Bangkok Done Right — The Standard Mahanakhon, Somboon Seafood & Baan Somtum
Bangkok has no shortage of great hotels or great food. But finding the right combination of a hotel that actually excites you — not just ticks boxes — alongside restaurants that feel genuinely special? That takes a little more work. Here’s our take on a trip that got it right.
🏨 The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon — Style Over Everything
The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon isn’t trying to be like every other five-star hotel in Bangkok. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear this place has a point of view — bold colours, eclectic design by Jaime Hayon, Polaroid cameras in every room, and an energy that feels more like a creative hub than a conventional hotel. It lives up to its tagline: anything but standard.
The hotel occupies the lower floors of the iconic 78-storey King Power Mahanakhon building — the one with the distinctive pixelated cuboid facade that’s become one of Bangkok’s most recognisable skyline features. Location-wise, it’s excellent: steps from Chong Nonsi BTS station and Silom Road, which puts most of the city easily within reach.
📋 The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon — Quick Facts
Location: 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Silom, Bang Rak — 1 min walk to Chong Nonsi BTS
Rooms: 155 rooms and suites
Pool: Outdoor rooftop pool
Dining: 6 restaurants and bars on-site
Highlights: Sky Beach rooftop bar (78th floor), Ojo rooftop restaurant
👉 Official Website | Check availability on Booking.com
🛏️ Our Room — Premium King
We stayed in a Premium King room, and the first thing that hits you is the design. Floor-to-ceiling windows framing Bangkok’s skyline, bold colours and patterns that somehow work together, and thoughtful details that make the space feel alive rather than generic. This is a hotel room you actually want to spend time in.
🛏️ Premium King Room Highlights
Floor-to-ceiling windows with city views
Bold, design-forward interiors by Jaime Hayon Studio
Polaroid camera — a signature Standard Hotels touch
Rainfall shower and premium toiletries
Free high-speed WiFi
🍳 Breakfast — À La Carte Done Properly
The breakfast at The Standard is à la carte rather than buffet — and it’s better for it. Instead of piling a plate with mediocre options, you order what you actually want, and you can order multiple rounds. The quality is noticeably higher than a standard hotel buffet, and the whole experience feels more considered. We ordered more than once. No regrets.
🏊 The Pool — Honest Take
The pool is the one area where The Standard Bangkok falls slightly short of expectations. For a hotel of this calibre, it’s on the smaller side — better suited to a quiet morning dip than a full afternoon of lounging. If a big pool is a priority for your Bangkok trip, it’s worth knowing this in advance. That said, the skyline views from the pool area are genuinely impressive, which goes some way to making up for the size.
✅ Tips for Staying at The Standard Bangkok
Request a high floor room — the city views get dramatically better the higher you go
Visit Sky Beach on the 78th floor for sunset drinks — the views are worth it
The à la carte breakfast is better than it sounds — order multiple rounds
Chong Nonsi BTS is one minute away — perfect base for exploring the city
Book Ojo rooftop restaurant in advance if you want to dine there — it fills up
🦀 Somboon Seafood — The Legendary Crab Curry
No trip to Bangkok is complete without a meal at Somboon Seafood. This institution has been serving Bangkok’s most famous fried crab curry since 1969, and the reputation is completely justified. The curry is rich, fragrant, and deeply satisfying — the kind of dish that makes you understand why people fly to Bangkok just to eat.
Go hungry, go with a group if you can, and order the crab curry. Everything else is secondary.
📋 Somboon Seafood
Multiple locations across Bangkok
Famous for: Fried crab curry (ปูผัดผงกะหรี่)
Price range: Mid-range — budget THB 500–1,000 per person
👉 View on Google Maps
🌿 Baan Somtum — Michelin-Recognised Som Tam
For a completely different end of the dining spectrum, Baan Somtum delivers some of the most authentic Isan food in Bangkok — at prices that feel almost absurdly reasonable given the quality. The restaurant holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation, which means exceptional food at a moderate price. Most dishes are under THB 150.
The som tam here is the real thing — bold, spicy, pungent, and exactly what Thai food should taste like. Unlike some Bangkok restaurants that tone down the flavours for tourist palates, Baan Somtum stays true to its Northeastern roots. Order the papaya salad, the grilled chicken, and whatever else the menu suggests. You won’t overspend and you won’t be disappointed.
📋 Baan Somtum (บ้านส้มตำ)
Multiple branches across Bangkok (Sathorn, Sukhumvit, Bangrak)
Must order: Som tam, grilled chicken, coconut ice cream
Price range: Budget — most dishes THB 70–150 ($2–4 USD)
Award: Michelin Bib Gourmand (Recommended) ⭐
👉 View on Google Maps
✅ Final Thoughts
Bangkok rewards people who know where to look. The Standard gives you a hotel stay that actually has character. Somboon gives you the classic Bangkok seafood experience done properly. And Baan Somtum gives you a taste of real Thai food at prices that make you feel like you’ve discovered a secret — even if the Michelin Guide got there first.
If you’re planning a Bangkok trip and want a combination that covers design, indulgence, and authentic local food, this is a solid foundation to build from.