The Nouvo City Hotel is housed in a modern, seven-story building that was built in 2011 and completely renovated in 2014. Everything is sharp and modern, but the vibe is decidedly quiet. That is in part because this is the only halal hotel in the area, and as it is a Muslim-run hotel, there's no bar on-site, and no alcohol is available on the premises. Fronted with palm trees, it has a light entrance with glass doors. The lobby of the hotel is a large, open space with a high-gloss white tiled floor, trendy illuminated reception desk, and a range of seating by the large windows from brightly colored, contemporary velvet sofas to beautiful handcrafted wooden stools and tables. Other areas -- like the lovely spa -- have far more intricate decor that feels definitively Thai, with a modern twist. The hotel attracts a range of guests from across the world from couples, honeymooners, families, groups of friends, and business travelers. 

The property is set just to the north of the oldest part of Bangkok. The building faces Banglumphu Canal and is surrounded by a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels. It’s a convenient location for tourists, as it’s near many main attractions. Just across the canal is lively -- sometimes too lively -- Khaosan Road, which is home to the throngs of backpackers arriving in or departing from Thailand. Within a 10-minute walk are Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and the centuries-old Buddhist temple, Wat Chana Songkram. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho are a bit farther. Trips there take 20 to 25 minutes on foot, which is no small feat in Bangkok's heat and humidity. Alternatively, a tuk-tuk ride there should take about five minutes, though that can change with traffic. While this is one of the city's prime tourist areas, the metro and skytrain are both very far from here, meaning that to reach happening Sukhumvit Road or buzzing Silom will require a cab ride. These trips can vary from 20 to 40 minutes in the city's notorious traffic -- sometimes even longer. Suvarnabhumi Airport should take around 35 minutes to reach by car, while Don Mueang Airport is about 30 minutes away, though again, smart travelers will budget at least an hour or more to reach either destination.

A range of categories are available at this hotel, but despite different bed configurations and floor plans, the look is fairly similar across the board. All 280 rooms are spacious and have modern, light wood-laminate flooring and simple, contemporary decor. The furniture is minimalistic and a simple color palette of neutrals is used, although there are splashes of bright color in details such the open closet walls and the velvet armchairs. Dark wood-veneer panels add a further contemporary element, and above each bed is a modern print of a local landmark or other Thai decorative element. It's worth noting that while some rooms do have "canal views," don't expect much in the way of scenery, as the canal itself is murky, there are trees in the way, and the view is mostly of monsoon-streaked buildings. Each room provides bathrobes and slippers, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free mineral water, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms have glass sliding doors and black and a white-on-black motif with feature walls in a bright colors like red or purple. There are no baths, except in the Suites, which have a whirlpool bath, but the showers have powerful rainfall shower heads.

There are a decent number of features here, though many guests on vacation will want to be aware that the hotel does not serve any alcohol, which may put a damper on holiday-making. A daily buffet breakfast has a nice selection of hot and cold Asian and Western dishes, although it’s not included in the room rate and can be crowded. There is also the Sara Restaurant which specializes in Thai cuisine and is open all day, every day. It offers a separate children's menu as well. Food gets mixed reviews, though excellent street food can be had just outside the hotel's front door (at lower prices, of course).

The hotel's Sala Spa has three treatment rooms as well as outdoor treatment areas. It's an elegant, ornate space that's quite a lovely addition to a city-center hotel, and services include Thai massages, facials, aromatherapy, and reflexology. The spa is equipped with a sauna and a spa tub. There's also a fitness center at the property that gets lots of natural light and has a good selection of cardio and weight-training equipment. One of the highlights of the hotel is the rooftop swimming pool with views over Old Bangkok. The pool is surrounded by wooden decking and has sun loungers in a range of bright, neon colors. Other facilities at the Nouvo City Hotel include a business center and meeting room, free outdoor parking, a free shopping mall shuttle, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.