Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

Bangkok has long been one of the world’s great luxury-hotel cities; the big names in hospitality seem to reserve some of their finest work for the Thai capital. So it is with the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River. A riverside setting like this would be wasted on a skyscraper that removes its guests from the natural environment; here architect Jean-Michel Gathy opted for a mid-rise complex surrounded by gardens and pools. And if the Four Seasons brand is sometimes viewed as conservative, this one is proof that their aesthetic is more accurately described as subtle and eminently palatable — the interiors here are contemporary through and through. The public spaces are full of contemporary art by Thai artists, and the rooms and suites are more quietly stylish, with a minimalist-luxe sheen and plenty of local character. The most basic rooms span some 50 square meters and are packed with high-end comfort, while the better ones add views of the river and the suites quickly grow to gargantuan proportions. And it’s all supported by a full complement of luxury-hotel services, from a first-rate spa to multiple restaurants, including a French brasserie, a modern Italian restaurant, and the Cantonese kitchen Yu Ting Yuan.