THE SIAM, BANGKOK

Set amid verdant grounds on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the historic heart of Bangkok, this art deco–inspired urban resort is as stunning as they come. Designed both inside and out by internationally acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, The Siam brims with character and panache, from its hushed marble corridors and grand Opium Spa to the 39 suites and villas, each of which is beautifully accented by Thai antiques and collectibles.

Connie’s Cottage, the largest villa, occupies a century-old Thai house originally brought downriver from Ayutthaya by silk designer Jim Thompson for his friend Connie Mangskau, an antiques dealer who entertained the likes of John Rockefeller and Jacqueline Kennedy. Another pair of traditional teakwood houses is occupied by Chon Thai Restaurant, which serves classic Thai cuisine by the water, while the Bathers Bar, adjacent to the riverside swimming pool, is the perfect spot for sunset cocktails.

A brand-new addition to The Siam is The Story House, a reinvention of the previous Café Cha. Along with the hotel’s revamped welcome courtyard, which now sports a soaring glass pyramidal roof, the new restaurant features a globetrotting menu by New Zealand chef Blair Mathieson and a collection of discreet dining areas, including a stunning central terrace with soaring ceilings and art deco chandeliers. Bill Bensley was brought back for the design, while Krissada Sukosol Clapp, the hotel’s founder and creative director, was responsible for the styling, infusing the space with antiques, curios, and artworks.

Guests looking for an immersive cultural experience can join a cooking class, go a round in the on-site Muay Thai boxing ring, or immortalize their stay with some body ink by a Sak Yant tattoo master. As for Bangkok’s many riverside attractions, they’re just a short cruise away on The Siam’s graceful wooden boat.