Capella Bangkok: Does 'the world's best hotel' live up to the hype?

Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a shifting tapestry of centuries-old temples, sleek skyscrapers and bustling street markets. A steady undercurrent of continual change and chaos pulses through the city: tuk tuks whiz through the streets with cheerful abandon, and gilded temples sizzle in the perpetual sunshine.

Amid the city’s unrelenting energy, Capella Bangkok is a serene, riverside sanctuary perched along Chao Phraya river. With its show-stoppingly slick design and tranquil gardens, the hotel feels a world away from the sensory whirlwind outside — in fact, it was recently crowned the best stay globally by World’s 50 Best Hotels. I checked in to see whether it lives up to the hype.

Like most of the city’s luxurious five-star pads, Capella straddles the banks of the Chao Phraya river, which slices through Bangkok’s prime districts. The hotel sits within a closeted curve of historic Charoenkrung Road, placing you within easy reach of Bangkok’s most famous night markets and temple complexes. Suvarnabhumi international airport is a leisurely 40-minute ride away.

A shimmering behemoth of a building, this glossy new build towers above the urban throng, all glass panes and sky-high ceilings. In each room and sprawling lounge, light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows, alighting on creamy furnishings, and champagne-toned marble surfaces. Rooms are pristine, outfitted with expensive-feeling fabrics, and glistening with box-fresh shine.

To counteract the sleek interiors, pockets of lush greenery and glistening pools of water are tucked between each floor — so much so, that the hotel sometimes feels more tropical resort than it does slick city pad. You’ll find a tranquil infinity pool fringed by swaying palms and cabanas to snooze on — seemingly a world away from the bustle beyond, were it not the occasional puff and toot of a riverboat gliding by.

Unwind further at the hotel’s award-winning spa, where you’ll find a clutch of sanctuary-like treatment rooms and thermal baths for soaking. Asian-inspired treatments take centre stage here, ranging from Ayurvedic massages to Chinese acupressure therapies.

There’s also a sizeable gym, and perfectly pruned spa garden: shake off your slumber by joining the complimentary yoga classes that take place here every sunrise. The hotel’s complimentary riverboat offers effortless access to various stops along the Chao Phraya River. Taste tingly curries at Michelin-rated food stalls, or dip into vast temple complexes for an afternoon of exploring.

If you need help navigating the city, Capella’s on-hand Culturists can curate guided gallivants around Bangkok, ranging from cycles through the markets to trying your hand at Muay Thai. Acting like a dedicated butler, they’re available 24/7 on WhatsApp.

All-day brasserie, Phra Nakhon, spills onto a leafy riverside terrace and draws a crowd at all hours of the day. The menu serves an overwhelming offering of Thai and Western classics, but doesn’t match up to those in the bustling Chinatown. Although I didn’t get to dine here during my stay, Capella’s crowning jewel is 2 Michelin-starred Côte (the only restaurant in Thailand with such a distinction), where the Riviera-spanning menu, dreamt up by celebrated chef Mauro Colagreco, is a showcase in French and Italian cuisine.

The commitment to fresh, seasonal produce is taken so seriously that herbs and vegetables are grown in the hotel’s on-site greenhouse. There’s also complimentary drinks and canapés every afternoon in the residents-only Living Room, herbal-infused afternoon teas served in the Tea Lounge, and after-dinner tipples at Stella, the hotel’s boudoir-like bar, presided over by a taxidermied peacock, no less — where you can slurp down artfully concocted cocktails with a side of wagyu beef sandos.

All of the hotel’s 101 rooms and suites ooze high-octance opulence. I stayed in a Riverfront Premier Room — despite being one of the hotel’s entry-level bedrooms, it easily topped some city suites I’ve stayed in elsewhere. All bedrooms are primed to face the river, guaranteeing heart-stopping vistas of the skyscraper-studded skyline.

Clever tech effortlessly clicks into place: blackout blinds automatically wind and unwind as you arrive and leave the room, lighting is controlled by tapping the iPad next to your pillow, and giant flat-screen TVs swivel out to face the bed. Wood, marble, and touchy-feely furnishings abound.

There are even balconies to loll on, complimentary minibars (stocked with homemade cookies and snacks) for raiding, and treats at turndown each evening. For the ultimate sleepover, bed down in one of the riverfront villas — although these don’t come with vertigo-inducing views, each of these spacious hideaways boast plunge pools cocooned by lush private gardens. Villa guests also get access to a suite of extra privileges, including complimentary massages and fast-track service at the airport.

It’s hard to claim with confidence that this is the best hotel in the world. My personal choice is more likely to be a far-flung tropical getaway, or revamped countryside manor than a city hotel — however spectacular it may be. I’ve had more personalised, show-stopping experiences (mainly of the culinary and wellness variety) at some of the other contenders on the World’s 50 Best list, but when it comes to city stays, Capella Bangkok is undoubtedly a knockout. It might just clinch the crown as the best city hotel I’ve ever stayed at.