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We left serene Da Nang Vietnam (which you can read about here) and flew to Bangkok, currently one of the busiest and most visited cities in the world. This marks our third trip to this incredible destination and in anticipation of the throngs of people and non stop electricity of the city we made a point to try and find a peaceful oasis amidst the chaos; and we did, the brand new Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. The Aman Nai Lert is set in an idyllic green space in the middle of all of the action, making you feel as though you are worlds away. The Nai Lert Heritage Home Park is one of the most serene areas in all of Bangkok that happens to have a fascinating history, the perfect place for Aman to choose to build an urban sanctuary.

Having just visited the Aman in New York City (read about our visit here) we were skeptical that the Bangkok experience could surpass what we believed was a perfect stay, but honestly we were blown away from start to finish.

If you book two nights or more at the Aman Nai Lert you are entitled to a VIP greeter and Fast Track service through immigration in addition to a car service to the hotel (this applies to the same services upon departure) which we happily took advantage of. The car was stocked with bottled water, cool towels, chocolates and candied ginger which made the 45 minute drive quite pleasant.

Upon arrival we were greeted by smiling staff members who welcomed us with a traditional Thai handwashing ritual, setting high expectations as far as hospitality for our stay. This property is less than a year old so it’s safe to assume there might be some bumps as far as service goes but everyone we encountered was so motivated and friendly that any shortcomings were easily forgiven.

The biggest “flaw”? Sometimes there were too many people trying to help us, almost like enthusiastic puppies were falling over one another to see who could get to us first to offer assistance or a kind word which in the grand scheme of things is not a flaw at all. Attached is an Aman fact sheet so you can explore the particulars of the suites as well as all of the amenities the hotel has to offer.

On first glance the hotel was gorgeous, understated but filled with nuanced design references to Bangkok as well as the historic property the hotel sits on. The importance of Nai Lert and his legacy looms large in the artistry both inside and outside of the Aman. Coming from the Bill Bensley designed properties we stayed at in Vietnam this was a real contrast, but a perfect foil to the non-stop energy of Bangkok.

Following our seamless check in we were taken up to our spectacular corner suite which seemed as though it was floating above the city. We arrived in the early evening so we got to admire the sun beginning to set and the lights across the city starting to glow. We received some gifts from the hotel as well as these stunning lotus flowers from our friends in Bangkok.

A special shout out to the Housekeeping staff who cleaned/straightened the room each time we left it, ensuring that it was always pristine when we returned, an impressive feat to be sure.

The views were better captured in the morning which you can get a good sense of from the video below. Of course there are black-out shades that allow you to sleep in total darkness, but once you are ready to let the light in it really packs a punch! Some folks say they would prefer to be on the river at the Capella or Four Seasons (which I did check out during our trip) but I believe if you truly want to experience the beating heart of Bangkok the location of the Aman is more appropriate, and additionally it is a much more intimate hotel experience.

We had so many restaurants to explore during our trip that our dining experience at the Aman was limited to breakfast at Arva and drinks. I can say that the choices for breakfast (included in our stay) were extensive, covering both Thai and Western specialties and the service as expected was very attentive. My husband raved that the sticky pork skewers he had the first morning were unforgettable. The coffee served with a beautiful view over the treetops was the perfect way to wake up each morning.

Below are a few more photos of Nai Lert Park which surrounds the Aman as well as the historic Heritage home (open to guests of the Hotel to tour if so desired); this is an exceedingly peaceful spot with loads of history. Within the park there is an Alain Ducasse cooking school and perpetually busy pastry shop as well as a Caviar Café if you are feeling indulgent and a Michelin starred Thai restaurant called Ma Maison. It wouldn’t be crazy to consider parking yourself at the Aman for a restorative indulgent weekend and never even venturing outside the confines of the property.

When you realize just how special this green space is in the middle of the towering skyscrapers of Bangkok it is a truly remarkable experience.

Regarding the Aman Spa: we took advantage of the spa for a massage (my husband), a facial, manicure and blowdry (myself). All the services were very well done and the providers were unbelievably kind. Word of advice, if you have curly hair don’t even try to get a blow dry without having a keratin treatment. The Bangkok humidity is brutal and will overwhelm even the most skilled hairdresser.

There are two pools at the Aman, one which is located on the 9th floor and features a striking tree as a focal point. The architects of the Aman took special care to incorporate this unique tree (the third tallest in all of Bangkok) so it could offer shade to the hotel’s guests. My husband spent a morning taking calls beneath this tree and can attest to the fact that it is something exceptional. The second pool is just for the residents of the Aman and is located high above the city featuring breathtaking views.

A nightcap at The Aman Lounge should absolutely be on your to-do list one if not all of the evenings of your stay. The Lounge is only open to guests of the hotel as well as Aman Club Founders so it is really an intimate experience. As it happened the owner/Chairman of Aman Vlad Doronin was having drinks in the Lounge celebrating the success of his newest property while we were there.

While it was hard to tear ourselves away from the hotel we had a long list of things to do, see and eat in Bangkok. At the top of my list was a visit to the Louis Vuitton Hotel, a pop up celebrating 130 years of all things LV in the middle of Bangkok’s Chinatown. As you would expect there was tremendous interest in this exhibit which required a (free) ticket booked in advance. Sadly the pop-up closed March 15 but I am sure there are similar installations around the world to take advantage of in the coming year.

The creativity within the “Hotel” was on full display and there was even the opportunity to indulge in some champagne as well as the chance to personalize any of the items you might buy. While I didn’t feel the need to purchase anything it’s always fun to be a part of a collective excitement.

Since we were already in Chinatown we had to do some exploring. Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the largest in the world and there are endless sights to catch your attention. After soaking up the atmosphere we needed to refuel with some Mango Sticky Rice served out of a small window with a lengthy line, after taking a seat at a small table on the sidewalk I savored the sublime sweetness of the mango and the stickiest of sticky rice doused with coconut sauce. Thankfully my husband isn’t a fan so I didn’t have to share.

Bangkok is a luxury shoppers paradise (the malls are next level) but it is the special concept destinations such as the Dior Gold House that are truly remarkable. There is no ticket required to visit but there is a Café on site that requires an advance reservation. It serves as a veritable Temple for those who worship fashion (no shortage of believers in Bangkok) and the details are stunning, especially the bamboo artistry created by Korakot Aromdee .

Continuing on the luxury shopping tour we made a stop at Siam Paragon, a mammoth mall you could spend hours if not days in. There was a special Rolex GMT exhibition that was especially engaging as well as art, buggies disguised as luxury cars and a food court featuring more than 700 restaurants/food concepts that is like nothing you have ever seen.

Please keep in mind that we have visited Bangkok several times before and have previously toured all of the incredible cultural and religious sights. We are not entirely vapid consumers, but since we only had couple of days available we concentrated on more breezy pursuits.

Depending on your particular shopping goals you may want to consider a visit to the sprawling Chatuchak Weekend Market (aka the JJ Market) which as the name suggests is only open on the weekends. Boasting 15,000 stalls the market is the largest weekend market in the world and is so vast you could spend the entire day wandering through it. It is “organized” into sections but there are surprises at every turn; for example we quickly turned ourselves around after inadvertently wandering into the exotic animal section (wet market). We timed our visit to arrive when it first opened and it was blissfully quiet until the crowds started arriving about an hour later.

If you are in the market for designer dupes (of literally every luxury product) this is your place, people were lining up to get items of all sorts. You can find anything your heart desires here, though we didn’t buy a thing. It happens to be fascinating people watching and we were glad we took 90 minutes to explore. Word of warning- it is HOT, so if you go dress appropriately. We had a driver throughout our stay which was a real treat and made all of our exploration a whole lot easier.

The food scene in Bangkok is without a doubt one of the hottest in the world, from high to low there are choices for everyone and every occasion. There are currently almost 200 Michelin recognized eateries in the city which would require multiple stays to even begin to work one’s way through the top 20. It was not easy to decide which restaurants made the cut on our short trip but in the end I think we made excellent choices.

One place I knew we had to revisit was Jay Fai, still run by the iconic 82 year old chef whose eponymous restaurant was the first street food establishment to receive a Michelin star. She is still sporting her protective goggles and producing ethereal crab omelettes (and much more), frequently in front of a crowd of her adoring fans. The food is outstanding, especially the aforementioned crab omelette laden with what seems like a pound of crabmeat as well as perfectly executed Drunken Noodles. The ideal drink to wash it all down? Singha. When we arrived Jai Fai was cooking and the line was not too long, but normally you can expect a wait; be patient though, its well worth it. Note: its cash only.

Fortunately we were able to secure restaurant reservations at three of Bangkok’s hottest restaurants thanks to the help of our friends who live in town, though I am sure the Aman could work their magic as well.

Restaurant Potong has received endless awards and widespread recognition since opening in 2021. Located in Chinatown Chef Pam (currently the recipient of the title of the World’s Best Female Chef) has taken her family’s multi-level 120 year old Apothecary and transformed it into the hippest and most well regarded restaurant destination in the city.

The setting was so unique and iconic that we were immediately transported back to an entirely different time and place. The outstanding service and next level creative cooking and presentation was rooted in the present day though, making for an amazing juxtaposition. This particular dining experience was one where it was easy to become slightly overwhelmed with details since the dishes come out fast and furious and while I did take photos, I did not take notes.

I received some substitutions to accommodate my dietary restrictions (gluten free pescatarian) but the consensus was that everything was expertly prepared.

The video below shows the creativity and playfulness in Chef Pam’s interpretation of Pad Thai.

At one point during the procession of dishes I felt I might be slipping into some sort of food coma but after a quick glass of cold water I recovered. Perhaps it was the vertiginous journey to the restroom (stairs pictured below) but something set my head spinning, ( I didn’t opt for the wine pairing so I couldn’t blame it on alcohol).

There is no doubt our dinner was special and memorable (and bountiful), and I understand why Chef Pam has received the glowing reviews she has, but in truth I have to say that I merely liked it very much, I didn’t adore it. Perhaps it bordered on slightly too fussy, and too prolonged? Crossing over into an alternate state might be fun for some, but by hour three I was ready to call it a night.

If by chance you are able to secure a reservation I would take it, it certainly is a memorable experience.

On our second night in Bangkok we dined at Soma which bills itself as modern Thai cuisine, blending tradition with innovation. The menu is not a set menu which was a nice change from the evening prior, though our friends insisted that we literally order the entire menu so we could taste everything. Pictured are just a small sampling of the innovative and delicious dishes we tried.

Although the parade of courses never seemed to end I was able to limit myself to small tastes of many dishes thus avoiding entering into that weird food haze. The restaurant was chic yet casual and there was most definitely a great buzz.

One additional highlight? Soma is located in an office building that just happens to have a Yayoi Kusama orange pumpkin on display, a surefire way to bring a smile to my face.

As a counterpoint to our lunch at Jay Fai we decided to get my husband a much needed Italian fix at Riva del Fiume located in the Four Seasons right on the Chao Phraya River, simultaneously giving us the chance to check out this highly regarded hotel. The Four Seasons is somewhat imposing, sleek and grand with marble as far as the eye can see and very corporate; it definitely lacks a sense of intimacy. There were plenty of staff around to offer assistance, but it also seemed likely if you took the wrong turn you might find yourself in the middle of a convention. A focal point is a large pool facing the river which was overflowing with families the day we were there, so while it presents itself as businesslike it is clearly a child friendly destination. Whereas I like to be in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok I can see where the location near the river might be appealing to some.

When booking at Riva del Fiume we anticipated being able to sit outside but the weather was so humid that we opted to dine inside instead. We were meeting a friend for lunch who is a frequent visitor to Thailand and an amazing food writer who describes his meals in the most lyrical and poetic fashion (you can follow him on IG here) . I knew we had a large dinner ahead of us so I stuck with an elegant salad of radicchio and hazelnuts as well as picturesque composition of octopus while my husband opted for pizza (and pasta) which he thoroughly enjoyed. Our friend happens to be a big fan of the chef’s unique preparation of Lasagna Bolognese which is presented in a small soapstone canister and he found the dish to be as sublime as he remembered.

If you find yourself craving modern Italian Michelin starred cuisine while you are in Bangkok you won’t be disappointed with the experience at Riva Del Fiume. The service and decor are both lovely.

Our most anticipated meal of the trip, and the one I had been saving my appetite for was at Baan Tepa which draws quite a few comparisons to Potong as Baan Tepa has a very young (33 years old) and very accomplished chef at the helm (Tam Chudaree Debhakam). Chef Tam is the youngest woman chef to ever earn two Michelin stars, and she was named Asia’s best female chef in 2025. Her restaurant, like Potong, is located in her family’s home slightly outside the center of Bangkok. The vibe at Baan Tepa is a bit more relaxed and approachable compared to Potong, and that energy comes directly from Chef Tam who appears to be one of the most laid back Michelin starred chefs I have ever seen run a kitchen (our table was right next to command central, and nothing seemed to ruffle her demeanor). Another thing that sets Baan Tepa apart is their commitment to sustainability, local ingredients (there is an extensive garden on the back) and the interpretation of native Thai dishes.

The set menu at Baan Tepa is (in their own words) a journey to explore Thailand’s hidden food cultures, which happened to result in one of the most memorable and delicious meals I (as well as my husband) have ever eaten. The presentation, as well as the brief yet informative explanations were presented in a very affable and congenial way. There is nothing intimidating about Baan Tepa, they know they are at the top of their game and there is no need for posturing.

We were fortunate to step into the kitchen and get a glimpse of some of the highly photogenic ingredients that go into each dish. During our meal I was conscious of staying present (aside from taking some quick pix), in order to savor every single revelatory and outstanding bite. I am sure the menu changes with the seasons so if you have the opportunity to go (and it should be at the top of your wishlist) you will most likely experience a different menu than we did, but I am confident it will be just as wonderful.

A highlight for me was a Coconut aged Negroni served out of a coconut: sublime.

The meal was presented in eight courses but there were additional add-ons as well., some of them are pictured below.

Chef Tam providing tableside service.

The desserts were delicious and not excessively sweet, leaving us perfectly satiated and we found that a quick stroll through the restaurant’s onsite garden after dinner was the ideal way to cap off the evening. This meal was pretty close to perfection and should be at the very top of your wishlist.

Our time in Bangkok was unforgettable but far too short! The city is vibrant and fascinating and there is so much to discover. The Aman is a dream and I can’t wait to find a reason for us to return for a repeat stay and the chance to dive deeper into the food scene.

The Aman made our departure a breeze from the luxurious trip to the airport to our VIP escort speeding us through check-in and security, making it entirely stress-free.

As we reluctantly bid farewell to Bangkok we headed home on Cathay Pacific (with a layover in Hong Kong). The flight(s) were comfortable and uneventful, though the level of food service remained slightly disappointing.

All in all, a fabulous adventure in Asia that left me with a desire to return soon.

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