Century Park Hotel

The Century Park Hotel makes a grand first impression with Louis Cube marble floors and oversized stone elephants in the lobby. The ceilings soar two stories high, and a floor-to-ceiling traditional Thai artwork, depicting Buddhists at a temple, is flanked by mirrors. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light and views of the tropical garden with its mature palms. There's a curved bar in the corner with oval-backed bar stools and modern pendant lighting. Pillars surround the black marble front desk. The stairwell up to the rooms is sleek and modern, with black marble steps accented by chrome accents on the bannister and Thai prints hanging on the walls. The traditional yet upscale decor extends to the rest of the common spaces, including the restaurant and bar. The hotel has a formal yet cheerful vibe, and is mostly frequented by couples and the odd business traveler who has meetings at the nearby Chamnan Phenjati Business Center.

The Century Park Hotel is located off the beaten path in the shopping-heavy Pratunam neighborhood, but there are plenty of affordable transport options nearby, from cabs to trains, and the hotel's free tuk-tuk shuttle will take you to the Victory Monument skytrain station, which has good transport links all over the capital. The surrounding area is crowded and busy with traffic at all hours, but there are a number of good options for food nearby. Traffic in the surrounding neighborhood is regularly congested, and the walk to the skytrain can get pretty hairy, especially during rush hour. The famous Pratunam Market -- one of Bangkok's major fashion retail markets -- is 10 minutes away on the bus. The large MBK Center mall, with eight stories of 2,000 shops and restaurants, is also a 10-minute bus ride away, although the hotel's tuk-tuk shuttle will also drop you off there. Lumpini Park is 20 minutes away on the bus, and the Grand Palace is a 20-minute taxi ride away.

The Century Park Hotel offers a range of room types for different budgets and group sizes. All are classically decorated; Standard Rooms have traditional Thai wooden headboards with elegant bed posts, carpeted floors, and dark wooden furniture. Higher-tier room types have similar decor but with some more upscale touches, including wood latticework and soft bathrobes and slippers. Suites have separate living areas with sofas, as well as separate showers and soaking tubs. Most bathrooms have granite countertops, either a shower or a shower/tub combo, and signature toiletries. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, and safes big enough for laptops. Views out of the windows are of the sprawling Bangkok metropolis; higher-floor rooms naturally have more impressive views.

The pool on the fifth-floor roof deck is scenic, surrounded by lush foliage, and surprisingly calm considering the bustling city beyond. However, it spends most of its time shaded by the adjacent apartment blocks -- and the deep end is almost perpetually in the shadows. The pool deck is lined with plenty of loungers, though, making it a popular spot to lounge during the hot days. The hotel is also home to seven eateries and bars. The Jess restaurant serves buffet-style meals and is open for breakfast (free for guests), lunch, and dinner; the Roberto Restaurant serves more upmarket Italian cuisine and is open for dinner only. The Signature Bar has live music six nights a week, and other dining and drinking options include the Century Club Lounge, Fountain Lounge, Garden Terrace snack bar, and La Pâtisserie on-site. The fitness center is modern and well-equipped, with wooden floors and plenty of natural light. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, concierge service, babysitting services, and a business center with a number of computers. Room service is provided by the hotel’s restaurant.