Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

"How did it strike you on arrival?In a central location not far from the Siam and Sukhumvit shopping and dining neighborhoods, the Chao Phraya River, and a Skytrain stop sits a building with a celebrated hotel history. Born in 1982 as a Peninsula, the property later lived as a Regent and a Four Seasons before undergoing extensive renovations to become hometown brand Anantara’s flagship location in 2015. The current incarnation is grand all the way, beginning with the ornate lobby—a swirl of shimmering furnishings, dramatic lighting, and elaborate floral arrangements, topped by a sweeping staircase just made for a show-stopping entrance. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Your fellow guests are a discerning bunch, and include international travelers doing the Thai circuit, Anantara loyalists, expat families, and the Bangkok society crowd stopping in for Sunday brunch and special events. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Spread out over nine floors, the 354 rooms and suites afford views of the city, the hotel gardens or pool, or the private golf course at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. The style throughout is contemporary Thai, with polished teak wood furnishings, Jim Thompson silk fabrics, vibrant artwork, and eclectic decorative pieces balancing crisp white linen-topped beds; suites take it higher with extras like separate lounges, four-poster beds, silk-wrapped sofas, or outdoor space. (To really live large, book the two-bedroom Jim Thompson Explorer Suite—named for the famed silk merchant, and designed to evoke a Thai summer house—or the Presidential Suite, which comes with a soaking tub, massage room, and 12-seat dining table.) Amenity-wise, you’ll find all the standard creature comforts—tea and coffee machines, satellite TV, plenty of power outlets, and unlimited Wifi. Bathrooms are wrapped in white marble and come with separate tubs and rain showers. Sounds downright sensational. What about room service and food: Worth it?Gourmet or casual, indoor or al fresco, Western, Eastern, or Thai—the Anantara is a one-stop-shop for whatever you’re craving, and has become a popular dining destination for locals. Savor authentic Japanese at Shintaro, signature Thai flavors at Spice Market, all-day dining with views at Aqua or The Terrace, afternoon tea and snack in The Lobby, Italian fine dining at Biscotti, and top-grade meats and seafood at Madison. Several of the outlets also craft dishes for the famous Sunday Brunch—voted among the best in town—which features live cooking stations, indulgences like caviar, lobster, and foie gras, and overflowing dessert tables, all served to the sound of live jazz. If you’ve got room for more, take a cooking class at Spice Spoons, or book the hotel’s breakfast, dinner, or sunset cocktail cruise on the river. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.After days spent out in the frenetic city, the Anantara Spa offers welcome respite in a dimly-lit, fabric-swathed sanctuary. The seven treatment rooms (including dedicated couple’s suites) come with shower and/or tub or steam room, giving guests plenty of space in which to enjoy a selection of Thai and Western therapies. Those looking to really revamp will welcome mind/body amenities, like the VIVID IV Drip Bar, the spacious 24-hour gym with personal trainers, as well as morning yoga classes in the adjacent Lumpini Park. The hotel’s on-site pool—surrounded by tropical gardens and a lotus ponds—is also a popular hangout. Meanwhile, kids stay active in the children’s club or on the mini-playground, and stay engaged with fun amenities like pint-sized robes and bedtime cookies and milk. Love it. So sum it up for us: Why here?This flagship does Anantara proud with its striking style, smart amenities, and central location—plus pretty much any type of cuisine you might crave." - Sandra Ramani