Pros

  • Conveniently located at the top of lively downtown Sukhumvit area
  • Intimate and romantic, ultra-stylish boutique property with real design flair
  • Serene rooms have comfy beds, robes, and universal power sockets
  • Chic bathrooms come with free Malin + Goetz designer toiletries
  • Gorgeous saltwater rooftop infinity pool deck, plus well-equipped gym
  • Restaurant and bar get rave reviews, including for room service
  • Great buffet breakfast, plus a la carte breakfast available 24/7 (for a fee)
  • Free smartphone rental for all; pricier rooms get a phone credit as well
  • Extra Plush Rooms get freebies including laundry, minibars, and Skytrain passes
  • Free shuttle service to the main road (for the Skytrain)
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout and Apple Macs in lobby
See More Pros

Cons

  • Rooms on the small side, and only one room type
  • Breakfast not always included
  • Hotel can be tricky to find by taxi
  • Pool is small, and there’s no spa
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Ad Lib is a 48-room upscale boutique hotel with real design flair. it’s conveniently located for the Skytrain and within walking distance from the start of lively Sukhumvit Road, (there’s a free shuttle), though it can be tricky to find the hotel in the first place. There’s an uncluttered, intimate feel to the whole property, from the loft-style lobby/restaurant to the comfortable but small rooms -- and room upgrades get free laundry and Skytrain passes. The small saltwater rooftop infinity pool deck is gorgeous, there’s a modern gym (but no spa), and the all-day breakfast (for a fee) and other meals are popular. All guests get free smartphones to borrow as well. As an alternative, the nearby Hotel Icon Bangkok has larger rooms at somewhat lower rates.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Ad Lib

Scene

An airy, intimate and ultra-modern boutique oasis 

Ultra-modern Ad Lib is as on-trend as it gets when it comes to airy, uncluttered, and intimate boutique design. The overall look is heavy on blond wood, neutral fabrics, and lots of glass. It’s an oasis amid the chaos of downtown Bangkok; the discreet street entrance and fern-shrouded parking lot lead up steps and past water features to the glass-fronted lobby, restaurant, and bar. The stylish decor here feels like it’s right out of a design magazine, with gray walls and marble flooring, pale wood paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing courtyard spaces with high walls draped in climbing plants. Cream sofas, blond- and pine-wood tables next to chunky armchairs, and industrial-style lighting complete the look. Up above this, the small, but gorgeous, rooftop saltwater infinity pool deck has submerged sunbeds and is surrounded by greenery.

See More Scene

Location

Secluded location within walking distance from downtown Sukhumvit and Skytrain

Tucked at the end of a side street at the beginning of downtown Bangkok’s lively Sukhumvit Road, Ad Lib manages to offer peace and quiet while only being a short walk from the Skytrain (there’s also a free shuttle). One major problem is that the hotel can be tricky to find, especially by taxi. Bumrungrad International Hospital is right next door, and there are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and shopping malls nearby. 

  • Two-minute walk to Bumrungrad International Hospital
  • Nine-minute walk to Phloen Chit Skytrain station
  • 12-minute walk to Central Embassy shopping mall
  • 13-minute walk to the British Embassy
  • Eight-minute drive to the U.S. Embassy
  • 11-minute drive to Lumpini Park
  • 13 minutes to Pratunam market by public transportation (11-minute drive)
  • 17 minutes to Siam shopping malls by public transportation (11-minute drive)
  • 18 minutes to the Erawan Shrine by public transportation (eight-minute drive)
  • 25-minute drive to the Grand Palace
  • 28-minute drive to Don Muang International Airport
  • 30-minute drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Stylish -- but small -- rooms with chic bathrooms and designer toiletries 

Ad Lib has just the one room size and, at 269 square feet (25 square meters), it’s on the small side -- the difference between entry-level Plush Rooms and pricier Extra Plush Rooms is in the freebies that come with the latter, rather than the size. These streamlined, stylish rooms are free of excessive ornamentation and instead give a serene backdrop of pale wood flooring and a mix of white and smooth gray concrete walls. Nestled in beside the large windows and thick neutral curtains are cream two-seater sofas, and cream fabric headboards have tiny built-in bedside tables. 

Chic, but small, bathrooms have gray tiled flooring, pale wood-paneled walls, and white vanities with deep sinks, plus opaque privacy glass windows to the bedroom. Well-sized and attractive glass cubicles have power showerheads and Malin + Goetz designer toiletries.

Standard amenities include wall-mounted pullout flat-screen TVs, universal power sockets, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and mini-fridges (but no minibar snacks except in Extra Plush Rooms, where they’re free), plus robes, hairdryers, and umbrellas. Guests in Extra Plush Rooms also get a SIM card with daily pre-loaded credit, along with unlimited free tea and coffee room service, a free daily laundry allowance, and either a daily free Skytrain pass or free drinks at the restaurant. 

Rooms lack balconies, though many have decent views of the hotel’s courtyard and pool deck. Irons and ironing boards, cribs, and wheelchairs are all available on request. The hotel also has connecting rooms available.

See More Rooms

Features

No spa, but gorgeous pool and well-equipped gym, plus an excellent restaurant 

Ad Lib puts on a good spread of facilities. There’s no spa, but the small, bright gym is well-equipped, the gorgeous rooftop saltwater infinity pool comes with its own bar. The food and drink in the hotel’s main restaurant and extensively stocked bar get rave reviews, including for room service, and gets can take advantage of daily happy hour deals. The breakfast buffet is excellent, though it's not always included in rates, and the a la carte breakfast menu is available at any time on request. Every guest gets a free loaner smartphone. There’s a regular free tuk-tuk shuttle transfer to the main road (for the Skytrain), too. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there are Apple Macs for guests to use in the lobby.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Ad Lib

Scene

An airy, intimate and ultra-modern boutique oasis 

Ultra-modern Ad Lib is as on-trend as it gets when it comes to airy, uncluttered, and intimate boutique design. The overall look is heavy on blond wood, neutral fabrics, and lots of glass. It’s an oasis amid the chaos of downtown Bangkok; the discreet street entrance and fern-shrouded parking lot lead up steps and past water features to the glass-fronted lobby, restaurant, and bar. The stylish decor here feels like it’s right out of a design magazine, with gray walls and marble flooring, pale wood paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing courtyard spaces with high walls draped in climbing plants. Cream sofas, blond- and pine-wood tables next to chunky armchairs, and industrial-style lighting complete the look. Up above this, the small, but gorgeous, rooftop saltwater infinity pool deck has submerged sunbeds and is surrounded by greenery.

See More Scene

Location

Secluded location within walking distance from downtown Sukhumvit and Skytrain

Tucked at the end of a side street at the beginning of downtown Bangkok’s lively Sukhumvit Road, Ad Lib manages to offer peace and quiet while only being a short walk from the Skytrain (there’s also a free shuttle). One major problem is that the hotel can be tricky to find, especially by taxi. Bumrungrad International Hospital is right next door, and there are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and shopping malls nearby. 

  • Two-minute walk to Bumrungrad International Hospital
  • Nine-minute walk to Phloen Chit Skytrain station
  • 12-minute walk to Central Embassy shopping mall
  • 13-minute walk to the British Embassy
  • Eight-minute drive to the U.S. Embassy
  • 11-minute drive to Lumpini Park
  • 13 minutes to Pratunam market by public transportation (11-minute drive)
  • 17 minutes to Siam shopping malls by public transportation (11-minute drive)
  • 18 minutes to the Erawan Shrine by public transportation (eight-minute drive)
  • 25-minute drive to the Grand Palace
  • 28-minute drive to Don Muang International Airport
  • 30-minute drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Stylish -- but small -- rooms with chic bathrooms and designer toiletries 

Ad Lib has just the one room size and, at 269 square feet (25 square meters), it’s on the small side -- the difference between entry-level Plush Rooms and pricier Extra Plush Rooms is in the freebies that come with the latter, rather than the size. These streamlined, stylish rooms are free of excessive ornamentation and instead give a serene backdrop of pale wood flooring and a mix of white and smooth gray concrete walls. Nestled in beside the large windows and thick neutral curtains are cream two-seater sofas, and cream fabric headboards have tiny built-in bedside tables. 

Chic, but small, bathrooms have gray tiled flooring, pale wood-paneled walls, and white vanities with deep sinks, plus opaque privacy glass windows to the bedroom. Well-sized and attractive glass cubicles have power showerheads and Malin + Goetz designer toiletries.

Standard amenities include wall-mounted pullout flat-screen TVs, universal power sockets, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and mini-fridges (but no minibar snacks except in Extra Plush Rooms, where they’re free), plus robes, hairdryers, and umbrellas. Guests in Extra Plush Rooms also get a SIM card with daily pre-loaded credit, along with unlimited free tea and coffee room service, a free daily laundry allowance, and either a daily free Skytrain pass or free drinks at the restaurant. 

Rooms lack balconies, though many have decent views of the hotel’s courtyard and pool deck. Irons and ironing boards, cribs, and wheelchairs are all available on request. The hotel also has connecting rooms available.

See More Rooms

Features

No spa, but gorgeous pool and well-equipped gym, plus an excellent restaurant 

Ad Lib puts on a good spread of facilities. There’s no spa, but the small, bright gym is well-equipped, the gorgeous rooftop saltwater infinity pool comes with its own bar. The food and drink in the hotel’s main restaurant and extensively stocked bar get rave reviews, including for room service, and gets can take advantage of daily happy hour deals. The breakfast buffet is excellent, though it's not always included in rates, and the a la carte breakfast menu is available at any time on request. Every guest gets a free loaner smartphone. There’s a regular free tuk-tuk shuttle transfer to the main road (for the Skytrain), too. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there are Apple Macs for guests to use in the lobby.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.