Trendy Japanese-Themed Hotel

Bangkok is home to citizens from all corners of the world and yet none have had such a profound influence on a single part of the city’s landscape than those from Japan. While you are sure to find the odd Irish pub here and there or the occasional Italian restaurant, the side-streets – or sois – from Asoke to Ekkamai are peppered with Japanese-influenced cafes, restaurants, convenience stores, manga bookshops, second-hand shops, department stores and more recently, a trendy Japanese-themed hotel in the shape of Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42.

Situated just minutes from Ekkamai BTS Skytrain station and within easy walking distance to the popular Gateway Ekamai, an integrated shopping mall with dozens of shops that cater to the lifestyles of urban residents with more than 50 restaurants, many of which offer traditional Japanese cuisine, Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42 is ideally placed for short-term or long-term stays. Furthermore, within a two-kilometre radius of the newly opened hotel and residences are four international hospitals, three international schools, a golf driving range, the EM luxury shopping district, and an eight-screen Major Cineplex cinema.

The stunning building is home to half a dozen beautifully crafted gardens, that include a ground floor green space that is reminiscent of Claude Monet’s Japanese-inspired water garden at his Giverny house in France with weeping willows gently swaying in the breeze, a traditional rock and pebble Zen garden adjacent to the lobby and a seventh-floor garden combined with a saltwater infinity swimming pool that’s connected to the main building by a skybridge. On the higher floors, homeowners and long-stay, guests can relax in a stunning rooftop garden replete with infinity-edge swimming pool, gymnasium, and private hot tub.

Entering the property from Sukhumvit 42, enormous floor to ceiling windows ensure the entire ground floor area is bathed in natural light from dawn till dusk. The large open lobby area is an inviting and relaxing space where guests can grab a beverage from Kei Matcha & Kohi by Kafeology, a Japanese boba coffee and tea shop that’s open from 7am until 6pm and sit for a chat. Alternatively, you could take a seat next to the Zen rock garden and contemplate the meaning of life. Completing the Japanese themed F&B experience in this grand marble, granite, and wooden space is Kei Izakaya, a wonderful restaurant serving authentic Japanese cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The marvellous Kei Izakaya is based upon the traditional Japanese izakaya bar where ice-cold beers, hot and cold sakes, imported whiskies, fine wines from around the world and fruity plum wines are served alongside mouthwatering Japanese dishes. It’s best to grab a few friends and make an event of it with platefuls of yakitori, sushi and sashimi or opt to go traditional with omakase for lunch or dinner.

The striking 31-storey structure is a mixed use building and is home to private residences as well as long-term serviced apartments, and 185 fashionable single-level and duplex guest rooms. Taking a leaf out of the ever-popular Japanese design book, all the guest rooms feature beautiful hard cypress wood floors, muted beige décor with colourful accessories, and minimalistic furniture. Even the bathroom feels essentially Japanese with moulded bathtubs, fully enclosed powerful rain showers, and super washlet toilets. While the single-level guest room seems a little squeezed, quite the opposite is true for the duplex rooms which are extremely spacious and border on suite-size luxury.

The lower floor of the duplex guest room sports a fully-functioning kitchenette with microwave, large fridge, coffee machine and kettle, and a dining service for two. As for the living area, guests have the bonus of a large flat-screen television with complimentary high-speed Internet, a comfortable couch with a coffee table to rest drinks, while a small dining table for two sits next to the full-length windows. Depending on the room layout, a washing machine is located in the kitchen or out on the balcony for those who wish to clean their own clothes. Taking the stairs up, a superbly relaxing double bed is matched with a large wardrobe, a work desk and ample storage space. The entire duplex guest room is open plan and with floor to ceiling windows, guests feel they are in a much larger space.

From a personal perspective, I can see Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42 becoming a very popular hotel as it’s not only located close to the ever-expanding Skytrain system, but is also nearby to Bangkok’s famed shopping malls, entertainment plazas, and scores of pubs, bars, cafes, and world-class restaurants. After a busy day attending business meetings in the city, I made my way back to my room on the 28th floor, grabbed a cold drink from the fridge and tuned into some relaxing music on YouTube.

Staring out of my soundproof windows high above the city streets, I watched as Bangkok’s legendary traffic snaked its way out of the city, oblivious to any noise below and comforted in my air-conditioned cocoon as Phil Collins wailed “Give me just one more night….”. Well, although I’m a huge admirer of Phil Collins and his genre of music, I too was quite happy to spend one more night at Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42.

For more information and reservations at Wyndham Garden Bangkok Sukhumvit 42, call +66 (0) 2136 – 1140 or email: info_seq@siameseasset.co.th.

Source: Punch Media Digital.