Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom

Guests are greeted with a very warm welcome at the Holiday Inn, with a smooth check-in that involves a charming ritual of guests receiving a cold towel, welcome beverage, and floral wrist garland. The charm continues with smart public spaces that surpass expectations of what guests would expect in a chain hotel: geometric carpets, angular tables and chairs, and a super slick front desk that is covered in turquoise blue mosaics. The futuristic furniture (such as the sofa that's surrounded by marble slabs) and weird, conceptual sculptures shaped in curly metal somehow tie the room together in a strange, yet interesting, manner. The relaxed vibe here attracts a mixture of hip younger tourists that are keen to stay in the heart of this happening neighborhood, with its Go-Go bars and buzzing night markets, as well as corporate guests who'd likely prefer to chill out in relaxing surroundings between business appointments.

Silom is undoubtedly one of the city's most important financial districts with many bank headquarters, financial institutions, and office buildings. Luxury hotels, smaller malls ,and great restaurants abound in the area too -- and Patpong has a famous nightlife scene. Patpong is one of the world's most famous red-light districts, and is where Thailand's Go-Go culture all started. The neighborhood has even been featured in a James Bond chase sequence. Its two parallel side-streets, found between Silom and Surawongse Roads, have around 100 neon-lit strip bars offering risque shows. Surawongse Road is about 10 minutes from the lobby door by bus.Patpong has long since been usurped as the "king of the scene" by Soi Cowboy, a road near Sukhumvit. However, its reputation means it's still a huge attraction, mainly for sightseers more interested in ogling at -- rather than indulging in -- the carnal delights on offer. Patpong also has an incredible night market which teems with hawkers and humble stalls selling what is mostly tourist souvenirs.Bangkok's two most sophisticated mass transportation systems - -the Skytrain (BTS) and underground -- both have Silom connections, which are also conveniently connected by the walkway between MRT Silom and BTS Sala Daeng stations. Siam, Chidlom, Ploenchit, Sathorn, and the riverside are only a few BTS stations away.To visit the Grand Palace with its sprawling grounds, ornate buildings, and small gardens, guests may take a 20-minute metro ride. One of the temples -- the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (or Wat Phra Kaew) -- was built right around the same time as the Grand Palace itself and houses a small statue of a sitting Buddha, about a foot-and-a-half tall and made of green jadeite (not emerald!) and clothed in gold. It’s a must-see, as is the nearby Pavilion of Regalia. Near the palace complex is Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple that contains around 1,000 images of the Buddha, including the famous golden Reclining Buddha which measures 141 feet long and 45 feet high, and rests on pillow boxes of jewel-like glass mosaics. Visitors can drop coins into the charity pots behind the statue for good luck. The temple is also said to be the birthplace of Thai massage, and travelers would do well to try one at the massage school next door.

The rooms here are comprised of clean lines, a neutral color scheme, and a bright and airy feel. From the smart, soft carpets to the quality linens, from the double-glazed windows that keep out the city noises, to the freshly cut flowers, rooms may not be entirely upscale, but they are more impressive than what many expect at a Holiday Inn. The king-size beds are comfortable, and business travelers will be pleased to find spacious work desks with ergonomic chairs, as well as speedy free Wi-Fi. Most rooms have comfortable sofas, and all the rooms have showers with separate tubs, flat-screen TVs, safes that are spacious enough for laptops, and coffeemakers. Extra perks include two free bottles of mineral water that are replaced daily, free newspapers, and welcome bowls of fruit. The rooms are modern with iPod docks and massaging showers.

The hotel has an Indian restaurant called Tandoor that receives solid reviews from guests for its authentic Indian menu. There's a handy self-service laundry system on-site and two bars, the Orchid Lounge and Hari's; the latter has an extensive cocktail menu. The fitness center has a good range of cardiovascular machines, and the tennis court looks brand-new. The pool is a bit more dated, but gets a fair amount of sun throughout the day. For weddings, the hotel has the huge Silom ballroom as well as the Crystal ballroom and other smaller rooms. The reception staff can also book car rentals for guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout.