W Bangkok: Where Avant-Garde Embraces Heritage

An Urban Icon Blending Tradition, Design and Metropolitan Energy

Located in the heart of the Thai capital, W Bangkok enjoys a strategic location just steps from the Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain station. This immediate proximity to public transport allows travelers to easily explore the capital's many faces: from the banks of the Chao Phraya River to ultra-modern shopping malls, through ancient temples and the city's top nightlife destinations.

W Bangkok embodies a spectacular fusion of heritage and modernity. The hotel combines a 31-story glass-facade tower with The House on Sathorn, a century-old European-inspired heritage building, carefully restored. This architectural contrast sets the tone for a unique experience where history and avant-garde coexist with boldness. The hotel's interior reflects this duality: mysterious corridors inspired by Bangkok's alleyways, sophisticated lighting effects and soundscapes create a total immersion from the moment of arrival. Every space, from the lobby to the bar, features a carefully crafted scenography that plunges visitors into a stylized, reinvented version of the capital.

W Bangkok's style is profoundly original, marked by an aesthetic that is at once urban, artistic and symbolic. The hotel stands as an immersive gallery where art and contemporary design meet Thai cultural codes. The lobby, for example, features a spectacular mural depicting a phoenix and a tiger in a style inspired by Sak Yant tattoos, traditional symbols of power. The ground floor elevators are decorated with 800 tuk-tuk lights, transforming Bangkok's iconic traffic chaos into a hypnotic light installation. Upstairs, The Kitchen Table restaurant incorporates an installation around the myth of the crocodile Chalawan, playing on surprise and visual humor. Every detail, from the choice of materials to holographic effects, contributes to a sensory and bold staging, true to the avant-garde spirit of the W brand.

The Boldness of W Style, Right to the Heart of the Rooms

The rooms at W Bangkok are true urban retreats, where contemporary design dialogues with local cultural references and a touch of the brand's signature irreverence. The hotel has 403 rooms and suites spread across eight categories, from Standard rooms to the spectacular Penthouse suites. Each space is distinguished by custom chrome furniture, crocodile-style quilted leather headboards and translucent colored glass partitions that subtly define volumes while playing with light. The décor blends glossy textures, a neutral palette and bold graphic accents, such as the oversized Muay Thai boxing gloves placed on the bed — a vibrant nod to Thai culture.

We stayed in a 43 m² Deluxe Room, at once spacious, bright and meticulously arranged. The atmosphere is warm, enveloping and resolutely design-forward: backlit silhouettes projected onto the colored walls create a captivating play of shadows that transforms the space throughout the day. The elegant, minimalist bathroom, equipped with a bathtub, extends this sense of refined well-being. And thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, Bangkok's ever-changing skyline enters the room, offering a striking contrast between the exterior bustle and interior serenity.

The Kitchen Table: A Gourmet Stopover at Any Hour

The Kitchen Table is W Bangkok's must-visit restaurant, where guests can enjoy a generous breakfast combining an international buffet and à la carte dishes, in a bright and relaxed atmosphere. Fresh pastries, exotic fruits, Western classics and Thai specialties are served with care, in a contemporary setting enlivened by an open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs in action. At lunch and dinner, the venue continues to impress with an inventive daytime menu, and in the evening, a selection of quality meats prepared using various American techniques, from smoking to slow cooking.

From Embassy to Cocktail Scene: The Renaissance of The House on Sathorn

In striking contrast with the sleek, modern silhouette of the W Bangkok tower, The House on Sathorn embodies heritage elegance in all its richness. Built in 1889 as a private residence for Luang Sathorn Rajayutka, an influential figure in the neighborhood's development, the mansion has lived many lives: a prestigious hotel in the 1920s, then the Russian embassy for over fifty years. Restored with exceptional care in collaboration with Thailand's Fine Arts Department, it was beautifully reinterpreted in 2015 by the design firm AvroKO. Inside, period woodwork, carved staircases, original frescoes and delicate moldings dialogue with bold contemporary installations imagined by the Thai studio 56th Studio. The result is a singular universe where the charm of the past is enriched by a resolutely creative vision — each room becomes a set, each detail a surprise.

Located on the ground floor of this iconic house, Bar Sathorn offers a cocktail experience as refined as it is inspired. Ranked No. 48 by Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025, the bar captivates with its hushed, sophisticated atmosphere, punctuated by electro-swing sounds and a décor blending plush leather armchairs, antique parquet floors and dimmed lighting. Its signature menu, conceived as a tribute to the great periods of the house's history, unfolds in bold creations, with or without alcohol, accompanied by savory bites. To open the evening, we opted for two mocktails with surprising combinations: the 00 Knees, with subtle notes of lime, chamomile, Thai wild honey and lemongrass, and the 00 Pickled Colada, a surprising blend of marinated pineapple, coconut and non-alcoholic whiskey. As an accompaniment, the Heritage Sliders — a trio of mini-burgers with marinated chicken, Phuket pineapple and peanut sauce — perfectly complemented this refined appetizer, true to the creative and elegant spirit of Bar Sathorn.

Paii, the Restaurant Reinventing Thai Seafood Cuisine

Also set within the refined surroundings of The House on Sathorn, Paii is a modern Thai seafood restaurant that celebrates both the historical heritage of the venue and the richness of ocean produce. Driven by the talent of Chef Weeraket "Joe" Nilayon, Paii revisits traditional recipes through a contemporary lens, showcasing premium ingredients from sustainable sourcing. Giant crabs from Samut Songkhram, squid from Chonburi, Hokkaido scallops and Maine lobsters are elevated with Thai herbs and spices in bold, elegant and flavorful creations. The word paii, meaning "to paddle" in Thai, echoes the canal dug by Luang Sathorn Rajayukta, the original owner of the house — a nod to history, woven into a relaxed yet refined culinary concept where each dish is a sensory journey between tradition and modernity.

Over the course of a dinner as elegant as it was inventive, we explored a selection of signature dishes from contemporary Thai cuisine, revisited with boldness, refinement and a deep respect for the ingredients. Each plate told a story — between tradition and modernity, aromatic intensity and visual delicacy.

We began with the Yum Talay Tom Ka Haeng, an original reinterpretation of the famous tom kha soup. Presented here in a "dry" version, without broth, this dish combines shrimp, crab and squid in a spiced coconut cream, heightened with galangal, lemongrass and fresh red chili. The whole is delicately plated, scattered with edible flowers and sliced chili, for a starter as aromatic as it is visually alluring.

The Pad Thai Lobster then offered a luxurious version of a Thai classic. Served on a black plate that accentuates its brilliance, the lobster, perfectly seared and sliced, rests on a bed of rice noodles stir-fried in a balanced tamarind sauce. Crispy shrimp, bean sprouts, tofu and scallions complete this generous composition, punctuated by a lime wedge for an adjustable touch of acidity.

In a bolder register, the Larb Nhuad Pla Mhuek Yak Yang showcased a charcoal-grilled Spanish octopus tentacle, arranged in a half-circle alongside a larb salad with mint, fresh herbs and young shoots. An intense, fragrant sauce at the center of the plate elevated the whole, for a vibrant, graphic and perfectly executed starter.

More understated but equally memorable, the Ka Lam Plee Ob Nam Pla revisited cabbage with mastery. Roasted to achieve a meltingly tender, caramelized texture, it was glazed with a rich, umami-laden fish sauce reduction, then topped with fried onions and nuts for a perfectly balanced contrast of textures. A minimalist dish in appearance, but with astonishing depth of flavor.

To close the meal on a sweet note, two desserts perfectly illustrated the house's creative spirit. The Thai Tea–ramisu, an elegant nod to Italian tiramisu, alternated layers of silky mascarpone and biscuit soaked in Thai tea, all dusted with cocoa featuring a spoon motif drawn in negative — a visual as much as gustatory delight. Beside it, the Coconut Sundae with Tubtim Krob offered an explosion of freshness and textures: water chestnut pearls, juicy mango, pandan sponge cake, coconut ice cream and shortbread crumble, to be drizzled with a delicate sweetened coconut milk. A finale as playful as it was enchanting, true to Paii's bold and sensory spirit.

W Lounge: A Glamorous and Theatrical Interlude

The W Lounge is a chic and vibrant space that blends the spirit of contemporary cabaret with the refined codes of Thai heritage. Designed as a living space for any time of day, guests settle in for an elegant afternoon pause as easily as for an aperitif or sophisticated cocktails in the evening. In an immersive décor of plush armchairs, luxurious textures and a sculptural light installation, the lounge creates an atmosphere that is both theatrical and intimate. The menu, inspired by cabaret scenes from around the world, showcases vermouth in original and visually spectacular creations, while also offering a fine selection of wines, spirits and shareable bites.

The W Bangkok Lifestyle

On the 6th floor of W Bangkok, the WET® Deck offers a spectacular haven of relaxation, blending futuristic design with a playful atmosphere. Its iconic eye-shaped outdoor pool catches the eye with fiber-optic underwater lights that evoke a starry sky once night falls. At any hour, guests can relax in one of the comfortable cabanas, enjoy underwater music, or simply swim beneath the symbolic gaze of two brass Siamese cats and a mosaic wall inspired by the mythical Naga serpent. Right next to it, the FIT Gym offers a dynamic, bright environment equipped with the latest Technogym machines, allowing guests to work out at their own pace, any time of day or night.

For a complete immersion in relaxation, the AWAY® Spa at W Bangkok stands as a true urban oasis. This 630 m² space offers a futuristic and soothing setting, designed to regenerate body and mind after a lively night or an intense day. The spa features six treatment rooms, a couples suite, a traditional hammam, a jacuzzi, a steam bath, a sauna, as well as premium locker rooms and showers. The Style Lab Beauty Salon completes the experience with a wide range of beauty treatments.

My Review

W Bangkok asserts itself as a hotel with a strong identity, at the crossroads of heritage and contemporary creation. Every element, from the bold room design to the refined animation of common spaces, reflects a desire to reinvent hospitality with character and style. By combining high-end comfort, artistic expression and cultural grounding, it offers a singular vision of the urban stay. In a setting that is both spectacular and warm, W Bangkok provides travelers with a refined immersion in the city's effervescence, carried by the distinctive aesthetic and creative energy of the W brand.

What I liked:

• The modern and stylish hotel design, where every space reveals a true visual identity, blending urban sophistication and creative boldness.
• The WET® pool, a true relaxation haven suspended in the city, where lights, music and architecture create an atmosphere that is both soothing and spectacular.
• The Paii restaurant and Bar Sathorn, beautifully integrated into a historic house, bringing cultural depth and timeless elegance.

What I regretted:

• The noise from the elevated metro, which may disturb the sleep of more sensitive guests.

Practical Information

• Deluxe Room at a rate of €250 in December 2025.