Bangkok has bounced back to its vibrant hyperkinetic self, and the hottest name on the scene right now is The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. The iconic Mahanakhon Tower is Thailand’s tallest building, a sheath of soaring glass and steel in the capital’s downtown Central Business District that stands out for its distinctive pixilated silhouette.
In The Standard, which has 143 rooms, 10 suites and two penthouses spread over eight different room types, be ready for one surprise after another. It starts with the lavishly bright turquoise entrance with humongous rattan hanging lamps, followed by the psychedelic lighting in the elevators up to reception level, where you are greeted by “Personnage,” a striking standing sculpture by Joan Mirò, from the collection of the King Power group, which built the tower.
which is Thailand’s tallest building — and among the most
striking. (The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon)
The guest relations staff wear chic sportswear, and at reception they were efficient and charming as they filled us in on the facilities and services. For transfers and advance bookings, Guest Experience Manager Jessica Patman (Jessica.patman@standardhotels.com; +66-20-858-888) said to contact her or one of her staff (stbkkguestexperience@standardhotels.com).
The reception has the air of a radical-chic living room with leather couches and avant-garde works of art like the video of Hollywood excesses by Marco Brambilla behind the desk, and the white plaster busts of Roman emperors that are liberally smutched with lipstick kisses. This area shimmies into The Parlour, an all-day social hub with feel-good food, eye-catching art on open shelving, potted plants, a bar, a small terrace and DJ music in the evening.
The guestrooms are on the lower floors of the tower, and we had a Corner King which, like the Corner Suites, faced a sunrise city view. The wraparound ceiling-to-floor windows made it feel much larger than its 600 square feet, and as it was evening the cityscape was pretty magical. Having tested the bed and found it up to our exacting standards of not too hard and not too soft (the bed linens were silky smooth and the pillows light and fluffy), we were drawn to the golden-hued bar corner and the array of midi-sized bottles of handmade vodka, Beefeater, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and Mekhong Thai spiced rum. There was also a Nespresso machine, a range of glasses from champagne flutes down and some complimentary nibbles.
The carpet that peeked out from under the bed onto the glowing wooden floor had the squiggles and eyes that also feature on the Burgundy red carpets in the corridors, and on random couches. All are designed, like many of the artifacts in the hotel, by the Spanish artist Jaime Hayon who has a penchant for mixing rich dark shades with vibrant pastels, like the orange corner couches and pale green tables in the guestrooms.
We would have liked more room for toiletries (alas, male hotel architects very rarely get this or the lighting right) but the bathroom sink, which is at least three feet long, took up most of the space. We liked the Davines amenities dispensed from full-size pump bottles, the whimsical “Do Me” and “Just Don’t” signs on the door, and the Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker.
For honeymooners, we would pick room No. 1716, the Suite Spot (893 square feet), which has a separate living room, dining table and powder room. It is also good for families as it can take two adults and two children. The Penthouse, which measures 1,100 square feet has a kitchenette and a full dining table, and the Bigger Penthouse (1,550 square feet) has a Gaggenau kitchen, dining for eight and connects to a Standard King for a second bedroom.
We quickly realized that art, color and whimsy are three of the driving concepts behind this exciting property. The fourth, as we were soon to find out, is food. And, oh my goodness, we were in for more surprises. Executive chef Daniel Masters oversees the kitchens, and in The Standard Grill he sent us a starter of Hiramasa Yellow Tail, Tiger Prawn and Oven Roasted Snails. With the atmosphere of a New York steakhouse, we then chose from the impressive selection of award-winning Australian rib-eyes, sirloins and Wagyus.
To our initial dismay breakfast was à la carte, but it turned out to have everything we could have wanted, from fresh coconut water to avocado on sourdough, flapjacks, stir-fried noodles and crab omelettes, as well as classic continental. In Tease, a small room with dazzling black and white shapes and stripes on the walls, furnishings and even the ceiling, the teas go from black to green to white to the famed Oolong, and they also serve champagne cocktails and boozy iced teas.
Mott 32, which has its first U.S. restaurant in Las Vegas, has a dim sum and a BBQ menu. The signature Peking Duck should be preordered, and the mouth-watering Iberico Pork and Roasted Pork Belly are on a first-come first-served basis. On the 76th floor, Mexican chef Francisco Paco Ruano helms Ojo, which is a glamorous rose gold showstopper with a shimmering crystal bar and soft lighting. We visited and the view is spectacular, but as it was booked four months ahead, we did not get to try Ruano’s cuisine, which has been drawing rave notices for its creative take on authentic Mexican fare.
Two floors higher up, the Sky Beach is Bangkok’s highest al fresco rooftop bar and The Skywalk Thailand’s highest observation deck. Access is complimentary for hotel guests and the more daring pose for selfies as they stand or sit on the Skywalk’s glass bottom, 78 floors above the city.
The 24-hour fitness center has Thailand’s first clamber wall and a Peloton bike as well as a steam room, and the sixth-floor pool is for chilling out on loungers with pool eats. There is no spa but Nicha Pongstaporn (nicha.pongstaporn@standardhotels.com), senior marketing manager, said guests are directed to Let’s Relax and Solne in the Manahakhon complex, where treatments are best booked in advance.
Nicha also said that the in-house restaurants are so popular, including with Bangkokians, that travel specialists should reserve well ahead of their clients’ arrival. Top Tip: Tell them to drop into The Shop at the entrance to browse the colorful and unusual designer items and fashions from young Thai designers.
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