PART of what makes Bangkok an exciting destination is the way new places to stay, eat and be amused are regularly popping up and INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit exemplifies this.
The hotel cut the ribbon in July 2023, part of a brand self-described as ‘urban and beach hotels for curious minds who think it’s time to go.
To a new city. To that bar. Somewhere you can’t even pronounce.’ An appeal like this, to insatiably curious travellers with fluid lifestyles, is fulfilled with flair at INNSiDE in Bangkok and it begins by zipping up to a building’s 32nd floor to check in at the hotel’s spacious Open Living Lounge.
What first catches the eye in this large open-plan area is a large metalwork display, of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, on the wall behind the reception disk.
What follows, after clocking a spiral staircase, is a gradual realisation that most surfaces in the hotel are pristine white in colour; the bold testimony to the newness of the place draws attention to the black-and-white framed photographs of Spain (Meliá’s country of origin) that are found throughout the hotel.
The pool and the Giant Swing at INNSiDE Bangkok
Two floors above the Open Living Lounge, on the rooftop, there is an area that transforms itself as day turns to night. Under hot, cloudless skies a small, glass-bottomed pool offers cool respite from the heat, sun loungers and daybeds are on hand for relaxation and cold drinks are available at the Giant Swing Pool Bar.
Come dusk, the same rooftop spot slowly takes on a different character as cocktails begin to be shaken and stirred to the sound of upbeat music, coloured lights projected from a wall dance around the space and, ahí está, you could be forgiven for thinking you have shifted for a moment of immediacy to Ibiza. Travelling on EVA, non-stop from London, arrival in Bangkok is mid-afternoon so by the time you’ve freshened up in your room the rooftop experience is primed and waiting to be enjoyed.
Daytime or evening time, until midnight, the pool bar serves Mediterranean, Thai and international dishes and snacks, and the Giant Swing that gives its name to the bar is the structure in front of the counter.
The Open Living Lounge at INNSiDE Bangkok
The Spanish connection continues on the 33rd floor, between the Open Living Lounge and the rooftop, at LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar where the chef, hailing from Barcelona, playfully conjures up Spanish flavours with local Thai ingredients. Spanish wines, beer on tap, cocktails and signature sangrias are poured and prepared at the bar.
If at the bar, peer upwards and you find yourself staring at the bottom of the rooftop pool on the floor above. Signature dishes at LUZ include Catalonian classics like suquet de peix and fideus a la cassola, a Basque tiradito plus, of course, gazpacho and Iberian ham.
Costilla de ternera is a new item on the menu but vegetarians need not worry and will delight in an arroz de montaña; instead of the traditional chicken constituent, the dish makes non-meat magic out of mushrooms, beetroot and truffle.
The tapas bar counter at LUZ
There are just over 200 immaculately prepared rooms, all with city views but falling into different types and there is a significant distinction between Innside rooms and Townhouses.
Innside rooms, with the sink, island-style, in the 20m2 room itself, are ideal if most of your time is going to be spent outdoors but may otherwise feel a little too compact; Townhouse rooms, 44m2, have a bedroom, living room and a bathtub as well as a shower.
Townhouse room
INNSiDE in Bangkok brought to my attention a new experience – batik-making in a non-traditional way – at Craft Creator and it proved a lovely way to create a memento from time in the city.
It is close to Or Tor Kor Market, a fruit and agricultural market with an adjoining food court where authentic Thai food and freshly prepared fruit drinks are brought to your table after being ordered from any of the kiosks.
by Sean Sheehan
For more information, see INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit.
EVA Air flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Bangkok with Economy, Premium Economy and (with 2-metre long flat beds) Royal Laurel Class cabin services.
Fares start from £728; to book, see EVA Air.