After three Thai properties in Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai, Spanish hospitality chain Meliã Hotels International has made its Bangkok debut with Innside by Meliã Bangkok Sukhumvit in On Nut.
Innside by Meliã Bangkok Sukhumvit opened its doors in July last year intending to be a spot where travel, work, play and dining intertwine. It is also Asia's second Innside, following Innside by Meliã Kuala Lumpur Cheras. Innside is one of 10 brands under Meliã Hotels International's umbrella, founded in 1956.
Innside Bangkok Sukhumvit stands 34 storeys tall on the corner of Sukhumvit 50 and is a short walk from BTS On Nut, a little more than 100m to be exact. At first, you'll arrive at a stylish waiting hall on the ground level before you ride a lift up to the open lobby mezzanine/co-working space on the 32nd floor to check in while admiring the cityscape through floor-to-ceiling windows.
You're also likely to notice design details which pay homage to Thai culture and landmarks from the get-go. Behind the front desk is a golden wire art which twists and turns to form an outline of the Grand Palace. From the lobby, you can walk downstairs to the Thai restaurant Kites Eatery, which brings Sanam Laung and Ratchadamnoen Avenue to your mind via ornate golden lamp posts and different types of Thai kites. During your stay, you may notice more design details which pay homage to Bangkok's landmarks.
Innside Room King Bed.
A total of 208 rooms are categorised into eight types, starting from compact 20m² of Innside Room to 44m² of The Townhouse with separate living room and bedroom to the top type of 64m² of The Townhouse with two bedrooms. Pristine white is the main palette for all rooms and they come with large windows to afford guests a view of Bangkok's skyline. The Townhouse type comes with a big daybed in the living room which can be comfortably used as another bed.
The Townhouse.
More facilities are congregated on the top two floors with Luz Bangkok Tapas Bar on the 33rd floor while a swimming pool, a 24/7 gym and a pool bar are situated on the rooftop 34th floor. Head up to Luz if you want to enjoy the evening breeze and enchanting sunset before a Spanish meal with highlights such as Catch of the Day stew with romesco sauce and Seafood rice stew, reflecting chef de cuisine Laia Ferrer's Barcelona roots.
Look up from Luz's dazzling bar and you'll see the transparent bottom of the rooftop swimming pool. The bar's striking angled lines and cables pay tribute to Rama VIII Bridge, Bangkok's iconic cable-stayed bridge crossing the Chao Phraya River. Couples should opt for seats next to the glass fence on the terrace to enjoy a romantic night together with more privacy. While diners can enjoy authentic Spanish flavours, drinkers have plenty of choices to imbibe from Spanish beer, signature cocktails and, of course, sangrias.
Do stop by the rooftop swimming pool and The Giant Swing Pool Bar when swimming and stunning views of Bangkok go hand in hand, PM 2.5 permitting, but be warned that it can get a bit crowded.
Breakfast is served at The Kites Eatery as early as 6am and you can help yourself to fried marinated chicken wings, stir-fried bai liang with egg, a la minute kuay tiew and stir-fried cabbage with dried shrimp. Guests can enjoy Thai treats on top of the usual hotel breakfast items, which are aplenty.
If you love Thai food (who doesn't?), come back to The Kites Eatery for lunch or dinner as they do justice to Thai favourites such as pad Thai, satay, green curry, deep-fried prawns in tamarind sauce and more. Executive chef Katisak Pinkaew and his team can take you on a food tour with regional Thai cuisines.
Have a no-frill street food sampling from many food vendors at two nearby markets next to Lotus's and in front of Century The Movie Plaza before exploring Sukhumvit. Guests have the entire road to explore, made convenient by the BTS Sukhumvit Line. Plenty of layman fun to be discovered starting from Ekamai, Thong Lo, Phrom Phong, Ratchaprasong to Siam.
On the other hand, should they want to see the cultural landmarks in ฺBangkok's Phra Nakhon district that inspired Innside's decor with their own eyes, they can change to MRT at BTS Asok and get off at MRT Sanam Chai and conduct a cultural tour on foot from there. Convenient, fun and reasonably priced would be my summation for Innside.
