The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok – Review

Occupying a 216-metre tower within the new One Bangkok district on Wireless Road, the city’s most prestigious thoroughfare, The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok marks the brand’s long-awaited debut in the Thai capital. This sophisticated urban retreat towers above the Bangkok skyline with sweeping views over Lumphini Park, a terrace open-air infinity pool, Michelin-starred dining, an ESPA spa and the privacy of the Club Lounge for suite and club room guests. The Luxury Editor recently stayed at what most certainly is the city’s most luxurious new address – read on to discover more.

Opened in December 2024, the hotel was designed by Chicago-based SOM in collaboration with Thailand’s A49, with a façade of cascading open-air terraces and guided by the concept of a “Meeting of Two Civilisations”. The property reflects the Thai 19th-century vision of combining ‘cherished traditions’ and rich history with global influences. Interiors by PIA Studio bring this narrative to life through marble, polished wood, and brass, enriched with contemporary Thai artworks. Upon arrival, a grand archway leads into the entrance foyer and Front Hall, conceived as a drawing room evoking the intimacy of a private residence. This residential feeling continues throughout, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Lumpini Park and many rooms and communal spaces open onto private loggias and terraces.

Location

Part of the newly opened One Bangkok development, the hotel sits as a standalone tower within the 16-hectare, $3 billion district that combines luxury residences, grade-A offices, cultural venues, landscaped green spaces, and high-end retail. The area itself is home to embassies, diplomatic residences, and luxury addresses, whilst Lumphini Park is directly in view. The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro system are within walking distance, while a brisk walk across Lumpini Park takes you up to the mega malls of Siam Paragon and centralwOrld.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is around 30 minutes by car, and Don Mueang International Airport is approximately 20 minutes, with a limousine pick-up and drop-off service available for a seamless journey from door to door.

Check‑in & Lobby

Cars sweep off Wireless Road into the covered hotel forecourt. From here, you are greeted by pristinely uniformed staff who welcome you like a returning friend as they guide you into the ground-floor arrival hall, before moving through the concierge area. Here, tall glass-fronted cabinets showcase curated objets d’art, while the geometric marble flooring continues the residential design established at the entrance. Just beyond, a bank of three elevators whisk you up to the main lobby.

Stepping out of the elevator on the Lobby Level, a lily pond stretches across its centre, its surface animated by sculptural hand-blown glass lotus flowers by glass artist Nathakorn Kanitvaranun. Turn to the right, passing by a series of intimate seating areas that create the feeling of a grand residence rather than a conventional hotel lobby. Beyond lies the reception area, while those booked into Club Rooms and Suites are discreetly escorted upstairs to the 23rd floor Club Lounge for private check-in.

Rooms & Suites

The property has 259 rooms and suites, beginning with Deluxe Rooms at 50 sqm, which are available in king bed or twin doubles formats along with city skyline views or Lumpini Park views. Floor-to-ceiling windows and day beds come as standard, or opt for a room with a balcony. Bathrooms are clad in marble, with deep soaking tubs, separate walk-in showers, and Diptyque amenities. Club Rooms mirror the Deluxe configurations but include access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge with private check-in, dedicated concierge service, and daily food and beverage presentations.

Suites offer expanded living space and elevated views. The 102 sqm Gardenia Suite includes a balcony, separate living room, and Lumpini Park views, while the Marigold Suite adds further space and refined detailing. The Amaranth Suite features two balconies and the incredible 439 sqm The Ritz-Carlton Suite is available in two or three-bedroom configurations, complemented by three balconies and two entrances. Across all categories, Frette linens, Dyson hairdryers, Nespresso machines, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a curated minibar come as standard.

My Room During My Stay

During my stay, I was accommodated in a Lumpini Park View King Room. These 50 sqm spaces are generous in size, and a bay window offers those coveted views of Lumpini Park, which are further enjoyed stretching out on the wall-to-wall daybed. The bed is dressed in Frette linens and flanked by softly lit wall sconces, with an asymmetric pairing of bedside tables, one in pale lacquer, the other in darker lacquer, lending the room a lived-in, residential character. Neutral walls with subtle panelling keep the aesthetic clean, while the mix of light timber flooring and contemporary furnishings adds texture and depth.

A compact sitting area with a marble-topped table and armchair included a welcome amenity of wine and fresh fruit on arrival.

A glossy black lacquered cabinet in the corner of the room conceals the room’s minibar. Inside, shelves display an assortment of premium spirits, wine, and glassware, alongside a Nespresso coffee machine and, kettle. Pull-out drawers revealed neatly arranged porcelain cups and saucers, cutlery, and an array of locally inspired snacks such as Thai herb cashews, dried mango, mixed nuts, and tropical fruits. Another drawer holds Nespresso capsules and teas, while the refrigerated section was stocked with chilled beers, soft drinks, and sparkling water.

Designed with a Jack and Jill layout, the bathroom can be accessed from both the bedroom and reception hall. White marble walls and floors are offset with glossy black cabinetry. A freestanding oval tub sits before mirrored panels, while a walk-in shower offers a rainfall head, bench seating, and full-sized Diptyque amenities. The twin vanity provides double sinks, illuminated mirrors, and ample storage with drawers stocked with grooming essentials. A Dyson Supersonic hairdryer in its own case, robes, and a Japanese-style toilet with advanced electronic controls further enhance the bathtime experience.

Evening turndown transforms the space, lighting is softened, and bottled water with glasses are placed on each bedside table. A decorative porcelain jar containing locally inspired treats awaits. Slippers are set out, and the bed is smoothed with a folded duvet corner.

The Ritz-Carlton Club

Located on the 23rd floor, The Club Lounge, a signature hallmark of the Ritz-Carlton brand worldwide, is an exclusive experience for guests booking Club rooms and suites. On arrival, you are welcomed by a dedicated ambassador for private check-in. Five daily culinary presentations are served each day, beginning with breakfast and continuing through light lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and evening cordials. The Ritz-Carlton Club experience extends beyond the lounge itself, with in-room extras such as complimentary garment pressing and shoeshine, and a dedicated concierge team on hand to arrange dining, cultural outings, and tailored experiences throughout the city.

Afternoon Tea

Evening Cordials

Breakfast

Dining

There are three dining venues in the hotel. Duet by David Toutain, led by the eponymous Michelin-starred chef and culinary prodigy Valentin Fouache. Lily’s is the main all-day dining room with an interactive buffet at breakfast and a menu of sharing plates throughout the day and Caleo is a glamorous cocktail lounge inspired by legendary social clubs.

Duet by David Toutain

The hotel’s flagship dining experience, Duet by David Toutain, has established itself as one of Bangkok’s most talked-about fine-dining experiences. Led by celebrated French chef David Toutain, whose Paris restaurant holds two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star, Duet by David Toutain brings his philosophy of culinary storytelling and respect for natural ingredients to Southeast Asia.

Working alongside him is Chef de Cuisine Valentin Fouache, a rising French talent with experience in Michelin-starred kitchens on the Riviera and across Thailand. Toutain, who trained with culinary legends such as Alain Passard, Pierre Gagnaire, Bernard Pacaud and Marc Meurin, is renowned for his inventive use of vegetables, herbs and textures, while Fouache brings a precision and freshness shaped by his years in Michelin-starred French kitchens.

Designed as twin glass houses, and accommodating just 32 guests, ensures an intimate and personal dining experience. Interiors carry a botanical sensibility, sage-toned accents are layered with natural textures, rattan-backed chairs, and marble tabletops. Floral cushions, patterned floor tiles, and cabinets displaying glassware and spirits add further residential familiarity.

The restaurant’s name, Duet, reflects not only the partnership between the two chefs but also the interplay of nature and cuisine that defines the menu. You are taken on an eight-course tasting journey, with each dish accompanied by a storytelling card that is presented as a gift when you leave. Dishes juxtapose textures, colours and flavours in visually striking and surprising compositions, with produce sourced sustainably and prepared with a reverence for seasonality.

To further enhance the evening, we recommend opting for the matching wines experience with the sommelier curating pairings that draw on both classic vintages and more unexpected finds. During our visit, pours ranged from a 2021 Domaine Jean Royer Châteauneuf-du-Pape and an expressive Arbois Chardonnay from Fumey Chatelain, to a playful Duchesse Chocolate Cherry beer and the natural Australian Jauma.

Caleo

Located on the lobby floor, Caleo is the hotel’s glamorous lounge and cocktail bar, inspired by six of the world’s legendary social clubs, including The Pegu Club, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and Rick’s Café Américain. At its centre, an oval circular bar is crowned by a glittering chandelier installation, while the hotel’s signature arched windows look out across the Bangkok skyline.

A fun little personal touch is Caleo’s bar postcards (which, after a few cocktails, I forgot to take a picture of, but I did post one!). Each is adorned with playful collage-style artwork inspired by the bar’s global influences. The bar encourages you to jot down a note or memory from their evening, and the team will see it stamped and posted to any corner of the world, complimentary.

By day, the lounge serves Afternoon Tea and light dishes, and after dark it transforms into one of the city’s most stylish cocktail destinations. The menu is divided into themed sections, each celebrating the spirit of the club that inspired it.

A cocktail highlight is Rick’s Gimlet Flight, inspired by Rick’s Café Américain. A trio of taster-sized gimlets, each evoking the essence of a different country. The France expression layers fresh raspberries with the fragrant lift of herbs de Provence. Portugal introduces chamomile and a whisper of white pepper, adding subtle warmth while Morocco brings sharp grapefruit and a spiced paprika cordial, rounded off with grains of paradise for an exotic, aromatic finish.

A selection of small plates complements the drinks menu, from tacos and soft bao buns to chargrilled lamb cutlets.

Lily’s

Lily’s serves breakfast through to all-day dining, arranged in a series of residential living-room-style spaces, with deep armchairs and cushioned banquettes set beside low tables. Natural light pours in while details like the polished wood floors and muted jewel tones reinforce a sense of domestic comfort.

The buffet is extensive and sits alongside an a la carte offering. I went with my go-to eggs Benedict, but other options include buttermilk pancakes, homemade brioche French toast, or lighter choices like organic steel-cut oats topped with tropical fruits and granola. Thai specialities, including crab curry, pad Thai and khao soi, offer a local twist to the morning ritual.

Within the buffet, the signature Ritz-Carlton waffles, pressed into intricate floral shapes and dusted with sugar, are a must. Live cooking stations prepare dishes to order, including congee with a choice of condiments, freshly grilled skewers and Middle Eastern mezze. Cheeses are individually presented beneath glass domes along with a never-ending selection of sweet and savoury classics.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa

The Ritz-Carlton Spa occupies part of the seventh floor, centred around three wellness pillars of mind, body, and skin. Treatments are tailored, blending mindfulness, holistic modalities, and traditional Thai techniques. Facilities include five treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, and a relaxation pod, alongside separate men’s and women’s lounges, steam rooms, and saunas. ESPA’s skincare products feature throughout, with treatments ranging from facials to body scrubs through to massage therapies.

The fitness centre is open 24 hours and equipped with the latest Technogym machines, free weights, and space for resistance training, with personal training and fitness classes, including yoga and Tai Chi on the terrace, available on request.

The seventh floor is also home to the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool, children’s pool, and whirlpool, with shaded cabana beds and pool staff on hand with towels and chilled bottles of water.

Cultural Programming

The hotel’s cultural programming includes a daily Defining Moment drum ceremonies on the Lumpini Terrace that signal the start of evening celebrations, Terrace Chi sessions inviting guests to practice tai chi against the park backdrop, and guided tours of the One Bangkok Art Loop connecting guests with the local creative scene.

Final Thoughts

The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok represents a new chapter for the city’s luxury hotel scene. Perfectly positioned within the ambitious One Bangkok development, this is not only the brand’s long-awaited debut in Bangkok but also a destination in its own right, offering discerning travellers a new perspective on Bangkok.