Before our stay, a mention of ‘The Sukhothai’ evoked images of celadon tableware, perfectly crisp linen, and price tags that would only be appropriate for very special occasions. As it turns out, only one of those is false.
Designed by hospitality guru Adrian Zecha (Aman), interior designer Ed Tuttle and Australian architect Kerry Hill (who also designed The Lalu in Taiwan), The Sukhothai exudes simplicity and sophistication. Clean lines, loads of white, and the occasional Thai artefact create a sense of calm, something that’s reinforced by the large open courtyards that adjoin the rooms. Complemented by lush gardens, lotus ponds and the sound of birdsong (a rarity in Bangkok), it’s a true urban oasis, and once you’ve enveloped yourself in it, it’s easy to forget that you’re still located alongside one of Bangkok’s busiest roads.
All of The Sukhothai’s 210 rooms follow a similar approach. Whether you’re staying in a standard room or a suite, you can expect a sleek base furnished with teak, Jim Thompson silk and Oriental artwork. Space is key in all room types, as beds come in the size of a small bedroom and most rooms are fitted out with obscenely spacious bathrooms that feel bigger than the average studio apartment. And while their appearance might reference the charm of a bygone era, the facilities are anything but: rooms come with Smart TVs, espresso machines and surround-sound audio systems.
Dining-wise, you’ll have several options. We dined at Celadon, an upscale Thai restaurant at the front of the hotel, set inside a traditional pavilion surrounded by lotus ponds. Its menu features accessible, classic Thai fare like tom kha gai (coconut chicken soup), gaeng massaman (a mild Thai curry) and a delectable yam som-o (pomelo salad — our favourite), all exquisitely presented and perfectly prepared. The nightly traditional dance performance sets the mood just right. If you’re not in the mood for Thai, the poolside La Scala gets high praise for their progressive Italian cuisine, while Colonnade is a dependable choice for international comfort food.
The hotel itself already does a stellar job at winding you down from the city’s bustle — but if the need for serious relaxation arises, the on-site Spa Botanica can certainly help you with that. Tucked away in a separate building surrounded by greenery, this state-of-the-art spa offers everything from a simple rejuvenation facial to an all-day wellness programme.
Lastly, and perhaps best of all, none of the above would’ve been exceptional if the rooms were priced at a premium. However, they start at the surprisingly reasonable rate of around 5000 THB per night — just a slight bit more than many of Bangkok’s boutique hotels!
Tips
- The Sukhothai’s daily high tea, served in the hotel lobby, is a great way to experience the hotel without having to spend the night.
- While standard rooms are already incredibly comfortable, the splurge for a suite upgrade is absolutely worth it.
- The pool is a great spot to doze off after a day of exploring the city.
Info
13/3 South Sathorn Rd,
Bangkok 10120
+66 2 344 8888
https://sukhothai.com/bangkok
This stay was hosted by The Sukhothai, but expressed opinions are 100% our own
