Samala Bangkok Sukhumvit 15 by Kingston Hotels

Soi 15 strikes a rare balance: quiet enough to sleep well, central enough to walk almost anywhere. The hotel's free shuttle runs to Asok BTS, Sukhumvit MRT and Terminal 21, and Korean Town's barbecue restaurants are just across Sukhumvit Road.

SAMALA's design looks back to the city's royal beginnings. Intricate Thai motifs line the walls and the palette is rich and regal, but the comfort is entirely modern.

Rooms are calm and well thought out, with a dining table and armchairs, a rain shower, a minibar stocked with local treats, and some with balconies. For a special occasion, book the signature Jacuzzi Suite.

Breakfast is a generous international buffet, and by evening the restaurant switches to Thai cuisine. The real surprise is the speakeasy, hidden behind an unmarked door, where the cocktails are as good as the setting.

The rooftop pool is the hotel's star. Grab a shaded lounger, swim up to the bar for a cocktail and let the afternoon slip away. The rooftop gym is open around the clock.