Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok

The Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor is housed in a towering glass building, with outdoor patio seating creating a lively scene out front. A driveway leads to the hotel's entrance, which is on the side. Inside, the property embraces minimalism -- the long, white check-in desk, with a large black-and-white painting and a terrarium, stands pretty much alone. The lobby area is a bit more inviting. It's filled with plush black sofas and large white-cushioned chairs, where guests can linger and peruse the newspapers and magazines, or use the two iMacs. About 40 percent of the guests are on long-term stays, and the ambience is more like that of a high-end residential building than a hotel, with public areas the busiest in the early morning and evening. The hotel sees a mix of all types of travelers, from those on business to leisure families and couples in town for just a couple nights.

The hotel is on Soi Thonglor, a street that comprises one of Bangkok's most popular expat communities. While Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) is heavily trafficked and can be difficult to navigate during rush hour, the hotel is closer to the Sukhumvit end of the road, which is less congested. There's a free tuk-tuk shuttle to the Sukhumvit Skytrain station, though it's only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Thonglor, one of Bangok's trendiest areas, is home to a large Japanese community, and there are plenty of excellent Japanese dining options in the area, but it teems with all manner of high-end bars and restaurants as well. The area is close to several small malls, along with supermarkets and shops, too -- a Tops supermarket is across the street, and a branch of the popular Eric Kayser French bakery chain is up the road. The historic sights around the Grand Palace -- as well as the vibrant mix of high-brow and low-brow nightlife in the Silom area -- are a bit far from here. Expect cabs to either area to take up to 30 minutes depending on traffic, though the Silom area can be reached by skytrain in just 20 minutes. Suvarnabhumi Airport can take up to 40 minutes to reach by car or taxi, while Don Mueang Airport is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

The 262 rooms at the Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok are Studios, One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments with small balconies and full kitchens. All are spacious, starting at 40 square meters (431 square feet), and decorated in a minimalist blend of stylish white, black, and gray tones. Light wood veneer floors add to the clean and contemporary look, and neutral area rugs look sharp under modern taupe love seats or Scandinavian-style furniture. Apart from the full kitchens, apartments also feature flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, DVD/MP3 players, washer/dryers, and small dining areas. Kitchens include electric-range stoves, microwaves, toasters, kettles for tea and coffee, silverware, and pots and pans. Generously proportioned bathrooms have sharp gray floors and polished white walls, with modern fixtures and sleek shower/tub combos that are deep enough for a soak. Larger One- and Two-Bedroom units add separate walk-in showers, but the toiletry selection on offer is a bit underwhelming for a hotel of this caliber, and we saw pump dispensers in showers.

Though the hotel has a residential vibe, there are a number of upscale hotel features on site. There is an outdoor swimming pool with a children's pool and a jetted area, which are always welcome additions in steamy Bangkok. Adjacent to the pool is the fitness center with a sauna, and a small kids' club. Marbles restaurant, which has indoor and outdoor seating, serves a free breakfast buffet, and Thai and Western fare all day. Baan Ice, a colorful Thai restaurant decorated with art, books, knickknacks, and a collection of wooden bird cages (a symbol of southern Thailand) hanging from the ceiling, looks more like a gallery -- it's open for lunch and dinner. At Gyukaku, a branch of the popular Japanese yaki-niku barbecue restaurant, guests can cook their own dinners in the pot cookers built into the tables. The hotel also has meeting rooms, a lounge, iMac computers for guests' use in the lobby, and a free tuk-tuk shuttle to the skytrain. There's also a small playroom for kids. Wi-Fi is free for long-term guests, but those staying as hotel guests will have to pay.