The Siam Bangkok

It’s easy to see why The Siam Bangkok has quickly established itself as one of the hotspot places to stay in the city. This is a unique property, with a commitment to keep things interesting for its discerning visitors, and a clever design that makes the most efficient use of the rare parcel of riverfront land it occupies.

The white two-storey building has the feeling of a turn-of-the-century colonial building, or a 1920s expat haven, rather than a fashion-forward boutique hotel. The lobby flows into a library and games room that wouldn’t feel out of place in a gothic novel, with rare first-edition books, oversized art books, oddities from world travels, and antiques placed inside old steamer trunks.

No expense has been spared in the design – with some $1.5m spent on each room. There are 16 Siam suites with an Art Deco style, which feature interior verandas for leisurely breakfasts and afternoon teas over the Main Residence atrium. A dozen spacious Mae Nim suites offer views of the river, and there are the 10 villas that offer private gardens, dipping pools and open-air moon terraces. Personal butlers are available for each suite upon request, and free wi-fi is available throughout the hotel.

Getting there: with a dock right on the river, you can take a breezy 15-minute longboat ride to and from top shopping spots and Skytrain depots, or catch a tuk-tuk to local temples and museums from the front entrance