Get Pampered in Bangkok: The City's Most Luxurious Stays

Taking its cue from the royal former Thai capital of Sukhothai, this hotel of the same name outdoes itself with pampering and pleasing design and service. Everything from the architecture to the replicated pagodas or statues found throughout the hotel are pleasant to the eye, and the charming contemporary Thai villas and suites overlook lotus ponds and courtyard gardens, making the entire property feel like a complete urban escape. The Sukhothai also is home to the award winning Celadon Thai restaurant, along with fine Italian cuisine at La Scala, and the hotel features one of the best Sunday brunch buffets to be found in the city.

The Shangri La rivals the Oriental as Bangkok's most well known and notable place to stay, also located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. From its awe inspiring lobby to the luxury rooms in the Krungthep Wing with balconies overlooking the river, along with a real showpiece pool and terrace surrounded by tranquil gardens make this another excellent option for a splurge. The hotel has recently opened a new Long Bar out along the river, as well as a fine chocolate confectionary to compliment its already fine selection of top restaurants. As the Shangri La sits right next to the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station, there is no need for river shuttles or other time consuming transport connections.

The Hansar prides itself as an urban boutique oasis. Set right in the heart of Bangkok, just steps away from the shopping meccas of Siam Paragon and Central World, and easily accessed by the Skytrain, the hotel is awash with convenience. Chic and modern, the 94 room suites all have free-standing terrazzo bathtubs and feature vertical gardens just outside. Each suite includes a complimentary mini bar, free wifi, and huge 50 inch flat screen televisions. Even the smallest suites in Hansar are enormous, with 59 square meters of living space, and despite the middle of downtown location, the nineteen floor hotel is tucked away in peace and tranquility. This brand new hotel is yet another fine addition to the choice of upscale pampering available in Bangkok.

Some argue that the Peninsula sits on the wrong side of the Chao Phraya River, across from the downtown sprawl. But the views from the west bank are actually far superior, taking in all of Bangkok's old "Venice of the East" grandeur and its best new modern architecture, while a private pier and 5 minute ferry service running throughout the day and evening gets rid of any notion of inconvenience. With Bangkok firsts such as televisions in the bathtub and "diva for a day" programs for young ladies, no stone is left unturned by the youngest member of Bangkok's luxury property scene, and with the level of pampering you will receive from the award winning staff, you might be tempted never to even cross to the other side!

The newest of Bangkok's finest lodgings, the W is all about fashion. Traditional Thai is combined with cutting edge art and architecture to create a very trendy and chic establishment that features a stylish cocktail bar just next to the lobby with hipster DJ's and creative signature drinks. The rooms here are not classified as deluxe or superior, but rather as Wonderful, Marvelous, Spectacular, or Extreme Wow (which features 215 square meters of space, a 55" flat screen TV, along with expansive city views). The W also features the award winning Kitchen Table restaurant, where the international food servings are even more innovative and impressive than the suave design and surroundings.

Just perfect for an urban romantic weekend, the Sofitel So Bangkok is an elegant urban oasis that sets out to combine every aspect of the Bangkok experience. Designed by an elite group of Thai architects and interior designers, overseen by French haute couturier mogul Christian Lacroix, the hotel features rooms and public spaces designed around the theme of five elements. The rooms feature complimentary Apple Mac Mini's, and there are a staggering range of extremely romantic fine dining and drinking options on premises, including the Park Society and Hi So bar and restaurant, which offers moonlit cabanas and a glittering city view by night over Lumpini Park. The Sofitel So is minutes from the MRT subway Lumpini Station, giving easy access to all the shopping, dining and nightlife districts of central Bangkok.

For the ultimate in luxury pampering, try a romantic splurge at the Siam Hotel. Paying homage to the post-colonial early 1900's era of King Rama V, this ultra-luxurious boutique hotel is a design-lover's dream, and Bangkok's newest spot to lodge in sheer elegance. Vintage clocks, steamer trunks and straw fedoras are just some of the quirky antiques that grace the private villas that come with plunge pools and rooftop terraces. There's even a completely restored century-old teak pagoda-topped cottage that is the star piece of the resort. Everything here feels secluded and pampered, from the the first luxury Muay Thai gym in Bangkok to the Opium Spa with Sodashi therapies, to the gorgeous Chon Thai restaurant, which is set in old teak houses along the river. The Siam is the most expensive hotel in Bangkok, but you get what you pay for here; privacy, exclusivity and plenty of opulent charm.

With a location set right in the heart of central Bangkok, overlooking the Royal Sports Club, the Starwood's St Regis Hotel sets a new mark in elegance. This ultra fashionable player in the Bangkok boutique hotel scene offers 227 guest rooms and 51 suites, all elegantly decked out in exquisite contemporary furnishings, all featuring giant windows with wide city views. The infinity edge pool sprawls along much of the 15th floor, and the 12th floor Regis Bar also gives tremendous views of sunset, the city, as well as the horse races from the Sports Club! Entrance into the hotel comes straight out of the BTS Skytrain and the hotel's signature restaurant JoJo features the best Italian food in Bangkok. The central shopping and business districts are just 5-10 minutes away as well, making this a perfect urban retreat.

Where else in Bangkok can one have a direct entrance into the swimming pool from one's terrace? Only at the Siam Kempinski, located just steps from Bangkok's most fashionable mall, Siam Paragon, yet a hidden away world of its own, and a great choice for a romantic treat. Tucked away in a peaceful niche, the Siam Kempinski is sophisticated and extremely stylish, with refined suites and serviced residences surrounded by landscaped tropical gardens and cascading water fountains and pools, making it a real oasis in the heart of town. The 303 rooms here are ultra spacious, and most offer balconies with garden views. The hotel is full of modern art paintings and sculptures, features a 900 square meter Grand Ballroom, and is home to one of Bangkok's most innovative restaurants, Sra Bua by Kin Kin, brainchild of the Michelin winning Danish chef Henrik Yde-Andersen, which offers molecular Thai gastronomy, the first of its kind in Thailand. Easy access via Siam Paragon into the Siam Skytrain station ensures a holiday in which Bangkok's legendary traffic will not be around to trouble and travail.

This hotel on the Chao Phraya River, popular with visiting celebrities, still sets the bar for high-end Bangkok accommodations. The Author's Residence suites, made famous by visiting luminaries such as Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, and James Michener, are opulent and elegant affairs, with huge writing desks that look out upon the Chao Phraya. The spa across the river is one of Asia's best, and the sumptuous breakfast buffet out on the riverfront is just one of the eating options that includes elegant exotic restaurants such as China House (Cantonese), Le Normandie (haute cuisine French), and Sala Rim Naam (traditional Thai). If your pocketbook can manage it, easily Bangkok's classiest place to stay.