemed Spa brands, so it was more than a delight to discover that The Sukhothai Spa really does have talented and well trained therapists and imbue the pavilion with relaxation and rejuvenation.

A sanctuary dedicated to wellness, such spa journeys of a tranquil and soothing haven are definitely a perfect serene escape for relaxation and rejuvenation. “The dawn of happiness” is found and we only wished we had booked longer treatments.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 5/5

Amenities: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value For Money: 5/5

Experience: 5/5

Highlights:

Design Ambience

The Sukhothai Signature Massage

The Sukhothai Spa

13/3, 28/1-4 South Sathorn Road

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2 344 8888

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. 

ASIATIQUE ANCIENT TEAHOUSE - Century Old Maison Premium Yum Cha Experience

Dining in Bangkok is always constantly surprising and an absolute joy to experience the creative and innovative options. The vibrant waterside destination of the Asiatique Ancient Tea House is another one to add to your Bangkok culinary wish list. mylifestylenews writes.

Situated along the picturesque banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River and easy access by road and river, including shuttle boat services from the Saphan Taksin pier adjacent to the BTS skytrain, this painstakingly restored 111-year-old heritage wooden traditional tea house was first built in 1912 as part of the East Asiatic Company’s warehouse which was Thailand’s first trading pier while maintaining the colonial characteristics and aesthetic of the original historic building that have been well preserved and accentuated.

 

The refurbished design concept that showcases a “Celestial Hint from Heaven” with contemporary classic Chinese style elements, enhances the overall mood and notion to invite you to step into a world of colonial grandeur and classical grace.

The historic aesthetic interior features plenty of black-framing and floral patterned wallpaper in the centre lounge and dining area, adorned with some vivid colour cushions neatly placed on those sleek elegant rattan lounge chairs.

The interior also has a design concept that showcases a modern classic Chinoiserie style scheme, which is embodied in various distinct spaces: a glasshouse surrounded by greenery; 1890’s Blend Gallery, a chic and stylish cocktail lounge, an exhibit of fine tea selections; and The Blooming on the second floor, symbolizing the flourishing era of tea culture. All of these spaces are embellished with wall prints, art installations, the Horseshoe Arch and an extended balcony.

The menu is distinctively curated by Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park award-winning Chinese Culinary team since December 2023 with the concept based on the story of Emperor Shen Nong, who first discovered tea 4,000 years ago along with silk and spice, tea became one of the most popular products traded between Siam and China. And now, this living dining “museum” wants you to explore this relatively new dining option for the Cantonese inspired cuisine especially their delicate and flavoursome Dim Sum in a glamorously elegant and inviting ambience.

From 12 noon to midnight, get ready to step into a world unique blend of East-Meets-West Cantonese gastronomic galore featuring all-day premium Chinese Dim Sum menus. The vast range of the global and premium tea collection on offer is one of their key aspects, including Dark Silk Tea and Thida Green Tea from organic farms in Chiang Dao, Thailand, Bai Mu Dan White Tea from China, Sencha Green Tea from Japan, Darjeeling First Flush Tea from India and Rooibos Tisane from South Africa, to name but a few standouts.

Their innovative cultural cocktails are inspired by the world of tea especially for tea enthusiasts through the art and history of tea, overlooking scenic River of the Kings over lunch, dinner and even a sophisticated after dinner social lounge to chill. We opted for a 15 year old Pu Er tea from China which we thought would pair perfectly with the rich Dim Sum menu and we were in for some tasty bites.

<Alaskan King Crab and Shrimp with Spinach Dumplings>

Large chunks of Alaskan king crab meat are combined with the sweet, rich flavour of shrimp and spinach,topped with salmon roe wrapped with a thin layer of pink rice dough paste that was quite enticing. A good mouth-full size to enjoy the taste from the sea of its seafood combination that offers a great consistency of flavour.

<Stir-Fried Crispy Tiger Prawns and Salted Egg Yolk Sauce>

Specially selected tiger prawns are cut into bite-sized pieces and deep-fried until crispy on the outside, while retaining the juiciness of the shrimp inside. They are then tossed in a rich salted egg sauce, which adds a intense and perfect balance of sweet, creamy and salty flavours. This is a real standout dish, with that delightful combination of crispiness, rich aroma and the seasoned ingredients with the salted egg sauce that is a must order!

<Prawn Har Gao and Asparagus>

Moulded and shaped in golden fish-patterned dumplings to delight your eyes that was certainly too delicate to destroy and enjoy in your mouth. The dumplings were filled with large shrimp, chunky and meaty and diced asparagus. Despite the paste was a little thick on palate, otherwise quite tasty.

<Shrimp Wonton in Spicy Szechuan Oil, Peanuts and Spring Onions>

Yummy as it looks and three large dumplings are filled with whole shrimp, topped with Sichuan oil for that peppery kick that offers a spicy, fragrant flavour, along with a salty taste from fermented soybeans served on a brown stoneware. Simply delicious!

<Traditional Sichuan Hot and Sour Seafood Soup>

This is a spicy and tangy flavoured soup that contained a wide selection of seafood that included squid, scallop and shrimp simmered with vegetables and chili spices to create a rich, well-balanced boullion for its rich unctuous flavour and consistency that we very much enjoyed. A pleasant surprise order!

<Siu Mai>

Suppose a classic pork and shrimp Siu Mai dumpling with shitake mushroom and while it came steaming hot, it was rather disappointing on the palate for its bland taste and the meat combination and was rubbery and starchy. Passed!

<Char Siu Sou>

This honey-glazed barbeque pork baked pastry puffs is one of our all-time favourite dim-sum dishes, but we did find the glazing to be too sticky and it was in luke warm temperature when it was brought to the table, resulting in a soggy bottom and only a little flaky on the top. The pastry was a tad too thick and the filling too savoury, lacking that hint of sweetness combined.

 

<Pan-Fried Beancurd with Shrimp>

Another classic that is composed of pan-fried beancurd sheets filled with shrimp and once again the beancurd sheet was a little soggy and not flaky or crispy enough for our liking as well as the starchy filling also destroyed the entire palate.

<Deep-Fried Purple Sweet Potato Shrimp and Pork Puffs>

These fluffy delicacies came with  a mix of shrimp and pork that offered a well-balanced and harmonious flavour to pair perfectly with the potato and were deep-fried to a perfect crispy, puffy texture. It is a very ‘sweet’ presentation with the imagery of swans and creates the perfect dish for photos! A very happy dish!

<Steamed Crispy Prawns Rice Roll>

The rice noodle sheets are infused with beetroot juice, giving them a vibrant pink colour. Inside you have the crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside fried dough wrapped with shrimp, offering a full, delicious flavour. The homemade accompaniment soy sauce complements the dish and enhancing its overall harmony. This was one of our favourite dishes for its yin-yang balance of soft and crunchy. Yummy!

<Steamed Hong Kong Kale with Oyster Sauce>

The naturally crisp and sweet Hong Kong kale is steamed to a perfect tenderness, then topped with a fragrant and rich oyster sauce. This was perfectly executed with the vegetable al dente, giving you that crunch in the bite. A simple dish that excels!

 

 <Braised E-Fu Noodles with Alaskan King Crab meat in X.O. Sauce>

This classic braised noodles has a chewy yet tender texture in a rich and aromatic  homemade X.O. sauce as well as a perfect blend of seasonings. This is then elevated with the addition of the sweet, Alsakan crab meat, adding that extra layer of sweet and savoury depth. So delectable!

 

<Sweetened Pumpkin Cream and Ginko Nuts>

This creamy dessert has a sweet and delicate flavour derived from the creamy pumpkin filling expertly cooked to a smooth, velvety texture. The addition of soft, subtle ginko nuts provided a delightful crunch in juxtaposition to the creamy texture, making the ‘soup’ both satisfying and unique, served delightfully warm and utterly delicious.

 

<Grilled Sweet Sago Soup with Melon and Coconut Sorbet>

This is a cold dessert that is not overly sweet and so refreshing that cleanses the palate somewhat with it’s icy sweet base that provides a fitting finale to our food experience overall!

 

We had already sampled such a large amount of dishes, so as much as we wanted more, we erred on the side of caution and went for less and the overall food experience was quiet enjoyable with some standout dishes that they executed to perfection.

The service, however, was not up to expectations, with the food coming much too quickly, resulting in some hot dishes not being enjoyed at the optimal temperatures despite a message was clearly delivered to remind them on the food delivery as requested and in accordance upon ordering. Staff communication somehow gets lost in translation, so not everything was as smooth as it could have been. Nevertheless, we would rather focus and immerse ourselves in this classy ‘Indochine” décor, sipping the thick, rich, even consistency of the Pu Er tea and those standout dishes. A happy and contented late afternoon well spent!

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 4.5/5

Asiatique Ancient Teahouse
Charoenkrung Soi 72-76,
Charoenkrung Road,
Wat Phrayakrai, Bangkor Laem,
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 059 5999

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.

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok - Quiet Luxury Urban Chic Staycation

While simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance, to find that same essence by lounging yourself for a quiet luxury chic urban staycation, the COMO Metropolitan Bangkok has its niche to offer you the understated accommodation with sophistication. mylifestylenews writes.

Bangkok is a city that never stops, from its bustling street traffic, exotic Thai food, to one of the worlds most luxurious accommodations, the city skyline just continues to explode. The metropolis of this City of Angels has it all and yet you do not need to have a deep pocket to enjoy the excitements that this city has to offer. We are all spoilt by choice when it comes to choosing the hotel accommodation as the sky is the limit especially in Bangkok to enjoy the urban luxury and gracious and obliging hospitality, as well as refined dining experiences.

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, located in one of the busiest precincts and Sathorn being one of the most prestige locations for business, luxury real estate as well as foreign embassies and consulates surrounds the entire area inevitably being one of the most sought after locales for all kind of reasons. COMO Metropolitan Bangkok manages to exude quiet luxury and ensconce you in an oasis of calm with all the right luxury touch-points.

Easy access by major Bangkok BTS and metro lines is another added bonus to claim one of the best locations in the city that will get you to the far flung corners of the city tourist hot-spots much quicker than a taxi can as the congested traffic shows no signs of abating. With the new opening of the One Siam recently - the latest luxury and arty shopping mall combined with gigantic convention centre and a few more international luxury hotels flocked into the entire MICE and entertainment complex, this has certainly become the most prominent and chicest hangouts for all Bangkokians, domestic and international travellers to access the extraordinary.

Upon stepping into the main foyer, Khun Mali, the doorman greeted us by our name with a pleasant surprise despite our last visit to this understated luxury urban boutique hotel a couple of years back.

Our check-in experience was not as smooth as the last trip despite most of the detailed information enlisted in the system yet the lack of warmth from the human touch was rather not so COMO’s way of hospitality being rendered. But all other service touch-points from that moment forward were exemplary. We were offered an escort to our room, but as we knew the hotel and had no suitcases to speak of by travelling light, we were happy to make our own way.

Funnily enough, the room allocation was exactly the same room as last time, which did not disappoint (sometimes we do prefer a different accommodation experience).

Some delightful welcome amenities awaited our arrival and we got settled in immediately and felt very comfortable in this 54sqm spacious and spotless Metropolitan room flanked by a simple black teak wood bench covered in Thai silk cushions.

The blinds were drawn for us to enjoy the direct views towards the lush urban garden-style immense swimming pool and the vigorous Sathorn Road with different vantage points of the Bangkok vista. Not many changes to the view could be ascertained from our memory, which was a blessing.

The 169 sleek city rooms and penthouse suites are designed by Kathryn Kng with Thai makha wood, oxidized brass panelling and unique artwork by local painter, Natee Utarit. The authentic expression of the destinations’ aesthetic and a statement of design with details and elements draw inspiration from both East and West, culminating in sophisticated spaces with curated antiques, silk curtains, mosaic and limestone bathrooms.

The hotel lobby is presented with design and decor in subtle sophistication and only exposed to the desired minimalistic aesthetic.

A few elaborately chosen art pieces and sculptures are well allocated to enhance the already charming and peaceful foyer in a detailed and carefully arranged manner, adorned with some classic mid century retro style furniture.

The secluded garden swimming pool is another haven to extend your R&R by pampering yourself in one of the many sun lounge beds by flipping the glossy magazines or dive into the fresh cooling water and do a few laps while escaping the humid climate.

For further indulgence, The COMO Shambhala Urban Escape sleek wellness is where you can seek some respite from the glare of the tropical climate and pamper yourself with one of the signature spa treatments that you won’t regret. We booked ourselves in for a 1 hour COMO Shambhala Signature massage that managed to soothe some tired muscles. You may also make time for the spa amenities for its roomy separated his and hers jacuzzi and sauna which are just the tonic for relaxing after a hard days tourist trekking and shopping.

Not forgetting the morning studio yoga sessions by two of their most dedicated and experienced rotating coaches to rediscover your own body flexibility and mobility while finding the precise balance and focus that is truly not to be missed. If you are a gym bunny, heads to the modern techno gym overlooking the secluded swimming pool while slashing off a few calories before heading to glow by energizing yourself for its sumptuous unlimited and specially crafted a-la-minute a-la-carte menu over a semi buffet breakfast to start your glorious day.

If dining out is not your idea of fun, their in-house Michelin star rated restaurant nahm serves elevated and unconventional Thai cuisine has become a destination in itself. Prior reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment for another distinct pilgrimage.

Most importantly, the hotel has maintained its’ (quiet) luxury presence for quite a few years due to some of their renown key factors: personalized service from long term and dedicated employees who remember the regular guests and understand their needs; spacious guest rooms designed to soothe the senses from the outside hustle and bustle; signature COMO bathroom amenities that we (most people) love; a luxurious semi-buffet breakfast of generous proportions; the Michelin rated Thai restaurant nahm serving classic and elevated Thai cuisine; and the ubiquitous COMO Shambhala Urban Escape that will cocoon you in a sanctuary of wellness. As the saying goes, so much to do with so little time.

glow

A delicious breakfast spread

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a true oasis of quiet luxury and with some stiff competition especially with the city’s overindulgent luxury choices, but sometimes the tried and true is better than the brand spanking new!

With dedicated and well trained employees and facilitated with some great amenities plus a little more consistency and tweaking here and there, it could edge out some of the current fierce competition in Bangkok hotel scene. The “bones” of the hotel are good and its design and decor aesthetic sets it apart form much of the rest of Bangkok and rumour has it, a new facelift is to take place in 2025 and will then be another brand new staycation experience in anticipation.

Tried & Tested:

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Room Amenities: 4.5/5

Housekeeping: 5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5

Experience: 4.5/5

Location: 4.5/5

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok

27, South Sathorn Road,

Tungmahamek, Sathorn

Bangkok Thailand

Tel: +66 2 625 3333

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.