Tucked into Phloen Chit, the posh Bangkok district dotted with embassies, high-end office towers and other stately edifices, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok could be expected to welcome you with a sparse marbled lobby. However, the hotel lives up to its name — taken from the Thai word for a flower garland offered as a sign of hospitality, good health and respect.
Just down the block from Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s palm-tree-lined grand green space, the hotel lobby is always pleasingly abuzz, with its ground-floor CRAFT café, home to fresh caffeine brews secured by a mix of superb Thai roasters, overflowing onto a lush outside garden and acting as an unofficial den for the neighborhood, with pet visitors and all.
The hotel’s four distinct dining spots, public spaces and rooms all have a lively feel, featuring organic materials and works by Thai artisans — you’ll spot bright, striking pieces mixing Thai patterns with modern curves from the collective Artslonga and the sculptor Dong Pongsatat, among others — to match chic-yet-soothing furnishings throughout. The result is a décor that is both exciting and cozy.
The comfort extends to the accommodations, which have traditional Thai motifs; a palette of gray, cream and pale blue; floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Dutch embassy’s gardens or Lumphini Park; Thai artist Phannapast’s neat bird-theme illustrations; large marble-tiled bathrooms with oversized tubs; and Bangkok favorite HARNN amenities in the rooms, suites and residences. The savvy modern-meets-Thai aesthetic, along with an impeccable staff from those meeting you at the lobby check-in to those serving delightful cocktails on the rooftop bar, leaves you feeling less like you’re in a bustling city of more than 8 million than in your own urban sanctuary.