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Bangkok is truly a city that never sleeps, so if you’re craving respite in the Thai capital, INNSiDE Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is the place for you. An ode to the city’s most beloved landmarks, this chic stay from the Spanish hotel brand’s energetic INNSiDE offshoot is the ideal destination for couples and solo travellers looking for a sky-high escape.
What’s the hotel like?
INNSiDE Meliá Bangkok is a love letter to Thailand’s capital, with each floor and liminal space inspired by a different landmark in Bangkok. The high-floor Open Living Lobby features enormous wire outlines of famous temples the city is known for, such as Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, and this motif is repeated in front of the lift areas on each floor.
This local styling nod comes into full force at Luz Bangkok Tapas Bar. Gold wires criss-cross the ceiling, paying tribute to the enormous cables of Rama VIII Bridge. You’ll have glimpses up into the rooftop pool above, which has an entirely glass floor. Watching the water ripple above while I sip a cocktail has a mesmerising effect.
What’s the neighbourhood like?
The hotel is located in the Sukhumvit area on the eastern side of Bangkok. Here, you’ll find everything you need for a city break: shopping centres, food markets and cosy bars line every street. Travelling to the other side of the city is a breeze with On Nut, a stop on the city’s BTS Skytrain network, only a few minutes’ walk away.
To help you explore, there are interactive maps of the city connected to each room’s TV. Scour a PDF map of every neighbourhood for anything that your heart desires: bars, restaurants, parks, shopping malls. Plus, you can download this map to your preferred app of choice to use while you’re out and about.
Where am I sleeping?
The Townhouse room I’m staying in (from A$248 per night) has one bedroom and is the perfect size for a couple; some have the options to interconnect with adjoining rooms for bigger groups. Crisp white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the city below, and there is a white L-shaped lounge and dining nook. The pink of the ensuite pops against the otherwise all-white interiors. A host of details in my room catch me by surprise: a restored vintage rotary phone on the bedside table, a Marshalls amp in the lounge; every cup, coaster and towel with the hotel’s trademark wink logo.
What’s on the menu?
Head to rooftop Luz Bangkok Tapas Bar to experience its play on ‘luz‘ or ‘light’. In this case, the translation carries across to both the small plates from chef Juan Ignacio García as well as the dazzling nighttime city outlook you’ll admire from the 33rd and 34th floors. Ask for a spot on the balcony for guaranteed 360-degree views. On the Chef’s Tapas Selection menu, expect everything from tuna with avocado mousse, salmon drizzled in a mango and passionfruit dressing, and deep fried sea bass. ¡Es delicioso!
Downstairs, a masterclass in Thai cuisine awaits at The Kites Eatery. Lunch is served in a pinto, a traditional vertical lunchbox typically used for picnics or temple visits. Three menu options take diners across the flavours of central, northern and northeast Thailand across four decadent dishes. The standout on my menu, inspired by Chia Nat in central Thailand, is the massaman nuea: creamy, fragrant and with a hint of spice, it’s genuinely one of the tastiest curries I have ever eaten. Combined with a traditional Thai omelette (kai jiew) and deep-fried pork belly with fish sauce (moo tod kamin) and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded dining experience.
How are the facilities?
The showstopper at INNSiDE Meliá Bangkok is the sleek rooftop, with an infinity pool, sunloungers, Instagram-famous swing, and bar with exceptional poolside service.
Adjacent to the pool area is a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and there is also a co-working space for travellers blending business with leisure. The Open Living Lobby acts as a community hub for guests to mingle, with daily bubble tea and matcha hours, Thai boxing classes, and latte art workshops.
Who will love INNSiDE Meliá Bangkok?
Travellers who want to be close the best of Bangkok’s buzz and have all the luxurious bells and whistles waiting for them at the end of the day.
Discover Bangkok
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
