By Jasmine Ong
Since visiting the city of angels for the first time two years ago, Bangkok has quickly become one of my favourite places to visit in Asia, and whenever I am presented with an opportunity to head back, I would seize it in a heartbeat.
Like most Singaporeans who visit the city for its food and shopping, my knowledge of Bangkok is limited to the tourist hotspots, namely the large shopping malls in the city centre, and being a creature of habit, I tend to revisit the spaces I am familiar with; never venturing beyond.
As if like a sign from the universe to help push me out of my comfort zone, I found myself checking in to one of Hilton’s newest properties, Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit, which is under its lifestyle brand Canopy Hotels, and coincidentally the first Canopy hotel to open in South East Asia.
Located in the vibrant Asoke neighbourhood, which is about a six-minute walk from the Asoke BTS Skytrain and Sukhumvit MRT stations as well as popular shopping mall Terminal 21, the hotel brings together public spaces, distinctive dining concepts and city-curated experiences that reflect Bangkok’s layered character and creative energy.
Because of where its located, Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit’s design story is inspired by Asoke’s history, and reflects the contrast between the old and new; from its industrial and port heritage to the glamour of the Sri Krung Sound Film Studio nearby, which was one of Thailand’s early sound-film studios.
The interior sees nostalgic design elements paying homage to Asoke’s relation to the first Port of Bangkok and the industrialisation of the city, while the exterior reflects its movie-making history through a facade replication of a video recorder.
The creative story continues in its 174 guest rooms, which have been designed as comfortable retreats featuring pre-war era and industrialisation elements. Rooms available include the King and Twin Canopy Rooms, Urban View Rooms, Courtyard Rooms, Courtyard Deluxe Rooms, King Canopy Corner Rooms, Accessible Rooms, and three suites: one King Suk Jai Suite and two King Asoke Suites.
As someone who preferred to have a more open concept of a room, I was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious King Canopy Corner Room, that did not have any type of wall to separate the bathroom from the living area. Instead, a huge sliding door was used as a divider to provide that private space when needed.
I thought this was a really smart design that actually gave me a lot more space to move around the room, since I was staying alone. The open layout also helped to ensure that I didn’t accidentally walk into a wall when I had to use the bathroom at night.
Another thing that I really liked about the room was the warm light and simple, stylish interior that just made the whole space feel extra cosy.
Though I had initially thought the room gave me vintage train cabin vibes, it was nice to learn that I was very far off with my guess as the rooms were designed to create a calm, residential feel while utilising industrial-inspired finished to pay tribute to the nearby Klong Toey port district and the evolving urban character of Asoke.
A key highlight in the room was the signature blue Paa Khram fabric canopy above the bed which pays homage to one of Thailand’s oldest handwoven textiles.
One of the things that I appreciated about my stay in Canopy was how despite being an international brand, the hotel stayed true to its connection to Bangkok. In addition to the use of local produce in its food and the inspired design elements that paid homage to the neighbourhood, Canopy also gives a platform for Bangkok’s independent makers and artisans to shine.
You can see Canopy’s partnership with these brands, including Bangkok-based lifestyle brand LalaLove, reflected in the dedicated retail showcase within the hotel lobby.
Dining Concepts at Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit
Beyond the rooms, Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit is home to four restaurants and bars that offer bold flavours through the use of seasonal Thai ingredients and fire-led cooking.
Located on the lower floor of the hotel is Cante, its signature Spanish fire grill and tabernacle that serves up wood-fired dishes and sharing plates inspired by Barcelona, Valencia and Andalusia, featuring design elements from Southern Spain’s layered cultural heritage.
Aside from providing breakfast for guests, the restaurant offers a wonderful a-la-carte menu of Spanish delights ranging from Tapas to wood-fired grill meats and Paellas.
Images courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
A highlight of the menu is the Fideuá De Pollo A La Brasa, which offered pasta in place of rice as the staple of the paella. The burst of flavours coupled with the texture of the pasta gave the dish a bit more bite than traditional paella, and honestly, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
Suffice to say that after trying the food at Cante, I may very well have become a Spanish food convert!
Image courtesy of Hilton/Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit.
If you’re searching for a good place to get a nightcap after the good meal you’ve had at Cante, there’s no better place to recommend than SoolHaus, the hotel’s Korean-inspired cocktail bar.
As someone who does not drink, I conceit that I am not the right person to consult for a bar recommendation, but I do know that alcohol aside, the vibes of a bar matter greatly and SoolHaus more than delivers this with its cool red interior, and menu full of Korean-inspired creations.
Images courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
Even though I was the sober member of the group, that did not stop me from appreciating the interesting drinks that the others ordered, like Night Transmission which combined soju, cold brew coffee and toasted rice; the boozy banana-flavoured bubble tea Yellow Frequency; and an alcoholic bingsoo.
I must say that there were times where I came close to ordering one of those delicious-looking cocktails, but I never quite got to it since I was constantly distracted by the fantastic DJ who was spinning songs off a playlist that made my millennial self feel so seen.
Images courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
For those seeking, perhaps, a quieter bar experience can opt to visit the rooftop pool bar Glint, which also offers the city’s spectacular skyline, or if you’re just looking to unwind with a cup of coffee, the all-day café Luso at the lobby can do the trick with its Bangkok-roasted coffees and premium Thai-sourced teas.
Exploring Bangkok
When on vacation, I always like to pack my itinerary with cultural activities or things that locals would do, and for this trip, I made it a point not to visit my familiar haunts so as to see Bangkok through a different light.
Images courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
One of the activities that I did was to take a commuter boat ride down one of the city’s most distinctive waterways. Being a tourist that only uses the BTS or my two legs to get to my destination, this was an experience that excited and scared me at the same time.
Image courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
The thing that surprised me was how the commuter boat ride operated just like any public transport would, complete with station signs at the different piers and the overhead announcement prior to its arrival. I had initially expected the boat to be one of those tourist types where everyone was seated, but this turned out to be just one of the transport modes that locals use to go about their day.
Of course, unlike the buses or the BTS, the commuter boat does have its limitations and does not necessarily get you to the doorstep of your favourite shopping malls, but, it does offer you a different glimpse at Bangkok city life and could potentially lead you to discover a new hidden gem!
Song Wat Road
Image courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
For those who have not had a chance to visit Song Wat Road, you must make time for it on your next visit. This historic but trendy riverside neighbourhood is home to some of the coolest shops, and everywhere you turn, it feels like you are about to discover something exciting.
That was my experience as I walked down the road, taking in the old and new architecture that was now home to shops selling a variety of things from snacks and drinks to souvenirs and fashion.
Unlike the big shopping malls that can sometimes feel devoid of character, Song Wat Road offered a different kind of retail experience that we don’t usually get in Singapore — one that made every turn down an alley an exciting one because we never know what we might encounter.
Images courtesy of Jasmine Ong.
While on the hunt for a store that sells sunglasses, we walked down a street where there were gem shops lined on both sides, and as we ventured further, we were met with shoe wholesalers. What was interesting was that scattered among these seemingly old-ish grouped-by-category shops were new-looking cafes and retailers, that offered this balance between two different eras.
In addition to that, Song Wat Road also had a few big areas where you needed to take time to browse. Of these areas were what looked like a warehouse that housed restaurants on the ground level and shops on the second level, as well as this unassuming space that opened up into a small cluster of buildings which was home to a riverside warehouse, adidas, and the viral Wanjai Cafe House.
Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit’s City Curator
If you’re looking for someone to give you a more authentic tour of Bangkok, you can seek that experience out through Canopy’s dedicated City Curator.
Some of the tours include the Klong Saen Saeb Boat Experience, which introduces you to neighbourhood cafes, creative spaces and riverside finds along one of the city’s most distinctive waterways; the Morning Neighbourhood Walks that takes you to Asoke’s local eateries, independent cafes and community favourites; and Postcards from Asoke, a creative keepsake experience which allows you to capture your impressions of the neighbourhood and send yourself a personal memento of your time in the city.
