Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok

While the twin glass-towered buildings housing the massive Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok might be mistaken for an office tower, the hotel makes a favorable impression from the start, with a gleaming marble-floored lobby full of bright sitting areas. Stylish contemporary decor includes plush carpets, a scattering of Asian art pieces, and comfortable chairs and cushioned sofas throughout the spacious lobby, where neutral beige hues are accented by bright pops of color like orange pillows or purple seating and floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the space with natural light. There's a business corner in the lobby with several computers available for guests' use, as well as a colorful coffee shop to relax in. The hotel attracts a large corporate crowd in Bangkok for meetings or extended assignments.

Shama Lakeview Asoke  is located in a trendy neighborhood, just south of the busy Asok intersection (a 10-minute walk away) where the Terminal 21 Mall is located, along with subway and Skytrain stations that give easy access around town. There are loads of excellent restaurants here, and the Soi Cowboy red light district is just north of this intersection as well. The hotel offers a free tuk tuk shuttle service to Sukhumvit, though it's also within walking distance, about nine minutes away. Soi 16, the street the property is situated on, is heavily trafficked and full of places to eat and drink, plus there is a Foodland Supermarket about 22 minutes away on foot, making it easy to stock the fully furnished kitchens in guest rooms. The hotel is also a 10-minute walk away from the Benjakitti Park, one of Bangkok's nicest parks with jogging paths, bicycle lanes, and a large lake. Suvarnabhumi Airport is about a half hour away by car.

The hotel offers spacious, contemporary apartments that range in size from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Housed in two towers, rooms in Tower B have been more recently renovated and have a newer look, though all are clean and modern, with sleek decor. Wood floors are paired with simple, streamlined blond-wood furnishings like desks with built-in entertainment units, wardrobes, and rectangular nightstands. Small sofas and dining tables give a homey feel. All apartments have full kitchens, complete with microwaves, toasters, full-size refrigerators, and cookware and dining ware. The One-Bedroom Premier and higher categories in Tower A have full-sized ovens, while all apartments in Tower B have stovetop ranges. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, washing machine/dryer units, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, safes, and free Wi-Fi (though guests complain that it's slow), plus some units have private balconies. Bathrooms are spacious and feature shower/tub combos with large mirrors and sinks. The only real drawback here are the lack of views in some rooms; though some overlook the lake at Benjakitti Park with gorgeous sunsets, views on the other side of the building are completely blocked by a trio of high-rise condominium units next door.

Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok has an excellent array of facilities. Each of the two residence towers has an outdoor swimming pool. The main one is located in Tower A and is suitable for lap swimming, has plenty of sun loungers, and also has a section for children and a whirlpool area. The Tower B pool is much smaller and has a roof above it, so there's no sun here, but it is far quieter than the main pool. Guests can use either pool regardless of which tower they're staying in. There is a comprehensive state-of-the-art fitness center with lots of cardio and weight machines, free weights, and a yoga room, as well as a sauna and steam room. The hotel even has a golf bay with two small indoor putting areas to practice on. Families traveling with kids can utilize the staffed Kids' Club, while business travelers will find several meeting rooms here. Other features include a beauty salon as well as a convenience store just outside the lobby. The hotel offers a free on-call tuk tuk shuttle service, which takes guests up to Sukhumvit Road and the Asok intersection to the Skytrain and subway stations. Other freebies include Wi-Fi throughout and breakfast (offered to short term guests booking online).

For eating and drinking, the main hotel restaurant is Cool Chilli, where they serve buffet breakfasts as well as both Thai and international lunch and dinner buffets along with an a la carte menu. Just next door is Garibaldi, a stylish Italian restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner and has a decent wine cellar to accompany the food. Both of these restaurants have small outdoor terraces for alfresco dining. There's a coffee shop in the lobby as well, which serves various beverages and pastries and has a spacious sitting area.