Elevator pitch
When in Bangkok, one wouldn’t necessarily use the words ‘quaint’ or ‘serene’ but from where I was standing, at the newly-opened Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, a verdant green pasture that happened to be Nai Lert Park was my view from the hotel. By design and placement, finding a place that could echo the all-immersive Aman standard in the busy capital of Thailand had to be quite the feat. And fortunately, the name Nai Lert would hold the right cards.
Aman might be a household name globally but in Thailand, the Nai Lert name goes beyond hospitality. Birthed from the man Nai Lert, who is Thailand’s first developer, it’s a beacon of entrepreneurship and pioneer excellence—as well as prime land ownership. With the two forces joining hands together to build Aman’s first hotel in the bustling capital of Thailand, there was good reason to its surrounding fervour and a testament to the allure of the city.
As with all Aman properties, there’s always a cultural and heritage ode embedded in its bones. My first taste of it was through the lobby’s astounding tree sculpture that pays homage to the existing rain tree on the park grounds. The gigantic tree is adorned with over 6,000 gold leaves, and peppered with paper lanterns on water, another tradition that locals practise during the annual Loi Krathong festival. A majestic sight that is only but a tip of the iceberg with the hotel’s arsenal of art pieces. All of which a labour of love; designed alongside French art advisor Martin Gerlier who collaborated closely with the Nai Lert family. Produced by local craftsmen, each bespoke piece carries a part of the family’s legacy and Thai heritage.
The stay
Past the lift doors, I find myself marvelling at yet another centrepiece, just before checking out my suite on the 16th floor. Right outside my room is a reflective expanse of water lavished with huge rock sculptures, with the intention of instilling a sense of zen even before entering your personal quarters.
Once inside, the suite first enshrouds in dark wood as mood lighting slowly comes into the fore, illuminating the entire space. A generous dressing area awaits, while to my side, the bathroom that comprises a huge circular tub as well as the vanity. In the expansive bedroom-cum-lounge area—where more light could be attained—is where I spent most of my days, gazing down at the park with room service in tow.
iPad in hand, I could access all electronic switches and room features—and more importantly a live chat with the staff on hand. From there, spa sessions could be booked as well as food orders freshly delivered from the restaurant (my favourite had to be mee gang poo, a yellow crab curry with rice noodles).
The amenities
As captivating as the city is, Aman makes it all too easy to be swept up indoors. The day usually starts off with a dip in the pool, built around a towering 100-year-old tree that has been lovingly preserved. Here, the bar is also fully open to ply you with drinks, cocktails, sunscreen, you name it.
Surely, the spa beckons or more accurately, the wellness centre as Aman calls it. An astounding sanctuary that takes up two entire floors. From a state-of-the-art gym and a recovery room that hosts a cold plunge pool, jacuzzi and a steam room, there was no doubt of the hotel’s dedication to holistic living—especially with its all-new Detoxification Programme by tennis legend Novak Djokovic.
For 90 minutes, my body gave in to the invigorating strokes of a massage rooted in ancient Thai healing practices. This Clay Pot Compress Oil Massage, utilises a heated clay pot filled with various herbs and wrapped in a cape lily leaf and muslin bag, which is rolled and pressed alongside my therapist’s expertise. Beyond improved circulation and deep, deep relaxation, the traditional massage tool felt like a soothing balm especially when placed on certain muscles that needed extra attention.
Two floors down is where one can also procure a treatment that goes beyond the facials. Birthed from a partnership, Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic provides a plethora of services, from IV drips, fillers, botox and more—with doctors on hand to consult.
The food
Given that the main draw to why people flock to Bangkok is for authentic Thai cuisine, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok made sure to meet that tall order. Over the course of my stay, my favourite part of the day was breakfast time. At all day-dining restaurant 1872 (named after Nai Lert’s birth year), culinary excellence could easily be gleaned from the perfect kai jeow poo (crab egg omelette), moo ping (grilled pork skewers with sticky rice) and even through the continental selects, where I found myself developing an unhealthy relationship with a certain truffle gruyère toast. Everything was made à la minute, something that I appreciated with hotel breakfast buffets.
When afternoon rolls around post-massage, Italian restaurant Arva fills the void with a good list of fresh pastas and plenty of seafood options, from seasonal catches that go from platters to baked creations. Over at the 19th floor where the Aman Club resides, the gourmet options veer Japanese; from an intimate omakase sushi restaurant to a teppanyaki grill. At the latter, I concluded the night with a delectable tasting menu—of uni brioches, a grilled kampachi and a wagyu sirloin that still remains a definitive highlight. Nightcaps? A sure thing at the Aman Lounge’s bar, especially with friendly mixologists serving up customisable cocktails alongside live entertainment.
Book a stay at Aman Nai Lert Bangkok here.
