Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

The Author's Residence suites, made famous by visiting luminaries such as Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, and James Michener, are opulent and elegant affairs, with huge writing desks that look out upon the Chao Phraya. The spa across the river is one of Asia's best, and the sumptuous breakfast buffet out on the riverfront is just one of the eating options that includes elegant exotic restaurants such as China House (Cantonese), Le Normandie (haute cuisine French), and Sala Rim Naam (traditional Thai). If your pocketbook can manage it, easily Bangkok's classiest place to stay.