Tucked in the posh Bangkok district of Phloen Chit, the Kimpton Maa-Lai is surrounded by corporate buildings, embassies and stately edifices. Despite its imposing exterior, don’t expect stiff corporates here. Instead, this hotel lives up to its name: taken from the Thai word for a flower garland offered as a sign of hospitality, good health and respect.
Just down the block from Lumphini Park, the hotel is framed by statuesque mimosa trees. Inside, the low-lit, polished lobby leads to its ground floor CRAFT cafe, home to fresh caffeine brews secured by a mix of superb Thai roasters, overflowing onto a lush outside garden and acting as an unofficial den for the neighbourhood, with pet visitors and all. The generously sized garden made staying here feels like retreating to a swish sanctuary far removed from the frenetic energy of Bangkok.
The Kimpton Maa-Lai exudes the feel of a sophisticated minimalist condominium complex, towering into the city’s skyline. Our large 1,335 sq ft ‘Executive Suite’, dressed in subtle shades of grey and teal was light and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the city. All 362 rooms here are furnished with neutral, contemporary décor, embracing a harmonious blend of textures and colours, creating a chic ambience a world away from the usual ‘teak and silk’ aesthetic that you’d find in Thai hotels.
The sheer size of the bathroom is impressive. It is decorated in luxurious white marble, with rainforest showers and bathroom amenities specially designed by local Thai brand HARNN. Each room also comes with a Vifa Helsinki sound system and silky robes by Christian Develter for Tube Gallery—not to mention yoga mats, espresso machines, and a very well-stocked mini-bar.
Rooms aside, there’s a good variety of international cuisine across the property. Stock Room offers some of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had with a street food vibe for the rest of the day. Next to the always buzzy CRAFT on the ground floor is an intimate cocktail bar and restaurant Ms. Jigger serving up Italian fare. Otherwise, the hotel’s location in Langsuan is well-placed among restaurants and speakeasies. Whatever you do, don’t miss Social Hour at the poolside bar, where in-house guests come to stave off the heat and sip on a complimentary Aperol Spritz or a glass of white wine in the late afternoon.
Kimpton Maa-lai’s savvy modern-meets-Thai aesthetic, along with an impeccable staff from those meeting you at the lobby check-in to those serving delightful cocktails on the rooftop bar, leaves you feeling less like you’re in a bustling city of more than eight million than in your urban sanctuary.
Kimpton Kuala Lumpur under IHG Hotels & Resorts will be opening in 2025.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Malaysia December 2024/January 2025 issue.
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