Bangkok

Bangkok's luxury hotel scene is anchored by the Chao Phraya River, and the hotels that face it represent some of the most storied addresses in Asia. The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok — opened in 1876 — is the oldest hotel in Southeast Asia and one of the most historically significant in the world, its Authors' Lounge a gathering place for every major writer and journalist to pass through the region for 150 years. Capella Bangkok, opened in 2021, is the most architecturally ambitious new hotel in the city: a series of pavilions and pools cascading to the river's edge. The Peninsula Bangkok sits on the Thonburi bank, its fleet of long-tail boats ferrying guests across the water.

Away from the river, the city's luxury landscape has expanded significantly. Rosewood Bangkok in Ploenchit is the most design-forward hotel in the city, its 30 floors of contemporary Thai-inspired interiors setting a new standard for urban luxury. The St. Regis Bangkok and Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River complete a top tier that is more competitive than at any point in the city's history.

Bangkok's rooftop bar culture is unmatched in Southeast Asia. Lebua at State Tower's Sky Bar (the Hangover II bar, 63 floors above the city) and Banyan Tree Bangkok's Vertigo are the most dramatic; the Rosewood's rooftop pool and the Capella's river terrace are the most refined. The city rewards height.

Bangkok is one of the world's great food cities. The hotel dining scene is exceptional — Capella Bangkok's Phra Nakhon is among the best Thai restaurants in the city — but the broader street food and market culture is the city's true culinary identity. The best meal in Bangkok is almost certainly not in a hotel.

November to February is Bangkok's cool and dry season — the best weather, lowest humidity, and most comfortable temperatures (25–30°C). March and April are hot and dry. May to October is the wet season: heavy afternoon rain, high humidity, and occasional flooding. The city remains fully operational but the heat and rain are challenging.