thailand

INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit offers calm in the big city It's been almost two decades since my last visit to Bangkok and the first thing that stands out is scale. Bangkok in 2026 feels like a city fully in its stride. There's still the chaos people expect but it is now paired with design led-hotels, serious food credentials and a tech-first way of living that puts a lot of Western cities to shame. After a quick download of the Grab app and a 45-minute taxi ride, I pull up at INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit. Opened in July 2023, the hotel is part of the Spanish Meliá group, a global operator with a solid reputation for design forward, lifestyle driven stays. At check-in on the 33rd floor, the views are already delivering. The BTS Skytrain runs almost vertically past the building, trains sliding in and out like clockwork. Below that, a blur of pink and green taxis, mopeds weaving through traffic and crowds gathering at crossings. It is hypnotic. The hotel references Bangkok’s landmarks through its design, with clean lines, bright spaces and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows across its 200-plus rooms and suites. I'm in a Deluxe Townhouse, one of the top room categories, and it's closer to a compact apartment than a hotel room. There's is a separate lounge area, a proper workspace and a bathroom that you would happily have at home - you could stay here for a week and not feel boxed in. The top three floors are where things really come together. Up top, the infinity pool does exactly what you want it to with plenty of sun, big skyline views and epic sunset moments. Through sections of the pool floor you can see down into the bar and restaurant beneath. It sounds gimmicky but it's actually quite fun to catch glimpses of people looking up as you swim across. That bar is LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, and it leans Spanish with a Bangkok edge. The night I was in, it was hosting a four-hands dinner with a Michelin guest chef from Spain, which more than delivered with good produce, confident cooking and great energy in the room. One floor down again is the main restaurant, The Kites Eatery, which covers breakfast and all-day dining. Breakfast is a full spread with a generous buffet, fresh fruit that actually tastes like fruit, and a hot station where eggs are cooked to order. The set lunch menu leans into classic Thai dishes, served in an accessible way. Location wise, the hotel plays it smart. It sits right by the BTS Skytrain, which in Bangkok is the difference between moving easily and sitting in traffic. There's loads to do nearby too; head to EmQuartier or Emporium for shopping, grab street food around Sukhumvit Soi 38 for something more local, or dip into the city’s cafe scene, which has quietly become one of the best in South East Asia. What stands out most about the hotel is how easy the whole stay feels. Even slightly out of peak season, there's enough of a crowd to give the place some life but with no fighting for sunbeds, no waiting around for lifts, and no stress getting a spot in the gym. Room rates typically start from around £120 per night, which, given the space, the rooftop setup and the location, feels like strong value for what you are getting. Key Information Address | 1472 Sukhumvit Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, ThailandFor more information | melia.com

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thailand

Stay Here for Sky Pools and Skyline Views of Bangkok

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Four Seasons Luxury, Minus The White Lotus Crowd

Bangkok’s Best Hotel Swimming Pool

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