In August 2022, I checked into the Premier Club Room at The Okura Prestige Bangkok. Occupying 34 floors of the glossy and futuristic Park Ventures Ecoplex building along Wireless Road in the heart of the city’s Central Business District, the 240-room hotel offers direct access to Phloen Chit BTS station and is walking distance away from notable shopping destinations such as Central Embassy, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld. The hotel is 40 minutes away from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Launched in 2012, this was the first ever “Okura Prestige” hotel from Japanese luxury hotel group Okura Hotels and Resorts, whose flagship property is The Okura Tokyo.
Nearby hotels include Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Conrad Bangkok, Rosewood Bangkok, Park Hyatt Bangkok and The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Elegant sky-high sanctuary with Japanese hospitality in Phloen Chit.
The must-dos (if any): Relax within the privacy of your comfortable accommodations, pose for a photo while in the famed cantilevered infinity pool, have a Japanese breakfast at Yamazato.
THE OKURA PRESTIGE BANGKOK
In contrast to the traditional stylings of the group’s flagship The Okura Tokyo, the Bangkok property instead channels contemporary luxurious sophistication with its soaring ceilings, neutral tones as well as bronze and marble textures, with small flourishes such as the colourful origami crane figures on the 24th level lobby referencing the brand’s Japanese roots. The tint of the building’s e-coated triple-glazed windows lend a slight blueish hue to the airy lobby proceedings, further adding to the sky-high space’s sense of quiet calm.
The hotel offers three dining concepts – the Michelin-starred French-Japanese restaurant Elements; classic Japanese Yamazato; and international restaurant and bar Up & Above, which offers both indoor and outdoor terrace seating.
Wellness facilities are all located on the 25th level. The fitness centre overlooks the hotel’s iconic 25-metre cantilevered infinity pool, which offers stunning views of the cityscape and is thus one of the hotel’s most popular and photographed spots. Elsewhere, the Okura Spa offers a full range of treatments, including a Japanese bamboo massage based on the principles of acupuncture which involves the use of heated bamboo rods of various sizes.
PREMIER CLUB ROOM
Offering impressive panoramic views, the 57sqm Premier Club room plays it all comfortable luxurious residential. The room is styled with neutral shades of taupe and cream, with small Japanese nods such as the plush carpeting decorated with flower petals as well as the traditional tea-drinking set with matcha powder. A bed-side touch screen panel controls the air-conditioning, lighting and curtains, while an iHome Bluetooth-ready system tells the time and amplifies your music beats. The minibar cabinet is fully stocked with various spirits and beers (think Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin and Chang beer) as well as illy coffee and Chaidim tea-making facilities.
Fitted with collapsible sliding doors, the open-layout bathroom offers an enclosed shower room with rainfall shower and attached bathtub as well as a toilet with Japanese-style an electronic Toto Washlet toilet. Bathroom amenities are courtesy of British skincare brand Elemis.
DINING
As is also the case at the brand flagship The Okura Tokyo, guests with breakfast privileges have multiple options for breakfast, usually including an option to dine at the property’s classic Japanese restaurant. Guests can choose to have an international buffet breakfast at all-day dining venue Up & Above Restaurant and Bar or a Japanese-style breakfast at Japanese restaurant Yamazato. The former features an ala minute kitchen serving dishes such as Eggs Benedict, French Toast and Thai Pork Skewers as well as Indian, Thai and Chinese food sections serving regional specialties such as Aloo Gobi, Red Curry with Pork and Dim Sum respectively, while the latter (I always pick the Japanese option at Okura properties) is a decidedly more hushed, dignified and atmospheric experience in which guests customise their breakfast bentos and pick their choice of sides, eggs, rice and mains (Saba, Salmon and Chicken Teriyaki).
Beyond breakfast, Up & Above Restaurant and Bar offers both a la carte and international buffet menus for lunch and dinner, including the signature Okura Afternoon Tea inspired by Japanese seasons as well as the popular Sunday brunch experience, while the Michelin Plate Yamazato offers teppanyaki, sushi and kaiseki ryori menus.
Elsewhere, the Michelin-starred Elements on the 25th level presents French cuisine with Japanese influences, while La Patisserie on the ground floor of the Park Ventures Ecoplex offers a selection of sweet and savoury treats (think croissants, pralines, sandwiches and even traditional Japanese maki).
OKURA CLUB LOUNGE
Located on the 33rd level, the elegant Okura Club Lounge offers afternoon tea as well as evening cocktail and canapes. The tiered afternoon tea experience was suitably dainty, and I was spoilt for choice trying to decide which tea I wanted from the extensive Mariage Frères tea selection. The food selection served during evening cocktails and canapes was actually really good – think Salmon Tartare, Gyoza, Chicken Karaage, Miso Soup, Papaya Salad with Prawn and a most intriguing Nori Soft Bun alongside desserts such as Red Velvet Cake, Matcha Pudding and Hokkaido Cheesecake. From the cocktail menu, the gin-based and very boozy Sakura Blossom (Beefeater gin, Maraschino liqueur, lime juice, cherry blossom Monin) was a revelation, being the sort of beverage you could imagine being served at full price at a cocktail bar.
One of the best hotel club lounges in Bangkok.
CONCLUSION
In comparison to more visually playful Bangkok properties such as SO Sofitel Bangkok and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, The Okura Prestige Bangkok plays it more straight and austere. However, what the hotel offers is a terrific location with direct BTS access and proximity to the main Bangkok shopping stretch, a unique breakfast experience as well as a high level of quiet and privacy.
The Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel
Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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