Chic, quirky, and playful aren’t always qualities that mix well in a hotel, but LiT Bangkok blends these characteristics with ease, drawing tourists and business travelers alike. The hotel is unique among the surrounding low-rise buildings, with cantilevered floors and a futuristic decorative screen covering two external walls. The lobby is a bright, minimalist space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a mix of contemporary, low-slung furniture and retro armchairs, some of which are arranged around reclaimed hardwood tables. A grassy courtyard with Scandinavian wood furniture and sculptural design elements sits just outside and hallways are lit with blue and gold lights. The hotel’s dining and drinking spaces are stylish and laid-back at the same time, and feel almost like a slice of trend-setting Brooklyn in bustling Bangkok.

Just to the west of Bangkok’s vibrant Siam area and situated on a mostly quiet side street, the hotel is ideal for walking to shopping, dining, and nightlife. The National Stadium Skytrain station is only a four-minute walk from the hotel. Alternatively, the Ratchathewi Skytrain station is a 10-minute walk, but offers a more direct connection to destinations like Chatuchak Weekend Market in 25 minutes. The immediate area is filled with some of Bangkok’s legendary shopping malls, including MBK Center (a seven-minute walk), upscale Siam Paragon (a 15-minute walk), and CentralWorld, one of the world’s largest malls that’s accessible by skytrain in less than 10 minutes. Taxis to the Grand Palace and the historical temples of Rattanaksoin area will take up to 35 minutes, while Chinatown can be reached by connecting to the metro from the skytrain in 30 minutes. Taxis to Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi international airports can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, though the latter is reachable by connecting to the Airport Rail Link, a trip that takes just over an hour.

With names like Extra Radiance and Different Degree, the hotel’s 79 rooms are quirky and memorable, offering stylish spaces and a host of modern comforts. Outfitted with a blend of contemporary and futuristic furniture and antique wall art, Extra Radiance Rooms are bright and eye-catching. Yellow walls contrast red wood floors, while built-in travertine desks and burnished wood headboards give these rooms a cutting-edge flair. Different Degree Rooms and Triple Luxe Suites have the same flooring, but the former skew towards minimalism, with backlit cutout walls and room segments that break at odd angles, creating intimate and slightly awkward nooks like window-side work areas. Beds are comfortable, with white duvets and linens, and all rooms have minibars with free bottled water, safes, work desks, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Bathrooms vary from room to room, and Extra Radiance Room bathrooms are more appropriate for couples as the soaking tub and vanity are situated within the guest room (though the area can be sectioned off by a curtain). Different Degree bathrooms are striking and lined with gray marble, and though they are long and narrow, they feel luxurious with contemporary fixtures, soaking tubs and separate showers, and tub-side planters. All bathrooms include a complete line of toiletries as well as bathrobes and slippers. Screens have been added to the outside of the building to block some of the noise and unsightly construction going on next door, but this has the unfortunate effect of decreasing the natural light inside some of the rooms.

This hotel is committed to luxurious wellbeing across the board, and its on-site Kiriya Spa, fitness center, and pool are all ways to get a health boost while staying here. The wood-lined fitness center has several weight machines and free weights, as well as a limited amount of cardio equipment, mosaic-tiled steam room, and hot tub. The elegant Kiriya Spa is outfitted with vintage leather furniture and provides a shimmering, tropical escape in the middle of the city, with a wide array of therapeutic and beauty treatments that include traditional massage. The hotel’s infinity pool isn’t ideal for sunbathing as the building overhangs most of the surrounding terrace, but it is an oasis in a hectic part of the city and a great way to cool off after a long day. We also loved the coffee machine in the lobby for guests looking for a morning or mid-day pick-me-up.

The hotel has two interesting dining and drinking destinations: BCDE and Fiesta Steppe. BCDE stands for Bistro of Creative Drinking & Eating and serves updated takes on Thai classics in a homey, yet artsy space. The restaurant also serves the hotel’s breakfast buffet, which includes hot and cold options but is only free with certain bookings. Fiesta Steppe is open in the evening and located on an elevated terrace next to the hotel’s entrance. The ornamental grasses that separate some of the tables make the space feel secluded and fresh at the same time.

There is also a modern business center as well as stylish meeting rooms with audiovisual and catering services that can accommodate up to 60 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the 24-hour front desk can arrange airport transportation and provide concierge services.