Bangkok Publishing Residence

Once home to a printing press producing popular Thai magazines, the shophouse property has been lovingly restored into an intimate, classy hotel that gives larger luxury properties in Bangkok a run for their money.

Style and Character

The Bangkok Publishing Residence is a unique property, a one-off, and a very personable hotel experience. The building started as a row of 1960s shophouses, though most of the walls and floors have been removed, creating a beautifully open ground-floor space that's designed like an atrium and reaches up to the fourth floor.

Garish Thai Weekly magazine covers, typesetting sorts, shelves of magazine back issues, family collectables and weird objets d'art have been lovingly assembled to make the property come to life. There's a piano for guests, the leather couches are comfortable and nicely worn and while the metal lift is new, it looks like part of a set from an old Noir movie.

Service and Facilities

Service is friendly and switched-on and staff provide guests with a great map of the area with walking times and distances to the city's major historic sites.

Guests can help themselves to newspapers and magazines and there are postcards on offer which the hotel will send free of charge. Bicycles, with helmets, are free-of-charge to use, as are electric scooters and skateboards. In the lobby, board games and an old video games console may tie guests over on a rainy afternoon. Besides the piano, there's also a drum kit and occasionally, impromptu jams take place.

In low season, the hotel organises intimate concerts. The rooftop is a particular highlight, part garden, part patio with an excellent indoor library that carries many interesting titles about Thailand and a 1970s pinball machine, and a whirlpool tub, comfortable seating area and cosy hang-out tent outside. Incidentally, walk-ins are discouraged and almost all guests book online not admitted, one needs to book in advance.

Rooms

The eight spacious and air-conditioned rooms have a distinctly cosmopolitan Old World feel. Most of furniture is antique, except for the comfortable beds. The wooden floors look worn but polished and the art work on the walls is exquisite. That's not to say modern amenities are lacking, they are subtly added to the overall retro ambience and never get in the way of the 19th-century drawing room feel of the rooms.

A television and DVD player, Bluetooth docking station, Nespresso machine, complimentary minibar and a safe ensure total comfort. The bathrooms are compact and equally elegant, with marble floors, wash basins set into marble tops resting on wooden frames. Some bathrooms feature beautiful large tubs, others offer rain showers.

Food and Drink

The Bangkok Publishing Residence only serves breakfast, which is excellent. Much of the fruit and vegetables used in the kitchen is grown on the hotel roof. The usual eggs and sausages are available but there are also vegetarian options such as crepes and pancakes, along with organic yogurts, fresh juices and some cheese and cold meat selections. The rooftop garden is the perfect place for an early evening drink, though guests will have to bring their own.

Value for Money

Double rooms from THB5,200 (£115) in low season; and from THB5,800 (£128) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?

Location

Though located on busy and noisy Lan Luang Road, the hotel is well placed. It's a 10-minute walk to Khao San Road and a 15-minute taxi ride to the royal palace. The airport is about an hour away.