Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by admin
Are you travelling to Bangkok and looking for hotels in Bangkok? It is best to stay in the central area that has access to public transportation and is close to all the touristy places. I stayed at the Kimpton Maa-Lai, a luxury boutique hotel that is perfectly located along the tourist sites. Read on this Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Review to know what I loved the most and why I recommend it.
Bangkok unveiled its grandeur as soon as I hopped in a taxi from the airport, traversing through the bustling city, until I reached the heart of the city. With embassies and parks around, this area exuded a certain charm and irresistible natural allure that captivated me.
A sense of warmth engulfed me as I walked in the door after being greeted with ‘Sawasdee’. I was way earlier than the check-in time and being a busy week in Bangkok with many events, concerts and conferences lined up, the hotel was full.
I was directed towards the waiting area which has complimentary cookies, coffee and tea choices. I decided to take a walk around the hotel premises and get to know the hotel better while waiting for the room key.
Table of Contents
ABOUT KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK HOTEL
Surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant modernity, Kimpton Maa-Lai rests on the leafy-green Langsuan Road near the Lumpini Park. While this area is dotted with numerous luxurious establishments, Kimpton Maa-Lai surpasses them all and boasts of being in the centre of all the social happenings 24×7.
Standing tall in the sky, this property spans across 11 landscaped acres, infusing elements of SouthEast-Asian culture. Here, the essence and sophistication of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) truly comes alive, with thoughtful amenities, playful design and a sincere personal touch.
MAA-LAI stems from the age-old Thai philosophy “lamiat”, which says that life should be approached as a work of art. Taking the philosophy very seriously, the staff at the hotel continuously craft and refine the details in the pursuit of perfection in each department.
KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK REVIEW
After waiting for a couple of hours, I was greeted by Ms Tawan Moody, Assistant Marketing Communications Manager at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. I went on a guided tour with her around the hotel to check out the various restaurants, library, gym and infinity pool. At the end of the guided tour I was given my room key. So let me start with that first.
Rooms at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Ms Tawan informed me that there are a total of 362 Accommodation Rooms in this 40 floors building that includes rooms, suites and service residences. The rooms use organic materials and traditional Thai artisanship given the hotel, a modern, linear architecture. The bedrooms and bathrooms that have been fully appointed with modern creature comforts, the richly layered spaces offer a luxurious, cocoon-like vibe, beckoning a savvy, design-minded crowd to settle in and stay a while.
Asian artistic heritage is reflected in every corner, starting with complimentary HARNN amenities and local art. From triple-glazed windows to rid all noises and VIFA Nordic sound system to intelligent newly gilded Dyson hair dryers glammed up in all suites and anti-fog bathroom mirrors, the hotel blurs the line between hotel and urban Eden.
I entered my room located on the 23rd floor and the view of Bangkok skyline from my room made me gasp! A welcome note with complimentary bite-sized Thai Luk Chup (Mung Bean Dessert) in the shape of vegetables, an edible chocolate tuk-tuk and few other Thai sweets welcomed me into my room.
A twin bed with all modern amenities including a smart TV, a stereo, a stacked mini-bar that included alcoholic drinks, and a coffee machine were in the room.
In addition to the floor-to-ceiling windows with automatic drapes, the room’s reading corner has options to read books or simply lounge there in awe with the skyline to allow guests to unwind.
From the plush bathtubs to soak in after a long day out in Bangkok city, or the uber comfortable beds to nap, Kimpton Maa-Lai sure knows how to make guests’ stay a memorable one.
Oh and drinking water was served in glass bottles. Talk about taking on sustainability!
Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok Cafe
First of the first food options in Maa-Lai right after passing the entrance lobby is CRAFT Cafe. The first thing I noticed here were the pets lounging around in the cafe with their human parents. The friendly vibe with soothing music sure made its presence felt.
CRAFT cafe is open throughout the day and night and serves handcrafted coffee, curates creative cocktails, finger foods and serves craft beers in a garden patio space. The cafe is the designated pitstop to pick up a snack, to linger for a chat or to sit down for a nightcap with healthy, vegan and vegetarian options.
I promised myself to come back here after the guided tour was over. Afterall having Thai Tea in Bangkok is a ritual I must stick to.
Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok Restaurant
Ms.Jigger is an Italian Restaurant in Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok that serves artisanal pizzas, pasta and bite-sized Italian cicchetti – fiery meatballs, carpaccio with truffle oil, and crackling artichoke hearts – alongside a globe-trotting menu of heady drinks.
Timeless and tasteful, one gets to choose their preferred poison, from small-batch spirits and bespoke wines to handcrafted cocktails. If you prefer an outdoor terrace setting then the drinks and food will be served there.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Rooftop Bar
Popular even amongst the locals, Bar.Yard is a rooftop bar located on the 40th floor that serves some amazing cocktails, mocktails, finger foods with a side of Bangkok Skyline views.
Perched above the city and set against the serene backdrop of Lumphini Park, the award winning Bar.Yard provides a visual and auditory spectacle. The cocktails and mocktails at Bar.Yard are not simply mixed; they are meticulously crafted.
With a menu of specials, there is a range of Thai and international craft beers on the beverage menu. As I sip on the newly introduced Chinese craft gin called the Peddlers, I hear about the culinary journey that takes the seasonal farm-to-plate route and dishes out slow food.
The menu here features two weekly specials – Taco Tuesdays and Paella Sundays as well as a special vegetarian section.
Whether it’s a weeknight or the weekend, Bar.Yard gives you all the right reasons to stay out late. The taste of the summer flows through the ambiance as well as island spirits, classic cocktails and some serious music. With a crew of creative DJs spinning fresh, daily mixes and something always on, Bar.Yard is designed for good times.
All inclusive Breakfast at Kimpton Maa-Lai
Maa-Lai offers a buffet option as part of the accommodation at Stock.Room.
The menu is a combination of Thai cuisine (comprising veg curries and different types of meat) as well as international cuisine such as continental, Arabic, Mexican and Indian in order to cater to all types of guests. A selection of fresh tropical fruits, nuts and smoothies make their presence felt. A vegetarian and vegan can happily eat here without worrying about their food preferences.
There is a live egg station where you can order the eggs you want. As well as fresh bread and a dessert counter with divinely fragrant croissants, fruit danish and cakes.
Stock.Room as the name suggests is also the in-hotel gourmet grocerant where visitors can shop for groceries, see it cooked and savour it post the breakfast hours. The casual, cozy space boasts at least six pop-up food stalls, serving up sophisticated street-eats and whatnot, from crazy cheeses and freshest seafood to made-to-order pasta. Visitors can even try their handing in making Pad Thai under the watchful eye of the chef.
Infinity Pool at Maa-Lai, Bangkok
I cannot write a Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok review without the mention of its infinity pool.
Located on the third floor, the outdoor infinity pool is nestled in the hotel’s secret garden. This little urban oasis is adorned with lush local flora and potted plants, where visitors can take a quick refreshing dip, curl up on the sun lounger, read a book, or put on your headphones and enjoy your favourite playlist.
The Bangkok skyline from the pool is pretty great too and makes the soaking special!
Gym
Maa-Lai doesn’t want its visitors to slack off just because they are on vacation. With all gym equipment and an in-house gym instructor, embrace that fit body while in the hotel. Sculpt your body whenever you want when you stay at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
There is a fitness instructor who acts as the bodybuilder and nutritionist, while the Yoga Master practises zen stretches and Fitness Instructor teaches Thai boxing and any sport you have in mind.
Yoga timings are fixed and are generally in early morning or evening. You can reserve your spot by requesting the reception or concierge desk.
Amaranth spa
The spa focuses on harnessing the energy flow by using organic ingredients, designed to indulge and revive. Like the enchanting amaranth flower and energy stone, the hotel spa in Bangkok offers the residents an array of healing therapies that fuses ancient Oriental wisdom with modern cosmetic techniques, including muscle-soothing massages, refreshing facials and Amaranth-scented rituals.
The best part is, hotel residents can book a spa in their room if you feel uncomfortable in public premises.
Maa-Lai Library
Served on the 30th floor at the Maa-Lai Library, the “Afternoon Tea at the Library” is the highest elevation afternoon tea served in town, crowned by a panoramic view of the lush Langsuan greenery surrounds.
Maa-Lai Library is inspired by the concept of a cosy library corner in a private home. A place where imagination is set aflutter, this contemporary cocoon is bathed in the afternoon sun’s rays, as the ideal venue for lounging, reading and enjoying light refreshments.
The elevated, relaxing space has its own spacious terrace to enjoy the weather and the unobstructed vantage points so you can watch life happen.
There is a complimentary high tea here at 4pm!
SUSTAINABILITY AT KIMPTON-MAA-LAI
The IHG group is conscious of the environment and has inculcated many sustainable values in all of its hotels. Maa-Lai is no different! Some of the initiatives include the type of construction, no plastic policy, solar energy, effluent treatment plant, and others. Let us look at them in detail.
Environmentally friendly procurement
- Majority of chemical supplies are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- Biodegradable straws used in hotels and cafes.
- Biodegradable tissue papers in employee and guest bathrooms.
- Choosing to install showers, faucets, toilets and urinals that use water economically or have a sensor system for both the hotel’s guests and staff.
Environmental and Energy Management
- Activity to promote water saving by not changing towels every day in guest rooms to help reduce the hotel’s water consumption.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Silver Award (LEED)
- Rental bikes and electric scooters available for customers in front of the lobby to promote wellness and lessen energy consumption.
- 41% of the hotel area is green garden oasis. Different tree species have been planted in the garden oasis, which creates a tranquil atmosphere and offers enough shade for CRAFT, one of the hotel restaurant, outdoor terrace.
HOW TO REACH KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK
Situated in the heart of the Langsuan area and nestled beside Lumphini Park, the crown jewel of the city’s green spaces, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is 40 km from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 24 km from Don Muang International Airport.
Visitors can request airport pick-up for an extra charge. Or if your prefer MRT or other public transportation, these are the options:
From Don Muang Airport
Option 1: Bus
Take the A3 bus from exit no. 6 and ride 45 minutes to Ratchadamri BTS station. Take a cab from there to the hotel which is 1.5 km. If you have less luggage, and prefer to walk it is an easy 10 minutes walk. Cost – 50 baht.
Option 2: Taxi
Hail an app-based taxi – Grab/Bolt. Download the app before travelling and enter the destination. The taxi takes about 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. Cost – 450 baht.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
Option 1: Train
Airport Rail Link operates a train from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ratchaprarop station every 15 minutes. Train takes only 25-30 minutes to reach Ratchaprarop. From Ratchaprarop station, Maa-Lai is 10 minutes away by taxi. Total cost 40 baht (train) + 70 baht (taxi).
Option 2: Shuttle Public Van
There are shuttle public vans that operate between the Suvarnabhumi airport to Victory Monument near Ratchaprarop station. From the Victory monument, one can ride a taxi to Maa-Lai. Total cost 100 baht (public van) + 70 baht (taxi).
Option 3: Taxi
Hail an app-based taxi – Grab/Bolt. Download the app before travelling and enter the destination. The taxi takes about 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. Cost – 650 baht.
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK REVIEW
I had a relaxing time at Kimpton Maa-Lai and especially loved the hospitality, attention to detail, and during the short visit that I was there. The resort is extremely beautiful, cozy, and comfortable with delicious food. Based on my experience, I would say that Kimpton Maa-Lai is one of the best luxury Bangkok hotels in the city. The staff is friendly and one can easily pick up a conversation with them. The warm hospitality is a warrant I would love to come back and stay here.
BOOK YOUR LUXURY HOTEL IN BANGKOK!
Address: 78 Soi Tonson Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok, Thailand 10330
Maa-Lai contact no.: +66 (0)2 056 9999
Click here to book a room for yourself!
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Disclosure – I was a guest at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok in February 2024. However, all opinions in this post are unbiased and of my own.
Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.
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