IN PLACE of the Hua Hin’s vast shoreline and ocean view will be the Bangkok skyline seen from the higher levels of an Agoda recommended hotel. It’s a hotel along one of the city’s most happening streets, Sukhumvit 11, where almost everything you want to have is on it or a short distance away—from bargain hunting to luxury bagging, street fare to fine dining, from a mug of draft beer to a fancy cocktail.
 |
| A view of metropolitan Bangkok in place of Hua Hin's seascape |
Hovering above these is a hotel as exciting as the action in its vicinity—Aloft Bangkok Hotel. It’s that head turner edifice at the inner section of Sukhumvit 11 and it cannot be missed. I know I didn’t.
 |
| Aloft's vibrantly hued graffiti exterior spell energy, at par with the legendary Bangkok strip it’s at. |
Aloft is pretty much like its sister hotel, the W Hotel, which is probably why it’s referred to as “a vision of W Hotel”. Both part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, both are geared to attract the jet set, both are stylish and tech savvy, but Aloft I view as the “groovier” sibling in its color, interactive displays and art appointments—it’s “fresh, fun and forward-thinking”—a magnet for the growing next generation of global travelers to inhabit in the Big Mango.
 |
| “Fresh, fun and forward-thinking”—a magnet for the growing next generation of global travelers. |
 |
| Curtain of chains, large scale artworks & colorful upholstery. |
The large scale, vibrantly hued graffiti that clad the walls of the exterior spell energy, at par with the legendary Bangkok strip it’s at. It can pique the curiosity of passersby, lure them in and surprise them more with its more stimulating interior—unique, pulsating with energy and celebrates style.
 |
| Aloft lobby |
This stylish air soars from ground up. All 297 rooms, categorized as Breezy, Chic & Urban with Touch Room counterparts, the Stylish and the Savvy suites, offer a bright, airy environment with nine-foot ceilings and extra-large windows; ultra-comfy signature beds; oversized showers with custom amenities; free Wi-Fi; and plug & play connectivity stations to link all electronics to the 42" LCD TV to maximize work and play.
 |
| Nothing can ever beat handwritten notes. |
 |
| The urbanite's nest- the bright, airy Urban Room with extra-large windows & ultra-comfy signature beds |
 |
| Aloft calls their bathrooms sexy. Stay & find out why |
As much as I would love to stay nestled in my Urban Room with a panoramic skyline of Bangkok, the buzzing social scene within the hotel drew me out to its public spaces. In this area where anything can happen, Aloft gives you the choice to “socialize or just enjoy the hum of activity as you do your own thing.”
The Re:mix Lounge is a good spot to read the paper, sip a drink or tap on your laptop (if you have none of your own, head to the In-Touch Terminal), or set your mood at WXYZ Bar where lighting and music change as the day progresses.
The Re:mix Lounge is a good spot to read the paper, sip a drink or tap on your laptop (if you have none of your own, head to the In-Touch Terminal), or set your mood at WXYZ Bar where lighting and music change as the day progresses.
 |
| Re:mix Lounge is a good spot to read the paper, sip a drink, tap on your laptop or play a game of pool. |
 |
| WXYZ Bar is one level above the Re:Mix Lounge. |
 |
| Envelope youself with good vibe at these capsule chairs at the WZYZ bar with a view of the lobby |
Re:Charge Gym it the spot to break out a sweat at any hour (it’s open 24/7. Midnight runners and early risers, rejoice!), and cooling down (from the sprint or the Bangkok humidity) will be at the “perfect aqua escape” of the Splash outdoor pool.
 |
| Re:Charge is Aloft's gym |
 |
| Cool down at the perfect aqua escape. the Slash Pool |
CRAVE is both a restaurant and a wine bar. Breakfast is a colorful spread of international offerings, lunch and dinner can be ordered via an iPad a la carte menu, and evenings can start or end the day on a relaxed note with a glass of wine from an impressive selection. Sip it as you enjoy watching the city come alive from the open-air section of the dining hall.
 |
| Start or end the night on a relaxed note sipping a glass of wine while watching the city come alive from the open-air section of Crave |
 |
| Drool. |
 |
| Breakfast time at Crave |
Well, global trekkers have kids, too, and the under-12 crowd has a place to “chill” –tyke style. The Camp Aloft is all-geared up for kids from a place to lounge on their special bedding, chomp on fun food favorites, and be merry as they play away!
Did I mention that the entire hotel has free Wi-Fi?
Exploring the rest of the Bangkok scenes? I had no problem. Aloft’s complimentary tuktuk ride took me to the Nana Nana BTS Skytrain for easy access to city's biggest attractions.
 |
| Complimentary tuktuk ride to 2 BTS Stations, the other is at Terminal 21, one of Bangkok's shopping malls. |
Visit their website at http://www.aloftbangkoksukhumvit11.com
For great deals on this hotel, visit http://www.agoda.com/aloft-bangkok-sukhumvit-11-hotel/hotel/bangkok-th.html
For more photos about this story and other travel stories, visithttp://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/. For lifestyle stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 08, 2015.
CONVERSATION