I stayed in the brand new Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok, and thought it was the perfect respite in a city known for chaos
The ground floor of the Waldorf serves as the hotel's entrance, with the bell and concierge desks near the door, but it isn't the lobby.
The hotel sits in a 60-story tower in Bangkok's central business district near the busy Ratchaprasong intersection, occupying floors six through 17, plus 55 through 57. Near shrines, luxury malls, and more traditional stall markets, the tower is steps from the BTS Skytrain, and easily accessible by taxi.
Rather than at the front desk, check-in takes place at comfortable seating areas throughout the lobby — the front desk staff brings everything you need to check in while you enjoy a welcoming cup of tea.
When you arrive at the hotel, you're escorted to the 16th floor, a spacious, airy lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows offering copious natural light and an unobstructed view of nearby Royal Bangkok Sports Club park.
High ceilings, neutral colors with orchid-inspired splashes of gentle colors, and natural light define the space, and introduce the palate used throughout the property. It isn't necessarily eye-catching; instead, it feels calm, clean, and tranquil, a contrast to the hustle of the city surrounding it.
Subtle touches of Thai culture bring a pleasing effect to the space, never allowing it to feel like a fully Western hotel.
The hotel has 171 rooms and suites. We were on the 12th floor in a King Deluxe room, which is the standard baseline room type.
Everything in the room, from the curtains to the toilet seat, could be controlled by touchscreen panels and tablets strategically placed throughout.
One distinct way in which the room excelled: The seating area, with a couch, coffee table, and small dining table, felt like an entirely separate space from the sleeping area, despite the fact that the back of the curved sofa was against the foot of the bed.
While I always like to have a chair or desk in a hotel room, so many of them are positioned awkwardly in the room, stuffed into whatever corner or square of floor was empty — there's nothing like a hotel armchair and ottoman right on top of the bed, angled so that a seated person can't even try to watch the television.
Here's the seating area from another angle.
The bathroom was massive, in a narrow hallway that spanned the length of the room. It had double sinks, a soaking tub, and a rain shower.
One of the hotel's key features is a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
On the 17th floor of the 60-story tower, this "rooftop" pool is actually on a small roof projecting from the building.
The spa is located on the same floor as the entrance to the pool.
We were able to get massage appointments for the same day — I didn't take any photos of the public spa areas out of respect to other guests who were there, but it was a very relaxing experience, from the moment we signed in and enjoyed a cup of cold green tea.
The Waldorf Astoria Bangkok features seven bars and restaurants throughout.
The crown jewel is the Front Room. Helmed by Noma alum Fae Rungthiwa Chummongkhon, the 60-seat space features a unique fusion Nordic–Thai cuisine. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to try it for ourselves.
Next is Peacock Alley. A Thai take on the signature Waldorf Astoria lobby bar, Bangkok's Peacock Alley offers light meals and snacks, cocktails, and coffee, tea, and pastries. We shared a few things, including the veggie bowl ...
... And a couple of incredibly tasty spiced Thai iced teas.
Next, there's The Brasserie. This French-inspired haunt is open all day, and doubles as the hotel's breakfast spot.
I've made no secret of the fact that I love hotel breakfast buffets, and the Bangkok Waldorf definitely delivered. There was a wide range of options, from pastries, to traditional Western breakfast items, to various Asian delicacies from all around the continent. I'm pretty sure it's my first time pairing yogurt and granola with taro root dumplings, but I'd certainly do it again.
Bull & Bear, the hotel's steakhouse, boasts a live raw bar, a menu featuring grilled meats and seafood, and a variety of sides, wines, and cocktails.
We had dinner here one night — a break after a long day exploring and eating street food in the city — and it was fantastic. It was Valentine's Day weekend, and I noticed that a lot of the clientele were Thai couples celebrating the holiday together.
The hotel also has two bars. The Loft is on the second floor from the top, and offers a variety of wines, spirits, and cocktails, including some developed based on the original Waldorf Astoria bar book.
The bar offers incredible panoramic views of Bangkok, and plentiful seating throughout the floor. To be sure you get the best seats by the windows, make a reservation or be ready to get there early.
And up one flight of stairs from the Loft Bar ...
... On the top floor, the Champagne Bar offers a stylish ambiance and more incredible views.
Hilton Honors elite members who stay at the Waldorf can expect top-notch treatment.
Something I saw at the Bangkok Waldorf that I don't often see at hotels: The front desk handed me a card outlining most of the benefits I was entitled to as a Diamond elite member.
Bangkok is a polarizing city, with some travelers falling in love with the frenetic movement, noise, and grit, while others flee, after the shortest possible layover, to Thailand's island resorts or northern cities and villages.
Despite being someone who usually feels at home in large cities, whether in South America, Europe, Asia, or home in New York, I found Bangkok draining. Definitely enjoyable — I'd love to go back — but tiring.
Perhaps that's why I enjoyed the Waldorf so much. The hotel's cool tranquility contrasted so sharply from the street just outside its doors that it felt like a reprise, a place to recharge and relax before a night out, or a day exploring.
Rates start at around 8,500 Thai baht (about $270) per night, although deals are sometimes available.
Click here to make a reservation at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.
Getting the most from your Hilton stayIf you stay at Hilton hotels — including the Waldorf Astoria — even just once or twice a year, you may want to open a Hilton credit card.
Hilton offers three different personal American Express credit cards — the "regular" Hilton Honors American Express Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card, and the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express.
The Aspire comes with the most benefits, but also has the highest annual fee, so it's best for those who are fairly loyal to Hilton. However, if you plan to apply for the card and stay for a few days in Bangkok, and maybe another weekend within the year, the card's annual fee will pay for itself.
1. Hilton Honors American Express CardWelcome offer: 75,000 Hilton Honors points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
The baseline Hilton Honors credit card is a stellar option for those who occasionally stay in Hiltons and have use for the welcome offer or benefits, but aren't true brand loyalists or road warriors.
It offers complimentary Hilton Honors Silver elite status, which includes benefits like late check-out, free water bottles during stays, a free fifth night on reward nights, and more points earned during stays. When you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year, you'll get upgraded to Gold status, which includes the same perks as silver, plus free breakfast and room upgrades.
The card earns 7x points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases, 5x points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets within the US, and 3x point on everything else.
Travel website The Points Guy subjectively values Hilton Honors points at 0.6¢ each — that makes the bonus worth $450.
Click here to learn more about the Hilton Honors Card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.
2. Hilton Honors American Express Ascend CardWelcome offer: 125,000 Hilton Honors points when you spend $2,000 in the first three months.
Instead of Silver status, like the no-fee card, the Ascend offers complimentary Gold status. That comes with the same benefits as silver, plus two major additions: you'll get free breakfast during your stay, and you'll be eligible for a room upgrade, assuming there's a free room available.
The Ascend earns 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets — all within the US — and 3x points on everything else.
Between the 125,000-point welcome bonus, and the fact that the Ascend card offers a free weekend night when you spend $15,000 on it within a calendar year, you've got the makings of a nice long hotel stay without having to pay a thing.
The card also comes with 10 free day passes to Priority Pass airport lounges, and offers a free weekend night when you spend $15,000 on it within a calendar year. The Ascend has a $95 annual fee, but chances are the benefits will offset that for you.
Click here to learn more about the Hilton Ascend Card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.
3. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardWelcome offer: 150,000 Hilton Honors points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months.
The premium Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card has a hefty $450 annual fee, but it comes with so many perks, benefits, and rebates that it's more than worth paying for Hilton loyalists.
First, it offers up to $250 in Hilton resort statement credits each card membership year, as well as a up to $250 in airline fee credits per calendar year. Right away, those two credits cover more than the annual fee.
And there's more. The Aspire also offers a on-property credit up to $100 every time you book a stay of two nights or longer at a luxury-level Hilton property — including the Waldorf Bangkok. You just need to book through a specific website for cardholders.
The card also offers a free weekend night reward each year — regardless of how much you spend — and a second weekend night if you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. I recently used my first-ever free weekend night at the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh, Scotland.
It also comes with complimentary top-tier Diamond status which, as you'd expect, entitles you to greater benefits than other levels of status.
The Aspire earns a tremendous 14x points per dollar spent with Hilton, 7x points on flights booked with the airline, car rentals, and at US restaurants, and 3x points on everything else.
Click here to learn more about the Hilton Aspire Card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.
Click here to make a reservation at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.
Next Story
I quit McKinsey after 1.5 years. I was making over $200k but my mental health was shattered.
Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
I tutor the children of some of Dubai's richest people. One of them paid me $3,000 to do his homework.
Top 10 Must-visit places in Kashmir in 2024
The Psychology of Impulse Buying
Indo-Gangetic Plains, home to half the Indian population, to soon become hotspot of extreme climate events: study
7 Vegetables you shouldn’t peel before eating to get the most nutrients
Gut check: 10 High-fiber foods to add to your diet to support digestive balance
