INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel review: Artistic, modern and tasteful

All food, accommodation and tours were sponsored by the hotel.

There's a reason why Singaporeans make their annual "pilgrimage" to Bangkok, Thailand. Be it hotel stays with more value, wonderful shopping, exciting nightlife, and a cuisine that would make the author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat proud – Bangkok is a travel destination worth revisiting, repeatedly.

As a popular travel destination that welcomed more than 28 million international visitors in 2023, there is also certainly no lack of hotels to choose from. The city is brimming with options, from budget stays to luxurious accommodations at very reasonable prices.

We got the chance to stay at Innside by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, the fourth Meliá Hotels International property to debut in the kingdom. This comes after nautical-themed Meliá Koh Samui, wellness sanctuary Meliá Phuket Mai Khao and urban hotel Meliá Chiang Mai, which opened in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Here's what we feel about the newest addition.

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First impression of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit

Situated at 1472 Sukhumvit Road, the new On Nut hotel is a 30-minute ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Alight at On Nut BTS Skytrain station, and take a mere five-minute walk to the hotel.

Turning into a nondescript little driveway, you could see the balls of lights glittering in the background, and sculptures adorning the hallway. It's a prelude to the artistic features you will see on each level of the hotel.

Take the lift up to level 32, which opens up into a vast space with floor-to-ceiling windows with an almost 360-degree view of Bangkok's skyline. The top part of the hotel is where all the action happens – from check-in and check-out at level 32 with a co-working and cafe space, Spanish tapas restaurant and bar Luz on Level 33, to a rooftop swimming pool and bar at Level 34.

The main theme of white and gold furnishings gave the entire space a luxe and resort vibe, while providing the backdrop for numerous artworks to shine in the hotel.

Reserve your room at Innside by Melia here
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Rooms made for the modern minimalist

Innside by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit features 208 rooms and eight room types over 34 floors. However, only three room types are distinctly different – most of the "room types" have more to do with the view you'll get outside your window than any significant upgrades within the room.

Best in the category is The Town House, providing a lot more space and upgraded amenities. It can also be expanded into a 2-bedroom Town House via a connecting door.

For the rest of us, a regular room is good for two. I stayed in the INNSiDE Room King which is situated on the higher floor and thought that both the hallway and rooms felt like a modern art museum where white space and rounded furniture reign. There are also featured walls to be admired on every level's lift lobby, featuring iconic attractions in Bangkok.

As a maximalist, the rooms might not be my jam, but I can see minimalists going crazy over the wall features and avant-garde style of the rooms.

Every room comes with a rain shower, a freestanding sink, a yoga mat, bathroom toiletries, and best of all, a free minibar regardless of room category.

While cosy, the room is thoughtfully partitioned, so you have enough space for your every need. Everything is so white and clean that I wonder how it may fare a couple of years into operations. I expect that housekeeping needs to consistently put in extra effort to upkeep the rooms in pristine condition.

Sustainability efforts include a ban on single-use plastic, recycled glass bottles for drinking water and biodegradable takeaway boxes, in-room paper and plastic-free collaterals and complimentary organic amenities. The hotel also offers a 24-hour Infit Gym and concierge service.

A place to see and be seen

Moving on to the 33rd and 34th floor of the Innside Bangkok Sukhumvit, the space is home to a rooftop bar with a glass tank swimming pool and Luz, the Spanish tapas restaurant and bar. Definitely go for the paella at the restaurant – a flavourful dish that's good to share – as well as the cocktails. My only advice would be to skip the octopus dish, which I thought was both overdone and quite bland.

If anything, you need to move upwards further and check out The Giant Swing Pool Bar, featuring a contemporary interpretation of Bangkok’s Brahman structure, The Giant Swing, which makes for a dramatic photo backdrop.

Breakfast was served in The Kites Eatery, a restaurant serving Thai specialties. To be honest, I thought the food category was "Thai cuisine cooked with Europeans in mind", so everything felt like a muted version of what one might be used to when it comes to Thai cuisine.

Regardless, the hotel's close proximity to On Nut BTS, a large Lotus just across the road, 24-hour convenience stores, and massage parlours near the hotel, make this a top hotel choice for a tasteful minimalist business-leisure traveller looking for a space to call home for a week or so.

Room starts from S$132.

Reserve your room at Innside by Melia here
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