Amari Watergate Bangkok

Style and Character

Considering the hotel has 569 rooms, it manages to feel quite personal – though more international in flavour than Thai, except for the typically excellent Thai-style service. The five-storey, light-filled atrium is dominated by an 847-piece chandelier made from Italian glass (the 847 references the hotel's address) and the main restaurant is cheery, bright and but definitely international in feel. The spa feels more traditionally Thai.

Service and Facilities

The eighth floor features a full members' gym with group classes and personal trainers available, plus two squash courts. There's also an outdoor pool with children's splash area and a bar, plus Amari's own-brand Breeze Spa with six treatment rooms and a signature treatment of a mango and sticky rice scrub. Service is excellent.

Rooms

Large, carpeted rooms with contemporary décor in muted colours have huge windows, many overlooking the city. Beds are huge and white-linened with feature headboards – rooms also include large desks and daybeds with colourful silk cushions. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and feel even bigger due to clever use of mirrors -– they also feature double sinks and separate baths and showers. All rooms have DVD players and complimentary bottled water.

Food and Drink

The fourth-floor Amaya Food Gallery is open all day and aims to represent street food from around the world, with chefs cooking made-to-order dishes in show kitchens behind each stand. As well as a Thai/Asian stand, there's an American grill, an Indian stand with Indian chef and tandoori ovens, an Italian section, sushi, desserts (including traditional shaved ice with its various accompaniments) and more. The food is excellent but the restaurant is too big to feel intimate or atmospheric.

There's also a ground-floor café and a pool bar, but the best place for a drink in the hotel is the 32nd-floor executive bar. Complimentary drinks and sweet and savoury Thai snacks are served here in the late afternoon and early evening to those in executive rooms – it's worth considering an upgrade just for this. The breakfast buffet is huge, with many lunch/dinner-style dishes available, along with more traditional breakfast fare from both East and West.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 4,472 Thai Baht (£100) in low season; and from 5,178 Thai Baht (£116) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

There are three wheelchair-accessible rooms.

Family-Friendly?

Not especially, though children under 12 can stay for free in their parents' room. Children will love the freedom of the food gallery. Babysitting is available.

Location

A paradise for shoppers: the Platinum Mall with 1,300 shops is across the road, Pratunam clothes market is just behind the hotel and Central World mall is a 10-minute walk away. Ratchaprarop BTS stop is eight minutes' walk from the hotel, and the Grand Palace is around a 30-minute train or taxi ride away.