Millennium Hilton Bangkok

The Millennium Hilton is a striking 32-story property that towers over a neighboring local market and the mighty Chao Phraya River. The impressive lobby is bright and modern, with cream-colored marble flooring, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows -- but the attractive daybed seating, with neutral striped upholstery, has begun to show its age. This is, unfortunately, the case throughout much of the hotel. Numerous tucked-away seating nooks afford privacy, and the attractive front desk is done out in contemporary brown stone. Among the handful of restaurants and bars, highlights include the indoor-outdoor Three Sixty Lounge with cream-colored upholstered sofas and tub seats beside grassy stretches on the paved terrace, the on-trend Lantern coffee shop, and the fun beach space beside the attractive pool deck. Things can get busy here from time to time, perhaps not unexpected for a hotel of this size. Given its name-brand status and great views, it's no surprise that the hotel has broad appeal, and it draws guests from across the spectrum. 

The Millennium Hilton sits beside Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, just back from a busy main road and a short distance to the interchange between the river boats and the Saphan Taksin Skytrain. Its lower-key Thonburi location makes for gorgeous views of Bangkok proper. However, that means there's few major sights within an easy walk and guests will need to rely on river ferries to get around. A ferry pier is adjacent to the hotel for connections to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (about 30 minutes), and the hotel provides a free shuttle boat service to the skytrain. It's also only a three-minute walk to Khlong San Market, and a 10-minute drive (when there's no traffic) to Wat Arun. Getting farther afield is a little more complicated, though once travelers have arrived at the skytrain, it will take only 10 minutes by train to reach the buzzing Silom area, which is home to the seedy Patpong Night Market as well as trendy dining. It's 30 minutes by Skytrain to the malls and nightclubs around Sukhumvit Road, and 45 minutes to Chatuchak Market. Cabs ravel to all of these places, but traffic in Bangkok can be miserable. Budget at least an hour to arrive at either international airport by cab.

The Millennium Hilton Bangkok's 533 rooms are spacious and stylish, though we spotted lots of wear on furniture when we visited. Decor varies a bit from one category to the next. For instance, in entry-level Deluxe Rooms, there are warm tans and earth tones and simple dark wood-veneer furniture. These rooms have standard hotel room layouts, with up to two beds for four people. Plus Rooms have sleeker furniture that includes built-in desks and chic neutral-toned sofas. More opulent King Panoramic River Suites add separate living rooms with a mix of lovely hardwood floors and orange carpeting, and elegant seating in orange-heavy polka-dot designs. Accent walls have attractive carved detailing, and windows separating the bedrooms from the bathrooms have stylish wooden blinds.Amenities include large flat-screen TVs, phones, sparsely stocked minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and irons and ironing boards. Pricier rooms, including King Panoramic River Suites, also add coffeemakers or sound systems. Wi-Fi is only free in higher-category rooms. All rooms come with river views, which are especially rewarding from the pricier suites on higher floors.Chic bathrooms have white floors and wall tiling, with a good amount of counter space for storage. Bathing facilities range from walk-in showers in Deluxe Rooms to shower/tub combos and separate showers and tubs in the highest category rooms. Toiletries are by Peter Thomas Roth. King Panoramic River Suites add rainfall showerheads to the walk-in showers, and also have separate areas for the toilets.

The Millennium Hilton offers an extensive range of features, though dining is a highlight. Three restaurants serve international cuisine, steaks and seafood, and Chinese specialties. The riverside coffee shop is open throughout the day, and the poolside bar serves cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks from morning until late evening. The highlight for many guests, though, is the hotel's cheese room, which is exactly what it sounds like. On the 32rd floor, the indoor-outdoor Three Sixty Lounge bar has stunning river views alongside wines and cocktails available until the wee hours. Room service is available. Breakfast at Flow Restaurant offers excellent variety, but it’s not included in standard rates, and it can get busy. Guests in Executive Rooms have access to the Executive Lounge, which serves drinks and snacks, including popular daily happy hour free-flow cocktails at no additional charge; there’s also a pleasant outdoor terrace.  The fourth-floor pool has partly submerged sunbeds, plus beanbags and private gazebo cabanas, and poolside massages are available. There's also a "beach" area. The 24-hour gym has a full range of free weights and cardio and weight-lifting equipment, as well as a separate open exercise area. Whirlpools, a sauna, and a steam room are available, while the Eforea spa offers a range of treatments. The hotel provides a regular free boat shuttle service to he pier near the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station and to the Asiatique night market. Meeting facilities include a large ballroom, and there’s free Wi-Fi in public areas.