It’s hard to miss The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. Mainly because it’s part of the tallest building in Thailand—a pixelated-looking skyscraper that juts out above the Silom skyline like a Jenga tower mid-collapse. Inside, though, the energy is anything but precarious. It’s playful, polished, a bit chaotic in the best way, and entirely unlike any other hotel in Bangkok right now.
I stayed for three nights, and by the end of it, I felt like I’d temporarily stepped into some parallel version of the city—one with better music, smarter interiors, and more interesting people.
The Standard: A Hotel That Doesn’t Whisper
Let’s start with the basics. This isn’t a hushed, white-on-white kind of hotel. You don’t tiptoe around marble corridors or whisper over breakfast. The Standard doesn’t do minimalism. It does mood. The entrance is cinematic—low lights, curved furniture, pastel tiling, flashes of brass. Designed by Jaime Hayon, the interiors are bold without being obnoxious, fun without being childish. There’s something distinctly ‘anti-hotel’ about it, in the best possible way.
The vibe carries through the entire building. No beige executive rooms or predictable layouts. My room had floor-to-ceiling windows with a wide-angle view of the city that felt more like being suspended in the clouds than checking into a five-star property. Everything inside was beautifully thought out: rounded corners, plush textures, clever lighting, and a sense of space that encouraged lounging as much as sleeping.
And then there’s the bed. Huge, pillowy, dangerously good. I had grand plans to get up early and explore temples, but most mornings I stayed horizontal longer than I care to admit.
Food That Knows What It’s Doing
You could eat every meal here and not get bored, which is impressive considering Bangkok is one of the best food cities on the planet. At the top of the building—literally perched on the 76th floor—is Ojo, a Mexican restaurant that doesn’t feel like a gimmick. It’s golden and glamorous, with interiors straight out of a 1970s space-age dream, and a menu that manages to be both refined and genuinely delicious. The aguachile is electric, the mole is rich and layered, and the tequila list is vast enough to require a strategy.
Downstairs, there’s The Standard Grill, a New York import that’s become a Bangkok brunch go-to, and Mott 32, a dark, sexy Cantonese restaurant with dramatic lighting and killer duck. There’s also The Parlor, the kind of all-day spot that morphs from laptop-friendly café to cocktail bar depending on the hour. And Tease, a pastel-drenched tea salon that looks like it was designed by someone who dreams in Wes Anderson frames. None of it feels like filler. Every space has a voice.
Sky Beach: Not Just Another Rooftop
Of course, being at the top of Thailand’s tallest building comes with perks—namely, Sky Beach, the rooftop bar that sits on the 78th floor. You get complimentary access as a guest, which makes the whole thing feel like a bit of a secret. Step out of the lift and suddenly you’re in a kind of dreamscape: candy-striped loungers, potted palms, DJs spinning just enough to set the tone without taking over, and a bar that knows how to shake a proper drink.
The city below looks like it’s been flattened out by a giant hand—temples, highways, high-rises, and the slow snake of the river. Go at golden hour with one of their frozen cocktails in hand (yes, they do a frosé, and no, it’s not embarrassing to order one here) and it becomes obvious why The Standard picked this building. It’s not just for show. The view is unmatched, and the energy is spot on.
Wellness with a Twist
While The Standard doesn’t have a full spa (yet), there’s an excellent gym and a surprisingly serene pool terrace, complete with yellow umbrellas and retro-style loungers. You don’t come here for detox retreats, but if you need to sweat out the night before or recharge in the sun, the set-up more than delivers.
In a very The Standard move, the vibe here is casual and unpretentious. No wellness jargon, no overly complicated juice menus—just a good space to stretch, swim or sweat without having to perform your fitness routine for anyone.
A Staff That Gets It
One of the most refreshing things about staying here is how well the staff read the room. They're sharp but never stiff. They look like they actually want to work here, which is increasingly rare. Everyone I spoke to—from the front desk to the bartenders—felt tuned in, curious, and genuinely helpful. Ask where to find the best late-night noodles or a proper vinyl shop, and they’ll steer you somewhere interesting—not just the tourist-proof spots.
They also manage that fine balance of giving you space without making you feel invisible. You’re not being babysat. You’re being looked after.
The Location: Part of the Scene, Not Just Near It
The hotel sits right above Chong Nonsi BTS station, which means you can get across the city fast, avoiding Bangkok’s infamous traffic. But more than that, it feels plugged into the city’s creative and cultural pulse. Silom and Sathorn are in the midst of a low-key renaissance—new galleries, cocktail dens, indie boutiques, and design studios are cropping up among the business blocks and leafy side streets. You’re not isolated here. You’re in the mix.
What Makes It Stick
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon doesn’t try to compete with the city’s legacy hotels. There’s no attempt to recreate old-world grandeur or pretend it’s some kind of tranquil temple retreat. What it does instead is carve out a different kind of luxury—one that’s modern, sensory, and deeply attuned to a global audience that expects more than a pretty room and a decent breakfast.
It’s the kind of place where you might spend hours poolside next to a visiting DJ from Berlin, bump into a Bangkok-based artist at breakfast, or get chatting to a couple on a weekend break from Singapore. The crowd is diverse, creative, and relaxed. You don’t feel like you’re part of a scene—you feel like you’re in on something.
The Bottom Line
Bangkok has no shortage of luxury hotels. What it doesn’t have is another The Standard. This isn’t just a hotel with a view. It’s a full-scale cultural microcosm: part design showcase, part food destination, part social club, part sky-high escape.
If you're the kind of traveller who appreciates atmosphere over austerity, style over stiffness, and wants your hotel to feel like a lived-in extension of the city you’re visiting—then this is where you stay.
Visit the official website for information.
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