GLOW Pratunam

From the busy street, the Glow Pratunam Hotel has a distinctive façade of blue-tinted windows decorated with rows of orange and white embellishments. Enter through hot-pink doors and take the elevator up to the seventh-floor lobby, where pink and gray chairs provide lounging space, and see-through walls and exposed ducts lend an underground, maze-like feel despite the large windows. The airy restaurant is vibrant, with large, woven-wood light fixtures, designed to look like dangling flowers, and colorful fabric chairs; there's also a breezy outdoor patio surrounded by a so-called sky-garden. The rooftop pool is small, lined with tropical foliage and umbrella-shaded black rattan lounge chairs -- and featuring panoramic views. The hotel primarily attracts tourists looking to be in the heart of the shopping district.

The Glow Pratunam is located on floors seven through 20 of a building in Pratunam, a busy neighborhood best known for its markets with stores selling clothes at wholesale prices. There are also several luxury malls in the area: the Platinum Fashion Mall is a two-minute walk away, Central World is within a 10-minute walk, and Siam Paragon Shopping Center is 11 minutes away. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, including the popular Soi Thai Wanton Mee next to the hotel, where there are often long lines. The closest skytrain station is around a 10-minute walk from the hotel, which can seem far for those carrying luggage. The airport is less than a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

The rooms at the Glow Pratunam Hotel are modern and understated, with parquet wood floors, clean-lined furniture in muted tones, and long, season-themed paintings over the beds; different rooms are themed after different seasons. Colorful striped couches offer seating space, and suites have separate sitting rooms. Standard rooms have bathrooms with walk-in glass showers, but rooms with shower/tub combos are also available, and suites have separate soaking tubs. Bathrooms are spacious and modern, done in white marble, and include toothbrushes, toothpaste, robes, and slippers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, pillow-top mattresses, mini-fridges, and coffee and tea facilities.

The hotel has a small spa that offers massages, a popular service with guests. There’s a small outdoor rooftop pool lined with lounge chairs, where cocktails can be ordered. The fitness center is well-equipped with modern machines, and lined with windows and mirrors; there are also lockers, showers, and a steam room. The indoor/outdoor restaurant serves a range of international and Thai favorites, from Pad Thai to steak, and a breakfast buffet with fresh fruit and pastries is offered to all, but included in some room rates. Meeting/event space is available to book. The hotel has an internet corner with two computers, free Wi-Fi is included, and free parking is available.