THE SIAM HOTEL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

Even just entering this luxurious boutique hotel on the banks of the regal Chao Phraya river in Bangkok fills me with wonder. A quick check-in and our butler, Philip, takes us out along a passageway and into a space so divine, I keep coming back to it during my stay just to breathe in its tranquillity.

The Atrium is the centrepiece of the property, which was designed by Bill Bensley, with interiors a collaboration between Bensley and the owner of the property, Krissada Sukosol, a Thai rock star and anthropology major from a family of hoteliers. The Atrium is a heady mix of architectural brilliance, water feature and greenhouse, its soaring palms and trickling water a photographers’ delight.

The whole property has an ambience that is the perfect blend of elegance and style and the comforts of home. You can see many items from Sukusol’s private

collection throughout the property, including in the 28 suites and 11 villas. They all follow a Thai theme with my suite – the Maeman – featuring a Thai kick boxing (Muay Thai) theme. Philip shows us the mobile phone that we can use, with complimentary data and international calling.

I could have had a lesson in kick boxing with a Muay Thai ring in the gym downstairs, but I prefer to step into the Record Room, with a piano, record player, headphones and a library of vinyl to play some classics. Supertramp Live

in Paris is the record of choice.

The riverside pool also calls my name, doing some laps before sitting poolside to watch the throng of life go

by on the rich brown waters. The hotel has a traditional boat to whisk guests up to Bangkok’s central Saphan Taksin pier, but I opt to read in the library before blissing out with a massage in the excellent Opium Spa.

Dinner is in the property’s Chon Thai restaurant, located in a trio of centuriesold traditional Thai teak houses by the river. We also enjoy afternoon tea in

Café Cha and drinks in the very glam Deco Bar & Bistro. The Siam Bangkok is a true oasis of calm in bustling Bangkok, and it is right up there as one of the best hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying in. The Siam is a member of the Legend Collection from Preferred Hotels and Resorts. preferredhotels.com