CHECK-IN
Take me to the river. Truly, extra to the purpose, take me on to the 4 Seasons Lodge Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (as a lot a mouthful as that may be). This glamorous, comparatively new, self-styled city resort is ready smack bang beside a sizeable part of the unique Thai capital’s aquatic artery. All of it appears efficiently calculated to use some stylish up to date five-star water torture-like competitors to sure different institutions riverside. To some extent neglected by guests as a location for a Bangkok keep, to its admirers, this elongated oasis of a river represents the (albeit befouled) essence of this sprawling, hopelessly unplanned South-East Asian behemoth.
THE LOOK
Above floor stage, the resort’s structure is just not particularly inspiring, with a lot of the aesthetic consideration from go-to Belgian designer Jean-Michel Gathy correctly dedicated to its uncommonly intensive river-facing areas. Shallow polished rock and lotus-scattered swimming pools, interspersed with desk and chair-set islets shaded by towering columns, lead seductively right down to the Chao Phraya. Nearer to the riverbank and promenade is the bigger, deeper and completely swimmable resort-like pool. Indoors, the suitably tall-ceilinged, mutedly-toned resort foyer is adorned with daring, curated art work by gifted Thai artists drawn from main native galleries and with rigorously chosen and lavish espresso desk tomes for visitor perusal.
THE ROOM
My enticing deluxe riverside digs are a commodious 50-square metres with fabulous views, morning, midday and evening of the Chao Phraya and town’s scattered skyline. In certainly one of most of the pleasing touches and accoutrements, the small, nook-like chaise lounge leisure house comes with a rack of topical books and magazines. If you are able to do and not using a view, guide one of many inexpensive (although admittedly nonetheless dear) entry-point courtyard rooms which nonetheless permits full entry to the resort’s manifest delights.
FOOD + DRINK
As befitting certainly one of Asia’s undisputed culinary capitals, consuming and ingesting performs an integral function on this resort’s package deal. It wasn’t all that lengthy after its opening, unluckily only some months earlier than the pandemic was declared, that Yu Ting Yuan the in-house Cantonese restaurant overlooking the courtyard pool scored a Michelin star, although curiously the equally spectacular Italian restaurant, Riva del Fiume, missed out. Extra lately, the resort’s signature bar, BKK Social Membership, impressed by the slinky speakeasy-like watering holes of early twentieth century Buenos Aires, was named as certainly one of Asia’s 10 finest ingesting holes within the coveted World’s 50 Finest Awards (and, sure, one of many delectable negroni-like drinks is inevitably referred to as “Evita”). Proper on the riverside, there’s additionally a French restaurant, Palmier, with rumours of a Japanese eatery to return.
OUT + ABOUT
Whereas we have been gone, Bangkok’s edgy, so-called artistic district has turn into a smash hit with locals and now returning vacationers. Hugging some riverside hoods not removed from the 4 Seasons, shoved filled with galleries, eating places, cafes, bars and road artwork, it is the antithesis of Bangkok’s fleshpots. Shrewdly desperate to align itself with this cool a part of the Thai capital and with its personal fully-fledged artwork gallery in collaboration with the Bangkok Museum of Up to date Artwork, the resort presents company paid excursions of the artistic district in addition to to the historic Thai-Portuguese Kudeejeen neighbourhood.
THE VERDICT
A big vote of confidence within the Chao Phraya River and its underappreciated allures, this exceptionally well-conceived and well-run luxurious resort delivers a memorable expertise for the Bangkok customer who can afford it.
ESSENTIALS
Deluxe rooms with courtyard views begin from THB13,500 ($530) an evening. 300/1 Charoen Krung Highway, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Bangkok, Thailand. Telephone +66 2032 0888. See fourseasons.com
Anthony Dennis stayed a visitor of 4 Seasons Lodge Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.
OUR SCORE OUT OF FIVE
★★★★★
HIGHLIGHT
The intensive, unrivalled riverside setting and facilities is a sanctuary from the nonetheless chaotic metropolis past
LOWLIGHT
A befuddled tuk tuk driver deposited us on the location of the previous 4 Seasons within the centre of town
