The Siam is a privately owned, 38-suite-and-villa luxury retreat Bangkok’s royal district of Dusit, sitting on a verdant strip of the Chao Phraya River. What’s most striking is that, once you step into the property, it doesn’t feel like a hotel or a resort, but like the luxurious private home of an affluent, sophisticated family. 

That’s in no small part down to The Siam being conceived by creative director and celebrity Krissada Sukosol Clapp, better known in Thailand as Noi from the band Pru. When Krissada inherited a plot of prime riverside land back in 2005, he was inspired to build a hotel there to house his substantial antique collection. When he then convinced renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley to work on the design, The Siam set out on a journey to become a riverside hotel that manages to turn heads, even amid Bangkok’s competitive hospitality market. Its 2012 opening proved it had achieved that.

Inspired by Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, the property exudes opulent charm with its muted colour scheme of black, white, cream, grey and neutrals combined with natural textures such as wood, weave, leather and stone, all nestled among sprawling gardens and lush shrubs. What’s even more interesting in terms of design and architecture is that the overall setting reflects the time of the reign of King Rama V (c 1853-1910); a period when Thailand—or Siam as it was known at the time—was embracing western influences in everything from fashion and lifestyle to fine art and architecture. The art deco accents throughout the property also heightens the air of luxury of the space. 

The hotel offers suites and villas spanning from 80sqm to 130sqm with views of the garden or the river. All rooms, which have been individually designed with original turn-of-the-century artworks and antiquities, feature plush furnishing, a super-sized king bed and lofty ceiling as well as all the mod cons--plus personal butler service. Art and history buffs in particular may find themselves losing track of the days as they immerse themselves in the extensive antique collection that is carefully displayed throughout the property. 

The Siam is not just a pretty face: it offers all the five-star comfort and amenities you’d expect of a much bigger, more storied establishment. The hotel has four F&B outlets: its signature Thai restaurant and cooking school Chon Thai Restaurant, The Story House that serves contemporary dishes with modern flavours, Bathers Bar by the pool, and Sunset Cruise where guests can enjoy sunset cocktails aboard the teak boat. The hotel’s Opium Spa & Wellbeing treats weary travellers to relaxing and invigorating treatments using Australian brand Sodashi, which prides itself on its chemical-free products. Multi-day spa package, kids and teens’ spa treatments, Ayurvedic healing, Muay Thai classes, private yoga and tai chi classes are also available. 

Other facilities include a riverside infinity pool and children’s splash pool, a gift and antique shop, a Jim Thompson shop, and a vinyl room with large collection of records.