Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

Geared toward business guests, this large, 30-story hotel features glitzy, contemporary decor throughout. The large, plush lobby has chic red-patterned carpet, striking mirrored pillars, and stylish seating in an array of neutral hues and more exuberant reds and purples, all complemented by large statement floor lamps. Glittery suspended butterflies hang above the hotel's marble front desk, creating a motif that also appears above the circular lobby bar. Hallways feel similarly grand, with long red carpet runners and chandelier-style downlighting. While this chain property certainly draws the corporate set, there's a lot of appeal here for all types of travelers, and the hotel has a nice variety of places to hang out. The rustic, Tuscan-style Attico Italian restaurant has exposed-brick walls and striking wooden ceiling beams, while Vintage wine bar has a speakeasy vibe. Those wanting to really get away from the busy Sukhumvit area's traffic-clogged mayhem should head up to the infinity pool, which is a calm oasis from the city below. Given its broad appeal, guests here run the gamut, though the majority are in town on business.

The Radisson Blu Plaza sits directly on busy Sukhumvit Road and is a seven-minute walk to both the elevated skytrain and the metro -- great for beating the area’s particularly heavy traffic. Numerous shopping malls, bars, and restaurants are within easy reach all along Sukhumvit Road, including Terminal 21 mall, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. At night, a night market sprawls along Sukhumvit Road around the Nana area, 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. It's a 15-minute trip to the trendy Thonglor neighborhood on the skytrain, and about 20 minutes by public transit to the malls in the Siam area. Expect a 25-minute metro ride to the up-and-coming Silom area, which is also home to the notorious Patpong Night Market. Given Bangkok's heinous traffic, drive times are merely an estimate and can vary widely. In good conditions, it will take 25 minutes to reach the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in a cab, while Chinatown should be under 20 minutes away by car. However, since the city's streets are regularly in gridlock, budget at least an hour to reach either Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi International Airports. 

Rooms are chic, spacious, and quiet, though decor does vary just slightly. Common motifs include tufted or upholstered headboards, subdued neutral color schemes punctuated by vibrant jewel tones, and elegantly patterned carpets and drapes. The handsome, dark wood-veneer furniture looks sharp next to reflective mirror surfaces that add just the right amount of glitz in some rooms. Soft wall art and sleek built-in shelving and furniture all combine to create tranquil, contemporary spaces. Some higher-category rooms add even more design-conscious details, like the carved wooden ceiling panels in the Royal Deluxe Suite that we visited. Entry-level Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Rooms have at least 388-square-foot (36-square-meter) floor plans, while higher-category rooms -- like the Executive Suite that we saw -- offer at least 775 square feet of space (72 square meters). Standard features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, iPod docks, coffee- and tea-making facilities (pricier rooms have Lavazza coffeemakers), minibars with beers and soft drinks (but no wine or spirits), safes, and irons and ironing boards. Stylish bathrooms are done in sharp black marble, with abundant counter space, wall-to-wall mirrors, and attractive blond-wood shelving plus separate soaking tubs and rainfall showers. Toiletries, bathrobes, slippers are all provided. More expensive rooms -- like Executive Suites, Junior Suites and Royal Deluxe Suites -- add perks that can include flat-screen TVs over the bathtubs, whirlpool tubs, or huge wooden decks with impressive city views (though the lack of furniture on balconies may be disappointing). 

The hotel’s long list of facilities includes a stunning sixth-floor infinity pool deck, with a limited number of lounge chairs and modern cabanas. The stylish Bar.esc poolside bar serves drinks and snacks until late -- however, when we visited in July 2016, nearby construction work partially obstructed views from the pool and some of the hotel’s other spaces. The large, bright, wood-paneled gym has a good selection of cardio machines, weightlifting equipment, and free weights, plus modern changing rooms with lockers, steam rooms, and saunas. The chic spa has spacious treatment rooms along with hot tubs.The 28th-floor Tuscan-inspired Attico Italian restaurant has gorgeous rustic decor, while the third-floor China Table serves modern Cantonese cuisine. Twenty Seven Bites brasserie offers international a la carte dishes and buffet meals all day. The excellent breakfast buffet is served here, though it’s not always included in rates; a continental breakfast is also available, and room service operates 24/7. Bars and cafes include the intimate Vintage speakeasy-style wine bar, the B/Sharp bar, and B/Sweet dessert lounge (both in the lobby).Guests staying in higher-category rooms get access to the 29th-floor Business Class lounge, with free all-day refreshments and evening snacks and drinks. The hotel also offers two whole floors of meeting spaces. The Suite fits up to 150 people and has its own open kitchen for catering, while the 4521-square-foot (420-square-meter) ballroom can accommodate up to 400. There are Mac computers available at large desks in the lobby, and there’s free, reliable Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.