As you approach the dizzying skyline of Bangkok from the city’s Suvarnabhumi Airport you can’t fail to see, among the countless skyscrapers, the distinctive Mahanakhon tower by architect Ole Scheeren. Its distinctive cuboid pixelated shape looks as if whole squares have been pulled out of some of its 78 floors making it appear twisted in some strange optical illusion. Sitting proudly in the city’s Silom district it is home to The Standard and to our 48-hour stay in one of Fused’s favourite South East Asian cities.
Stunning design and stellar service go hand-in-hand at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon as friendly approachable staff, dressed in seemingly back-to-front designed outfits by Bangkok-based Fah Chak WO+MAN fashion house, greet guests to the iconic building and into an atrium of wicker wonder.
Spanish designer Jaime Hayon’s distinctive palette gives the hotel splashes of fabulous colour while a fine collection of contemporary art and paraphernalia adds a unique touch to the hotel’s public spaces.
Up at the lobby, a large-scale Marc Quinn hyper-realist flower painting dominates the wall on entry, while the mesmerising video collage piece ‘Heaven’s Gate’ by Marco Brambilla plays on a loop behind the check-in desk.
A Black Joan Miró sculpture greets those who are about to enter The Parlour, which is the fun hub of the hotel (think cool bar filled with eclectic ornaments and curios where those in the know meet for craft beers and cocktails), while sound art loops with playful teasing chatter in the elevators.
Hayon’s curvy furniture design, in signature jewel and pastel tones with metallic trim, works wonders in what would otherwise be straight edges of this cubed skyscraper that recently lost its title as the tallest in Thailand.
Textures and colours have been introduced that give warmth, shape and plenty of visual interest. The stunning Black and White TeaSE tea room (just off The Parlour) is delightfully quirky and the staff’s uniforms are a complete match with monochrome asymmetric detailing.
Guest rooms have their own splashes of colour and art but are left in calm tones in comparison to communal spaces. Our 16th-floor Corner Double has far-reaching views across the city and is perfect for chilling out and watching bustling Bangkok below us as we sit on plush chairs, in our bright orange dressing gowns, sipping on the pre-made cocktail concoctions that have kindly been left chilling in our room.
At breakfast, it is an ‘order as much as you want’ a la carte service. The staff masterfully glide around the tables in the Double Standard area with its outdoor terrace, replenishing coffees and dishes of tasty morning fare. As it is our last few days in Thailand we go full-on Asian and order the pork noodle soup, the pork skewers (accompanied by a killer hot tamarind sauce) and the chicken congee. All of which are fine choices.
The Standard Grill offers up a slice of NYC in the heart of the Thai capital. The shiny subway tiles in white and green cover the walls, and the arched ceiling whisk us away to the Big Apple, along with the steaks and burgers on the menu.
Even the portions are US sized – we have the taster menu and leave about a third on our plates, it is so big.
It’s a great way to try a bit of everything: The Hiramasa Yellow Tail starter being a delicious highlight, as was the tasty (but very naughty) creamy Roast Jerusalem Artichoke soup, and the Tiger Prawn Cocktail. By the time we’re halfway through the New Zealand Pink Snapper (with a delicate coating of Jalapeño and ginger) and the Jacks Creek Black Angus Grain fed Tenderloin steak we are so full. We do manage a couple of mouthfuls of the desserts and the sharpness of the raspberry sorbet in the Pavlova certainly re-awakes the tastebuds, but the hazelnut praline from the Chocolate Texture sends us back over the edge.
When we checked in we were given tickets and instructions to The Standard’s Sky Beach, the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok. Intrigued we head up (you have to go through to a different entrance and elevator to the hotel itself and pass through a security check to enter) to the 78th floor to see what it is. It’s more an observation deck than a beach, there’s a bar, seating and a whole lot of people (us included) taking photos. We visit at 8.30pm and it’s a busy if unsettling attraction; you certainly get the sense that this is a huge building and not one for those scared of heights. However, if you are looking for a thrill then the obligatory reinforced glass platform is available to lie on, pose on, sit on, or stand on, for great photo opps which the staff are more than happy to oblige with.
Location wise the BTS sky train station Chong Nonsi is next to the hotel offering good links to other parts of the city, and it takes just 10 minutes to walk to the closest night market (the infamous and bustling) Patpong. The hotel building is so distinctive and huge that most of the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers will know how to get there, which in Bangkok is definitely a bonus and means you won’t get stranded in this humid metropolis.
Whichever space, place, restaurant or bar we’ve been to at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon in our short time here the staff have been a real credit to the hotel and the ‘anything but Standard’ brand catchline is absolute proof of that. Where, in the past, the W and Ace brands were our design-led, little bit quirky go-to, from now we’ll be checking out if The Standard is available to book into first.
Book if: You want a hotel with excellent service and plenty of cool hangout choices.
Try out: The Craftsmen cocktail (Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Pedro Ximénez, Disaronno Amaretto, chocolate bitters) that is served in The Parlour – perfect after a day of Bangkok sightseeing.
Have a look at: The Sky Beach if you want a 360-degree view of Bangkok from up very, very high.
Save money for: The super cool gift shop which has plenty of cool curated items to take home.
Chill out: At the pool on hot sunny days in the city.
Like the sound of this hotel for a stay? Check out its sister property just 2.5hrs drive (around £60-80 in a private taxi) in the seaside city of Hua Hin.
To find out more or book direct see: https://www.standardhotels.com/bangkok/
