Rosewood Bangkok
1041/38 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Why We Like It
Arguably one of the best hotels in Bangkok for city views, especially in monsoon season, when the water cascading off building’s slanted windows is hypnotizingly beautiful. A stay here is overall akin to enjoying time in a very opulent city apartment … if that apartment came with a private butler, of course. And, you’re steps from incredible shopping, dining in all price points, historic shrines, and the famed Jim Thompson house, as the hotel has a covered walkway entrance right on to Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain.
Fodor's Expert Review
This architectural marvel, opened in 2019 with 158 rooms, and it owns a distinct profile in the city. The near-skyscraper boasts a slanted facade of mirrored glass. Inside the suites, the unique design’s cantilevered windows give maximized, floor-to-ceiling vistas of Bangkok’s sleek Phloen Chit buildings and the BTS Skytrain zooming far below. Luxuriate in the soaking tub, sink into the living room sofa or sip from the petite jug of Thai iced tea awaiting you at check-in––those views relentlessly and silently command your attention at every turn.
PROS
- Coolest cocktail bar in the entire city
- Direct exit on to the BTS Skytrain
- Interior design lover’s dream
CONS
- Lack of traditional lobby meeting space
- Misses a Thai touch in places
- Closet area is cramped, barely big enough for two large suitcases
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Room
Rooms are equipped to meet every need. And then, they go beyond that. Smeg kettles heat water for lemongrass-ginger tea. The mini bar offers free sodas, and there’s a pay-to-play full bar cart with boutique spirits, a hardback recipe book, and all necessary tools, from crystal mixing tins to barspoons. Returning each night, guests discover thoughtful turn-down-service extras, like artisan chocolate bark in a beautiful box or screen cleaners for dusting off your laptop and phone. The most over-the-top moment is the pillows. The laundry service at Rosewood has an embroidery machine, and return guests will find bed pillows monogrammed with their initials.
Bathroom
Inside the stunning and spacious marble bathrooms, there are Supersonic Dyson hair dryers and complimentary hairbrushes. The soaking tub’s teak caddy has a prop for an iPad, leaves space for your wine glass, and boasts a pump bottle of bubble bath. Japanese Toto-brand toilets offer heated seats and open automatically.
Lobby
There isn’t much of a hangout lobby space, rather a lone, dapper reception desk, quietly and quickly checking guests in and out. The 7th floor’s real star is the adjacent Lakorn European Brassiere, where you sit for breakfast or high tea, in an open floor plan space with softscape interiors. It’s got a posh living room vibe with sofas and lounge chairs, vases of fresh hydrangeas, and floor lamps.
Pool
Western guests might be shocked to find many of Bangkok’s hotel pool designs are purposefully in the shade. Cultural preferences and fair skin in Asian countries means sun-tanning isn’t as high a priority, or, by many guests, may be eschewed altogether. The Rosewood Bangkok’s swimming pool is a linear slice of water between the building’s two sides, almost entirely shaded. A few loungers at the very end do get some sun, at certain times of the day. Rosewood’s loftiest suites include personal pools, from the two-bedroom ‘Sky Pool’ suite to the duo of 2,000 square-foot-plus ‘House’ suites.
Spa
Sense Spa makes a case for spending some money on services, offering treatments you wouldn’t/couldn’t find elsewhere in the city. Ancient oils are employed in Chong Massage, which incorporates hot compresses filled with herbs for releasing trapped tension. Another, called the Ploen Massage, claims to tackle your meridian lines with acupressure and long flowing strokes, improving blood circulation. While you can absolutely find more affordable services beyond the hotel’s front doors, investing in Rosewood’s (on-average $200/per) services could lead to a deeper understanding of why Thailand is so globally famous for spa vacations.
Gym
It’s a reasonable size, and appointed with a large range of free weights, yoga mats, a few machines for upper and lower body, as well as cold towels. The views from the massive window wall provide an organic form of entertainment. From the Stairmaster, a treadmill or the ellipticals, you can watch traffic along Phloen Chit Road, the city’s famous Skytrain whizzing past every few minutes and the blinking of adorable tuk tuk lights, far below.
You Should Know In high season, if you want to tan or workout, make sure to head for the gym or the few sun loungers early at this property. These spaces can get quite busy if the property is at full capacity.
Dining
Executive Chef Matthew Geng’s cuisine is frequently called out as a top choice in this city famed for food. He’s worked across China in noted spaces, and the 19th-floor restaurant’s name, Nan Bei, translates to ‘South and North.’ His menu divides choices from both regions of his homeland. Standouts include pillowy, savory soup dumplings, the hand-pulled noodles in wagyu beef broth, and the South African Abalone, with black truffles. The setting is equally memorable and romantic, with a dark lattice-work ceiling, enormous, Art Deco chandeliers, midnight-blue leather accents, and ever-evolving views of Bangkok’s glittering skyline.
Tip The menu at Lakhorn on the 7th floor for breakfast is an excellent opportunity to try a traditional Thai breakfast. Forgo the Western options like pancakes and bacon and dig into a Jok––the traditional broken-rice congee-styled soup, with a poached egg, shredded ginger, and crumbled pork. Or try Khao Mun Gai, Thailand’s poached chicken dish served with cucumbers, soy sauce and garlic oil.
Drinking
In a property where everything feels memorable, Lennon’s is a jaw-dropper. It’s located on the 30th floor, and the bar staff is backdropped by those huge, slanted windows, mixing craft cocktails beneath a truly gigantic, Art Deco chandelier. Admire the frosted blubs and cascading brasswork, then slip through a tall door to the speakeasy, where a listening library includes 6,000 albums on vinyl and rare whiskies are displayed on pedestals. Elvis may be dead, but he really lives on, crooning in such a sainted space.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Press a button on the elevator, walk through one art-filled corridor, and you’re outside, directly on the BTS Skytrain line that connects you to dozens of amazing sites and neighborhoods in the city. On ground level, it’s easy to grab a taxi, although Bangkok’s traffic jams are famous. By foot, it’s easy to explore Phloen Chit—one of the city’s trendiest, upmarket neighborhoods. The nearby mall, Central Embassy, offers luxury, tech and fashion, as well as a great, gourmet grocery for take-home pantry staples like Thai hot sauce.
Restaurants
Visitors will find Phloen Chit is a perfect neighborhood for a lavish evening out. The Rosewood’s neighbors include the Park Hyatt, with its buzzy Penthouse Bar + Grill rooftop dining, and Quince––a long term staple for some of the town’s top European gastronomy. Coba’s design features thousands of cascading jungle plants and fiery Latin American plates, recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Bars
Start at Lennon’s on the 30th floor of the Rosewood, absolutely. It’s the best sunset vantage in the city. Then, visit perfect Margaritas at Santiaga, rare whiskey options at The Balvenie Bar, or cold IPAs and lagers inside a hipster, industrial, artsy space, at The Beer Bridge. All are a quick walk.
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