The Rosewood, located in a high-rise in downtown Bangkok that’s shaped like a wai (the traditional Thai greeting), is a luxurious and intimate affair that offers impeccable service, a bar crammed with vinyl records, spacious rooms and so-called Houses – residential mega-suites with private pools and incredible views.

The Rosewood is located in Bangkok’s downtown area and features a direct walking bridge into the Ploenchit BTS station. There are two expressways nearby. Suvarnabhumi Airport is 45 minutes away by taxi. The journey to Don Mueang Airport takes about 40 minutes. A plethora of bars and restaurants on Sukhumvit Road are in walking distance, as are several embassies and the upmarket Central Embassy mall.

Despite its ostentatious exterior, the towering Rosewood has a very residential feel and with just 158 rooms and suites, feels more boutique than a branded hotel has any right to be. The Rosewood is an adult affair – marble, wood, leather and exceptional contemporary art dominate the public areas and rooms, and there’s a private feel to the gym and pool.

The staff are friendly and formal, will remember guests’ names even after brief interactions and happily recommend eating options in the neighborhood. The 20-metre salt water infinity pool is a little small for a hotel focused on leisure visitors, while the 24-hour gym is equipped with state-of-the art technology. The in-house spa, an oasis of peace that comes with its own range of spa products, has just five treatment rooms, two of them for couples.

The rooms and suites located between the 11th and 29th floor are spacious and come with floor-to-ceiling windows offering fantastic views of the city skyline. Bathrooms are all white marble, rain showers and mirrors. For sheer luxury, the three Houses set a new standard in downtown Bangkok – huge suites fit for a state visit, sumptuously laid out in grey, white and brown tones that come with dressing rooms, kitchenettes, large bathrooms with yet more city views, smart toilets and whirlpool tubs equipped with television screens, and cosy balconies that tower high above Ploenchit sky train station and feature small plunge pools.

The Rosewood’s culinary highlight is Nan Bei, a cosy Chinese eatery that serves both north and southern Chinese dishes. Among the starters, the black fungus with coriander and the spinach in sesame sauce stand out. The Peking duck, prepared by the guests’ table, can be wrapped in thin pancakes filled with sweet bean sauce and shredded cucumber.

Breakfast at the all-day-dining Lakorn is a modest but rather excellent buffet that includes cereals, cold cuts, salads, tasty fresh juices as well as a wide variety of Asian dishes. The poached eggs with smashed avocado and grilled sourdough are a perfect start to the day.

The Art Deco-themed Lennon’s holds more than 6,000 vinyl records, one of the largest collections in South East Asia, as well as a wide variety of cocktails, a perfect location for a pre-dinner drink. Try an ecoCoktail – made from locally sourced organic ingredients. The cocktail menu is compostable, contains tree seeds and can be planted in your garden.