Ariyasom Villa Bangkok

Style and Character

A great rarity in Bangkok, the Ariyasom Villa is a well honed and beautiful heritage property. Built in 1942 by the Dean of the Engineering Faculty of the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, the property opened as a hotel in 2008. Located in a leafy garden compound, everything is just right. The new wing blends in well with the two original buildings, Thai antiques and heavy teak are unobtrusive but essential to the common areas and rooms and everything is ever so slightly idiosyncratic, a rarity in Thailand.

Service and Facilities

Staff are friendly and competent. The pool is large enough and there’s an adjacent whirlpool tub. The spa is small but with so few rooms, it’s adequate. The gym is tiny. On the ground floor of one of the old buildings, a spacious library is sometimes used for weddings and other functions.

A Buddhist monk comes in to give meditation classes, as popular with outsiders as with guests and the hotel organizes classes how to sculpt a Buddha from plasticine, with the options to have one’s efforts cast in plaster, acrylic or bronze. Ariyasom Villa offers a popular package for newlyweds including sparkling wine and airport transfers.

Rooms

The standard rooms are a good size, with wooden floors and furnished with carefully selected and well restored antiques. Not one is exactly like another. Lanna (northern Thai) and Ayutthaya (central Thai) influences are clearly noticeable, not least with the heavy teak furniture and wooden framed mirrors. Most rooms have verandas or balconies. The bathrooms are elegant with glass partitions and tubs and are absolutely spotless.

Food and Drink

The Na Aroon Restaurant is located in one of the hotel’s old buildings. The owners are vegetarian and want to share their commitment to healthy food with their guests. Hence the menu is crammed with vegetarian (and organic) choices, both Thai and European. Many of the dishes will also be fine for vegans. The tasty starter platter includes wing bean salad, fried tofu with peanut sauce and fresh spring rolls. For those who can’t cope with vegetarian choices, there are some seafood selections on offer.

Things are rounded off with probiotic drinks, local organic ginger beer made in Issan and a decent wine list. Prices are very reasonable. Breakfast is à la carte vegetarian.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 6,700 baht (£152) in low season; from 6,950 baht (£158) in high, breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Family-Friendly?

Yes, the quiet garden property with its pool is a welcome change from the usual couple-oriented accommodations in downtown Bangkok. Some rooms have connecting doors and extra beds and cots can be provided. A babysitter can be arranged.

Location

The Ariyasom Villa is well placed in the heart of downtown Bangkok, just off Sukhumvit Road, very close to Bumrungrad International Hospital and less than 10 minutes away from Ploenchit sky train station. The property borders on a canal and regular river boats can whisk adventurous tourists away to the Jim Thompson House or all the way to Golden Mount near the Chao Praya River and the city’s main historic sites.