Bangkok, Thailand—Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
On December 7, 2012 the highly anticipated W Bangkok will open its doors, becoming the second Thai property in the W collection. Located on the buzzing North Sathorn Road, W Bangkok will combine a 31-floor modern glass tower with a century-old, European-inspired heritage building, reflecting the juxtaposition of deep-rooted Thai heritage and modern Western influence to create a new scene for both jetsetters and stylish locals alike. Set in the heart of Bangkok’s bustling commercial district with direct access to Skytrain, the city’s elevated rail system, W Bangkok will be Thailand’s first urban W Hotel, following the November 2010 opening of W Retreat & Spa Koh Samui, located in the Gulf of Thailand.
Designed by Soda, a celebrated local architecture firm, the design of W Bangkok mixes the enchantment of old Bangkok with modern Western influence to create a dynamic dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity, offering a stimulating fusion of dynamism, sophistication and culture. Furthering this dichotomy, the hotel occupies two iconic buildings of different cultures and eras – the former home of a wealthy Thai tradesman that, in the 19th Century, became the former Russian Embassy and a thoroughly modern high-rise.
“It is such a thrill work on the design of W Bangkok,” says Steven Odell, Managing Director of Soda. “W is a constantly-evolving, dynamic, cutting edge brand – one that blends really well in combination with the natural warmth and welcoming of the city’s pace embedded with rich traditional culture of Thailand makes for a really intriguing, inspirational design story.”
The interiors of W Bangkok will mirror the secrecy of the city’s obscure alleyways and the evocative twists and turns of its corridors, while evoking spirits of the past and capturing the city’s captivating collision of modern skyscrapers, ancient temples and shimmering bijous. Running throughout the hotel’s public spaces, guests will be captivated by a neon art installation, stylized through laser cutting and pixilation that adds a layer of mystery and unveils experiences beyond expectation. The neon art will draw its inspiration from a traditional Thai motif commonly found in the architecture of Thai temples and will be overlaid by a glass structure to create a modern, colorful piece.
An abstract spine-pattern spiral staircase will then connect the hotel’s public spaces, extending from the W Lounge (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby) to the Great Room. Glossy, jewel-encrusted material will be used on the underside of the stairway to create interplay between shadows and shimmering light. W Bangkok’s signature all-day dining restaurant, The Kitchen Table, will feature Thai mythical-influenced styling and structure and will be surrounded by neon glass walls inspired by crocodile skins.
W Bangkok will feature 407 guestrooms and suites, including 244 Wonderful Rooms, 106 Spectacular Rooms, 19 Cool Corner Rooms, 20 Studio Suites, 2 Fantastic Suites, 10 Marvelous Suites. For a serious wow factor, guests can stay in the Wow Suite, Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s take on the Presidential Suite) and four Duplex Suites located in the adjacent heritage building. Guestrooms, which will work with gold, blue or magenta tones by floor, will feature a high contrast of ambient and direct lighting, colored glass planks and a touch of bejeweled gold to create mystique and illumination.
The vibrancy of W Bangkok will go beyond its shimmering surfaces, featuring dynamic amenities and enchanting guestrooms, including WOOBAR, the signature W bar concept, featuring exciting creations by a W mixologist and pulsating tracks spun by an in-house DJ; WET pool deck café, offering innovative bites and creative cocktails in a captivating setting; and The Kitchen Table, offering savory Thai cuisine and other Asian favorites, where flavors and styles are combined with imagination and flair. In addition to featuring the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, W Bangkok will also offer SWEAT state-of-the-art fitness center, AWAY Spa, WIRED Business Center and W Hotels The Store.
“W Bangkok will offer the ultimate urban escape high above the pulsating energy of one of Asia’s liveliest cities,” said Nick Heath, general manager of W Bangkok. “We look forward welcoming a mix of international jetsetters and fashion forward locals as we create a new scene in the eternal jewel city.”
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