Some of the Most Unusual Hotels in Bangkok

Some of the Most Unusual Hotels in Bangkok

By Mark Philip

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

The restless, chaotic and delightfully contrasting metropolis of Bangkok bewilders, bemuses and pleases its droves of annual visitors in equal measures.

A city that is unique in its vast array of contradictions, Bangkok plays willing host to expansive mega-malls and ultra-modern skyscrapers that sit unwittingly on the same skyline as 15^th-century Buddhist temples.

Long-since famous for its frenetic markets, ‘dodgy’ nightlife, and exotic and colourful ‘super-street-cuisine-on-a-stick-meets-fine-restaurants’ vibe, Bangkok is also home to the occasional surprise or two from enterprising and innovative individuals on the lookout to do something a bit on the different side, and hotels and other types of accommodation are no exception.

In some ways Bangkok is something of a Southeast Asian ‘hipster city’ exhibiting in particular areas an arty, modern, progressive vibe apparent from some of the cafes, restaurants, trendy boutiques and craft cocktail bars, that serve as a direct contrast to the decidedly ‘untrendy’ aspects of the city..

And guess what – hotels in Bangkok are becoming more creative and quirky all the time, with numerous alternative and themed accommodation establishments popping up all over the city encompassing diverse themes such as jails, containers, and particular aspects of certain historical periods, in true Bangkok innovation style.

So here is a selection of some of the best, the coolest, and he most unique and unusual hotels in Bangkok.

1. The Luxor Hotel

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With a leap across time you may find yourself at The Luxor Hotel on the outskirts of the city, in the Nonthaburi area.

The unique thing about this somewhat unusual Bangkok hotel is its ancient Egypt theme –. yes, that’s ancient Egypt in Bangkok — where guests can expect an authentic-looking backdrop of hieroglyphics and sphinxes.

Here the décor is strictly North African-tinged, and the staff are even decked-out in full Pharaoh garb, which could lead to a sense of forgetting that you are actually in Bangkok!

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The rooms are impressive, en-suite affairs with a private balcony, TV, and minibar, and all the usual facilities that one might expect from a top Bangkok hotel vare available such as fitness, restaurants etc.

Address: 103, 9 Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120

Phone: 02 192 4000

2. Shanghai Mansion

This particular establishment is a historic building that was actually once home to the Chinese Opera in Bangkok. The hotel recreates the charm of the 1930 s rather fittingly on the main thoroughfare of Yaowarat Road, the most well-known (and easy-to-find) section of Bangkok’s Chinatown.

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This rather unique Bangkok hotel is entrenched right in the centre of the action in Bangkok’s prime Chinese district. Famous temple Wat Traimit is just a 5-minute walk away, and Chinatown is not too far from the open views of the Chao Phraya River.

The Shanghai Mansion is a 4-star hotel, and it is highly reminiscent of an old-world movie set, with the impressive bedrooms having been designed with early 20th century-style furnishings and touches throughout.

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Options on some of the rooms include a free-standing bath tub, and even a butler service!

In true retrospective Shanghai-style, expect to find carved dragons, a 50 ft long pond filled with fish in the atrium, and a general sense of finesse. Naturally the establishment has its own Chinese restaurant, which encompasses a terrace bar hosting regular live jazz, and you can also find a library and a ballroom in this establishment, which all helps to make it a rather refreshing change and a somewhat unique Bangkok hotel experience.

Address: 479 481 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

Phone: +66 02 221 2121

3. The Cabochon Hotel

Now we are talking vintage ways of life with a different slant as we embrace a bit of retrospective Colonial charm at the Cabochon.

Another 4-star Bangkok hotel, the Cabochon offers impressively-elegant heritage-style boutique accommodation in downtown Bangkok. This chic, seemingly time-warped hotel will allow you to take in the exquisite atmosphere of a forgotten age, while still providing the modern traveller all the essentials they have come to expect.

Don’t think for a minute here that we are talking dingy and fusty -–the bright and airy bedrooms with balconies contain impeccable vintage beds, with some even having copper bathtubs.

The authentic Thai restaurant has an extensive international wine list, and the hotel also has a rooftop swimming pool, a tea lounge, and a peaceful little garden o relax in whilst enjoying the amazing views of the city.

Address: 14/29 Sukhumvit 45 Alley, Klongton Nua, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Phone: 02 259 2871

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4. The Beat Hotel

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Commonly referred to as ‘art hotels,’ there is a growing number of establishments in Bangkok with something by way of uniqueness to their décor and general theme.

The Beat Hotel is another unique addition to this growing list, and it is home to unique, 3D decor of various artistic themes, which is inherent throughout the bedrooms and the communal areas.

The Beat Hotel has 54 rooms in total, and every one of them has been designed and decorated by local artists. The effect is that visitors are meant to feel part of a living piece of 3D artwork when they step into the place.

The hotel, which even has its own art gallery, is located in the trendy and burgeoning W District in Bangkok’s bustling Prakhanong area down the Sukhumvit Road, there are of course plenty of local attractions close by, including supermarkets, markets, restaurants and temples.

Address: 5 5 / 4-5 71 Sukhumvit 71 Rd, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Phone: +66 02 178 0077

5. Bangkok Tree House

Time to get eco-friendly now with a tree house establishment situated on an artificial river island. This is a great way to experience the jungle nature vibe without having to venture too far out from the Thai capital.

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This is a kind of miniature ‘jungle in the city’ where plants grow in almost every space that exists, including on vertical gardens up the walls, although the comfortable, modern-style rooms have large windows with plenty of light. And the fact that they are positioned among the trees provides great views of the river.

If you want something really unique though, then you might consider the open-air pavilion, which is a round wooden platform completely open to the elements. The good news is that there is a mosquito net over the top, with extra curtains if you need more privacy.

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The restaurant is open-air , as are the gardens, which ensures that a definite sense of peace and tranquillity permeates this charming ‘jungle home-away-from-home’ in the city.

Address: 60 Moo1 Soi Bua Phueng Pattana, Bang Namphueng, Phra Padaeng, Samut Prakarn, Greater Bangkok, Samut Prakan 10130

Phone: 082 995 1150

6. The Sook Station

While the idea of getting locked up during their time in Bangkok is probably one of the scariest and least desirable things anyone could imagine happening during their time in the kingdom of Thailand – there are those who consider it something of a novelty.

But fear not, this is nothing close to the real ‘Bangkok Hilton’ – in fact here we are looking at a significantly more comfortable and quirky option of accommodation in ‘The Sook Station’..

The Sook Station is one of Bangkok’s more unusual places to stay in that upon arrival you are given a mugshot, striped ‘inmate’ pyjamas, and a there are a few other touches to evoke the feeling of being in prison.

The rooms are decked-out to look like prison cells, resplendent with black-and-white striped curtains also depicting iron bars. This is undoubtedly an absolutely unique Bangkok hotel with slightly more than a left-of-centre feel to it.

Location – 45-49 Sukhumvit 101/2 Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10260

Rates -The tariff starts at around just under 4000 baht per night.

7. The Playhaus Thonglor Hotel

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Thonglor has become one seriously trendy corner of Bangkok over the last decade or so – and that is exactly where you will find the impressive Playhaus Thonglor Hotel.

This is an unlikely and unique Bangkok hotel that fairly amazes with theatrical imagery. The establishment has different levels, all of which feature themes from various famous classic plays.

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Some of the themes include the ill-fated romantic machinations of Romeo and Juliet, the fantasy of Aladdin and his magic carpet, and Mary Poppins, to name but a few. Just the kind of thing you would least expect to find in Bangkok!

Address: 1 209/1 Thonglor Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Phone: 02 712 5747

8. The Eugenia Hotel

Quite a few of the unique establishments on our list today feature particular historical period themes, and stepping into The Eugenia Hotel will take you back in time to the vibe of a 19th-century Victorian manor house.

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The hotel is rife with the flavours and the elegance of the aristocratic Victorian era, a period when the moneyed classes settled for no less than the finest trappings of luxury and comfort.

The en-suite, 4-poster bedrooms have exquisite bathtubs, luxury drapes, vintage furnishings, and authentic antiques to top it all off.  Victorian living in the tropics — another truly unique Bangkok hotel!

Address: 267 Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Phone: 02 259 9011