Review of 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok

Centrally located in Sukhumvit in the affluent Phrom Phong district, the elite EmQuartier and Emporium shopping destinations are close at hand together with abundant eateries, bars and clubs in this fashionable part of the city. Tourist attractions such as the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Bangkok’s other sites are within easy reach via the nearby Skytrain, a ten-minute stroll away. The property also operates a London cab (called Louie) shuttle service for hotel residents to and from the station. 

Chauffeur driven limousines are available for airport transfers and other destinations with a FastTrack immigration service available as required. It is around 24 kilometres / 15 miles to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 20 kilometres / 13 miles to Don Muang International Airport. 

For local drivers, there is complimentary on-site parking for residents and guests.

The 34 luxurious suites are located on the upper floors of this contemporary 32-story building with exclusive around the clock access to the rooftop and the 360-degree infinity pool, Sky Bar and cabanas as well as privileged access to the Baan Borneo Club Lounge on Level 26. 

All the suites offer butler service, in-room private wine cellars with maxi bars; user-friendly mood lighting; high ceilings; large walk-in wardrobes, flip-top safes with electric outlets; makeup tables, digital IPTV with international channels and en-suite marble bathrooms with signature circular 137 Pillars bathtubs complete with built-in television and a state-of-the-art Bose sound system. The Posturepedic Ultra Plus beds come with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton linens whilst the balconies feature signature 137 Pillars rocking chairs and an expansive daybed for two as well as a coffee table and chairs to enjoy those stunning city views. 

All the suite categories are named for illustrious eras in royal Thai history and offer a sleek, urban contemporary style – the entry level one-bedroom Sukhothai Suites offering 70 square metres of space with magnificent marble bathrooms overlooking the city; the larger elegantly appointed Ayutthaya Suites with 95 square metres of space; the Thonburi Suites with 116 square metres of space with large Sukhumvit-facing balconies and the largest suites, the Rattanakosin two-bedroom Suites come complete with a private dining room and a three metre balcony to take in the city skyline. 

For longer stays and residential space, 137 Residences Bangkok combine luxury with world-class facilities with spacious and apartment style Studio Apartments and one- and two-bedroom Residences. Residences guests have access to the infinity pool on Level 27, to all the health and fitness offerings of the hotel and enjoy fully equipped bespoke kitchens, separate washer and dryers, daily housekeeping services and 24-hour in-residence dining. 

Offering smart, contemporary living with a neutral colour palette, the Residences range in size from The Pillars Executive Studio Residences at 40 and 45 square metres, The Pillars One-Bedroom Residences at 61, 62 and 65 square metre configurations with dining tables seating up to four people, The Pillars Executive One Bedroom Residences at 71 square metres of space right up to The Pillars Executive Two Bedroom Residences at 91 square metres of urban living.

137 Pillars Suites & Residences’ rooftop pool (and Cabana Lounge) is one of the most famous and glamorous in Bangkok. With an infinity edge on three sides, guests enjoy an unbeatable view out over the city of Bangkok. The second main pool on floor 27 also has the “wow” factor with equally stunning views from the infinity edge, together with Jacuzzis and cabanas to chill out high above the hustle and bustle of the city, a butler with refreshments always within beckoning distance.

The Nitra Spa & Wellness centre is located on Level 28 and features three treatment rooms each offering steam facilities and showers offering a full range of face and body care treatments and holistic therapies. The spa uses only 100% organic products presented by a team of highly skilled therapists.

Workouts in the 24/7 Fitness Centre on the sixth floor also enjoy a city view. The space features a range of free weights and cardiovascular equipment with personal trainers on hand to help beef up that circuit if required. The property also offers classes and programmes in Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, PNF stretching, Muay Thai, Private Training, Suspension Training, Zumba, Body Blitz and more. On the same level, is an outdoor Golf Driving Range and indoor Simulation Studio.

For the artistic minded, the property offers bespoke private art tours with a local art guru – an initiative which seems a natural evolution, given the number of well-known artists whose work is showcased at the hotel. These tours allow guests to delve deeper into the Bangkok art scene with special access to locations most travellers will never see.

For many travellers today, the design literate boutique hotels are a welcome change from the global hotel brands that proliferate today. The independently owned 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok is a surprising delight and a tempting alternative for the Bangkok-bound looking for something a little different.

Its all-suite accommodation offers everything you can possibly want in terms of high calibre amenities whilst the range of restaurants and wide breadth of leisure facilities is astonishing for a hotel as “petite” as this one. The golf driving range, putting green and simulator is a lovely touch and I defy anyone not to want to order either the signature circular bathtub or that balcony rocking chair for your home … or possibly both. Add to that of course, those amazing views, especially from the unique 360-degree rooftop pool, and you could find yourself hooked for life.

With two hotels under the belt of this Thai-owned family concern, it will be really interesting to see what the future holds. Watch this space.

For a boutique hotel, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok offers a wide range of food and beverage experiences including Nimitr & Nimitr Terrace on Level 27, offering unique Asian-inspired cuisine. Enter via a pair of antique wood doors into a unique space designed by Sophie Bughin and Faun Israsena na Ayudhaya of Santhaya & Associates. A palette of blues has been offset by gold, marble and warm lighting with high ceilings lending an impression of space magnified by floor to ceiling picture windows framing the Bangkok skyline. The spacious Nimitr Terrace is perfect for those who prefer dining al fresco.

The wood panelled Jack Bain’s Bar one level up pays homage to the gentleman who worked for the Borneo Trading Company and lived in the historical homestead at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai and is designed with a gentleman’s club-like vibe complete with terrace seating with views over the city. With an extensive selection of premium whiskies and gins, Asian-inspired and classic cocktails, Jack Bain’s Bar serves up a delicious menu of tapas. There is also an extensive collection of premium Old and New World Wines as well as a good selection of champagnes and sparkling wines showcased on a Wine Wall alongside Asian, western and craft beers.

On Level 26, the brand’s signature Baan Borneo Club, exclusive to suite guests and private members, offers a complimentary harvest breakfast table and an a la carte breakfast menu, as well as afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails. 

The all-day dining bistro and deli, Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Bar, located at street level, serves a gourmet menu of globally inspired dishes, organic coffee and teas, unique craft beers, signature cocktails and more, much more. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, this light and bright eaterie was designed as a place to connect the neighbourhood and beyond over good food, drinks and conversation. With floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking a lush green alfresco seating area, the main interior features beautiful white marble floors and tables, teak accents and travel themed objets d’art. Open all day, the menu includes a varied list of favourite Western and Asian inspired bistro fare using sustainably produced ingredients from around the world and local organically grown meats and vegetables.

For those seeking lighter fare, the culinary team at the Bangkok Trading Post Bistro & Bar offers an alternative menu of tasty yet healthy cuisine for both lunch and dinner, served alongside a healthy tonics drink list.

The Pool Bar is the perfect place to relax and refresh as it is situated next to the infinity edged pool with expansive views over the city. Enjoy cocktails, fresh juices, light refreshments and light bites whilst escaping from the city streets far below.

137 Pillars Suites & Residences has an ongoing sustainability policy in place and has plans to expand this to more areas of the hotel especially front of house.

The hotel uses LED lights throughout the property to save energy and the air conditioning units in the guest rooms are also controlled by sensors so when the balcony doors are open, the AC automatically switches off. The room key cards have a green function that can control what power is used when nobody is in the room and motion detectors help to save electricity by turning off unneeded lights. The two-step toilet flushing system helps to save water as does the high-tech sprinkler system in the gardens and the innovative pool treatment system. The advanced Heat Pump System not only helps keep the property nice and cool but has also been designed to save energy.

The hotel has eliminated the use of plastic straws from all its food and beverage outlets, replaced plastic water bottles in the rooms with glass bottles, replaced the plastic containers for shampoo, conditioner and body lotion with suitable dispensers, expanded its purchasing policy to more sustainable suppliers in Thailand and maximised its recycling efforts for any water paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and aluminium.

Says Anne Arrowsmith, Corporate General Manager of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, “As a luxury hotel, our clients want to know that we are doing as much as we can to ensure that their stay is as sustainable as can be and our goal is to not only meet those expectations but to surpass them.” 

The group conducts training sessions with its associates to ensure that not only are the hotels as sustainable as possible but that each employee take these best practices home with them.