Unforgettable things to do in Bangkok: a luxury traveller’s guide

First up on our list of unforgettable things to do in Bangkok is Amari. As part of the ONYX hospitality Group, Amari is a contemporary hotel with traditional Thai touches, located in the Ratchaprasong area of Bangkok.

Step into Amari and leave the city buzz of Bangkok behind, with an elegant atmosphere and a calm oasis in this five-star hotel. With over 500 spacious rooms and suites, this cosmopolitan stay offers spectacular views of Bangkok’s skyscrapers. Upon entrance, you’re greeted with a dramatic floor-to-ceiling chandelier in the impressive lobby area, while to your right awaits Amari’s Maitree Bar that invites you to slow down and enjoy the tranquil setting with tea, coffee, cocktails or sweet treats.

Escape the city for a moment of serenity at Amari’s Breeze Spa, where you can restore your energy and prepare to embrace Bangkok’s vibrant streets, bustling energy, and tropical heat once again.

With a choice of four fine-dining restaurants, you’ll never go hungry at Amari. Indulge in traditional Thai cuisine, international dishes, modern Italian or embark on a journey to NILA that highlights India’s coastal delicacies.

Surrounded by the chaotic centre of Bangkok, Amari is a short walk away from some of the world’s most incredible shopping malls, including Platinum and CentralwOrld, and Bangkok’s Lumphini Park, renowned for its large open space and peacefulness, rare to catch in this city.

In the vibrant heart of Bangkok, Oriental Residence combines luxury comfort, Thai warmth, and timeless oriental tradition to create a sanctuary that feels effortlessly like home. Designed with the intimacy of a residence rather than a hotel, its suites invite many guests to settle in for long stays.

Crystal chandeliers hang from above, complementing the neutral colour palette and elegant decor that invites you to indulge in luxury. The One Bedroom Corner Prestige suite is worthy of royalty, featuring a fully equipped kitchen, an elegant lounge area with a dedicated workspace, a grand king bedroom and my favourite part, the marble bathroom. It detailed traditional dressing tables, a deep soaking tub and opulent touches, including La Bottega bathrobes and a Dyson hair dryer. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the suite, with sweeping views of Bangkok’s city skyscrapers and the lush greenery of Central Park.

Despite being in the heart of Sukhumvit, the Oriental Residence felt like an oasis. From my balcony, Pink Flamingo tea in hand, I watched the city lights shimmer in silence — Bangkok’s notorious traffic hushed beneath me, leaving only tranquillity in the air.

Café Claire is Oriental Residence’s Parisian-inspired boutique bistro. Each dish tells a story rooted in French culture, tradition, and history, expertly prepared by Michelin-trained, French-born Chef Rémi. The intricate level of attention to detail is second to none, and the à la carte menu is thoughtfully created with dishes including truffle soup with beef consommé, foie gras, and vegetables, topped with puff pastry, and French-style gnocchi made with semolina, pea purée, sugar snap peas, asparagus, sundried tomatoes and parmesan chips. Finished with their signature dessert, meringue on chocolate sponge cake, ambéed with Cointreau and served with vanilla, chocolate and pistachio ice cream, dramatically set alight tableside for a striking touch.

Each season, Café Claire reimagines its afternoon tea with a new theme. This time, I was taken on a culinary journey across the globe — enjoying Vietnamese bánh mì, Italian tiramisu, Mexican tacos, British scones, and delicate Japanese sushi. Arriving in a decadent golden hot-air balloon, complete with miniature plane tickets and country flags, the presentation was so enchanting it almost felt too delicate to eat.

Oriental Residence Bangkok has retained the prestigious One MICHELIN Key for 2025, marking two consecutive years of recognition.

MICHELIN Keys are the hotel equivalent of MICHELIN Stars, recognising the most outstanding hotels in the world based on five universal criteria: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting.

Take a journey through Thailand’s diverse culinary landscape next on our list of unforegettable things to do in Bangkok, with 11 courses carefully crafted at the Michelin-recommended restaurant, Khaan. Each dish is inspired by Thai street food and transformed into a fine dining experience.

Taking influence from all regions of the country, each ingredient is carefully selected to reflect the culture and heritage of Thailand. Chef Sujiar ‘Aom’ Pongmorn is a true master of Thai fine dining, weaving tradition and modernity into her unique creations. Each course carries a personal story, shared by the attentive staff as it arrives at the table. Through their narration, I gained a deeper connection to what I was eating, as well as the inspiration behind it, fascinating details about the ingredients, and the origins from which they were sourced.

Beginning with a playful spread of finger food starters, including fermented pork with egg, Chamuang Thai custard cake, and SCOBY grilled squid. Each dish arrived like a tiny work of art, presented with such precision it felt almost theatrical. The standout for me was the salted kingfish with kale, sculpted to mimic a fish bone — so intricate it held me in awe before the first bite. Equally captivating was the southern golden thread Marigold, presented as a delicate blossom, inspired by the south of Thailand and almost too beautiful to eat.

Moving on to the main courses, the dish that captivated me the most was the Earth and Sea dish. Chef Sujiar ‘Aom’ Pongmorn conceived it while standing barefoot on the sand, gazing out across the ocean. The dish itself is a combination of cabbage, caviar, and fish sauce — simple elements transformed into something delicious. Yet, in terms of flavour, it was the Wild course that stole my heart. After experimenting with every part of the crocodile, she discovered that the tongue was the most delicious. Here, it’s deep-fried until perfectly crisp, revealing unexpected flavours.

To finish came five delicate desserts, presented as a statement of art: a tree adorned with guava, and cannellini arranged below as though scattered pebbles at the base of the tree, tying the scene together beautifully. Other sweet treats were hidden inside chest boxes, including gac fruit, coconut and handmade chocolate from the Rayong province. It was a sweet and unforgettable ending to the Michelin 11-course meal.

This Mediterranean-inspired rooftop turns every night into a celebration, with DJs, sparklers, and props alongside cocktails, steaks, pasta, and indulgent truffle dishes.

Every corner of Pastel is designed to impress, from its grand entrance and sky-high DJ booth to neon lights, patterned ceilings, inventive cocktails, and sweeping views of Bangkok’s skyline.

Each night offers something different, one evening serves lobster and champagne packages, the next a dolce vita event with Italian vibes, or Ma Cherie, where drinks are free flowing for the ladies. From my table overlooking Bangkok’s glittering skyline, I soaked up the scene while sipping on a ‘Beach Please’ cocktail served in a pink flamingo cup.

Next came mouth-watering dishes, including a golden arancini merguez, fresh tableside guacamole, and pesto pasta that lingered in my memory long after the last bite. The stracciatella stretched into an irresistible cheese pull. Dessert was no less memorable: a chocolate lava cake oozing with rich melted chocolate at the centre, drizzled with salted caramel.

Pastel is a place buzzing with energy; the DJ keeps the beats flowing, and a saxophonist and drummer ramp up the vibe. Glasses clink, people dance, and the rooftop feels alive with a Mediterranean spirit right in the heart of Bangkok.

Tulum Skybar blends jungle vibes with Bangkok’s city’s electric energy. Serving tropical cocktails and a mix of deep house, afro beats and latin rhythms spun by a DJ every night.

Enjoy city lights, skyscrapers and panoramic views of Bangkok from above at Tulum Skybar. Located on the 29th floor at Movenpick, Tulum Skybar is one of the city’s most vibrant and modern rooftops. No matter what day of the week, it will have an energetic atmosphere with DJs spinning hits, cocktails flowing and Mexicana vibes.

This unique rooftop offers a vibrant tropical escape, featuring rattan furnishings, lush greenery, and a striking 3D sculpture of La Catrina — the iconic Day of the Dead figure with a white-painted face and a crown of vibrant flowers — greeting guests at the entrance. The bar area continues the vibrant theme, adorned with colourful tassel drapings that cascade overhead, adding a vibrant energy to the space.

Tulum Skybar fits perfectly amongst Bangkok’s stylish bars and restaurants, with a jungle meets urban cool aesthetic. It’s a striking place to enjoy catching up with friends, a romantic date night or take yourself on a sky-high solo date.