PAUSE Visits: The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon

Anything But Standard.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ Lifestyle Hotel

The Standard has never been one for doing things by the book. Since opening its first hotel on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip in 1999, the brand has built a reputation for its unconventional approach to hospitality, combining vibrant design, culture, nightlife and spaces for socialising. It prides itself on its “unrelenting un-standard-ness”, and its Bangkok flagship encapsulates exactly that.

Officially opened in July 2022, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon sits inside King Power Mahanakhon, the 314-metre tower designed by German architect Ole Scheeren. With its distinctive pixelated façade, it’s one of the city’s tallest and most recognisable landmarks. The hotel is just as striking. Colourful interiors, a buzzing social scene and unexpected design details make it one of Bangkok’s most talked-about hotels.

Take the Long Way

Designed by Jaime Hayon in collaboration with The Standard’s in-house team, the interiors are full of surprises, even in the spaces you might generally overlook. Hayon has compared the building to a film, with each space representing a different scene, and the hallways are a particularly good example. There are no windows and no artwork, just dimmed lighting and a deep red carpet that winds around each floor like a maze. Signs point you towards either “The Long Way” or “The Short Way” to reach the lifts. It’s deliberately cinematic, even a little mysterious, the total opposite of the bright rooms behind each door. The hallways almost feel like a visual rest between the hotel’s more colourful spaces.

The lobby couldn’t be more different, with deep green walls, giant rattan ceiling lights adding a touch of boho style, and a terrazzo floor covered in line drawings. The check-in area has a cosier, retro waiting-room feel, with mismatched seating, curtained walls and shelves filled with quirky objects by local artists. Behind the check-in desk, a window installation takes inspiration from “The Box” at the brand’s original Hollywood hotel.

Orange Is the New Neutral

The hotel has 155 rooms and suites, ranging from the 29 sqm Standard King to the 144 sqm Premier Penthouse, which features a Gaggenau kitchen and dining table for eight.

Across the Deluxe King, Premium King and Corner Double, the rooms are well laid out, making good use of the space and quite different from the safe beige-and-oak interiors often found in newer hotels. Orange is the main theme, appearing on headboards and seating, illuminated bar shelves, wardrobes and even the robes. Cane panels and touches of pink and yellow bring more colour into the mix.

The bathrooms carry the same playful feel as the rest of the room, with orange-framed mirrors, speckled pink terrazzo counters and a large basin. From the Deluxe King up, there’s both a rain shower and a deep soaking tub with views over the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Silom, and from some rooms, you can watch the BTS Skytrain passing below.

See and Be Seen

Socialising is what The Standard does best. At the centre of it all is The Parlor, a lounge area just off the lobby. During the day, it serves as a café and co-working space. By the evening, the mood shifts with live music, talks, events and DJ sets from the Sounds Studio, the space’s plant-topped DJ booth. It’s also where the daily happy hour takes place.

Then there’s Tease, the hotel’s eccentric afternoon tea room. Inspired by 1920s Vienna and Austrian designer Josef Hoffmann, the space is covered from floor to ceiling in black-and-white stripes and harlequin patterns. It’s perhaps one of the hotel’s coolest spaces.

On the sixth floor, there’s a 24-hour gym that leads directly out to the pool terrace, where you’ll find a jacuzzi and bar. It’s the spot for daytime drinks with skyline views. Sky Beach, on the 78th floor, is another of the hotel’s main attractions, with DJs and panoramic views from 314 metres above the city.

Peking Duck and Unlimited Breakfast

The dining highlight is Mott 32. The acclaimed Hong Kong restaurant, which has since expanded to cities including Singapore, Las Vegas and Dubai, opened its first Thailand outpost at The Standard, bringing its predominantly Cantonese menu, with Beijing and Sichuan influences, to Bangkok.

The name comes from 32 Mott Street in Manhattan, where New York’s first Chinese convenience store opened in 1851. As for the food, the signature Peking duck is one of the restaurant’s most talked-about dishes, and having tried it, it’s easy to see why.

Breakfast is served at Double Standard, where an unlimited à la carte menu is accompanied by a small but well-curated buffet. There’s a good selection of continental and Asian breakfast options, as well as pastries and fresh fruit, while dishes such as French toast and eggs are freshly prepared to order. It’s a great breakfast, made even better by the lovely staff, with plenty of variety without the overwhelming spread you sometimes find at hotels.

Silom on Your Doorstep

The hotel’s location is another advantage. Situated in Silom, Bangkok’s Central Business District, it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk from BTS Chong Nonsi, making it easy to get around the city.

There are plenty of coffee shops, spas, restaurants and bars nearby, while Lumphini Park is approximately 1.5 km away.

Friendly, Not Formal

The service at The Standard reflects the hotel’s personality. It’s relaxed, without the ceremony you might expect at a more traditional luxury property. Staff are approachable, genuinely friendly and quick to help when needed, with the warmth of Thai hospitality coming through in every interaction. It all adds to the vibe of the hotel.

So, Who’s It For?

The Standard Bangkok is for social travellers who want energy, a lively scene, great content spots and the city on their doorstep. It probably wouldn’t be for someone looking for complete peace and quiet. But for a city break built around great food, bold design and a good time, The Standard is hard to beat.

PAUSE Rates: 4/5 ⭑⭑⭑⭑

“Although I’m very familiar with The Standard hotels, this was my first official stay, and what better place to start than The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. The hotel had been on my list since it opened, but nothing could have prepared me for just how cool it is. I was really impressed by the décor and how much thought went into every design detail. It’s unlike any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Very cute rooms, amazing staff, delicious food and good vibes all around.” – Taija-Leorelle (Head of Travel & Hospitality)

A special thank you to Aiy, Summer and all the staff for their help and lovely hospitality.