Sofitel So Hotel in the Silom area of Bangkok impressed me from the moment I entered the building. Not least because it was a sweltering 40ºC outside, but because the friendliness of the staff on the 9th floor lobby convinced me this wasn’t just another trendy hotel. There’s some substance to this hotel’s design.
The hotel was designed by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix and only opened in 2012. The hotel’s design is split across five elements, each with its own unique design by five local Thai designers. The elements? Water, Earth, Wood, Metal and Fire. Each floor is designated with one of the five elements and has its own special flair.
Hotel amenities were more than your basic luxury packages. Each room comes equipped with Mac minis with the ability to surf the internet with a wireless keyboard on a big screen TV. But one of the hotel’s best assets is the 10th floor rooftop swimming pool. Overlooking Lumpini Park below, the pool was luxurious without pretension. Oversized bean bags and a casual ambiance made it the perfect chill-out space during the hottest parts of the day.
The hotel’s location is convenient — just a short 10-15 minute walk (or 50 baht tuk-tuk ride) to Silom. Silom is one of my favorite areas of Bangkok because of its incredible nightlife, street markets and great shopping. But not to be outdone, the Sofitel So Hotel also puts on its own parties. Check their Facebook page and Twitter account (@SofitelSoBKK) for the latest events, and be on the lookout for the Saturday night Hi-So Rainbow Party — plus the once-a-month, all-day pool parties!
Room prices are from 115€ per night and all include free wifi and minibars. The hotel hosts regular pool parties open to the public so even if you’re not staying there, it’s possible to enjoy a bit of luxury while looking out over Bangkok’s impressive skyline. Staying in the hotel also grants you special access to the regular pool parties and other club events hosted often on weekends.
While my stay at the hotel was complimentary, this is definitely a property I would visit again on my own dime. If not just for the beautiful bathtubs, but also the option to just lounge about their pool and join one of the monthly pool parties. Read more about my trip to Thailand here.
