"Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for more than four centuries, and although Sala Ayutthaya is a feat of modern design, it’s strategically positioned to showcase the city’s rich past. The boutique hotel is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, directly across the water from a temple built in 1353, its elegant Khmer-style tower on grand display from the restaurant’s open-air terrace, rooftop bar, and riverfront suites. The Bangkok-based design studio Onion considered the historical context, discreetly tucking away the pool — and by extension, the swimsuit-clad guests lounging on the white marble pool deck — in a quiet courtyard framed by a labyrinth of whitewashed and exposed brick walls. Some of the hotel’s strikingly minimalist rooms feature private pools or decks, and all have freestanding soaking tubs." - Tablet Hotels