From the large five-star hotels along the Chao Praya river to the tiny hostels of Khao San Road, Bangkok has long offered a choice of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, whether for company executives or backpackers on a shoestring. However, following the global trend for small is beautiful and personal attention is king, a growing number of intimate boutique hotels have recently opened their doors in the city, offering travellers a charismatic and exclusive alternative to the often drab large city hotel experience.
Ibrik, 256 Soi Wat Rakang, Arunamarin Rd, Bangkok, Thailand, tel: +66 2 848 9220www.ibrikresort.com
One of the first (and the smallest) to open was the Ibrik, located on the banks of the Chao Praya river near the atmospheric Wat Arun. With three rooms, Moonlight, River and Sunshine, all designed in separate styles, the Ibrik introduced the boutique scene to the capital nearly three years ago, starting a trend that shows no signs of abating. In fact, following the success of the Ibrik by the river, Ibrik have recently opened their second operation on Sathorn Road, also with three rooms, allowing guests to experience their special brand of personal hospitality a little closer to the centre of the city.
Arun Residence, 36-38 Soi Praty Nokyung, Maharat Rd.www.arunresidence.com
Also bang on the tiver, a short top from the flower market and historic old town, is the Arn Residence. Boasting one of best views in the city - Wat Arun sits right opposite on the other side of the river - the Arun Residence features five rooms, all of which look out over the water. The largest, the Arun Suite, sports its own private river terrace while three smaller rooms, the Chaba, Leelavadee and Lotus, are split level with double beds on the mezzanine. Lastly, for travelling friends or families, the larger Orchid room features twin beds. The restaurant, which serves both local and international dishes, spreads out onto a charming wooden riverside terrace where guests can watch the colorful river traffic steam past. Those on the lookout for authentic Thai food should try the street stalls at the end of the soi, which serve an excellent selection of cheap noodles and other Thai snacks.
Aurum, 394/27-29 Soi Pansook, Maharaj Road, Pranakorn, Bangkok.www.aurum-bangkok.com
Less than 100 metres downstream Aurum is another newcomer to the city. The owners here hace successfully converted an old warehouse into a stylish European-style small hotel offering 12 comfortable cozy rooms, a stone's throw from some of the city's top tourist destinations, including the Grand Palace, Wat Po and the bustling 24-hour flower market. Guests here can enjoy free wi-fi access and an interior of stylish modern Thai design, with tasteful furnishings and art pieces. Like the Arun Residence, the hotel lies at the end of a dead-end street, guaranteeing no traffic noise from the road, although the riverboats can sometimes make a fair racket during the day. There's a small coffee shop in front of the hotel with excellent views over the river to Wat Arun.
Seven, 3/15 Sukhumvit 31, Bangkok, Thailandwww.sleepatseven.com
The newest boutique hotel in town is Seven, situated off Sukhumvit 31 in a leafy substreet close to the shopping centers and skytrain station at Phrom Phong. here six rooms and a reception area take their influence from the traditional Thai calender, where every day of the week has its respective color corresponding to the Gods of India astrology. Monday is yellow after the moon god Phra Angkarm, Tuesday is pink after the Mars god Phra Angkarn, Wednesday is green for the Jupiter god Phra Pareuhat, Friday is blue for the Venus god Phra Suk, Saturday is violet fort he Saturn god Phra Sao and Sunday is red for the sun god Phra Arthit. Converted from an old shophouse, Seven blends these traditional hues into a modern contemporary design, where each guestroom features its own unique color scheme and furnishings. When you have fewer guests to look after, you can spoil them more and at Seven they want to make you feel special. Guestroom facilities include a mobile phone with local number, wi-fi access, widescreen TV, mini bar and an ipod dock sound system.
The Eugenia, 267 Soi Sukhumvit 31, Bangkok, Thailandwww.theeugenia.com
Style from a very different era is in huge supply at the nearby, The Eugenia, where you could be forgiven for thinking you'd stepped into a colonial hunting lodge and not a brand new city hotel. The Eugenia's 12 all-suite rooms must be the most romantic in town with the decor a gorgeous representation of 19th century chic - think four-poster beds, soft linen, copper bath tubs and dark hardwood floors. The inspiration behind the hotel comes from owner, Eugene Yu Cheng Yeh, a Taiwanese interior designer and architect, who's responsible not only for the building construction itself. Amazingly, although it looks like it's been there for an age, it's less than a year old. Inside, this weather-beaten feeling is perpetuated by antiques from around the region, dark wooden floors, and public areas that feel more like a private
home than a hotel. there's a library stacked with books and magazines, a homey breakfast lounge area and a brand new Burmese-scented restaurant. Outside in the shaded courtyard, oversized
sun lounges line the small pool. Old world charm is met with modern facilities and guestrooms have access to free wi-fi internet, free international phone calls and flat screen TVs. To round off the experience, pop out to replenish your pipe tobacco in one of hotel's cars, available with chauffeur to ensure that even your taste of Bangkok's legendary traffic will be a memorable one.
Dream, 10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkokwww.dreambkk.com
Following the success of the fashion-oriented Dream Hotel in New York, flamboyant owner Vikram Chatwal added another feather to his expanding hotel empire last year with the opening of Dream Bangkok. With 100 rooms, Dream is almost too large to quality as a boutique property but for guests looking for something a little different, it certainly fits the bill. Dressed in the same fashion as her older sister, albeit with an Asian flair, Dream provides the city with its first interior could have leapt from the pages of the latest interior design tome. The hotel's fabulous decor is best enjoyed at the bar, where a pink leopard and a tiger caged in hanging beads patrol the floor. The heavily reflective bar is a masterpiece, immediately propelling the hotel into the higher echelons of the city's stylish nighttime hangouts. Add the modern Mediterranean flavours of Flava next door and it's not difficult to while away a few hours of gastronomic indulgence. Up on the atmospheric guest floors, rooms are ultra modern and sleek, featuring flat screens, free wi-fi and a special blue light therapy that reputedly sends guests into a deep slumber.
Dream aims to stay at the forefront of the Bangkok fashion world, holding regular events and parties and is clearly geared towards a more adventurous hotel guest, bored by the tedium of large business hotels.
