Bangkok has bounced back to its vibrant hyperkinetic self – and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is the hottest name in town.

"Hotels should be more than just a place to sleep, but also a destination and experience in and of itself" – this is the core belief of The Standard Hotel in downtown Bangkok, Thailand’s go-to capital.

Conceived jointly by the hotel’s award-winning in-house design team and Spanish visionary artist-designer Jaime Hayon, of Hayon Studios, The Standard Bangkok is a design-led, socially vibrant and colour-infused wonderland. Everything from the interior design, to the amenities, to the services, has been carefully curated to create a vibrant, fun, and memorable atmosphere that reflects the local culture of each Standard location. It is also in close proximity to Bangkok’s Old Town, which has recently become the chosen enclave for the city’s dynamic creative community. 

The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate venue than the iconic King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper – known as the “Pixel Tower” and “Tetris Building” due to the pixelated ribbon that swirls around its exterior. The Ole Scheeren-designed, 314-metre-high, mixed-used edifice, perfectly encapsulates the brand’s “anything but standard” ethos.

It is topped off with a 76-storey-high Sky bar that overspills onto Bangkok’s highest observation deck and the glass floor of the fear-inducing Sky Walk.  Instal a seriously gorgeous restaurant at its pinnacle, with one of Mexico’s finest chefs at the helm, add an iconic Hong Kong eatery and a pool terrace in the sky – have Hayon dress it all in a funky, colourful, retro-futurist vibe, add pop-up parties, tastemaker talks, and studio sessions to the mix, and hey presto, you have The Standard Bangkok, which is “anything but standard”.

The Design 

The hotel boasts a curvaceous modern 1970s vibe. The multicoloured, whimsical aesthetic, has been designed to reflect Bangkok’s cultural melting pot status and to hopefully encapsulate the unmistakable energy of the Thai capital, with The Standard’s global roots taking inspiration from the city’s vibrant art scene and traditional Thai crafts.

Hayon has applied his maximalist design language of fluid shapes round corners, voluptuous forms, graphic patterns and vibrant colours across the public areas and 155 rooms and suites; his signature sense of playfulness and eye for detail are evident throughout.  

The Arrival

The first of the segued zones every hotel visitor will encounter is the eye-catching immersive lobby with soaring ceilings, over which a canopy of handmade rattan lamps sway above the nature-inspired terrazzo flooring, emerald green hues and tropical greenery. It’s a calm and relaxing welcome that contrasts the frantic traffic outside. “We are bringing the green to the building in order to create an urban sanctuary,” Hayon explains.

Continuing the arrival experience we take the dimly illuminated elevator encased in an infinity mirror, providing a surreal and unending reflection. Rather than being on a mere elevator ride, it feels like we’re about to open the door to a different dimension.

The elevator opens onto a sunny, happy-making, yellow colour-filled room, with captivating artwork. The vibrant, jewel-toned lobby, is a visual feast. Hayon’s playful use of colour and mix of whimsical, unique, and eclectic objects, blends modern and retro elements with a fresh and lively feel, and a fantastical feast for the senses. 

Across the room, Marc Quinn’s kaleidoscopic “Flood plain of the tributaries of the Orinocco” bursts with dynamic colourful orchids. Marco Brambilla’s “Heaven’s Gate” video installation backdrops the reception desk, flitting hypnotically across the screen, and vying for our attention. And with the friendly welcoming guest relations staff chic and sleek in their custom Fah Chak WO+MAN “uniforms”, you just know this is going to be an epic stay. 

The reception area smoothly transitions into The Parlor, the first of six distinctive dining, drinking, and nightlife venues that promises to shake up the Bangkok dining scene.

The detail-obsessed will notice the subtle morphing soundtrack change as you venture through the building, changing tempo and setting the mood. Bringing it all together is mixologist Khunn (Milk) Thankaworachayakit, an Asia’s 50 Best Bars winner, and one of Bangkok’s most celebrated mixologists, who is shaking it up in a house bar scene with her inventive cocktails.

The Parlor

From day to night, the indoor-outdoor Parlor is the beating heart of The Standard, a leafy hangout and social hub that serves tasty cocktails and the best Thai cuisine. It also offers daily happy hours, live music, alongside dynamic cultural programming with pop-ups, parties, live shows, tastemaker talks, studio and astrology sessions, “not your standard” bingo nights, and lively DJ sets from the in-house Sounds Studio. This is a fabulous all-day, all-night space,with a totally laid-back vibe that is loved by locals and hotel guests. A perfect “third space” to hang out.

Rooms and Suites 

The Standard has 143 rooms, 10 suites and two penthouses spread over eight different room types. The sinuously glamorous rooms exude charisma with a retro-futuristic aesthetic, boasting mid-century arches, curved contours, and vibrant splashes of colour. A wall of windows brings the bustling city into the room with you, immersing you in Bangkok and encouraging you to rest and play. 

Food & Beverage

At the far end of The Parlor, the intimate bijou tea room wows with its Josef Hoffmann-inspired geometric patterned black and white takeover, a nod to traditional Kranok patterns, and which is easily the most photographed spot in the house. On the menu, the “not your traditional afternoon tea” has expertly curated teas and playful American desserts to nibble while sipping classic drinks with a boozy twist and cocktails after dark.  

At the pinnacle, on the 76th floor, Ojo is Bangkok’s highest restaurant, with the city’s best 360-degree views and creative twists on authentic Mexican food from the acclaimed Guadalajara-born chef Francisco Paco Ruano (formerly of Arcade).

Designed by Ou Baholyodhin, Ojo shimmers with sumptuous opulence and an unabashed retro glam, with soaring ceilings, a striking golden wall, plush banquettes, fantastical sculptural uplighters in the form of yucca trees sprouting from golden dining booths, and a fabulously flamboyant luminous crystalline-pink bar. (Diners have complimentary access to Thailand’s highest observatory deck, the not-for-the-faint-hearted Mahanakhon observation deck, and the nerve-defying glass floor Skywalk). 

On the second floor is Mott 32. Bangkok’s iteration of the refinedaward-winning Hong Kong original Mott 32 offers innovative Cantonese, Beijing, and Szechuan cuisine, including the signature and legendary Applewood Roasted Peking Duck, and the melt-in-your-mouth Iberico Yellow Mountain honey-glazed pork.

Inspired by its New York counterpart, The Standard Grill on the fifth floor is a sophisticated eatery that combines the essence of a classic brasserie with a traditional American steakhouse.

With a menu featuring stylish American classics prepared on a wood-fired grill, the restaurant exudes a unique New York charm through its rich wood tones, elegant cream banquettes, a ceiling adorned with Metro tiles, and a fusion of old Siam, art deco elements, and tropical greenery. The menu showcases exceptional steaks and handcrafted pastas, while a satisfying burger and martini offer more casual indulgences. 

Amenities 

The hotel is equipped with a terrace pool, a fitness centre, and a “Standard’s not so standard” boutique. The terrace pool is a joyful and bold retreat with all the goodies for sipping, nibbling, sunning, and swimming, with a relaxed beachy vibe, sunny yellow parasols, orange cabanas, verdant palm trees, and a curved pool.

A bubbling jacuzzi awaits, along with plush loungers, ideal for soaking up the sun while sipping cocktails from the theatrically circular curtained bar, all part of the lively celebrations typical of a “Standard Experience”. 

Though lacking a traditional spa, the 24/7 fitness centre is a verdant light-filled haven that comes with top-of-the-line Technogym, CLMBR, and Peloton equipment, stunning city views, ample natural light, state-of-the-art equipment and various signature group classes, including high-intensity endurance training, group outdoor classes and Hollywood aerobics. Hot features include a pink-hued steam room and an alfresco workout area.