Hilton Bangkok Grande Asoke

The property has an iconic glass, sail-like facade, which draws similarities to the world famous Dubai Hotel; it certainly stands out on a street of otherwise drab-looking buildings. Inside, brown, copper, and shades of gold adorn the spacious lobby, where the decor is contemporary with a hint of Thai accents. Walking in, the massive front desk is located to the right, while a sofa and lounger lie ahead for weary guests to rest or wait. It's amusing to watch other guests almost fall under a trance as they look up at the atrium above, fixated on the architecture that begins to resemble a magic eye poster if you stare at it for too long.

This cool, laid-back hotel attracts everyone from hip, young tourists keen to stay in the heart of this happening neighborhood, to corporate guests who'd likely prefer to chill out in trendy spaces between meetings. Business travelers appreciate the sizable desks in the rooms, and tourists enjoy the property's proximity to the shopping areas and nightlife at Soi Cowboy.

The location is excellent, since it sits only five minutes' walking from the BTS sky train and MRT stations: the two main train lines that serve the city. A string of mobile hawker stalls line the street that runs from the hotel to the subway station.  Asok BTS is across the road from the hotel, and Terminal 21 is right next door where travelers can get their shopping done and eat at the many restaurants. Opened in October 2011, Terminal 21 -- designed like an airport terminal -- brings several world-famous cities under one roof. It has over 600 shops, a Gourmet Market, and plenty of retail outlets.

If guests want to get from the hotel to Chatuchak for the weekend market, they can take the Blue Line from Sukhumvit to either Chatuchak Park or Kamphaeng Phet (which is actually nearer to the market). To get to Siam, visitors can walk to Asok station (on the Green Line), which is approximately a five-minute stroll from the hotel. For nature hikes, Benkakiti Park has a pretty lake and walking and cycling tracks, and is only 10 minutes away by foot. For those who enjoy the more salacious side of nightlife, infamous Soi Cowboy is a stone's throw away and has go-go bars aplenty. Culture vultures will not want to miss the Grand Palace -- a 30-minute bus ride away -- which is an architectural delight that glistens in gold mosaic tiles and transports travelers into another world. Khao San Road has become a backpacker's haven, and is still worth checking out for its souvenir stalls and cheap bars; it's a 40-minute bus ride from the hotel.

Rooms are smart and contemporary, with subtle decor that includes Thai touches like floral motifs, rustic carved shutters, and sepia shots of Thai landmarks. An origami elephant made from a bath and hand towel is placed in each room. Towel art seems to be rather popular in Thailand, and is a cute or kitsch feature, depending on taste.

Beds are firm and supportive, with luxury linens and a huge range of pillows. All the rooms are fairly spacious, and spotlessly clean. A chaise lounge sits in front of the flat-screen TV in each room. The desk in each room is sizable, with decent task lighting and a multitude of connectivity options for electronics. Business travelers will appreciate the desk-level power outlets and the thoughtful stationery box. The rooms come with all the amenities guests would expect from an upscale hotel: air-conditioning, safes, good closet space, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, coffeemakers, and minibars with a fine selection of alcohol. One of the best features of the room is the peek-a-boo bath -- which may be too intimate for some -- but certainly makes a design-centric impression. The tub is also decadently long, and each room's bathroom is also furnished with integrated speakers so guest are able to watch TV without leaving the bath. Some showers have rainfall showerheads but the free toiletries are of a generic hotel brand. Rooms have city views across the Bangkok skyline.

The hotel has five restaurants, all with modern decor and good quality food. A stand-out is the all-day dining restaurant called Atelier, where the breakfast buffet -- featuring an extensive menu of Chinese, Japanese, and local dishes, as well as traditional favorites -- is served. Made-to-order eggs at the live cooking station are cooked to perfection and are the highlight of every morning, together with the smoothie station.

The outdoor lap pool is overshadowed by other buildings and can get chilly in the cooler months, but it's a chic space with decadent loungers and a well-trimmed hedge. Other amenities include a full-service spa called The Antidote. The gym is modern with up-to-date cardiovascular machines and free weights.