Hotels

High-end: The Sukhothai
The beautiful — some would say severe — floor plan is the secret to the sense of peace and order one feels merely from setting foot here. This is a tour de force by Australian architect Kerry Hill and Thai interior designers Peter Bunnag and Chantaka Puranananda.

   13/3 South Sathorn Road 
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel. +66 2 344 8888
   www.sukhothai.com

Medium: The Ascott
Technically, this is a serviced apartment, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. And it’s home to the best fitness centre in all of Bangkok, the Cascade Club, which must be seen to be believed.

   187 South Sathorn Road  
   Yannawa, Sathorn  
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel. +66 2 676 6868
   http://www.the-ascott.com/thailand/bangkok/ascott_sathorn_bangkok.html

_{Source: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk}

Budget: Om Yim Lodge
Who says charm can’t be found on the cheap in the Central Business District? Om Yim Lodge is where Nat recommends his friends to stay … if they can get a room.  Be sure to book ahead.

   72-74  Naradhiwas Road
   Silom, Bangrak
   Bangkok, 10500

   Tel. +66 2 635 0169
   http://www.omyimgroup.com

Bars

Formal: Met Bar
Get dressed up to go to a bar? Not here. Thankfully without the draconian door policies of its sister establishment in London, Bangkok’s Met Bar is a chic place to relax, truly relax, with a drink.

   27 South Sathorn Road
   Tungmahamek, Sathorn
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel. +66 2 625 3322
   http://www.metropolitan.bangkok.como

_{Source: http://www.globaltravelmate.com}

Informal: Tawandang Brewery
The atmosphere doesn’t make much sense: a German microbrewery with a Thai menu and entertainment that, frankly, no one is paying any real attention to. But it’s all part of the charm, and the beer and food is great. A good spot for a big get together, plus it’s child friendly (if you can’t find a babysitter).

   462/61 Rama III Road

   Tel. +66 2 678 1114 6
   Hours: 5pm – 1am
   http://www.tawandang.com

_{Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pittaya/4552005644/}

Budget: Wong’s
Something of a legend among the expat community in Bangkok, Wong’s is the most popular hole-in-the wall in the entire city. After a night out on the town, many of the bar’s regulars end up here after hours, where everyone seems to know everyone else (or at least pretends to). The place is so laid back you can grab yourself a beer from the fridge and pay at the bar.

   27/3 Soi Sribamphen, Rama 4 Road,

   Hours: Whatever the owner feels like. It usually doesn’t get going until around 2am and continues until the early morning.

Living and Residential

Cat says:

_{Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26595973@N00/5323029307/}

Nang Linchee Road
Nang Linchee Road is a leafy residential street near Sathorn and Naradhiwas Road. The best houses and condos are situated on sois 2 and 4. Soi 2 is especially popular with the expatriate community, as it is a private soi with a lot of space for children to ride their bikes and run around. The apartments on Soi 2, however, are not for sale but only available for rent. Soi 4 though has many lovely low-rise residential condos and some apartments here do come up for sale from time to time.  

Nat says:

Sukhothai Residences
Not meaning to go on too much about The Sukhothai Bangkok, but the residences being built behind the hotel are luxurious and thoughtfully designed. Among the great features are semi-private lifts, cross-ventilation, high ceilings, a separate spicy food preparation area in the kitchen and, most importantly, some services available from the hotel. I would live there if I didn’t already have a house.

   13/3 South Sathorn Road 
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel. +66 2 344 8888
   www.sukhothairesidences.com

Spas

High-end: Banyan Tree

Those in the know will tell you that the Banyan Tree Spa was the first in the world to put flowers beneath the hole in the massage bed where you stick your face. It is attention to detail like this that makes for a truly luxurious experience. The facilities are spacious and top-notch.

   Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok
   21/F Thai Wah Tower II
   Sathorn Road
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel: +66 2 679 1052/4
   Hours: 9am – 10pm daily
   120-minute ‘Restful Balance’ massage costs THB 6,000
   http://www.banyantreespa.com

_{Source: http://www.venere.com}

Medium: Sarahn-Relax Spa
All the rooms here are private and therefore it costs a bit more than at budget places, but the massages are excellent. Don’t expect the total pampering experience of a luxury spa, but the private rooms are quaint and you get your own shower as a standard amenity.

   Soi Suanphlu (Sathorn Soi 3)
   Thungmahamek, Sathorn 
   Bangkok 10120

   Tel. +66 2 286 7441

_{Source: http://815406.blogspot.com}

Budget: Healthland
If you don’t mind queuing up with people who arrive in tour buses, this is one of the best places to get a massage in Bangkok, period. There are group treatment rooms for reflexology so your experience is not high-end unless you specify a private room. But the massage is what matters and it’s great.

   Healthland Sathorn Branch
   120 North Sathorn Road
   Silom, Bangrak
   Bangkok 10500

   Tel. +66 2 637 8883
   Hours: 9am – 11pm daily
   90-minute aromatherapy body massage costs THB 850
   http://www.healthlandspa.com