The Siam

The Siam stands in three acres of gardens on the Chao Phraya River in Dusit, Bangkok's quarter of palaces, temples and museums, and is owned and run by the Sukosols, a family of musicians and entertainers across several generations. Bill Bensley designed it as a richly detailed take on the city's Art Deco years, and every suite and villa is individually furnished with antiques and early 20th-century oriental art from the owner's collection. The 28 suites in the Main Residence measure 80 to 100 square metres, with large king beds, separate baths and showers and a personal butler. The 10 pool villas, themed in Thai or Chinese Art Deco, add inner gardens, private pools and open-air roof terraces, and the century-old Connie's Cottage is the flagship residence. Chon Thai Restaurant, Deco Bar and Bistro and The Story House handle dining, and a small cooking school teaches the Thai kitchen. The Opium Spa has a bath house, steam room and sauna beside a riverside infinity pool, and there is a Muay Thai studio. A private pier and speedboat link the hotel with the centre.