Bangkok is filled with vastly different but interesting locations. Khao San Road, long a haven for backpackers has now become a colorful and vibrant part of Bangkok where Thai’s and tourists gather at some of the best bars in town.
Thong Lor has recently become the hot spot in town known for its excellent choice of upmarket and fashionable restaurants, along with plenty of trendy spots to drink the night away. As a large percentage of the Japanese expat population lives here, there are plenty of excellent izakaya, ramen, and sushi joints, and even a restaurant and shop village known as Nihonmura (Japantown).
Another great Bangkok area is Wireless Road, located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and embassy district. I recently had the pleasure of staying at the newly opened Hotel Indigo, a great 5 star hotel on Wireless Road. I thoroughly enjoyed not only my stay but also exploring the neighborhood. Wireless Road is cosmopolitan but yet also very local. Here you’ll find luxurious shopping malls located right next to unique local markets and international restaurants found right next to the most local street food stalls. You are just as likely to find a chef who’s trained at el Bulli as you are a chef who learned everything about food from their mum.
Hotel Indigo is a boutique hotel brand that is part of the InterContinental Hotel Group. It is known as the industry’s first branded boutique hotel, artfully combining the conveniences and consistencies of a branded hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique hotel, so boutique that each hotel has its own unique architecture.
There are 60 Hotel Indigo’s spread throughout the world but Bangkok’s Hotel Indigo on Wireless Road is the very first in South East Asia. Each Hotel Indigo property is designed around the local culture, character and geography of the surrounding area. In fact, every member of the staff at Hotel Indigo has been trained to be a “neighborhood specialist” who can be drawn upon to provide information on where to go for the best types of everything. If you’re in the mood for a particular type of food, they can tell you where to find it, whether you are wanting it in a fancy restaurant or from one of the local street-side food carts.
If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel you can discover a refreshingly different yet remarkably local dining and drinking experience at the hotel’s distinctive restaurant and bar called Metro on Wireless. Here you will find authentic tastes of the neighborhood and international flavours. Their 22 Steps Bar (exactly 22 steps from the front door) is a great place to unwind, enjoy a cocktail and fine cigar whilst watching the world go by. Friday evening’s they have a free flow wine promotion at a great price.
The Bangkok Hotel Indigo is designed with the feeling of space and nature highlighting all the greenery on Wireless Road and Lumpini Park, Bangkok’s answer to New York’s Central Park. Lumpini Park was founded by King Rama Vl. The park is a lush and tropical retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, and is dotted with gazebos and boat houses built in traditional Thai wooden style.
Hotel Indigo is located next to All Season’s place and just a couple of minutes’ walk to the BTS Ploenchit station. It is also close to the new Central Embassy shopping mall where their motto is “Redefining the new luxury shopping experience” and home to the Diplomat Cinemas, billed as the most expensive cinema in the world (see following story).
With their modern and vibrant guest rooms featuring locally-inspired artwork, plush bedding, hardwood floors, spa-inspired bathrooms, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and their Fitness Centre and open-air, infinity-edge pool, Hotel Indigo is a perfect home away from home.