The Best Boutique Hotels in Bangkok

The Maduzi is a rare affair, combining Japanese style and Californian levels of comfort. Notice the expanses of honey-coloured maple, offset by minimal whites. There are filigree wood screens and those large ofuro Japanese baths made of cedar. Mid-century leather Eames chairs work modishly with minimalist fitted work stations. A few minutes’ walk from the Asok skytrain station, the hotel’s in a plum location, too – just off Sukhumvit Road, bristling with spas and restaurants.

Busy with traffic, bustling with pedlars, brimming with street stalls, with incense-scented shrines at every corner: Bangkok’s Chinatown is either bewitching or bewildering, depending on your tastes. If it appeals, then so should Bed and Brews; particularly the mezzanine suites of tall Chinese windows, whitewash and warm woods. The property is a mock-French colonial affair on the edge of the neighbourhood, above a Chinese tea room. It’s a manageable stroll to the spectacular temple of the Golden Buddha and – even with baggage – to Hua Lamphong railway station.

Located just moments away from the Chit Lom BTS station, the luxurious Hotel Muse is an award-winning boutique hotel with a unique design – a mix of Asian elements and classic European detailing. It has an array of rooms and suites with either twin or king-sized beds. Hotel Muse is also a foodie destination, with two excellent in-house restaurants. Medici Kitchen & Bar offers Italian cuisine, while the 1920s-style steakhouse, Babette’s, serves up tender cuts of wagyu and Australian tenderloin. Head up to The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar for a nightcap and gorgeous views.

The charming Bangkok Publishing Residence retains the vestige of its former life as the headquarters of a long-gone magazine. Publishing paraphernalia from the 20th century is spread out across the property. Rooms are fitted with desks and dressed in mahogany tones. There’s also a library, a rooftop with a jacuzzi overlooking the Old Town and a museum that non-guests can only see by appointment.

Overlooking the sacred Chao Phraya River, Hotel Once Bangkok boasts a modern design and clean lines. The rooms contain one-of-a-kind antique pieces, custom-designed furniture and claw-foot bathtubs. Some of the more luxurious rooms come with a jacuzzi set beneath a large Palladian window. Enjoy food, cocktails and panoramic views of the river at the Top Knot rooftop bar & restaurant.

With two infinity pools and an outdoor jacuzzi, each with stunning views, the luxurious five-star 137 Pillars Suites and Residences offers a very scenic solution to beat the Bangkok heat. While all the rooms are beautiful, the Rattanakosin Suites are truly spectacular and come with two bedrooms, a 3m (10ft) balcony, plush beds and the signature 137 Pillars circular bathtub – did we mention the views?

Nestled in the heart of historic Rattanakosin on Phraeng Phuthon Road, 1905 Heritage Corner comprises two converted shophouses and has just three rooms. The hotel’s heritage craft shop & cafe is a treasure trove from villages all over the kingdom, so don’t forget to bring a souvenir home with you.

Just a short walk from the Grand Palace, Wat Po and other ancient sites, Sala Rattanakosin is one of the very few hotels that directly overlooks Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn. This luxury boutique hotel offers 15 modern rooms, with some facing the temple and river, and others facing Wat Pho. Sala Rattanakosin also has an onsite restaurant, which serves some of the best Thai food in the city, and a rooftop bar with great cocktails – both are highly recommended even if you are not staying at the hotel.

Cabochon Hotel and Residence ranks high on the list of Bangkok’s luxury-for-value lodgings. It’s brimming with 1920s-inspired design elements, such as brass chandeliers and antique typewriters. Guests can also enjoy a range of onsite facilities, including The Library Bar and a rooftop pool. But if you’re keen to explore Bangkok, the residence’s prime location allows for easy access to transportation and main attractions.