Bangkok is a spectacular, huge, and bustling city, famed for its Wat and the iconic river running through it, which can sometimes be overwhelming so finding an oasis in all the hustle and bustle is a huge relief. Having just flown in from Phuket and whisking through the winding streets of Bangkok, arriving at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok was just that, an oasis.
Towering above the neighbouring buildings this hotel beamed like a spectacular beacon above all the noise and commotion of Bangkok. Inspired by the original designers of 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, under the guidance of the owners, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok is a luxury boutique hotel consisting of just 34 luxurious suites on the upper levels of the property, in addition to 179 serviced residences. The hotel is set in a contemporary-style building on Sukhumvit Soi 39 with the design focused on a modern contemporary but with a timeless quality.
Pulling up the front we were greeted by Vikki, our butler for our stay at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, she smoothly checked us in as we sat in reception sipping on a local Thai pea flower tea infusion drink. We were then shown to the elevators and up to our suite.
Along the corridor from the elevators, we found ourselves at our home for the next few nights, the spectacular Thonburi Suite. A very spacious and bright suite with one bedroom, a spectacular walk-in dressing area, a living room, a guest bathroom, a maxi bar and wine cellar, a dining area, and an indulgent bathroom with the signature 137 Pillars circular bathtub with built-in television.
This suite offers dramatic sunrise and sunset views across Bangkok and features high ceilings and a balcony with an oversized daybed. Tired from the flight we immediately got into bed for a pre-dinner nap, the comfortable Posturepedic Ultra Plush beds come with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton linen and an extensive pillow menu to suit any sleeper. However, Bangkok had other plans for us, no sooner than we had slipped into the cotton sheets the phone rang… Little did we know but at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok they have complimentary daily sundowner drinks between 6 pm–7 pm, on the phone was our butler Vikki inviting us!
You did not have to ask us twice so we jumped out of bed and got cocktail hour ready in our super plush bathroom with a full glass-surrounded shower and his and her sinks, perfect for both getting ready at the same time. An hour later we were “a night out in Bangkok“ ready. We headed down to the bar on the ground level, the Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Bar, which also serves as the restaurant for breakfast or light bites throughout the day. After several Negronis it was time to hit the town for our penultimate night in this crazy, spectacular city.
Waking up in our suite after a blissful night’s sleep we headed down to breakfast, which is a sort of half buffet, half a carte affair. After refuelling it was time to take in some sights, we hitched a ride in Louie, the hotel’s very own London Cab, to EmQuartier, where we could board the BTS Skytrain. The BTS Skytrain is an ingenious mode of transport to get around, what with the roads of Bangkok usually jam-packed with traffic making Uber and TukTuk journeys long and pricey.
We headed to the Jim Thompson House Museum, the Bangkok home housing the Asian art collection of the late James H.W. Thompson, also known as the “Thai Silk King”. After a wander round and the purchasing of a few souvenirs, we headed to the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre. A building housing multiple exhibitions and projects alongside artisan coffee shops and nik nak stores, perfect for finding a strange antique or two.
We then took the Skytrain back to the EmQuartier to get those last-minute gifts for the home, including finding an epic supermarket in the basement that had spectacular Selfridges Food Hall vibes. After a spot of lunch, we wandered back to the hotel ready to relax in the spa before dinner at the hotel later that evening.
A most spectacular spa experience
The Nitra Serenity Center is located on level 28 of the hotel, so we just popped on our robes and headed there in the elevator. The spa features a full range of face and body care treatments and holistic therapies, we opted for the hot stone massage therapy. Min and Soy, our therapists, took great care of us while administering the treatment.
Smooth volcanic stones were warmed and placed on various trigger points on our body to deeply penetrate and soothe aching muscles, which were further relaxed with an aromatherapy massage. This was the perfect therapy after weeks in Thailand hopping from place to place and with the long haul back home looming in sight. We came out relaxed, loosened up and ready for our final night in Bangkok and spectacular dinner at Nimitr.
Fine dining within the 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok
Located on level 27 at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, Nimitr is an upscale fine dining destination serving elegant seasonally inspired food with a terrace that offers guests a spectacular view of the Bangkok city skyline. A leading-edge concept restaurant, which offers the highest standards of modern cuisine drawing on both Oriental and Western inspirations, it is an elegant space that was perfect for our last night in Thailand. We were greeted by Lek, the Restaurant Manager, who organised a glass of wine while we perused the menu.
We opted light as it was our last night so Rachel went for the Trout Gravlax while I went for the Salad with Cheese Truffle Samosa, followed by onion soup, which was such a fun dish, more of a deconstructed soup with a broth, it was so light yet so full of flavour. For mains, Rachel opted for the Risotto Verde with prawns while I took the Cod with vegetables. Both were beautifully presented, light and packed with flavour. Maxime, the Head Chef, then came out to greet us and insisted we try dessert so bought us an array of items from Green Matcha Tea Financier to Dark Chocolate Mousse.
All were equally delicious and equally polished off with a soothing cup of tea. After a wonderful dinner, we headed up to our suite to finish off that last bit of packing before slipping into the 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Just before lights out we took one last look out at the Bangkok skyline from our balcony, all lit up as far as the eye could see, the moist warm air, the sounds of the streets below and the slight smell of Asian flowers made for a lasting memory of Bangkok and the sanctuary up in the sky that is 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok.
137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok
59/1 Soi Sukhumvit 39
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand
