Park Plaza Bangkok Soi 18

The hotel building is a handful of stories tall, a modern construction, but with an '80s aesthetic to its turquoise glass- and chrome-paneled facade. The interiors are more masculine, dominated by dark colors and rich fabrics, with wood and chrome accents. Modern design lamps of various shapes and sizes hang from the ceiling of the long, slightly narrow, double-story lobby. Vases filled with decorative branches sit between low-lying faux-leather armchairs, a black velour couch with bright red pillows, and cushy ottomans. Loads of natural light streams onto the wide staircase through floor-to-ceiling windows, through which a row of skinny trees is visible. A black, dark gray, and bright orange color scheme characterizes the simply designed restaurant, Mezza, though the colorful, cartoonish wall murals, modern white lamps, and back-lit bar keep the space from feeling too serious. Guests include tourist couples, families, and business travelers interested in exploring the bustling Sukhumvit scene. 

While the neighborhood is not especially close on foot to traditional tourist attractions, Sukhumvit is a slice of Bangkok life and provides plenty by way of pedestrian sights. Soi Cowboy and the Terminal 21 shopping mall are both within an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and there are scores of restaurants, massage parlors, and food carts in the surrounding lively streets. The hotel is slightly out of the main fray, on a quieter road, about six minutes from the Asoke BTS station, which gives access to Siam and Silom in about 30 to 40 minutes, and the airport in about one hour. 

The slightly dark rooms here adhere to a contemporary decor, with backlit textile headboards, dark brown carpeting, patterned throws on white beds, and some wall-hung art. Floors are engineered wood; larger rooms have clear glass shelving units and separate living areas with dark laminate wood and brushed chrome desks. Bathrooms have slate-colored floor tiles, mosaic-tile walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and glass doors, and windows onto the sleeping areas with privacy screens. Each room has a flat-screen LCD TV, a DVD player, a hairdryer, European style outlets, an iron and board, a minibar, a safe, an electric kettle, and a work desk with an ergonomic chair.

The hotel's small fitness center has a handful of exercise machines, while the outdoor pool, Sway, is outfitted with an adjacent pool bar serving snacks and cocktails -- including happy hour in the evenings. Mezza, the restaurant on the second floor, serves buffet breakfast and Thai fusion cuisine a la carte for lunch and dinner. Chai Deli in the lobby serves takeaway sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and more. The free tuk-tuk shuttle provides service to a select few in-town locations. There are an internet corner and a conference room by the reception desk, and parking is available beneath the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.