My trip to Thailand ended in Bangkok, where I took part in Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2023, an event for tourism professionals to which Milesopedia was invited as a media.
SO/Bangkok was one of the event’s partner hotels, hosting us for four nights. This hotel is part of the SO/ banner, which belongs to Sofitel. This collection of eight hotels around the world is rooted in the world of fashion, and stands out for its design and avant-garde approach to luxury.
Inspired by the four elements, this hotel offers an eclectic urban decor created by Thai designers and the famous fashion designer Christian Lacroix.
Milesopedia was invited to stay at this establishment as part of a trip organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Toronto. No remuneration was received for the realization of this review. The opinions remain mine and were not influenced in any way.
In high season, January 2024 in this example, the price of a SO Cozy room ranges from $200 to $250 per night. Members of the Accor ALL program benefit from a preferential rate.
If you wish to include breakfast (which is definitely worth it), the price rises to $254 for one night.
It is also possible to book from platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com and Agoda. By taking part in their rewards programs, you can get a status giving access to discounted prices. You can also combine this with a travel credit card. For example, you could book with the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card to avoid the 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee. By booking through Expedia’s dedicated Scene+ site, you can collect or redeem points for your bookings to save money.
By staying at the SO/ Bangkok, you can earn Accor ALL points and possibly bonus points if you register to this promotion and travel during the promotional period. Although there is no credit card in Canada for this hotel program, you can then use your points for free nights, or you can transfer them to other loyalty programs such as Aeroplan.
The hotel is ideally located opposite the large Lumpini Park, close to Bangkok’s financial district and Chinatown, just a few minutes’ walk from the Lumphini MRT station and the Sala Daeng BTS skytrain. Bangkok is well served by public transport, and you can also take a tuk-tuk or book a Grab (the equivalent of Uber) to get around by car or motorcycle and scooter. It’s worth noting that there’s a lot of traffic in Bangkok, which is why the metro is sometimes a better alternative.
When we arrive at the hotel, the lobby and reception area is located on an upper floor, where check-in takes place. It’s immediately apparent that each area of the hotel has its own identity, and the same is true of the staff, dressed in traditional Thai garb that is both sophisticated and different from one another.
During the check-in process, we were able to wait on the many couches that furnish the room. Behind us, a bar has been set up, and the glass wall already offers a beautiful view of Bangkok.
Each room is represented by one of the four elements at SO/Bangkok, offering eclectic decor to suit all tastes. My room category was SO Cozy and comes in three versions associated with the elements: metal, wood and earth. As you might guess, my element was wood, much to my delight.
Spacious, the room features a large window with a breathtaking view of Bangkok and Lumpini Park. It is furnished with a king-size bed, flat-screen TV, desk and lounge area with small sofa, mini-refrigerator and closet. You’ll find all the accessories you’d expect from a five-star hotel: bathrobe, iron and ironing board, coffee machine with capsules, safe, etc.
Although very well decorated, the furniture has had a long life, with a few minor signs of wear.
Covered in marble, the bathroom is large and divided into several sections with a Japanese toilet, shower and bathtub. Toiletries and bath salts are available in dispensers.
As a welcome gift, I received a bracelet and some sweets.
Having had lunch at several excellent luxury hotel buffets during my trip to Thailand, I have to say that the one at the SO/Bangkok stood out for its quality and variety. Asian, American and European food was served. A barista was on hand to serve coffee to taste, and it was the same for the eggs, which we could get to taste.
From pastries and viennoiseries to charcuterie, cheese, fruit and coconut; every imaginable breakfast option was on offer. Here is an overview:
What impressed me most about this buffet was the healthy options available: smoothie bar, gluten-free options, and much more.
SO/ Bangkok has no shortage of on-site dining options. Here they are:
Bangkok is renowned for its many bars and rooftop terraces offering panoramic views of the city. With its two rooftop bars, SO/ Bangkok has nothing to envy other terraces. I visited the HI-SO on the 29th floor to sip a cocktail and admire the sunset view. The mixology menu was very interesting, with original cocktails inspired by astrological signs. You have to pay about $15-20 for a cocktail, but the view was worth it:
In the evening, the bar transforms into a nightclub for partying. It’s possible to move upstairs to the Cassette Music Lounge, where the décor and menu change with more food options.
To cool off on those hot Bangkok days, the SO/ Bangkok offers a 10th-floor infinity pool with panoramic views of Bangkok and Lumpini Park. The 32-metre-long pool is located on the same floor as the spa and fitness center.
There are sun loungers and a bar service with plenty of places to sit.
Located on the 25th floor, the Club Signature lounge is available for 1,700 baht (approx. 65 CAD), for Platinum program members. Accor ALL and for customers who have booked one of these rooms: SO Club, SO Studio, SO Suite, SO Lofty and SO VIP Duplex Suite. Access was not included in my booking, but I did get a quick tour of the lounge, which offers a terrace with a view and a uniquely decorated space, as these photos show:
In the middle of the afternoon, a buffet with bites, snacks and drinks was available. Here is an overview:
Adjacent to the pool, the fitness room offers everything you need to stay in shape during your stay at SO/ Bangkok, with cardio machines, free weights and more.
On the same floor is the SO/ Bangkok’s luxurious, multi-award-winning spa. I haven’t had a chance to try it out, but you can find the treatment menu here.
My experience at SO/Bangkok went very well. This trendy five-star hotel definitely attracts an international clientele. I recommend it to business travelers, solo travelers and couples looking for a refined and trendy Bangkok experience. The service was attentive, the food excellent and the hotel offers a comprehensive range of services and facilities.
My stay at SO/Bangkok was different from my previous stay in Bangkok at The Sukhothai Hotel, which was mostly a tribute to Thai culture. I enjoyed both hotels for different reasons; the SO/Bangkok offers urban, sought-after luxury, while The Sukhothai offers luxury that’s more about relaxation and Thai culture.
Read on for more Bangkok hotel reviews:
Savings are here:
