"Step into the hydrangea-scented lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and the buzz of Siam, Bangkok’s cacophonous commercial district, feels miles away. For its first Southeast Asian outpost, the luxury Hilton brand tapped hot-shot hotel designer André Fu, who melded the art deco touches of Waldorf Astoria’s New York flagship with minimalist riffs on Thai latticework and tropical silks. Room sizes among the 171 accommodations vary, but all come with huge travertine marble bathrooms and views of either the Royal Bangkok Sports Club or the shrine-lined, incense swirled Ratchaprasong intersection (both if you book a corner suite). The Loft, a paint-splotched cocktail bar on the 56th floor, is a favorite drinking den of clued-in Bangkokians, while Bull & Bear, one floor down, draws crowds for its excellent steaks." - Chris Schalkx
