One could say The Standard Hotels are one of the OGs of the boutique “cool, hip hotel”. Where hotels were once pristine and prim, The Standard introduced a modern, design-led space where creators gather and showcase their artistry. From DJ nights and talks to parties and merch collaborations, it’s a kind of social-hub hotel experience. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon lives up to its tagline, “Anything but Standard”, from the moment you enter right up to the rooftop bar.
In Bangkok, the hotel sits within the iconic King Power Mahanakhon in the Silom/Sathon central business district. Its irregular, pixelated architecture, home to Bangkok’s highest glass skywalk, makes it an address worth associating with.
Beyond the rooms, spacious with retro sofas and uplifting colour palettes, the hotel also houses meeting and events spaces, shops, and a fully equipped fitness centre that goes beyond the usual. It’s open to the local community, notably with facilities for HYROX training and more. The public spaces, especially the restaurants, are clearly designed with locals in mind.
There are seven eateries in total. On the second floor is Mott 32 Bangkok, the award-winning Chinese restaurant from Hong Kong, best known for its Peking duck, alongside Cantonese dishes with influences from Beijing and Szechuan. Then there’s The Parlour, a space to unwind or turn things up with live music and DJ sets. Tease, a tea room dressed in geometric black-and-white patterns, feels like stepping into Alice in Wonderland: whimsical, playful, and perfect for afternoon tea or late-night cocktails.
Further up, The Standard Grill offers an American-style steakhouse menu in a dark, ultra-cosy setting. Featuring bright interiors by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon alongside The Standard’s in-house team, there’s something to discover in every corner. Even in the lobby, each ornament feels intentionally sourced and beautifully curated.
But what really stands out is colour. Colour, concept, and personality sit at the core of the hotel’s identity. Inspired by the dynamism of Bangkok, the design weaves in traditional materials, most notably the oversized rattan lamps in the lobby, produced in Thailand. The interiors play with a retro-futurist direction, with mid-century arches, rounded lines, and bold graphic details set against a lively palette. Though each space has its own identity, there’s a clear sense of cohesion. And the curved corners throughout? We couldn’t get enough of them.
Next door, Double Standard serves breakfast, though a draught beer in the middle of the concrete jungle feels just as fitting.
Ojo Bangkok, located on Level 76, is Thailand’s highest restaurant. Designed in striking pink and gold by Ou Baholyodhin, this modern Mexican concept is helmed by celebrity chef Francisco Paco Ruano of Alcalde. It’s more than just visually impressive. Food here is especially good when shared with family or friends. The outdoor terrace offers sweeping 360-degree views.
Above that, Sky Beach at Level 78 is Bangkok’s highest rooftop bar, pairing American-style bites with inventive cocktails, live DJs, and panoramic city views.
The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon feels like the cool kid on the block. The space just works. Even the lift music feels like a prelude to an indie underground party. Whatever your age or background, there’s something freeing about being here, a place where you can simply be who you want to be.
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