Sofitel So Bangkok
I’m always in the lookout for new hotel concept. Recently Sofitel So has just opened. Being the second Sofitel brand in the world with the word “So” at the end, I had to found out what this “So” is all about?
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It is located at the intersection of Rama IV and Sathon, almost at the corner; therefore it is possible to enter on either road. From a drive by one day I saw the outside of the hotel, with many interesting design features. So I decide to spend the weekend with the family. 
At the check in, I was guided to the lobby on the 9th floor. The lobby is more like a club; large bar filled with liquors and lounge seating with background contemporary beats. There are large windows that look out to Lumpini park. Check in counter doesn’t look like one; extra long exposed bottom table with staff dress in haute contour uniforms. It was the same style but each one was dress differently. 
I waited at one of the window side lounge seats; a girl with a basket of tubes approaches me. She smiles and started pouring contents of the tube into an ice filled glass. The glass had a mixture of colorful liquids when stirred it turn into a yellowish purple drink. “Please enjoy your welcome drink; Asian pigeonwings and lemongrass”. Nice!
Our room was two connecting rooms on the 24th floor. It was a blue room, with an open bath, and the view of Lumpini park and Bangkok skyline. The room was pretty spacious for a deluxe category. The open bath is a nice feature; the bath tub is right in the middle of the room. There is an Apple mini media system that connects to the 42 inch plasma TV. It’s a complex multi media system that is a TV, media player and a computer with internet access controlled from a wireless keyboard. The amenities are extensive from all the usual to special moisturizers and cleansers in a pouch, there are two versions for his and hers. There were a variety of complimentary drinks (non alchohal) and some snack.
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I found out there are actually 6 renowned architects and interior designers involved. The design of the hotel was based on 5 elements; earth, wood, metal, water, and fire. An architect/interior designer is in charge of one element which adds up to 5 elements and one architect that designs the whole building. The blue room I had was based on the Earth element by Vitoon Kunalungkarn. Other elements that are used to conceptualize the rooms are: Metal; Somchai Jongsaeng, Water; Pongthep Sagulku, Wood; Nithi Sthapitanonda. The designs of each room are very unique. On top of that the staff uniforms were design by well acclaimed fashion designer Christian Lacroix. 
The other element is Fire; inspired the design of Red Oven restaurant which is the main restaurant for the hotel. The double ceiling dinning space has lively market like ambiance where produce are lined up and stacked. It’s decorated with beautiful wood panels. There are varied seating options. My favorite spot is the couch by the glass wall. This is where there is a daring design; the big glass wall is connected to a cantilever glass floor. For breakfast, there were many options; nice cheese and cold cut selection, hot Western, Japanese, Indian, Chinese items. An egg station that can prepare eggs any way you like and a Chinese breakfast station. They also have one of the best croissants in town.
I was there during the end of the month which was when they organized a pool party from the afternoon to the late hours in the evening. It was pretty awesome to see a wild party like this in Bangkok; mostly young international crowd in bikinis and short trunks swimming dancing and hanging by the pool.
The pool itself is spectacular, an infinity edge that looks to the breath taking view of the city.
The five star hotel scene in Bangkok has just gotten more complex with the opening of design rich Sofitel So. If I come here next time I would either try to book a corner Wood room or a Water room which has a big tub by the large window. There are other interesting outlets like the functions rooms which doesn’t look like one; the spa; and the ChocoLab, a shop that experiments and creates chocolate treats. There is also a rooftop restaurant and bar; Park Society that is currently the talk of the town.
HOTEL SOFITEL SO BANGKOK 2 North Sathorn Road , Bangrak , 10500 BANGKOK, THAILAND Tel. +662 624 0000
