Art Lovers: Here’s a Chic and Affordable New Hotel on the Bangkok Riverside

FROM ITS NIFTY OUTDOOR POOL and The Rooftop lounge, with Thai-spiced cocktails, local snacks and Mexican nibbles, it serves up glorious views over nearby gold-cabled Rama VII Bridge. And scaled-down design doesn’t mean shortchanging when it comes to quality, or comfort. Its 64 rooms range from 30 to 46 square meters but feel even bigger thanks to spare aesthetics—basically just a big bed in a bright-white room, offset by sturdy black furnishings. Nifty private terraces naturally draw guests out to savor grand river views, while front rooms offer mesmerizing streetside balconies overlooking one of the oldest and most interesting neighborhoods of Bangkok.

Who am I talking about? A new Standard baby, which was born when its parent company acquired the former Navalai River Resort, a victim of the covid-19 lockdown, and did a savvy redesign with Studio Freehand of Bangkok. They modernized and reconfigured the old 74-room property, adding intriguing art throughout. The hotel is now an artsy playground, with its entryway under a colorful mural by Thai-Hong Kong artist Kreme (Varagun Chongthanapipat), and a gallery area called 1010 Artspace featuring revolving exhibits. Wander down the hallway and you’ll find yourself at BANG, the all-day riverside diner.

The StandardX, with quirky upside-down hotel sign, is conveniently right at Phra Athit ferry dock (ideal for river tours and arrival by ferry). Even if you missed the signage, your attention would be drawn to the building’s all-white façade with giant faces and hands—the work of popular Thai artist Gongkan (Kantapon Metheekul). 

Guests can roll suitcases right from boats into the hotel, via BANG’s riverside terrace, where breakfast is served daily with wonderful river vibes. There is also a colorful dining room filled with more pop art and the Standard assortment of entertaining toys and quirky cartoonish figurines. 

The only sub-standard issue, to me, was F+B; the full-service Standard has totally raised the bar for Bangkok hotel dining with Ojo, Mott-32, and so many ultra-yummy venues. The X Rooftop does great cocktails and nice bar eats, but the main courses at BANG, described as twists on Thai street food, seemed modest and underwhelming, especially considering the caliber of food on offer elsewhere in the neighborhood. 

No worries, as there’s plenty more on offer nearby. Food options are endless in the surrounding Khao San Road area, Bangkok’s famous backpacker district. Besides restaurants and food stalls, the area abounds in art galleries, temples and 18th-century architecture; the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha are a 20-minute walk away; and just outside the door is gorgeous Phra Sumen, a hexagonal fort—one of the original 14 built in the 1780s to guard the new capital of Bangkok. Sporting white walls, cannons and castle-like turrets, it’s in a leafy park perfect for chilling before you head out to explore.

The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit has an opening special rate of THB 3,799++ that includes complimentary breakfast for two.
www.standardx.com/bangkok

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE STANDARDX, BANGKOK PHRA ARTHIT VIA BOOKING.COM

Images courtesy of The Standard.

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