This hotel is a calm oasis in clamoring Bangkok, a quality that’s immediately clear upon pulling up to the modern building from the tree-lined street, and walking past the tranquil reflecting pond. Natural light floods the airy lobby, glinting off the polished Makha wood floors, while small seating areas with cream leather chairs, Asian accents, and bright orange carpets offer several inviting places to relax amid vases filled with tropical flowers. Antiques dot the common spaces, but the vibe is strictly contemporary. The Met Bar, which hosts DJs in the evening, gives a stylish place to grab a drink, with bright red walls; firework-inspired abstract art; a long, sleek bar; and overstuffed leather chairs. Nahm restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the World by William Reed, draws a mix of locals and jetsetters to its golden, rustic-meets-modern setting. The hotel is romantic, but guests here run the gamut from business travelers to couples and families.

The Sathorn district—often called Bangkok’s financial district—is home to glimmering glass towers and squat night-market stalls. The area is rapidly shedding its once-staid image, though, and trendy restaurants, indie designer-packed shopping malls, gorgeous Lumphini Park, Patpong’s notorious night markets, and plenty of street food are all within a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The Silom Metro and BTS stops are both about 10 minutes away on foot and can provide access to farther flung destinations like the Chatuchak Weekend Market in about 40 minutes. The Rattanakosin district, home to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, is most easily accessed by taxi (around 20 minutes) or using the metro to connect to the river ferry (approximately 45 minutes). Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport can be reached in about 30 minutes by cab, or in an hour to about 90 minutes using the metro and Airport Rail Link.

Spacious, sleek, sexy -- the rooms here embody a wide range of superlatives and regardless of the size they are a classic respite from busy Bangkok. Dark hardwood floors and minimalist black furniture pop against the blaring white walls in all rooms. City Rooms start at 280 square feet while all other rooms offer at least 463 square feet of space. Thai artist Natee Utarit’s large botanical prints hang over extremely comfortable beds topped by duvets and silver throw pillows. Stylish, cozy window-side banquettes wrap around the walls, and all rooms have safes, minibars, Egyptian cotton bedding, bottled water, electric kettles with tea and coffee, flat-screen TVs, and a daily supply of fresh fruit. Metropolitan and Terrace Rooms have extra storage space as well as Ming-style chairs and tables set over gold velveteen throw rugs. The patios off the Terrace Rooms offer a private, stylish space with an outdoor shower. Each Executive Suite has a separate dining area. Bathrooms are large and bright, with COMO’s brand of toiletries, long vanities, and off-white, mosaic-tiled shower/tub combos (though we did notice some dirty grout when we visited). The COMO Suite is an enormous two-floored room that includes a full office, upgraded decor, and a luxurious bathroom.

The hotel’s restaurants add to its high-end atmosphere, starting with the excellent breakfast served in the playfully modern Glow restaurant, though guests should keep in mind that breakfast is only included with certain bookings, and it's expensive otherwise. The restaurant also serves a casual lunch with an emphasis on healthy, locally sourced dishes, while Met Bar has DJs in the evening and a creative cocktail list. Nahm, the other on-site restaurant, serves contemporary twists on Thai classics and consistently ranks as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, though guests will need reservations well in advance of their meal. 

Shambhala Urban Escape includes a bright gym with modern equipment, personal trainers, a yoga studio, hair salon, saunas, massage and spa services, a shop with health-conscious products, and an array of free activities in a beautiful, hardwood-lined, minimalist setting. The hotel’s on-site pool is huge, lined by a hardwood deck, plenty of lounge chairs, a small poolside bar, and a decorative stone pond -- the emphasis here is relaxing, not partying. The hotel has two contemporary meeting rooms with amenities like espresso makers, while a large on-site business center includes scanners and printers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and rooms include digital newspaper access. 

The 24-hour front desk and concierge can arrange a variety of excursions -- from sightseeing to private shopping -- or provide restaurant and ticket bookings. For guests who don’t want to walk to the Silom Skytrain station, a free shuttle is available throughout the day on a limited schedule, and reservations are required.