Bangkok’s hipster haven gets a new luxury hotel

The banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River have seen a renaissance over the last few years with famous hospitality brands opening properties alongside the iconic waterway, as it continues to develop its reputation as an uber cool creative scene and social centre, dotted with artfully conceived bars and welcoming restaurants.

The rise in popularity began as just a practical response to the higher cost of living in the centre of the city, leading to young artists and entrepreneurs seeking to escape the dearer rents and overheads by moving to the relatively cheaper Charoenkrung and riverside area.

However, the artists have long since given up sole occupancy of the trendy area, sharing it with all manner of established businesses seeking to prove their cool credentials by opening up in the Big Mango’s favourite hipster haunt — culminating in the construction of the Thai capital’s new mega-mall, IconSiam (below) last month.

As it shakes off its cool-kid vibe and enters the mainstream, the riverside still has much to offer tourists wishing to see another side of Bangkok. One that has all the convenience of downtown, such as fast transport connections and infrastructure ready to receive international guests, but still retains enough to of an edge to remain exciting and brimming with life and energy.

One company making a move to the east bank of Chao Phraya is the global hospitality brand, Capella Hotel Group, which is all set to unveil its first urban resort in Thailand: Capella Bangkok (main image and below), in the second quarter of 2019.

Discussing the soon to open property John Blanco, general manager of Capella Bangkok said: “The revival of the riverside has been happening organically for some years now and it’s incredible to experience the enthusiasm everybody has for a return to the city’s original roots.

It’s reminiscent of the redevelopment of historic – and often artistic – waterfront locales in other major metropolises such as the Meatpacking District in Manhattan and Belém in Lisbon, and I have every confidence that it will have the same uplifting effect on the city as a whole.”

Capella Bangkok offers 101 suites and the city’s first riverfront villas located within the highly-anticipated Chao Phraya Estate, a more-than-14-acre prime waterfront land development that boasts unprecedented accessibility and 350 metres of riverfront real estate.

Designed to evoke the feeling of a personal pied-à-terre with unobstructed views of the river from every room, the new luxury property features a signature restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco; an Auriga Wellness centre, with an extensive list of carefully curated Asian therapies combining traditional techniques with contemporary solutions.

As well as The Capella Living Room – a light-filled, river-facing lounge which acts as a showcase to creations of local artists, musicians and cooks to reflect the neighbourhood’s passion for food, wellness and culture.

Crafted local experiences, provided by the Capella Personal Assistant, will offer guests first-hand encounters with resident luminaries and inspire them to create and share their own memories about the city’s most intriguing enclave.

Closing his comments Blanco added: “I am sure our guests will enjoy exploring the locale and discovering the diverse street food stalls, riverfront seafood markets and decades-old shophouse restaurants including the legendary Thip Volcanic Fried Mussel & Oyster, in addition to the fashionable new eateries celebrating Bangkok’s bygone culinary roots. Guests are also sure to be enamoured by local residents of all ages engaging in their daily riverside regimens.