Hotels in Bangkok have long traded on their ‘Orientalness’. After all, it was here in the Thai capital that the legendary Oriental Hotel made its way into the tourism history books. The Oriental Residence is unrelated to that grande dame on the river and has made a name for itself in an entirely different way and in a completely different part of town.
We couldn’t have asked for a more central base to explore the city – the hotel commands a prime position in the heart of Bangkok’s upscale and serene embassy district, overlooking Lumphini Park, ‘the lungs of the city’. Walking in through the doors of the Oriental Residence, we could immediately escape the city’s hustle and bustle.
Despite the name, there’s hardly anything ‘oriental’ about the place. No teak or silk, no clasp-handed, bowing staff. Instead, we were greeted by a huge lobby designed with neutrality and minimalism in mind, though there are some subtle nods to Thai design. The French bistro there boasts the best croissants in town.
Our white-on-white corner suites were somewhere between a plush New York City-style apartment and a Caribbean holiday villa and came complete with a modern kitchenette and stunning views. While this interior-design approach might appear chic in the eyes of Asian luxury travellers, it’s far from the quintessentially Thai experience new visitors to the ‘Land of Smiles’ might expect. That said, if you’re looking to ‘live like a local’, the Oriental Residence offers a perfectly polished luxury-condo vibe and a wonderful escape from this fun but frenetic city.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | BKK / DMK | GMT +7 |
| While you’re Out There |
| The concierge team here is really on the ball and has all the recommendations you need – particularly when it comes to dining – in the city, opening doors to some of the best tables in town, some of which you won’t find on Google. |
Photography courtesy of Oriental Residence
