U Sathorn Bangkok

Opened in November 2014, this delightful hotel can comes as quite a surprise in chaotic Bangkok. It's a quiet, peaceful refuge consisting of three three-story buildings surrounding a wide grassy courtyard with an outdoor swimming pool as the centerpiece. Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa designed the property in a French colonial style with a contemporary twist that merges the interior and exterior spaces. The lobby is an expansive wide-open space with a gleaming gray marble floor and modern lighting overhead. Check-in takes place seated at a long desk, and upholstered benches in the center of the lobby give guests a place to hang out. While everything is bright and polished, there's a bohemian charm to everything -- we love details like low-slung seating, eclectic pottery, subtle pops of yellow and purple, and mirrored details. There are even upside-down chess pieces hanging above the stairs. It's a cool, modern property that appeals to all sorts of travelers seeking a quieter place away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. 

This hotel is located in a quiet residential part of the business and shopping area to the east of Sathorn Road in the Sathorn District. There is not much action immediately around the hotel -- in fact it doesn't feel like being in the heart of wild Bangkokg at all -- but there are several local shops and casual restaurants, as well as a 7-Eleven, within a five minute walk. Additionally, busy Sathorn Road is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Just to the east of that is the trendy Silom neighbhorhood, though walks there will take about 20 minutes, which can be brutal in Bangkok's heat.  A tuk-tuk should be able to make the journey to Silom's trendy Convent Road in about five minutes. Lumpini Park is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The Lumpini MRT Station can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot as well, or for those who'd rather not walk, the hotel provides free shuttle service from into the evening. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is about 35 minutes away by taxi, as is Don Mueang Airport. However, traffic in this city is a beast -- and that's putting it nicely. Budget at least an hour to reach either. 

The attractive rooms are offered in four categories -- Superior, Superior Garden, Deluxe Garden, and Suites -- and come with a king-size bed or two twins, except in the four suites, which all have king-size beds. Decor is modern and fresh -- even a bit whimsical. It includes a soothing neutral color palette of cream and tan with small pops of bold yellow. We particularly love the eclectic collection of frames above the beds and sharp herringbone upholstery in the seating in some rooms. Floors are hardwood, and contemporary whitewashed furniture has classically informed silhouettes. Modern artwork hangs on dark taupe accent walls, and drapery comes in a similar hue. Fresh flowers add a pleasing aroma. All rooms are spacious, with entry-level Superior Rooms coming in at 32 square meters of space (344 square feet), while top-end Suites have 72-square-meter floor plans (775 square feet). Amenities include large flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, electric kettles, and safes. The U Choose program is a particularly lovely feature, wherein guests can curate their own in-room experience before arriving, from pillows to snacks. Suite guests are entitled to additional perks in the hotel (see Features below). Bathrooms are spacious and modern, with plenty of counter space, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, rainfall showerheads, and upscale toiletries. All have just showers except the four luxurious suites, which also have deep soaking tubs. Robes and slippers are pale pink. Balconies and terraces are furnished and look out over the pool and the courtyard. 

Given its relatively large footprint, the hotel not surprisingly has a number of features designed to keep guests happy. All of them succeed in doing so, though the lack of a proper spa is a bit of a let down. The hotel has two restaurants, one for fine dining and the other more casual. Both have alfresco seating overlooking the pool and courtyard. Created by three-star Michelin chef Jean-Michel Lorain, J’aime serves French cuisine in an elegant contemporary space with purple and chartreuse accents and an upside-down illuminated piano hanging overhead. For more casual dining, The Library offers international bar fare in a cozy quiet space filled with books and magazines. Unique chess-piece lighting hangs over the bar. Guests staying in the Suites are entitled to a free cocktail or afternoon cookies and tea in the Library. A free breakfast is available and is served whenever guests would like, wherever they choose.The outdoor swimming pool is in the center of the property, surrounded by palm trees and a grassy lawn. It's suitable for swimming laps, or for those who prefer to relax poolside, there are plenty of cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas. Kids have their own shallow pool right next to the main pool. The fitness center has modern cardio machines and free weights, and floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the courtyard, keeping everything bright. Yoga by the pool is among the free activities offered by the hotel, while chess games, movie nights, and language lessons are all also available. The hotel also has free bicycles.The grand ballroom can accommodate up to 350 people. It is lovely, luxurious space with sweeping glass chandeliers overhead and natural light through large windows. An additional four rooms are suitable for meetings. Airport transfers can be arranged for a fee and the hotel has parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. It's worth noting the hotel's 24-hour checkout policy, where guests are granted a full 24-hours in their rooms no matter when they checked in. In other words, if a travelers arrives in the evening they don't have to check out until the following evening.