Pros

  • Extensive features including gym, pool, spa, library, and cinema room
  • Lavish, palatial interiors with a more intimate ambience compared to other high-end hotels
  • Villas with private plunge pools, hot tubs, and rooftop terraces
  • Wide choice of on-site restaurants and bars
  • Free boat transfer to Skytrain connection and other city piers
  • Personal concierge-style butler service for travel advice and arrangements
  • Rates include breakfast -- combined buffet and a la carte
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout, though sometimes patchy coverage
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Cons

  • Relatively isolated from downtown attractions not on the river
  • Mixed reviews for food and service at hotel restaurants
  • Some rooms lack natural light; others have unappealing views
  • Noisy air-conditioning units in some rooms
  • Reports of some staff speaking only limited English
  • Can be difficult to reach by taxi
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Bottom Line

The expansive Siam is the epitome of luxury in Bangkok, taking elegance to the extreme. Just 39 plush, spacious rooms occupy this vast property, which is scattered with pieces from the owners' art collection and has everything from an infinity pool to multiple dining venues to a library, cinema, gym, and spa -- while maintaining an intimate vibe. Secluded Villas offer private pools, hot tubs, and rooftop terraces. All rooms include breakfast, butler service, and free longtail boat service along the river, though reaching city center attractions can be difficult, as can finding the hotel by taxi. Some rooms have unattractive views and/or lack windows. Though somewhat more expensive than competitors like The Peninsula and the Mandarin Oriental farther upriver and closer to the Skytrain, The Siam is in a league of its own when it comes to exclusivity.

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Oyster Hotel Review

The Siam

Scene

Colonial-era Art-Deco indulgence with impressive art and a penchant for detail

The meticulously executed colonial-era, Art Deco theme in the hotel’s expansive interior focuses heavily on black and white, and dark-shaded wood, and evokes luxury of the highest standard. The Siam is expansive given it houses just 39 suites and villas, lending to an intimate ambience overall; some guests describe the property as feeling more like a stately home than a hotel. Lush gardens, with small lotus ponds and arched walkways of climbing plants, stretch down to the river. Inside, communal areas make extensive use of floor-to-ceiling black-wood paneled windows, providing plenty of natural light as well as air circulation, an important detail since only the hotel’s bedrooms are air-conditioned. Antique ornaments and curios from the personal collections of the owners -- a family of Thai musical celebrities -- are thoughtfully placed at every turn; even the restrooms have tasteful objets d’art, and a boutique in the lobby sells items from the owners’ stock. Guests are typically couples seeking opulent seclusion, though families are also welcomed and frequently stay here. 

See More Scene

Location

Near the old town, but far from downtown non-riverside attractions

The Siam’s waterside location is wedged between Bangkok’s leafy and historic, European-influenced Dusit district on the fringes of the old town and the banks of the Chao Phraya river. The hotel offers a free, 25-minute longtail boat transfer between its private pier and Saphan Taksin, connecting with the elevated Skytrain, and it can also drop guests at any of around 30 city piers. A few sights are nearby: The Vimanmek Teak Palace Museum and Dusit Zoo are both a five-minute drive away, and the Grand Palace is 15-minutes by road or a short boat transfer. However, the Siam's position, out of reach from Bangkok’s non-riverside attractions, means visitors will have to navigate the area's heavy traffic to get to downtown, which can take 20 or 30 minutes. That said, the focus is decidedly on staying within the grounds, which offer a respite from chaotic Bangkok, rather than exploring farther afield. Bangkok’s main airport is 30 to 50 minutes away, depending on traffic; note that the hotel can be tricky to find if arriving by taxi, though it's well signposted from the street.

See More Location

Rooms

Plush, spacious suites; villas with private pools and hot tubs

The hotel is made up of suites in the three-story main building and private villas set around the grounds. All are spacious, with large beds and freestanding Art Deco-style slipper bathtubs as bedroom centerpieces. Bathrooms are equally lavish with separate his-and-hers sinks, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, stunning floor-to-ceiling white tiles, and luxury toiletries. Some guests report disturbed sleep from noisy in-room air-conditioning units, and views vary between rooms -- some overlook neighboring parking lots, while other standard rooms lack windows in the bedrooms altogether, with natural light coming from the bathrooms only. This might make it worth opting for one of the pricier top-floor River View Suites, which also come with high ceilings. Bear in mind that the luxury Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental hotels farther upriver offer river-view rooms for less than standard rooms at The Siam, though these larger-scale properties lack The Siam’s trademark intimacy. Villas come with private walk-in plunge pools, hot tubs, and open-air roof terraces. The two-person Connie’s Lodge stands out as the century-old former villa of socialite, collector, and U.S. intelligence agent Connie Mangskau when she relocated to Bangkok from former capital Ayutthaya. Minibars in all rooms are stocked with Champagne, wine and spirits, as well as local beers. All rooms also have safes, iHome clock radios, flat-screen TVs, and kettles. 

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Features

The full span of luxury amenities, including a pool, gym, spa, library, cinema, and restaurants

An extensive list of features is to be expected in this price bracket, yet The Siam excels in terms of quality and detail. Plush daybeds border the narrow riverside infinity pool, where the Bathers Bar serves daytime snacks as well as cocktails by sunset (though some reviews report slow service). The hotel’s dining options get mixed reviews, though there is plenty of choice -- flagship restaurant Chon Thai serves traditional Thai cuisine in three antique teakwood houses, while the duplex Deco Bar and Bistro continues the black-and-white theme with a mix of booths, bar seats and roof terrace for casual dining. Room service is available 24 hours a day, though reviews describe slow service and small portions. Cafe Cha serves afternoon tea, and riverside private dining and an intimate Chef’s Table dinner can be arranged. The latter takes place at the daytime cooking school; classes include a morning visit to a nearby fresh market.

A vintage-themed gym -- which gets particularly good reviews -- has top-of-the-range fitness equipment and leather punching bags. A boxing ring is the setting for classes with Muay Thai experts, and personal trainers are also available. The gym and neighboring roof terrace, home to yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes, share views of the temple next door. The Opium Spa offers facials, massages, and body-wrap treatments, plus a full hair and nail salon, though reviews note that prices are significantly higher than those of luxury downtown spas; the spa also includes a Hammam-inspired bath house with dry and steam saunas, steam showers, and hot tubs. More unusually, guests can receive a traditional Thai tattoo here too.

The stylish business center has two Mac computers, while a luxurious meeting room can accommodate up to 30 people. The library is stocked with the owners’ collection of first-edition Thai historical titles, plus an extensive pottery collection, while the cinema is furnished with original French velvet seats. The Siam eschews the conventional concierge for a more personal butler guest-liaison service, which guests seem to unanimously love. On the downside, the free Wi-Fi throughout suffers coverage problems according to reviews, particularly in the bathrooms.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Siam

Scene

Colonial-era Art-Deco indulgence with impressive art and a penchant for detail

The meticulously executed colonial-era, Art Deco theme in the hotel’s expansive interior focuses heavily on black and white, and dark-shaded wood, and evokes luxury of the highest standard. The Siam is expansive given it houses just 39 suites and villas, lending to an intimate ambience overall; some guests describe the property as feeling more like a stately home than a hotel. Lush gardens, with small lotus ponds and arched walkways of climbing plants, stretch down to the river. Inside, communal areas make extensive use of floor-to-ceiling black-wood paneled windows, providing plenty of natural light as well as air circulation, an important detail since only the hotel’s bedrooms are air-conditioned. Antique ornaments and curios from the personal collections of the owners -- a family of Thai musical celebrities -- are thoughtfully placed at every turn; even the restrooms have tasteful objets d’art, and a boutique in the lobby sells items from the owners’ stock. Guests are typically couples seeking opulent seclusion, though families are also welcomed and frequently stay here. 

See More Scene

Location

Near the old town, but far from downtown non-riverside attractions

The Siam’s waterside location is wedged between Bangkok’s leafy and historic, European-influenced Dusit district on the fringes of the old town and the banks of the Chao Phraya river. The hotel offers a free, 25-minute longtail boat transfer between its private pier and Saphan Taksin, connecting with the elevated Skytrain, and it can also drop guests at any of around 30 city piers. A few sights are nearby: The Vimanmek Teak Palace Museum and Dusit Zoo are both a five-minute drive away, and the Grand Palace is 15-minutes by road or a short boat transfer. However, the Siam's position, out of reach from Bangkok’s non-riverside attractions, means visitors will have to navigate the area's heavy traffic to get to downtown, which can take 20 or 30 minutes. That said, the focus is decidedly on staying within the grounds, which offer a respite from chaotic Bangkok, rather than exploring farther afield. Bangkok’s main airport is 30 to 50 minutes away, depending on traffic; note that the hotel can be tricky to find if arriving by taxi, though it's well signposted from the street.

See More Location

Rooms

Plush, spacious suites; villas with private pools and hot tubs

The hotel is made up of suites in the three-story main building and private villas set around the grounds. All are spacious, with large beds and freestanding Art Deco-style slipper bathtubs as bedroom centerpieces. Bathrooms are equally lavish with separate his-and-hers sinks, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, stunning floor-to-ceiling white tiles, and luxury toiletries. Some guests report disturbed sleep from noisy in-room air-conditioning units, and views vary between rooms -- some overlook neighboring parking lots, while other standard rooms lack windows in the bedrooms altogether, with natural light coming from the bathrooms only. This might make it worth opting for one of the pricier top-floor River View Suites, which also come with high ceilings. Bear in mind that the luxury Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental hotels farther upriver offer river-view rooms for less than standard rooms at The Siam, though these larger-scale properties lack The Siam’s trademark intimacy. Villas come with private walk-in plunge pools, hot tubs, and open-air roof terraces. The two-person Connie’s Lodge stands out as the century-old former villa of socialite, collector, and U.S. intelligence agent Connie Mangskau when she relocated to Bangkok from former capital Ayutthaya. Minibars in all rooms are stocked with Champagne, wine and spirits, as well as local beers. All rooms also have safes, iHome clock radios, flat-screen TVs, and kettles. 

See More Rooms

Features

The full span of luxury amenities, including a pool, gym, spa, library, cinema, and restaurants

An extensive list of features is to be expected in this price bracket, yet The Siam excels in terms of quality and detail. Plush daybeds border the narrow riverside infinity pool, where the Bathers Bar serves daytime snacks as well as cocktails by sunset (though some reviews report slow service). The hotel’s dining options get mixed reviews, though there is plenty of choice -- flagship restaurant Chon Thai serves traditional Thai cuisine in three antique teakwood houses, while the duplex Deco Bar and Bistro continues the black-and-white theme with a mix of booths, bar seats and roof terrace for casual dining. Room service is available 24 hours a day, though reviews describe slow service and small portions. Cafe Cha serves afternoon tea, and riverside private dining and an intimate Chef’s Table dinner can be arranged. The latter takes place at the daytime cooking school; classes include a morning visit to a nearby fresh market.

A vintage-themed gym -- which gets particularly good reviews -- has top-of-the-range fitness equipment and leather punching bags. A boxing ring is the setting for classes with Muay Thai experts, and personal trainers are also available. The gym and neighboring roof terrace, home to yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes, share views of the temple next door. The Opium Spa offers facials, massages, and body-wrap treatments, plus a full hair and nail salon, though reviews note that prices are significantly higher than those of luxury downtown spas; the spa also includes a Hammam-inspired bath house with dry and steam saunas, steam showers, and hot tubs. More unusually, guests can receive a traditional Thai tattoo here too.

The stylish business center has two Mac computers, while a luxurious meeting room can accommodate up to 30 people. The library is stocked with the owners’ collection of first-edition Thai historical titles, plus an extensive pottery collection, while the cinema is furnished with original French velvet seats. The Siam eschews the conventional concierge for a more personal butler guest-liaison service, which guests seem to unanimously love. On the downside, the free Wi-Fi throughout suffers coverage problems according to reviews, particularly in the bathrooms.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

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.