Just a year after opening, the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has become a byword for elegant glamour in the Thai capital.

Recently nominated at the World Travel Awards as Thailand’s Leading City Resort, the five-star hotel combines the trademark European flair of operator Kempinski with Thai hospitality traditions.

It has become popular with upscale business and leisure travellers from Asia, Europe and North America and has been praised for its strategic downtown location and refined blend of European and Asian décor, together with a fine selection of restaurants and bars.

Here Breaking Travel News checks in to check out the latest developments.

Royal Connections

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is situated right in the heart of one of the city’s major shopping, entertainment and culture destinations.

A royal neighbour; between Siam Centre and the canal, almost hidden away, is a small but rather important palace, the Sra Pathum Palace.

This was the home of Prince Mahidol, the father of the present king.

It is now home to HRH Princess Srindhorn, who cut the ribbon during the hotel’s Grand Opening festivities last year.

As the Sra Pathum Palace is still used as a royal palace, the building and grounds are not open to the public.

Siam Kempinski Hotel was therefore designed and built in a way that would not disrupt the privacy of Sra Pathum Palace and its residents, making it impossible for guests or other visitors to look over the palace and the palace grounds.

History

But there is more. Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok has been built on a historically very important part of the city.

The ground where the hotel stands today used to be part of the Lotus Pond Palace commissioned by Rama IV (known in the Western world from the story The King & I) as a retreat outside the city.

The palace gardens were famous for their beauty and serenity, being home to many rare plants and flowers as well as birds.

Throughout the hotel, the lotus flower plays an important role in reflecting the area’s history.

The logo of the hotel is a lotus bloom about to open; lotuses can be found in the designs of carpets, as water fountains in the lobby, in prints and photos in every single guest room and residence, as well as in the fresh flower decoration in all public areas.

All the hotel’s banqueting rooms are named after various lotus varieties.

Furthermore, the colour purple is used throughout the property, as it is the colour of the crown princess.

Where to Stay

Siam Kempinski Hotel is a “resort within the city,” and features 303 contemporary rooms and lavish suites, designed by Tandem Architects, with Hirsch Bedner Associates contributing to the interior design.

With its aim to create a peaceful sanctuary, the property is built in a circle with lush landscaped tropical gardens and three salt-water pools in its centre, recreating the historic palace gardens.

Unique to Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is the Garden Suite, eleven Duplex Suites, and ten Cabana Rooms.

All these rooms grant guests direct access to the garden, and are only a couple of steps from the private terraces and the swimming pools.

The Terrace Suite on the rooftop on the Garden Wing features a vast private garden with Jacuzzi.

Every room offers modern comforts and in-room entertainment systems.

Wi-fi and high-speed internet connections are available throughout the hotel.

All guest rooms are decorated with pieces of Thai art, prints of lotus flowers and scenes of Thai life.

The three main suites, the Royal Suite, the Presidential Suite, and the Terrace Suite, are decorated with the original artwork.

Kempinski the Spa has also been introduced to Siam Kempinski Hotel – the first in Asia.

Following the philosophy of the four seasons and using herbs and plants as the base for all treatments, traditional Thai influences are incorporated to make a visit to the spa unforgettable.

Activities

Bangkok has so much to offer that guests should always calculate enough time to see everything.

From the colourful floating markets, to simple everyday life, to the breathtaking Grand Palace, which gives insight into Thailand’s rich culture and history – there is something to suit everyone’s preferences.

Learn how to cook authentic Baipai Thai, or discover the bustling city in the comfort of a private limousine.