This article is one of an ongoing series of luxury reviews to be published by WealthBriefingAsia on the region's finest new hotels, bars and restaurants. 

Book Oriental Residence through Kiwi Collection’s VISA Luxury Hotel Collection with a premium or platinum card and receive additional benefits and perks including late checkout at 3pm, upgrade upon availability, complimentary in-room internet or valet parking, complimentary continental breakfast and a $25 food or beverage voucher.

Kiwi Collection provides expert guidance on the best luxury hotels to book for a range of tastes and budgets – from Ryokans in Japan and tented luxury camps in Africa, to luxurious palaces in Europe and hip urban hotels globally. The collection – which currently features 2,500 hotels in 134 countries – is curated by a team of experts positioned in strategic locations around the world, who carefully select properties based on a rigorous 100 point check list to ensure the highest standards.

To enter The Oriental Residence is to retreat momentarily from modern Bangkok’s frenetic epicentre into classic, colonial-era Asia.

The Lobby

Here East meets West with delicious chemistry. Sumptuously decorated with painted wood paneling, leathered taupe marble and painted wood shuttered windows, the décor whispers of casual elegance. Crystal chandeliers adorn the high ceilings and a photographic collage of black-and-white olden day Thailand draws the weary traveller's eye.

The boutique condominium project was launched in the third quarter of 2008 by Thailand’s Thai Contractors Association, which was previously headquartered on the site of The Oriental Residence. Located at 110 Wireless Road, neighbouring the American Embassy and overlooking the lush semi-tropical greenery of Lumpini Park, the hotel enjoys one of Bangkok’s most prestigious addresses. But The Oriental Residence is unusual in more ways than one.

Unique among luxury Bangkok hotels, each of the 145 rooms is a more akin to a serviced apartment, complete with its own fully-equipped private kitchen suite, with a microwave, refrigerator and stove, and even a set of bone china crockery.

One bedroom suite

Tubtim Pratipwattanawong, marketing manager for the brand, said there has been a lot of interest from Bangkok’s long-stay business travellers, who need a home-from-home for a month or more. But a new breed of luxury traveller, who prefers a sense of anonymity during their holidays, are also being drawn to the concept.

Serviced apartments range from a near-500 square foot one-bedroom suite, to a three-bedroom suite of nearly 2,000 square foot. Interiors are by Chiantr Living, the Thai luxury home furnishing retailer, with its signature hardwood floors and artistic imported furnishings. Prices range between an affordable THB4,300 (US$139) to THB9,700 per night, and occupancy is already up to 60-70 per cent, said Pratipwattanawong.

And for those who really enjoy their stay, there is the opportunity to establish a more permanent base at The Oriental Residence. It is one of the few developments in Bangkok to offer luxury condominiums for sale, as well as serviced apartments.

The forty-five private condominiums of one to three bedrooms are located on the 22^nd to 31^st floors of the hotel, secure with their own private entrance and guard. Only a fifth of the condominiums remain since they were launched 18 months ago, having mostly been snapped up by local businessmen and entrepreneurs, and a handful of foreigners.

Inside the condos, a clean colour scheme of light dove grey, black and white, and neutral greens and ivories, juxtaposes understated Barbara Barry furniture, with a few nostalgic references to turn-of-the-century Thailand.

 The swimming pool at dusk

Residents enjoy access to the exclusive pool and sky terrace on the 32^nd floor, with unrivalled views over Bangkok’s iconic skyline. Prices start from approximately THB20 million (US$649,000), but are selling fast.

Both residents and guests alike can make use of the state-of-the-art fitness centre, meeting rooms and limousine service, while the second floor houses the Maai Spa with private treatment suites and a beauty salon. A stunning 20 metre infinity swimming pool offers views over Bangkok’s iconic skyline on the fourth floor ‘playdeck’.

And one need never leave the comfort of the hotel for a gourmet meal. Café Claire, a boutique European-style eaterie, offers favourites like miso-glazed snow fish, the signature Café Claire croque madame, and the heavenly coffee-infused Venetian tiramisu. For those who prefer authentic Chinese, next door is Mandopop, an innovative Chinese dining experience with a smorgasbord of traditional Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hakka dishes.

Café Claire