The Metropolitan has all the elements of hip: a crisp, modern esthetic; a pop-star clientele; a sexy staff; and an ironic location in a refurbished YMCA. Some of the rooms are a bit small, but they're smartly turned out—dark woods and deep browns are offset by cream-color walls, pillows, and rugs. Though the rooms aren't dripping with high-tech gadgetry, they do have 25-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Breakfast at Glow, the hotel's all-organic restaurant, is surprisingly good; indulge in one of their healthy smoothies. A recently launched program, Touchdown at the Met, is ideal for spa-loving travelers with a fairly short (minimum five-hour stay) stopover in Bangkok: For $200, you get picked up and dropped off at the airport in a limousine; use of spa facilities; a signature massage; and a meal at Glow. Pros: very hip without sacrificing high level of service; nice city views; free yoga and Pilates classes for guests. Cons: has declined in popularity; not on river.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip