At the pinnacle of iconic moments
Thai capital of Bangkok is often referred to as ‘an attack on the senses’. A street party come to life, if you may. The city is frequented by Expats and local tourists from Dubai and the Middle East for several reasons—a ‘hop, skip and jump’ flight time, visa on arrival, and a smorgasbord of experiences on offer depending on the kind of getaway you’re seeking.
It’s the kind of city you either haven’t been to or keep coming back to; there is no in between. A scene from The Hangover Part II sums it up for those who belong to the latter category… when Tattoo Joe says to Phil, “Bangkok has him now, and she’ll never let him go.
The Thai capital has no shortage of luxury hotels, but when Capella Bangkok opened at the end of 2020, it brought in a level of sophistication the city hadn’t seen before: rooms boast private plunge pools, there are villas on the riverside, plus a restaurant spearheaded by one of the world’s top chefs. A low-rise retreat in one of Bangkok’s oldest districts, where street kitchens still dish up 100-year-old family recipes and crumbling shophouses line the road. Golden temple roofs poke out from the concrete cityscape, and the Chao Phraya River flows as mightily as it did hundreds of years ago. It’s utterly charming, and the hotel can arrange expert-led tours to make the most out of a visit to this fascinating historical district.
For a hotel with some of the priciest rooms in the city, Capella feels decidedly refined. Tasteful in all sense of the word. There’s no loud and flashy design and no over-the-top exterior, instead muted hues and lots of marble. This is the elegant matte leather Manolo—twice as expensive—pair of shoes next to a rhinestone-studded Gucci pair. The crowd reflects that—the tea lounge is the domain of a well-heeled crowd, while the riverside terrace is an open-air meeting room for royalty-worthy lunches and business deals.
Service is the white-glove kind and does not feel forced. Every room has a dedicated Capella Culturist on call who can fix anything from a meditation session with a monk from a nearby temple (highly recommended) to balcony barbecue dinners and chef-led street-food tours. And the wellness side, you asked? Whether you drop in for a quick Thai massage or a multi-day retreat with blood tests and macrobiotic meals, Auriga Wellness is a one-stop-shop for relaxation. Treatments follow Thai, Chinese, and Indian healing methods. The cavernous aqua-therapy lounge with sauna and vitality pool is a blissful hangout after a massage. You can thank me later.
Is it beautiful? Absolutely. The private pool from my River Suite was the best sunset spot to watch river life float by. Capella Bangkok is like a soothing balm for the eyes, taste and soul, in a city so busy that life doesn’t seem to pause at all.
With just 101 keys, the hotel is an intimate affair. Two room categories stand out: the Veranda rooms open up to large balconies fitted with plunge pools, cosy daybeds and seating nooks, while the spacious Riverside villas—unique in Bangkok—have their own private pool-equipped gardens right on the water. Design-wise, they’re all sleek and streamlined, featuring hushed palettes of greys and beiges with touches of blonde wood and pale gold. Their bathrooms, bedecked in travertine marble, feel like mini spas with walk-in rain showers, enormous bathtubs and ultra-fluffy hooded bathrobes.
Taking over the rustic-chic dining room at the heart of the hotel, Côte by Mauro Colagreco is Capella Bangkok’s pride and joy. Deservedly so, because the Argentinian chef behind three-Michelin star (World’s Best 2019) Mirazur in Nice has done a stellar job transporting his signature, produce-driven Mediterranean flavors to a Thai setting. Whether you order the à la carte options or the nine-course ‘carte blanche’ tasting menu, you can expect fine, flower-flecked dishes featuring seasonal ingredients and top-quality seafood, optionally paired with one of the best natural wine selections in town. Another tasty treat on the riverside, Thai restaurant Phra Nakhon delivers local family recipes that don’t shy away from chili, and evenings end with live music at Stella, the boudoir-like cocktail and ‘dessert omakase’ bar.
For memorable mornings, breakfast is served at the riverside and features a small buffet of house-baked pastries, fruits and Asian specialties alongside an extensive made-to-order menu. Oh and the ricotta pancakes deserve a second order. Trust.
Perhaps Bangkok’s finest stay.
Only the best,
Lucas Raven
