Anantara Siam Bangkok

Escape the buzz of Bangkok at this majestic hotel located in the heart of the city. By Kirsten Galliott.

The hotel

A haven amid the bustle of the Thai capital, Anantara Siam Bangkok (hotel.qantas.com. au/anantarasiambangkok) is a big hotel but it’s never impersonal, thanks to super-friendly staff. Prepare to be wowed by the opulent lobby (and try to guess the weekly flower bill).

The room

Premier Room 402, spacious at 42 square metres, has just had a refresh. The bed is a king, the décor reflects the hotel’s heritage (paintings representing traditional Thai life, gold drapes) and the bathroom is marble. In lieu of flowers, there’s a Siamese fighting fish swimming around (please don’t feed it) and a welcome bowl of fruit. But the room’s best feature is something you can take outside, too: the complimentary “handy phone” that offers free calls (local and international) in and outside the hotel plus internet access, a city guide to help you find the best haunts in town and a direct line to the concierge.