Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Style and Character

While the Sofitel Sukhumvit is clearly part of a franchise, great efforts are made to showcase the hotel's well balanced mix of French grandeur and fine Thai culture, represented in the ostentatious lobby design, the Art Deco influences and the recurring rice motifs in the floors and furnishings of this glass, steel and limestone tower. And guests are always welcomed with a hearty greeting by the staff.

Service and Facilities

Service is switched-on, professional and friendly. There's a 25-metre pool framed by sun loungers and a bar on the ninth floor, with an adjacent children's pool with a water cascade. The gym, on the same floor, is spacious, well-equipped with state-of-the-art exercise bikes and weights, and the spa offers seven simple but relaxing treatment rooms, some with a whirlpool tub.

Down in the lobby, there's an old-school shoe shining service where guests can recline at leisure and read the newspaper while their footwear is rehabilitated, and a gallery that hosts exhibitions by local and international artists.

Rooms

Floor-to-ceiling windows that guarantee great views of downtown Bangkok, comfortable beds, colourful carpets, an elegant chaise longue, an audio system with a Bluetooth dock, television, safe, minibar and a great writing desk, combined with spotless bright bathrooms make the Sofitel's spacious air-conditioned standard rooms a great choice.

Food and Drink

The Sofitel has two excellent eateries. Overlooking the lobby, Voilà Restaurant specialises in themed buffet dinners, including the sumptuous seafood night market which offers everything from Canadian lobster to saffron-infused bouillabaisse. The international Sunday brunch is also popular. The Voilà Restaurant also has its own cheese room.

Breakfast is a lavish buffet affair, with live cooking stations, fresh health juices and smoothies and great French pastries. Individual buffet portions aren't huge, though they are unlimited.

L'Apart on the 32nd floor is a totally different affair. An open kitchen managed by a French chef and friendly and professional staff, the emphasis here is on European fine dining, especially French and Spanish cuisine, a good wine list and nightly DJs. The lamb shank is beautifully presented and delicious, as is the snow fish. Post dinner, guests might want to order a cocktail, wine or desert on the outside terrace and enjoy 180-degree views of Bangkok.

The Liquide Pool Bar serves cocktails and health conscious snacks. The bar in the lobby is a great place for a pre-dinner drink.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 6,425 Thai Baht (£143) in low season; and from 7,020 Thai Baht (£156) in high. Breakfast not included, costs 884 Thai Baht (£20). Free Wi-Fi.

Family-Friendly?

Extra beds, baby cots and babysitters can be arranged. There's a children's pool and menu, and colouring books are also available.

Location

Visitors keen to stay downtown can hardly do better than this. There are two sky train stations in walking distance, as are shopping centres, eateries and watering holes, some more salubrious than others. It's a 30 to 40-minute taxi ride to the royal palace and other river attractions and a 45-minute journey to Suvarnabhumi Airport.