Bangkok has become the maiden site for the first Waldorf Astoria brand hotel to open in SE Asia, with the luxury brand opening its doors for the first time in the Thai capital this week.
Housed in the 60-storey Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, the new Waldorf Astoria Bangkok consists of 171 rooms and suites, each featuring marble bathtubs. Property facilities include a lounge, two bars and three restaurants, among which is Front Room, led by Chef Fae Rungthiwa Chummongkhon, who has worked in some of Europe’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants. Additional dining options include Bull & Bear, which specialises in grilled meats and seafood, and Peacock Alley in which guests will find light and sweet afternoon teas and pastries.
The Waldorf Astoria Bangkok also features a 730 square metre Magnolia Bathroom complete with sweeping staircase as a grand backdrop for photos.
The hotel sits at the major Ratchaprasong intersection in the city centre and is close to tourist and city highlights such as Erawan Shrine and the Gaysorn Village mall. Guests can get around the city via the Bangkok SkyTrain, both lines of which intersect nearby.
Hilton Asia Pacific President Alan Watts said the demand for luxury in Asia Pacific was generating exciting new demand for high-end hotels to enter or expand in the market.
“As the first Waldorf Astoria in South East Asia, the opening of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok adds a much-anticipated chapter to the brand’s story in Asia. It builds on our series of iconic Waldorf Astoria hotels in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, while prefacing the arrival of additional unforgettable Waldorf Astoria hotels in the near future.”
The Hilton luxury brand is already active in Greater Asia with three hotels in China, and is in the midst of strategic expansion in other parts of SE Asia. New Waldorf Astoria properties are in development and due to open soon in Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia, with another earmarked for China.