Review: Hansar Bangkok

When deciding where to stay in Bangkok, you are spoilt for choice: no matter your preference for location, design, or atmosphere, there are many fantastic hotels, and often at rates that would be unimaginable in other major Asian cities, like say, Hong Kong. While it’s easy to be drawn in by big-name brands (they’re all here or on their way), I opted to also try a different hotel I had heard good things about: Hansar Bangkok. Hansar Hotels (Hansar means “to be in the moment of full joy and happiness” in Thai) has three properties in Thailand, the other two being resorts near Hua Hin and on the island of Koh Samui. Hansar Bangkok is an all-suite hotel, just off of Radjadamri Road, opposite the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, in a neighborhood of hotels, fancy apartment buildings, and embassies. To find the entrance of the hotel, you’ll turn down a small street in between what was the Four Seasons Bangkok (now Anantara Siam) and the St. Regis Bangkok. There are 94 suites in total, starting with Studios at a very spacious 59 sq m, running up to 125 sq m duplex Loft Suites. The hotel has a residence component as well.

I booked two nights in an entry-level Studio, knowing that I was arriving very early in the morning on an overnight flight, to ensure I could access my room at 7am. Radjadamri BTS station is steps away, so I took the train from the airport into the city, switching to the BTS for the last part of the transfer to the hotel – it’s easy, cheap, and fast, but if you’re carrying a suitcase it’ll be pretty sweaty carrying it up and down stairs in the heat and humidity of the city. It was understandably quiet when I arrived, so check in took just a few minutes. Taking the lift up, you’ll find that the rooms are clustered around an open-air atrium, which means that between exiting the lift and getting to your room, you’ll be ‘outside’ again for a short while. My Studio felt absolutely huge, especially being there on my own. As you walk in, there is a wardrobe, kitchen (complete with washing machine – not something you see very often), and work area.

Continuing on, you step into the main part of the Studio, which has a seating area at the food of the king-size bed, facing a large flatscreen TV. To the left of the bed, you turn back on yourself into the bathroom, which had lots of closet space, a double vanity, a soaker tub, separate rain shower, and toilet. Sliding doors allow you to close off the various parts of the suite. My Studio also had a small balcony, which overlooked the Four Seasons / Anantara Siam below and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club beyond. I thought the design of the room was very tasteful, with lots of teak wood and beautiful silk fabrics, contrasted by the white sheets on the – very comfortable – bed. Urban and Edge suites (the next two categories) add the interesting element of a living wall of greenery, an unusual touch that, though surely not easy to implement and maintain, I’d love to see at more hotels.

Breakfast was included in my rate, which I had both the morning I arrived and the next day before I left. There was a buffet, as well as a range of dishes to order – I had Eggs Benedict one morning, which were excellent. I didn’t take any other meals at the hotel, but restaurant Eve by Hansar serves French Mediterranean cuisine, while Café Boca has both Thai and Western dishes.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers on the eighth floor, along with a pool bar that serves drinks and light meals. Luxsa Spa has a range of treatments based on the four elements (earth, water, air, and fire) of Thai medicine and healing.

WiFi is free throughout the public spaces and in the room – it worked without fail on multiple devices throughout my stay.

Service throughout my stay was excellent – I didn’t spend a lot of time in the hotel, but anyone I encountered or spoke to was gracious and friendly.

I really enjoyed my stay at Hansar Bangkok. With an extremely convenient location, stylish and comfortable rooms, I’d happily recommend it. If you are looking to stay for more than a night or two and want a bit of additional space, I think it is particularly worth considering – even more so with amenities like a kitchen and washing machine, which can make a real difference.