Best Hotel in Bangkok: Capella Bangkok
Bangkok is one of my all-time favorite cities in the world. The energy, the vibe, the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the food, and the hotels — there is something captivating about Bangkok. Once the city sinks its teeth into you, you are forever changed. When it comes to choosing a hotel in Bangkok, you are really going to be spoiled for choice as the city has some of the most exclusive and beautiful hotels in the world.
Earlier in 2022 I had the opportunity to check out one of the best hotels in Bangkok, Capella Bangkok. Capella is a really unique brand that specializes in gorgeously designed hotels, A-list service, and a small, boutique vibe in each destination that they are in. Capella Bangkok is one of the newer resorts for the brand, so I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to stay at their hotel in Bangkok.
Capella Bangkok sits perched overlooking the Chao Phraya River in one of the oldest sections of the city. In fact, the street on which the hotel sits (Charoen Krung Road) is the oldest street in the city. Today the neighborhood is the buzzing heart of the luxury hotel scene, so you’ll find other best hotels in Bangkok nearby, like the Four Seasons, which shares the entrance with Capella.
Capella is a small city hotel, with 101 rooms, which gives it a very intimate feel. Still, travelers come from all over to try its highly rated restaurants or listen to its nightly live music in its Art Deco-inspired Stella Bar.
If you’re ready to stay at this stylish hotel in Bangkok, check out my review of the Capella. And should you feel so inclined to book the hotel for your own travels, you can do so right here.
Capella Bangkok Overall Score: Above Average
Hotel in Bangkok: The Vibe of Capella Bangkok
Overall Score: Above Average
Capella Bangkok is undeniably beautiful and undeniably luxurious. It is impeccably designed, using materials like natural wood, stone, clay, and glass to create an exquisite space. Sweeping windows overlook the Chao Phraya river and flood the high-ceilinged lobby space with natural light. Service is attentive, polite, and unparalleled — this is Thailand, after all, a country known for its next-level hospitality.
My one issue, though, is that the vibe felt a bit austere. A warmth was lacking, and, for me, that took something away from the experience. Having said that, that could very well be the vibe that you're looking for, especially when choosing such a high-end resort in a country like Thailand. The culture is different. Formalities are crucial. Still, I do think that there is a way to be formal and respectful, while still exuding a warmth and I just did not feel that here.
Best Hotel in Bangkok: The Amenities at Capella Bangkok
Overall Score: Extremely Memorable
Capella Bangkok clearly excels at its offerings. The swanky Stella Bar was a favorite spot of ours in the evening, particularly for the complimentary Cin Cin hour available exclusively for guests. This hour-long happy hour includes complimentary drinks and canapes, all in a gorgeously designed Art Deco bar space with large windows and views over the Chao Phraya. Peep the opulent white peacock at the center, which sits regally underneath a glittering chandelier.
The pool at Capella was beautiful, but we actually had a private plunge pool in our room so that’s where we spent the bulk of our time. Still, most people are not coming to Bangkok to lounge poolside. They’re coming to see the city, and Capella has one of the very best locations to see and experience Bangkok, from the temples and monuments to the luxury shopping, and the frenetic Khao San Road area.
Best Hotels in Thailand, Bangkok: The Rooms at Capella Bangkok
Overall Score: Extremely Memorable
I loved, loved, loved our room here. We stayed in a gorgeous Verandah Suite, which came with its own plunge pool out on our expansive terrace that overlooked the skyline and the river. The bed at Capella was deliciously comfortable, and the bathroom had a deep soaking tub and luxurious shower.
The standard rooms at Capella Bangkok are equally impressive, though without outdoor space. Still, they have large windows that offer incredible views. If you are really looking to splurge, the hotel has seven riverfront villas that are going to absolutely knock your jaw to the floor.
In each room, guests can use tablets to order room service or interact with staff, which is something I appreciate as a Millennial who hates picking up the phone.
Hotel in Bangkok: The Dining at Capella Bangkok
Overall Score: Above Average
At Capella Bangkok, there were some meals I loved and others I probably do not need to experience again. Let’s start with what I loved:
Phra Nakhon, the signature Thai restaurant. This meal was exquisite. I was lucky enough to dine with some of the hotel representatives, who ordered a decadent feast of traditional Thai recipes. Highlights included the crispy fried white snapper and the wok-fried prawns with Thai garlic. A dinner here is a must, especially one with a wine pairing.
I also particularly loved breakfast at Capella Bangkok. Located in the Phra Nakhon space, this is the perfect spot to sip a cappuccino overlooking the river and indulge in a variety of breakfast dishes, whether you want western-style eggs, traditional Thai, or Chinese breakfast. A European buffet includes a selection of cold cuts and fresh cheese.
The only miss of a meal, for me, was the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, Cote by Mauro Colagreco. Crazy, right? But it just goes to show that everyone's palate is different. For me, I could not sink my teeth into the French Riviera-inspired seafood menu. While I am certain the dishes were perfectly prepared, the flavors were not my style, and I felt the overall experience was a bit too buttoned up. And a meal that goes on for three hours is something that I am not exactly excited about. That said, many, many people love these kinds of dining experiences and it may be exactly your speed.
Best Hotel in Bangkok: The Wellness at Capella Bangkok
Overall Score: Extremely Memorable
One of the pillars of Thai hospitality is wellness, and Capella Bangkok is no different. You can trust that if a hotel has a gym, I will be using it, and I was really impressed with the gym at Capella. It was small, but it had everything I needed in terms of cardio, free weights, and resistance machines.
I also was able to experience a spa treatment, and spas in Bangkok really set the standard for international wellness. Capella Bangkok's tranquil sanctuary was washed in natural light from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The delicate space puts immediately into relaxation mode, with vitality pools, water therapy, and a riverfront garden.
I tried a 150-minute Hom Mali treatment, which used the Hom Mali rice to create a scrub. The scrub is followed with a multi-sensory massage experience that took me straight out of the streets of Bangkok and into the rolling countryside hundreds of miles away. Highly, highly recommended.
Stay at Capella Bangkok
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