Colorful good-time hotel with playful design and Thai hospitality in Bangkok

The Standard / Bangkok / Thailand

As you probably know by now, I love hotels that stand out. Hotels that make a statement. If you would zoom in on the high end hotel market in Bangkok there is a clear signature style which is rich use of marble, dark wood and a lot of beige and other muted hues. All very discreet and safe (dare I say, a tad boring). And among these subtle hotels there is a wild child where people come to have fun. Welcome to the Standard!

This 155-key hotel made a big splash when it opened back in July 2022 in one of the most iconic buildings in Bangkok, the Mahanakhon Tower. It looks like a half successful round of Tetris, where those annoying squares have gotten stuck in messy pattern in the middle of the screen. The hotel rooms are located on the first 18 floors of the building and on the top floors, you’ll find the well renowned OJO restaurant and the highest outdoor roof top bar in Bangkok.

The design of the Standard is a collab between the chain’s in-house design team and Spanish designer Jamie Hayón. In addition to an array of products stretching from lamps to furniture and a capsule collection for Zara, he has also done the interior for the Art’otel London Battersea Power Station. His design is always tactile with interesting shapes and bold use of color and playful patterns, and the design here is a full manifestation of that; geometric mirrors, curved corners, bespoke artwork, patterned carpets, plush velour sofas and rich use of statement colors.

The Standard is one of those hotels where you have everything (and then some) under one roof. There is a pool area lined with swaying palm trees and yellow parasols, a huge well-equipped gym, a tea room and no less than 4 restaurants. We managed to try three of them during our stay (The Parlor, The Standard Grill and OJO) and the one that is difficult to compete with is OJO. It is located on the 76th floor, with incredible views of the city, where they dish out innovative versions of classic Mexican cuisine.

Basically, the Standard is a place where the art of enjoying life (with a hint of hedonism, the good kind) has been elevated to levels reaching even higher than the roof top bar on the 78th floor.

When entering the hotel, you take the elevator up to the 5th floor where the reception is located and you get a taste of Jamie Hayón’s design aesthetic.

Next to the reception is the lounge with floor to ceiling windows that opens up to the city.

Color, shapes and patterns in abundance. And mirrors. Everywhere there are mirrors.

I love the color in the bathroom and especially the terrazzo shelf.

The pool, framed by greenery and yellow parasols.

I always like to check out the public bathrooms. It says a lot about the design ambition of the hotel.

My friend Fanny heading down to the Parlor for some lunch…

One of the several watering holes at the hotel. It is called Double Standard.

At the top floor of the tower, you’ll find Ojo, a Mexican restaurant with spectacular view.

Favorite time of day. Have just woken up and have made ourself coffee. Gone back to bed and time to press the button that pulls away the curtains and exposes the vibrant metropolis that is Bangkok.

Fanny going for a morning swim before breakfast.

Breakfast at the Standard is not to be missed.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…love colors. If you appreciate an urban hotel with excellent restaurants, that draws in the local crowds while still offering a calm retreat to us hotel guests in a busy, vibrant, big city, then you are going to love the Standard.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the automatic curtains. I know, this might sound a little sad when staying at such a unique, colorful, bold hotel. But there is something about laying in bed (a super comfy one, by the way) after a good night sleep, press a button and the city of Bangkok is slowly opening up to you. It is like when the curtain is pulled at a theatre and you are ready for a show. And Bangkok does not disappoint.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to have dinner at OJO, Mexican Michelin celebrated restaurant on the 76th floor, followed by a drink on the outdoor roof top bar. And for the brave, there is a skywalk, where the floor is made of glass and you literally have Bangkok at (or to be more exact, under) your feet.

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