A Bangkok City Break

A few days away from the structure and responsibility of normal life is sometimes all you need to recharge your batteries. A city break to Bangkok, change of scenery and different experiences, even for a weekend, can make you feel as if you’ve had a two-week holiday. Bangkok has a wealth of places to see and things to do, and is one of the top tourist cities in the world.

Bangkok City Break - akyra Hotels

Bangkok

Bangkok is situated on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, about 25 kilometres from the Gulf of Thailand. It’s a hop, skip and a jump from the adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Samutprakan and Chonburi. The numerous transport options available by road, air and rail, make Bangkok a logical city break destination for Thai locals as well as international tourists to the country.

Once in Bangkok, you’ll be amazed by the urban sprawl that surrounds you. It’s difficult to identify a city centre as there are so many different pockets of Bangkok, with diverse and exciting sights. Unless you’ve done your homework before arriving, it’s almost impossible to know where to start. One of the best options for your city break is the trendy district of Thonglor. Incorporating a large section of the well-known Sukhumvit Road, Thonglor is an area populated with restaurants, bars and small boutiques, and attracting tourists from all corners of the world.

Staying in Thonglor

Whether your city break is a getaway with the family or you’re taking time out for yourself, akyra Thonglor Bangkok is a great home away from home. You’ll have your pick of one of the well-appointed studios or suites that you can make your base while you explore the jewels of Bangkok. If your primary desire is relaxation, opt for a serviced apartment where you can unwind in style and comfort.

For a true time-out from your busy lifestyle, treat yourself with a decadent in-room massage, or sip cocktails while relaxing on a sun lounger by the sparkling pool. If you’re after something a bit more exciting, there is plenty to see and do within a short walk from the hotel.

Out And About in Thonglor

Eat, Drink and be Merry

Part of the charm of this vibrant corner of Bangkok is the numerous cafes and bars that you find around every turn. The area has not escaped the worldwide coffee shop culture, and if you love a taste of java, you’ll definitely enjoy visiting some of the fabulous coffee shops in Thonglor.

You’ll find yourself lured in by the aroma of freshly ground beans, but the welcoming Thai hospitality and ambiance will make you stay.

It’s difficult to escape the tantalising wafts of flavour that tickle your senses as you wander the streets of Thonglor. Restaurants abound in this area, and you are never far from somewhere to fill your tummy. Whatever your preference, be it Mexican, Spanish, Japanese or authentic Thai food, you’ll find it in Thonglor.

While restaurants provide the opportunity to sit at leisure and savour your meal, it would be a shame to miss out on the amazing street food that you’ll find offered by vendors throughout the city. This is the best way to sample real traditional Thai food, and Bangkok is probably the best place to do this. Strolling down the roads and narrow lanes of Thonglor, you will come across food stalls or carts, offering anything from a stir fry or a noodle dish, to spicy papaya salads or roti's. If you’re after a culinary adventure, try an organised street food experience, join the akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel on their Bangkok Street Food Tour. You’ll explore alleys and winding roads in search of sensational street dishes for that hint of the real Thailand.

Bangkok is known for its lively nightlife, and Thonglor is no exception. If you’re not the type to slink off to bed for an early night, you’ll love the atmosphere and thrills that a night out in Thonglor can bring. You won’t struggle to find a bar where you can enjoy a cold beer or fancy cocktail. If you want something a bit more unique than the norm, you also won’t have to go too far. Thonglor has some truly inspired watering holes for you to sample. Names like Locker Room, Rabbit Hole and Iron Fairies conjure up interesting imagery, and your curiosity will be such that you’ll not want to leave them off your bar bucket list. Why not explore the bars in Thonglor by tuk-tuk? This three-wheeled form of public transport is a fun, if slightly uncomfortable way of getting around, but is much easier on your legs than walking. The akyra Thonglor Bangkok has a tuk-tuk bar hop tour that sets off from the hotel. Most of the bars on the tour are dotted along the trendy Thonglor Road, and you’re sure you enjoy the novel experience bouncing around in the back of the tuk-tuk.

Shop up A Storm

You won’t need to look hard to find somewhere to spend your hard-earned cash. akyra Thonglor Bangkok forms part of the Eight Thonglor Shopping Mall complex. The mall blends classic with chic in this lifestyle emporium, with everything from clothing to beauty salons and yoga to bars, eateries and a large grocery store. Don’t worry if you’re on a self-drive break; ample indoor parking is available so you can still treat yourself to a retail therapy experience like no other.

If you prefer a casual shopping experience, you’ll need to travel a bit further afield to one of the many markets in Bangkok. One of the best markets is the Chatuchak Weekend Market which is open on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Wandering through the more than 8,000 stalls may take a bit of time, so make sure you’re not visiting in a hurry.

There are plenty of other markets in and around Bangkok, some operating only at night and others are daytime markets. If you feel like an early start one morning, then the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market should be on your list of attractions to visit. It’s located outside Bangkok, 100km southwest of the city, but you’ll have an experience like no other. The market attracts both domestic and foreign tourists, who love the excitement of floating through the bustling market stalls on a long tail boat, haggling for fresh fruit and vegetables.

See the Sights

As much as Thonglor is a hip and trendy place with a vibrant social scene, it also has some cultural offerings for tourists. Close to the BTS skytrain station in Thonglor, you’ll find Palette Artspace. Spread over five floors, this contemporary art gallery is dedicated to promoting works from both Thai and foreign artists. Once you’ve wandered through the exhibitions at your leisure, relax with coffee and cake in the ground-floor café called the Palette Milk Bar before continuing exploring the delights of Thonglor.

After hours of sightseeing, shopping, eating and drinking, it may well be time for a traditional Thai massage. Let’s Relax is a chain of traditional Thai massage parlours offering a varied menu of treatments at any one of the twelve spas dotted throughout Bangkok. Thai Massage is heavily influenced by healing methods from India and China, and includes stretching and acupuncture techniques.

If you want to explore further afield, pop down to the Thonglor BTS skytrain station. From here, the rest of Bangkok awaits you. The Grand Palace is a must-see for most local and international tourists to this bustling city. This walled complex of eye-catching buildings in the heart of Bangkok was first built in 1782, and houses government offices, royal halls and the well-known Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Entry to the Grand Palace is free for Thai visitors, on presentation of your ID card. Foreign tourists can expect to pay 500 Baht. You’ll need to adhere to the strict dress code when entering the places of worship in the complex, so make sure you know these are before you make the trip.

A great way to view Bangkok from a distance is to take a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River and explore the many canals with their floating villages. You’ll have the opportunity to see some other well-known temples along the way. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and the picturesque Wat Arun provide wonderful photo-opportunities from your water transport.

A City For Everyone

Whatever brings you to Bangkok, and whatever your preference for the time that you are here, you’ll never lack anything to do. An abundance of places to visit and sights to see is on your doorstep. Just a short walk away, or a quick trip on one of the numerous public transport options, will deliver you to new experiences that will leave you with happy memories and a taste for more.