The document summarizes 5 new design-driven hotels in Bangkok that offer stylish accommodations without premium prices. It describes the design elements and room amenities of each hotel, including Aloft Bangkok near Nana BTS station which has bright, modern rooms and access to a nearby hip nightclub for guests. Lit Hotel near MBK Center has fluidly designed rooms and public areas with grass steps and an amber-toned spa. Hotel Muse in Langsuan has traditionally styled rooms named after Buddhist levels and a basement Italian restaurant. Sofitel So in the financial district has curvy architecture, tech amenities from Apple, and rooms inspired by the five elements including a cantilevered rooftop bar. Aetas

1. Aloft Bangkok - Sukhumvit 11
The younger—but equally style-conscious—sister of the
W brand, Aloft Bangkok - Sukhumvit 11 has an energetic
vibe, as befits its location in the buzzing Nana precinct.
Aloft’s penchant for linear prints and bright accents are
found throughout the property, with whimsical accents
dreamed up by leading design firm Hassell. The 296-room
hotel features only two room types—Chic and Urban—but
both have high-ceilinged interiors with enormous windows
and cushions in eye-popping colors, alongside more modern
trappings such as free Wi-Fi, an iPod dock and a 42-inch TV.
T+L TIP Don’t miss a visit to the neighboring Bed
Supperclub, one of the city’s hippest hangouts, as access is
free for Aloft guests. 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11; 66-2/207-7000;
alofthotels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11; doubles from Bt2,111. ✚
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insider Hotels
March 2012 | travelandleisureasia.com42
Bangkok by Design.
New design-driven hotels offer
style without premium prices in the
Thai capital. T+L picks five striking
debuts. By LIANG XINYI
to the bedrooms, and in the Extra Radiance rooms the
soaking tub is the pièce de résistance, with soft indigo and
red rays beaming down from the rain shower. T+L TIP
Traveling as a trio? Opt for the Triple Luxe suite, which
has amenities (wash basins, wardrobes and work desks)
for three. 36/1 Soi Kasemsan 1, Rama 1 Rd.; 66-2/612-3456;
litbangkok.com; doubles from Bt7,000.
Sofitel So
In the frenetic financial district, Sofitel So is for artsy types
as much as business travelers with check-ins via iPads and
in-room tech amenities powered by Apple Mac mini. The
30-story, curvy exterior was designed by Smith Obayawat,
and the country’s top creative brains were hired to do the
interiors based on the five elements. Among the 238 guest
rooms, the Metal rooms stand out with minimalist, stark
white interiors, while the Earth rooms juxtapose Thai
primeval murals and cobalt blue tones with black-and-
white-tiled bathrooms. Plus, fashion maverick Christian
Lacroix put his flamboyant touches on the Tree of Life
hotel emblem. T+L TIP Partially cantilevered on the 29th
floor, Park Society & Hi-So is the perfect roost to take in
360-degree views of the adjacent Lumpini Park. 2 N. Sathorn
Rd.; 66-2/624-0000; sofitel.com; doubles from Bt5,100.
Aetas Lumpini
A glass-and-concrete outpost on busy Rama IV Road, the
27-story Aetas Lumpini has an earnest, understated charm.
In its 203 guest rooms and suites, neutral earth tones are
offset by Mondrian-inspired paintings and sketches of
Bangkok’s historic landmarks. Common areas play up the
quirky-chic appeal—teal-green sofas accent brown corduroy
seats in the lobby and an all-white ceramic chandelier hangs
near the entryway. Launched last month, the One-80 Wine
Bar on the 27th floor has great views. T+L TIP If you’re
looking for romance, opt for the 70-square-meter Premier
suite—the bathroom door slides open to a sunken bathtub
enclosed by Bangkok vistas. 1030/4 Rama IV Rd.; 66-2/618-
9555; aetashotels.com; doubles from Bt4,250.
travelandleisureasia.com | March 2012 43
Top of the world
From top: At The
Speakeasy bar atop
Hotel Muse; a Lit
Hotel guest room.
Hotel Muse
Housed in a cupola-topped building, Hotel Muse has
become one of the city’s luxe-boutique retreats. Thai design
firm PIA references a blend of fin de siècle France and
Thailand’s Rama V era, styling the darkened lobby with
wrought-iron lattice walls and arching ceilings. The 174
rooms and suites—named after the Buddhist cosmic levels
of Jatu, Dowadueng, Yama, Dusid, Nimman and Paranim—have
stuccoed ceilings and faux vintage suitcase drawers.
Basement-level eatery Medici features solid Italian fare in
a space that feels like a renovated wine cellar. T+L TIP The
Jatu Deluxe and Dowadeung Corner Deluxe rooms have our
favorite bathroom designs: claw-foot baths, hand-painted
basins and mirrors etched with scenes from an old-time
Siam. 55/555 Langsuan Rd.; 66-2/630-4000; hotelmusebangkok.
com; doubles from Bt5,500.
Lit Hotel
Just 300 meters away from the discount shopper–thronged
MBK, the aluminum-wrapped façade of Lit Hotel was the
brainchild of Bangkok-based VaSLab, which has filled the
L-shaped seven-story edifice with fluid composition
throughout: grass-clad concrete steps lead up to the alfresco
tapas bar; a spiral stairwell connects the amber-swathed
Kiriya Spa to the sleek lounge pool and bistro. The Different
Degree rooms feature elongated bathrooms running parallel
Photographed by Cedric Arnold
thai Capital styles
Clockwise from above:
Details at Hotel Muse;
Sofitel So’s ninth-floor
lobby; Christian Lacroix
uniform at the Sofitel So.
Top: The style-concious
bar at Aloft.