The Continent Bangkok

Style and Character

The Continent is a modern, elegant – but rather anonymous – downtown hotel. The 153 rooms are divided up into four themes – forest, space, ocean and desert, which determine the colour tones of the furnishings and the photographs that grace the walls. The Continent works simply because everything is spick and span. Each floor has a unique country or city theme, illustrated by photographs.

Service and Facilities

The infinity pool is small but offers stunning views across Bangkok’s skyline and there’s a bar attached. The gym is also compact but well equipped, and guests can work out in front of equally great views. Several times a month, The Continent organises pop-up events, both culinary and cultural. From one-off fine dining evenings to stand-up comedians and Flamenco dancers, the offerings are as eclectic as they are popular.

Rooms

The standard rooms are compact, simple, carpeted (except for the rooms for smokers) with large windows and spotless bathrooms, some of which come with tubs. The furnishings are in good condition, the beds are comfortable and all rooms come with a tlevision, safe and minibar. Some rooms feature sofa beds for a third guest. With the curtains fully open one has the feeling of floating above the city.

Food and Drink

The Medinii Restaurant on the 35th floor serves decent Italian cuisine, prepared with an Asian touch – besides standard salads and pasta dishes, there’s green curry and BBQ chicken pizza on the menu, and the pork chops are rather sweet. The culinary highlight is the appropriately named and very reasonably priced Heightz Bangkok on the 39th floor. This rather intimate eatery serves excellent Thai cuisine including many vegetarian choices. Amongst the starters, the shrimp fish cakes stand out, while the lamb massaman curry is as succulent as one expects.

The perfect pre-dinner drink is best enjoyed in the Axis & Spin Bar on the 38th floor which offers more magnificent vistas over downtown Bangkok. Once a week, women pay as much as they like for cocktails, exclusively served by men, at a so-called Girrl Force event. Pop and jazz duos play tunes several nights a week. Breakfast is standard international or Asian buffet fare with a wide variety of cooked choices.

Value for Money

Double rooms from THB 3,900 (£95) in low season; and from THB 4,500 (£109) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

There’s one specially equipped room for guests with disabilities as well as a wheelchair ramp to get in from street level.

Family-Friendly?

The Continent is not particularly family friendly, but neither is this part of downtown Bangkok. The larger rooms with the extra sofa beds are the only concession to visitors with children, and some rooms connect.

Location

The Continent sits right above the Asoke intersection in downtown Bangkok, close to both the BTS skytrain and the MRT underground, minutes away from the new Terminal 21 shopping complex and the seedy but popular Soi Cowboy entertainment street. Perfect for shopaholics and night owls.