Courtesy of 137 Pillars Bangkok
Courtesy of 137 Pillars Bangkok
At 137 Pillar Suites & Residences Bangkok, guests can immerse themselves and find sanctuary amidst the busy city.
In the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand, there are plenty of things to do. From visiting historic temples and the Royal Grand Palace to eating street food and shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend market, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the culture and spirit of Thailand. This time around, deputy editor Pam Quiñones attended Rajo Laurel’s fashion show for his “Lahí” collection. While attending the show, the editor stayed in one of the city’s award-winning luxury hotels, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok.
Originating from Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars has its roots in heritage history. Named after the number of pillars found in the original property, the hotel builds on the history of Baan Borneo, a historic original teak homestead dating back to the late 1800s. The teakwood, colonial-style house used to be the East Borneo Company’s headquarters, and was owned by figures such as Louis Leonowens and William Bain. In honor of its past, the Wongphanlert family, who are the current owners, preserved the old trees and restored the environment during its renovation process.
Following the success of the Chiang Mai property, the hotel opened a second location in Bangkok in 2017, nestled in the cosmopolitan Sukhumvit-Phrom Phong district. With 179 residences and 34 suites, the hotel offers a range of relaxation for its guests. For starters, there’s the rejuvenating spa for guests to pamper themselves and infinity pools with panoramic views.
Guests can also view the city skyline while indulging in Thai cuisine at Nimtir Restaurant, or perhaps find comfort in casually dining at Bangkok Trading Post. At night, guests can also wind down with a drink at Jack Bain’s Bar, a speakeasy-style establishment known for its Thai-British fusion cocktails.
For Quiñones, the hotel served as a refuge from the bustling city. “Stepping into a suite at 137 Pillars feels like entering a dream urban sanctuary,” Quiñones shares. Inside a suite, the interiors are enveloped in dark wood, giving it an immediate sense of warmth and grounded luxury. The room welcomes guests with a foyer, flanked by a sleek kitchen and refined power room, which then opens up into a living and dining area.
Quiñones shares that the bedroom has one of the most inviting beds she’s ever experienced, but what impressed her is the bathroom. “The walls open up completely, creating an incredible sense of flow and breathing space,” she shares. “I had the most restorative bubble bath there the night before a major shoot. It was the perfect ritual before an early call time.” The way the design flows, she says, makes the suite feel less like a hotel room and more of a “private, architectural residence.”
Aside from welcoming guests inside the hotel, 137 Pillars also invites them out to the city. For those who want to explore more of Bangkok, a “Louie Tour” program is available for booking, which can be curated according to the guests’ preferences and interests, ranging from art and culture to shopping and wellness.
For the deputy editor, staying in the hotel also allowed her to experience more of Thonglor. “While I’ve visited Thonglor before, staying at 137 Pillars allowed me actually to live the neighborhood’s rhythm,” she says. “It made me realize that Thonglor is, without a doubt, my favorite pocket of Bangkok. It has a specific energy that resonates with my style, and it’s certainly where I’ll be basing myself for my future trips to the city.”
Whether stepping out into Phrom-Phong’s streets or retreating into a suite above the city, guests find themselves moving seamlessly between immersion and escape. In the balance lies the hotel’s true luxury: the ability to let Bangkok reveal itself around you, while offering a sanctuary to return to.
