Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Combining all that's contemporary with a historical context: the five-star Mandarin Oriental's sublime service, memorable water views and exceptional attention-to-detail all contribute hugely to its success.
For over 130 years, the Mandarin Oriental has been a deluxe haven on the banks of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. Boasting some of the most impeccable staff you could hope for, this hotel ensures its guests are treated like royalty – probably one of the reasons it’s a favourite with celebrities.
Okay, it's a little pricier than other five-star hotels in Bangkok, but if you're going for luxury, why not go for all-out, pure and unadulterated decadence?
Recreational facilities include two outdoor pools, tennis and squash courts, an award-winning spa and Ayurvedic Centre, Thai Cooking School and an insightful Thai Cultural Programme.
Elegant restaurants offer Asian or Western cuisine and dining on the veranda on the banks of the river, as traditional Thai boats sail by with the gleaming city skyline behind, is surreally beautiful.