Pullman Bangkok King Power

Where • 8/2 Rangnam Road, Thanon-Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok

More info • pullmanbangkokkingpower.com

Down a long drive, off a busy street, the Pullman Bangkok King Power feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, yet the 386-room hotel enjoys a prime location directly across from the King Power Duty Free mall, a few short blocks from the Skytrain and just minutes away from Siam Square, one of Bangkok's most popular shopping areas.

The setup • The property contains all of the facilities found at a small upscale resort, including a choice of bars and restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, meeting and conference rooms, a lovely garden and an outdoor pool with sweeping deck. Add sleek contemporary design, graceful art, sophisticated modern décor and luxury touches such as a lobby full of white orchids, and it's easy to see the hotel as a quiet, graceful oasis in which to rejuvenate, relax and escape the heat and chaos of Bangkok.

Our room • I had one of the 136 basic and least expensive 'superior" rooms, which held two comfortable beds, a straight-line couch, a mobile work station and all of the amenities found at any upscale hotel, including good air-conditioning, large flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. The adjoining bathroom had a screened window opening to the bedroom and included a single sink, bathtub and rain shower. Uncluttered and well-designed, the bathroom reinforced the cool, clean, high-quality functional feeling of the hotel.

Pricing • In a recent Internet check, the hotel listed the base rate for a superior room at $103.61 per night, which rose to $144.89 depending on terms. The hotel's website lists prices in U.S. dollars, with figures based on the exchange rate at the time of booking.