By Ann Abel

The foyer by the carpark is decorated with memorabilia from 1930s Formula 1 driver Prince Birabongse Bhanudej (still the only racer in Thai history) and a poster advertising the 1939 Bangkok Grand Prix that never happened. The library has a Bangkok guidebook from 1904 along with 4,000-year-old Neolithic pottery. The vinyl room has the jazz collection of noted Vietnam War photographer Hugh Van Es, first-edition albums by the Beatles and Prince (and a record player for listening to them) and a rare photo of the late Thai King Bhumbol Adulyadej jamming on the saxophone with Benny Goodman.

It sounds like the private home of an eccentric collector, but it’s in fact the most interesting luxury hotel—by a mile—in Thailand right now … continue reading

Ann Abel has been a travel writer and editor for 14 years, including several as a senior editor at ForbesLife. She writes for Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, , Well + Good NYC, and other print and online publications.”In the name of lifestyle journalism, I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents.” She lives in Lisbon.