We review The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, a tranquil haven in the bustling Thai capital

Bangkok’s no stranger to impressive luxury hotels. The city’s legacy of five-star stays
arguably stretches back to 1876, when the original wing of the historic Mandarin
Oriental, Bangkok, opened. In recent years, though, the city’s had a deluge of luxe
new hotel openings, the most recent arrival being The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.  We checked in to discover an incredibly sophisticated stay laced with impeccable service and incredible food within the prestigious One Bangkok district off Wireless Road.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We review The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok

Hospitality first

It’s no secret that Thai hospitality is of the highest level – genuine warmth and
discreet attentiveness are par for the course. But even held to this lofty standard, the
service at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok stands head and shoulders above the rest. It’s
a highly impressive feat, given that I arrive at the hotel in the middle of an earthquake.

As soon as the doors to the sleek BMW airport transfer open, we’re surrounded by five
hotel staff who inform us that, yes, there’s been an earthquake, and therefore, we
need to evacuate immediately.

In under two minutes, we’re being led into the middle of Lumphini Park, opposite the hotel, to wait out the aftershocks and security checks. Our luggage accompanies us, wheeled by two of the hotel’s gym trainers. In the park, we settle in for what will be a four-hour wait. A few of the spa staff have rushed over with guests evacuated in the middle of the treatments, and they keep up a constant stream of positive chatter – and somehow manage to deliver bottles of water and soda to keep us hydrated. You could almost believe you’re enjoying a
picnic in these leafy surrounds.

When the building is finally cleared for safety by the fire department, everyone trickles back inside. Guests are directed to Lily’s, the all-day dining restaurant, where staff quickly lay out food and drink. This being The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, though, it’s no haphazard offering. Instead, trays of ice-cold juices and drinks are taken around tables of seated guests, alongside quickly but precisely assembled bowls of nuts, plates of sandwiches, and even freshly-cooked fries.

Thai hospitality is known for its attentiveness, but I’m floored by the staff’s ability to spring into action in the face of an emergency. The hotel’s high level of service hasn’t skipped a beat, either immediately after the earthquake or in the 48 hours following. At the Club Lounge that evening, staff are smiling, asking after our wellbeing, and quick to dish out Champagne; back at Lily’s for dinner, they’re joking with us and bringing out dishes at a surprising speed.

The next morning, I spoke to hotel manager Lewis Quinn, who told me he’s been getting similarly positive feedback from other guests. He shares that it was a shock to the whole team to have to manage this experience – Bangkok’s not prone to earthquakes, so they had to think on the fly to adapt their fire safety protocols. One example? Evacuating people to Lumphini Park, instead of just the street outside the hotel, to ensure no one would get hurt should windows fall out.

Designer bolthole

Sufficiently recovered from the shock of arriving mid-earthquake, I took some time the following morning to properly look around the hotel. It’s immediately obvious that this has been designed, by Thailand’s A49 and SOM as a sophisticated haven of tranquillity with only the most premium materials.

Throughout all the public spaces, there are copious displays of polished marble, brass, plush upholstered furnishing, and designer lighting fixtures. It all comes together in a refined display of cutting-edge modern design. Arguably the best part, though, are the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout that offer exquisite views over Lumphini Park and the Bangkok skyline.

There are 260 guest rooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, all as elegantly appointed with premium amenities as the rest of the hotel. Our Club Room – which features jaw-dropping Lumphini Park views, especially at sunset, is the perfect oasis from Bangkok’s frenetic pace.

There’s a luscious contrast of colours and textures, from the soft, white Frette linens on the bed and the black lacquered bar cabinet and tables, to the light wood flooring and sliding bathroom doors. Attention to detail is everywhere, from the full-sized Dyptique amenities and Dyson hairdryers – with all the attachments – in the marble bathroom to the technology woven throughout the room (think USB chargers on the nightstand and curtains and lighting that operate at the touch of a button).

And the space! In Asia, it’s rare to have a hotel room so big – the 127sq-m space feels positively palatial.

The room also comes with access to the Club on the 23rd floor. It’s a serene space
offering great views and intimately grouped seating arrangements. It’s also perfect
for beginning the day while lingering over the curated breakfast buffet or winding
down with a drink and canapés.

All the Trimmings

Impeccable service and lavish design are just the start of the offerings at The Ritz- Carlton, Bangkok. The food and drink offerings are worth visiting for alone. Fine dining outlet Duet by David Toutain is an exploration of the duality of food and nature by the eponymous French chef.

The restaurant is a stylish, moody space of marble and glass split across two rooms. At dinner, the tasting menu delivers a succession of surprises in dishes like Shiro Kyoto Miso with tuna and eggplant, foie gras with passionfruit, and tamarind with Brittany pigeon, turnip and mulberry. Even the accompanying drink pairings are a revelation, from unexpected wines to a Belgian beer.

Lily’s is the place to be for breakfast (though the lunch and dinner service is equally
excellent). The massive restaurant manages to retain a sense of the personal amid
its lavish morning buffet offerings – from fresh fruits and noodles to a wide selection
of pastries, seconded by a made-to-order menu. I would go back just to eat the
utterly decadent River Prawn Pad Thai again.

A floor above, Caleō elevates the hotel bar to an opulent experience. The bright, opulent space is anchored by the massive central bar where mixologists shake up well-made cocktails. The menu here is inspired by famous social clubs – both real and mythical – and I’m delighted to see a tribute to Rick’s Café American from the classic 1942 film Casablanca. The offering, Rick’s Gimlet Flight, is a trio of taster-sized gimlets inspired by France (raspberry, herbs de provence), Portugal (chamomile, white peppercorn), and – naturally – Morocco (sour grapefruit, paprika cordial, grains of paradise), and each is punchier and more delicious than the last.

As you’d expect, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, also has extensive wellness offerings. There’s an outdoor pool fringed by shaded cabanas and sun loungers, a wellness area with a hammam, steam, and sauna, and a state-of-the-art gym that’s blissfully quiet during my morning workouts. Of course, there’s also a chic spa with just a handful of treatment rooms.

Treatments here are personalised, and generally include traditional Thai techniques for maximum zen. After a 60-minute Relaxation Massage, complete with soothing strokes and aromatherapy oils, all I can do is collapse by the pool for a few hours.

Final Thoughts

Despite a somewhat inauspicious beginning to the stay, our 48 hours at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok was thoroughly blissful. It’s rare that I stay onsite in a city hotel during the whole time, but in this case, that’s exactly what I decided to do. After the frenetic start, the impeccable service, stellar food, and pampering wellness offerings were everything required to take the edge off. The hotel has earned my continued loyalty, and I’m not gatekeeping!

Find out more about The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok or Book through Booking.com

But wait, there’s more…

• When you’re escaping the city, come hideaway in one of the best wellness resorts in Koh Samui
• See what came up tops for Bangkok in our guide to the best boutique hotels in Thailand
• And Ritz-Carlton devotees will want to check out our highlights of the Ritz-Carlton in Amman, Jordan