Vibrant, constantly evolving and forever exciting, that’s what Bangkok is. It’s easy to fall in love with the city the first time anyone sets foot on it— Thailand’s culture is rich and celebrated, the cuisine is delightful and the hospitality is warm that even the coldest of hearts will melt in its grasp. But through all these “expected” traits of the place, even the well-traveled souls will find themselves surprised with countless discoverables nestling in the corners of the Big Mango. One of these finds is Hotel Muse.
Hotel Muse stands out amid the deluxe residential high-rises, chic entertainment outlets and corporate offices along Langsuan Road, oftentimes dubbed as the most-desired address in the Big Mango. Conveniently tucked in central part the city, the hotel’s is an easy walk to the most exclusive shopping destinations (Central Chidlom, Central World and Siam Paragon) and the “next door” BTS (the best way to go around Bangkok) station of Chidlom (a couple of minutes away on foot or shorter if you take the hotel’s exclusive tuktuk ride) can take you to most of the city’s best tourist attractions and business addresses.
The surprises come once you enter the heavy wooden doors of the hotel. Hotel Muse is where East meets West and the product is nothing short of luxurious. Inspired by turn of the century Europe and the era of King Rama V in Thailand, Hotel Muse blends the design aesthetics and opulence of both worlds in one palatial residence that dedicates itself in the art of pure pleasure.
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| The reception area at Hotel Muse's lobby |
Details matter however minutely, and in effect everything within Hotel Muse is elevated into an art form. It is embedded in the tangible—the well-thought fusion of two worlds in its plush décor and appointments.....and in the intangible—the outstanding service the staff extends to each guest is parallel to the Club Floor services of any posh hotel in the city. Here, guests are seated comfortably and checked-in at any of the five desks at the reception area. This must be the first hotel I encountered that extends this type of service.
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| Muse's hotel lobby & attention to details |
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| Personalized & seated check-in- the standard reception at Hotel Muse but an Executive Club Floor amenity to other hotels. |
The view and vibe of everything beautiful, of old world and new world, is seamless from the lobby to the rooms and suites through the halls, lifts and walkways.
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| Refreshing. The infinity pool with a view of Bangkok's skyline. |
In the 174 rooms and suites of Hotel Muse, the interplay of European signatures is juxtaposed against the ornate Asian motifs. In a luxurious and ornate setting such as these, the quarters fit for royalty will have to be named with equal status. Hotel Muse took its inspiration from Buddhist cosmology where higher beings who lead blissful lives forever immersed in perpetual pleasures—the Jatu Deluxe, Dawadueng Corner Deluxe, Yama Residence, Dusid Duplex Suite, Nimman Suite and the 216 square-meter Paranim Penthouse, all sleeping quarters impeccably designed and with modern-day appointments.
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| Jatu Deluxe Room |
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| Jatu Deluxe bathroom |
For a full range of distinctive food and drink venues unlike anything in Bangkok, guests don’t have to leave the hotel. Hotel Muse has the Le Salon that changes with the guest throughout the day not only in menu choices but also the ambience and feel. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast or lunch, a traditional afternoon tea perhaps or your favorite cocktails at sunset.
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| Le Salon |
The Medici Kitchen and Bar is cosmopolitan Italian dining set against a neo-industrial interior décor in deep rustic shades of wood and brick. It’s a perfect place to enjoy good wine and tapas at the bar, or dine in the halls where opera singers serenade you.
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| Medici bar |
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| Italian dining at Medici |
Su Tha Ros is where guests will find a delicious array of breakfast fare in the morning and time-honored Thai dishes for lunch and dinner and to-die-for Thai savouries and sweets with your afternoon tea.
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| Su Tha Ros offers international buffet for breakfast.... |
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| ...and a la carte Thai dishes for Lunch & Dinner |
When night falls, there is a spot for everyone who needs to slow down after a hectic day. It’s where sipping (wine and concoctions) and nibbling (on gourmet food) at the top (and it’s never lonely there) is the norm and the niche is voted as one of the best rooftop bars in the city- the Speakeasy. It’s a place that promises “to return all pleasure to their rightfully elevated place.”
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| The Speakeasy is voted as one of Bangkok's best rooftop bars. |
Within Speakeasy is a sanctum sanctorum—The Blind Pig, where the world’s finest leaves and most distinguished brown spirits can be enjoyed.
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| Enter Speakeasy's inner sanctum- the Blind Pig. |
Three nights in a suite named after a higher being was indeed pleasurable. But unlike the Buddhist gods who can live forever in perpetual pleasures, mine had to end… for the moment at least. I will re-enter this paradise again soon.
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| Take home music. Parting gift from the Hotel Muse. |
Hotel Muse is at 55/555 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.
Visit their website at www.hotelmusebangkok.com.
For great deals on this hotel, visit http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/hotel_muse_bangkok.html
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 25, 2013.
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