The Continent Hotel Bangkok by Compass Hospitality

The towering glass-and-steel skyscraper housing this upscale hotel is set back from the main drag, creating a tranquil break from hectic Sukhumvit Road just beyond. An awning-covered entryway straight out of Chinatown opens onto a small lobby and bar that’s filled with a mix of vintage international and contemporary Southeast Asian design elements, from hardwood banisters to Baroque light fixtures and furniture that would make Lewis Carroll proud. Marble floors feature swooping, circular patterns in yellow stone, a motif repeated throughout the hotel’s hallways and guest rooms. The owner is a travel enthusiast and each floor has art from a different worldly location -- a theme that can easily be tacky, but is done well here and has a charming effect. The stylish restaurants and bars on the hotel’s top floors offer excellent views over Bangkok and draws visitors from around the city as well as hotel guests, who run the gamut from couples and families to business travelers.

Just off of Asok Junction, in the middle of Bangkok’s bustling Lower Sukhumvit area, this hotel sits in one of the city’s busiest areas. There’s plenty of shopping within walking distance, from Terminal 21 (a four-minute walk) to the high-end Emporium (a 13-minute walk). This neighborhood caters to diverse tastes, from classy restaurants to downright seedy nightlife, especially along Soi Cowboy, which is just around the corner from the hotel. The Asok Skytrain station is connected to the hotel and the Sukhumvit Metro station is a two-minute walk from the hotel. From there, Chatuchak Weekend Market is a 35-minute journey and trendy Silom is 15 minutes away. The historic, riverside neighborhoods aren’t easy to reach from here, though, and can take up to 50 minutes via taxi. Don Mueang Airport is up to 40 minutes away by taxi and Suvarnabhumi Airport can take 45 minutes by cab depending on traffic.

The words “themed rooms” may strike fear into the hearts of upscale travelers, but the world-travel theme here is utilized in simple and stylish ways that avoid being kitschy. The rooms are small and clean, with contemporary furniture and vibrant pops of color. Decor varies slightly depending on the theme -- from beach to mountain lake -- but Deluxe Rooms have walnut floors or striped carpets, gray striped wallpaper, and contemporary walnut furniture, though we did notice a bit of wear-and-tear. Executive and Premier Rooms have striped carpets with similar design features to Deluxe Rooms, like hardwood mini-blinds separating the bathrooms and wood-paneled wall units holding large, flat-screen TVs. Sky Rooms are also available on upper floors and have stunning views of the sprawling Bangkok skyline. All rooms include desks, electronic safes, iPod dock alarm clocks, minibars, telephones, and kettles for coffee or tea. Peekaboo-style (there are blinds for privacy) bathrooms are narrow, but clean, with shimmering mosaic-tiled walk-in showers, black granite vanities, modern fixtures, and a complete line of toiletries, as well as slippers and bathrobes. There are smoking and non-smoking floors throughout the hotel and guests should make their preference known as smoking rooms can be musty. 

Bangkok hotels often pride themselves on their rooftop pools, and while this one doesn’t disappoint, it does close early. The L-shaped infinity pool has views over the city and is backed by lounge chairs and cabana-style sun beds. The H2O Sky Bar is adjacent, with its own seating area and swim-up drink service. The hotel also has a good on-site fitness center with cardio options, free weights, a universal machine, towel service, and filtered water.

GMT Meeting Rooms are attractive, with plenty of natural light and contemporary furnishings that are a step above other Bangkok hotels in this category. Catering and audiovisual services are available and the hotel also offers a business center with printing and faxing capabilities.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout as well as a 24-hour front desk, and a dedicated concierge can arrange tours and reservations. Laundry and dry cleaning services are both available. Sky Room guests are entitled to extra perks, like free airport transfers with minimum stay requirements, daily in-room fruit baskets, free limited laundry, and free evening cocktails and snacks at Axis & Spin Sky Bar. For guests with small children, babysitting services are available for a fee and cribs are free of charge.

The hotel offers several dining and drinking destinations, all of which are sophisticated and comfortable, while maintaining an easy, laid-back vibe. A free breakfast buffet with excellent hot and cold options is served in Medinii Restaurant, which has sweeping Bangkok views and a cozy, romantic charm. It’s also open for lunch and dinner, and Italian specialties like the pastas and pizzas get rave reviews from hotel guests and locals alike. Room service is available until late.

There are plenty of sky bars in the area, but Axis & Spin, the hotel’s two-floor sky bar, lives up to the hype. Serving international dishes and high-end twists on pub food, the bar cranks out excellent cocktails in a chic, but welcoming environment with service that’s worth noting for being extremely hospitable. Compass, the lobby bar and lounge, is a travel-themed spot to relax with a drink or cocktail, though it lacks some of the glam appeal of Axis & Spin and is a more low-key affair.