Hotel Muse Bangkok Langsuan is on the border between East and West, chic and retro, elegant and up-to-the-minute – and, in a nutshell, an ode to the halcyon days of travel, i.e. the late 19th and early 20th century (incidentally when Thailand opened up to the rest of the world). The latest addition to the MGallery collection was inaugurated on 1 March. It is surprising, spellbinding and here’s more.

Traditional yet avant-garde

Hotel Muse is on Langsuan Road, in one of Bangkok’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. The facade is modern and classic but the five cupolas that adorn the building presage this hotel’s distinctive personality.

The designers who crafted this five-star hotel drew on the art and architecture in vogue in the splendid kingdom of Siam (modern-day Thailand’s ancestor), during the reign of Rama V, and added fin-de-siècle European influence to create this thoroughly cosmopolitan universe.

“Hotel Muse is a marvellous combination of Thailand’s and Europe’s finest 19th-century heritage. This elegant and distinctive hotel perfectly translates the essence and true spirit of an MGallery hotel,” said an enthusiastic Kristin Scott-Thomas at the inauguration ceremony. This British actress travels extensively and is the ambassador for MGallery, a collection created by Accor in 2008.

The vision of prestige

This hotel has 174 rooms, including 11 suites, across 6 categories. Each category is named after a Buddhist heaven layers: Jatu, Dowadueng, Yama, Dusid, Nimman and Paranim, the top class bearing the promise of endless lavishness, bliss and delight.

Each room features today’s finest amenities including mini bars, work areas, 65-channel flat-screen TVs, Internet access, iPod docks, and coffee and tea pots. This hotel’s fitness centre, outdoor rooftop pool, business centre and private parking are only a few of the features.

The “Memorable Moment” at this hotel is a romantic dinner overlooking the roofs of Bangkok. Provided they book in advance, hotel guests can enjoy a delicious blend of Thai and Western cuisine with a trailblazing touch – and the fabulous view of the city. Dinner is served on the terrace on the 25th floor, by each table’s dedicated waiter, and is a one-of-a-kind experience in an intimate universe under a dome.

Delighting the 5 senses

The sumptuous, sophisticated decoration is a tasteful blend of Asian and European inspiration, and the cuisine naturally matches it. Visitors, for example, will love the Medici. The cosy, relaxing atmosphere in this restaurant beckons them to explore Italian treats with a bold twist. The SuTha Ros, for its part, serves international delicacies and traditional Thai dishes – especially for breakfast, and exclusive sweet Thai specialities at teatime.

The hotel also counts three convenient bars. Le Salon is open from morning to evening and is renowned for its cocktails. The Wet Bar serves snacks and fresh fruit juice any time of day. The Speakeasy spans two floors, and inter alia features a cigar bar, private hall and the Terrace Bar.

The inauguration party on 1 March 2012 was an opportunity to celebrate this new hotel with befitting pomp. The party was organised on the 24th floor and prominent terrace, and the 125 guests included VIPs and journalists from around Asia, actress Kristin Scott-Thomas and Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and COO Michael Issenberg. The ‘menu’ included champagne, a DJ, opera singers and not a little magic.