6 BANGKOK REGAL SPLENDOUR The Southeast Asian city emerging from lockdown with the most verve, the Thai capital had two major hotel openings that are only recently available to foreigners – and both deserve attention: Four Seasons at Chao Phraya River, a spectacular sanctuary designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, and Capella Bangkok, a magical design-led property by the eponymous Singapore-based hospitality group that overlooks the Chao Phraya. Both hotels boast a Michelin-star restaurant, adding to a booming culinary scene across town, with a cosmopolitan range of flavours: Nordic fare at Villa Frantzén, for instance, Maison Dunand for French cuisine, or Mexican marvels at Ojo, the 76th-storey eatery at The Standard, another hotel that is making waves. With additional notable new resorts, both in the jungle and on the coasts and islands, there may never be a better time to explore the Land of Smiles. PHOTO ISTOCK 24
