VIE Hotel Bangkok, MGallery Hotel Collection

A typical Bangkok high-rise hotel, the VIE Hotel Bangkok feels sleek and modern, but with a natural touch that's evident upon arrival in the hanging plants that cascade over the concrete above the entrance. The lobby, too, is filled with tropical plants and flowers -- and water features and colorful art installations -- that contrast with the back-lit glass reception desks, polished floors, gauzy drapes, and leather sitting areas surrounded by Thai sculptures and accent pieces. The restaurants and bars, too, embody this same combination of warmth and sleek modernity: All have hardwood floors (or carpets patterned to look as if they do), clean-lined furniture in purples and browns, and tropical plants as accents. The pool area has a sleek wooden deck and a glass wall overlooking the street, but is lined with lush tropical vegetation. The hotel is not an especially social place, but the restaurants are popular with guests and local residents alike -- especially the Japanese restaurant -- and the myriad amenities and large rooms attract families, couples, and business travelers.

The VIE Hotel Bangkok is centrally located, set back from a major thoroughfare and within walking distance of many of the city's most renowned shopping centers, including Siam Paragon. There's a skytrain station practically next door, putting the entire city within easy reach by public transportation. The hotel also offers a free tuk-tuk service to the nearby shopping centers, which are filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment. Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 30 minutes away by car, or an hour on public transportation. Free parking is available for guests.

The VIE Hotel Bangkok has 154 rooms, the majority of which are suites or duplexes. All are decorated in modern, Thai-inspired style with hardwood floors; a red, orange, and beige color palette; clean-lined furniture; and Thai accent pieces. All are large, but the suites and duplexes have extra sitting areas (and, in some, dining areas) for entertaining. All rooms also have views over the city's rooftops. Bathrooms are especially modern, with limestone tile, soaking tubs, walk-in rainfall showers, bathrobes and slippers, scales, and signature toiletries. Rooms also have an minibar with alcoholic beverages, flat-screen TVs, pillow menus, and free Wi-Fi; some higher-tier rooms have espresso machines. Some guests have complained about room maintenance.

The VIE Hotel Bangkok has all the requisite features of a high-end Bangkok hotel. The rooftop pool, overlooking the street below, is lined with cushioned wooden loungers and umbrellas, and drinks and snacks can be delivered to guests' chairs. There are three other restaurants and bar, as well: the popular YTSB, an acclaimed Japanese sushi bar that attracts both guests and local residents for dinner daily and lunch on weekends; the gourmet French La Vie restaurant, which has both buffet and a la carte options and receives mixed reviews for both quality and price; and the Vie lounge, which serves cocktails, other drinks, and a buffet of snacks and desserts throughout the day in its library-like setting. The hotel also has the full-service Vie Spa, which blends Thai and Western techniques and produces its own line of products. There's also a large, modern fitness center with walls of windows and a full range of equipment. The hotel also offers several meeting and event spaces, as well as a well-equipped business center with a computer and printer. There are also free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a free tuk-tuk shuttle to nearby malls. Guests are greeted upon arrival with a cool towel and cool tea.