Capella Bangkok

"Capella Bangkok, an ultra-modern retreat just minutes from Bangkok’s Old Town, has among its pleasures a sleek East-meets-West décor, views of the river, private balconies, plunge pools, and gardens." - Alexis Benveniste

"A riverside luxury hotel with two MICHELIN-Starred Côte by Mauro Colagreco, offering French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine." - Faye Bradley

"The Thai capital has no shortage of swanky beds to book, but it's only once in a blue moon that a hotel with such star power as the Capella Bangkok comes around. Opened in 2020 on a garden-clad estate along the Chao Phraya River, this low-rise pile of blonde woods and creamy marble entered the scene with such Bangkok firsts as travertine Jacuzzi tubs on suites' balconies and villas pitched up right on the waterfront. Côte, the hotel's Mediterranean-tinged fine dining spot by Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco, earned a Michelin star within a year after opening, while those in the know flock to the boudoir-like Stella Bar after dark to sip on drinks inspired by some of Bangkok's most storied districts. From $800. —Chris Schalkx" - CNT Editors

"Capella Bangkok, a luxurious hotel, offers unique experiences with its villas on the Chao Phraya riverfront. Guests can enjoy balconies with private plunge pools, ultra-luxurious interiors, and a serene atmosphere nestled between the river and the Charoenkrung district. The hotel features 101 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing views of the river. Dining options include Côte, a two-Michelin star restaurant, and Phra Nakhon, serving authentic Thai cuisine. Amenities include yoga classes, a well-equipped gym, cocktail classes, and culinary workshops. The Auriga Wellness spa offers Thai massages and chakra-balancing sessions. Family-friendly offerings and sustainability practices are emphasized, with efforts to reduce environmental impact and support local charities. The hotel is accessible, with facilities for guests in wheelchairs. Located in the Old Town district, it provides easy access to attractions and offers a free shuttle boat to nearby locations." - Chris Schalkx Chris Schalkx Chris Schalkx is a Dutch writer and photographer based in Bangkok and Taiwan. He writes about travel, sustainability, and design — preferably all three combined. Travel + Leisure Editori

"In a city where almost every high-end hotel brand has already made a mark, it takes something extra special to turn heads. Yet when Capella Bangkok finally opened after a seven-year tease, the city’s hi-so set swooped in like magpies. Why? Capella’s first foray in Thailand is the only city hotel with villas right on the Chao Phraya River, multi-roomed retreats with private gardens and swimming pools lined with travertine marble. Suites in the main building—a blocky, low-slung affair with 101 rooms—come with plunge pools on their balconies, and the hotel has tapped hot-shot chef Mauro Colagreco (of Mirazur in France) to head its signature coastal Mediterranean restaurant, Côte. Crystalline coupes of private-label Champagne accompany check-in, brunches, and turn-down service, but that’s as flashy as it gets. The rest feels decidedly subdued: pared-back interiors of blonde woods, taupes, and creams, with subtle hints of Thai motifs in the latticework and a scattering of local antiques in the lobby. Service is hushed but switched-on, and the spa eschews new-age treatments for humble, age-old healing practices (tok sen hammer massages, luk pra kob herbal compresses) inspired by the historic Thai-Chinese community just outside its gates. Bangkok’s hotel scene gets grander every year, but for now, Capella might just have the last word. —Chris Schalkx" - Jenny Adams