暹羅酒店
The Siam Hotel
www.thesiamhotel.com
湄南河畔的遺世明珠
暹羅酒店是曼谷最隱秘又最為人所渴望的一家精致而獨特的小型豪華酒店，這家隱匿于湄南河畔 Dusit 皇家區，今年已經是開業的第六年了。它由泰國搖滾巨星 Krissada Sukosol Clapp 根據其家族的 Sukosol 酒店品牌創建。這家僅有 39 間客房和 4 幢傳統柚木別墅的酒店，用不計其數的古董私人收藏和別具一格的設計，講述了一個暹羅時代曼妙斑斕又充滿驚奇與冒險的故事，短時間內躋身為全球超級巨星名人和品位人士最鐘愛的泰國精品酒店之一。
搖滾巨星的私藏
Krissada Sukosol Clapp在創立這家酒店之前，從未涉足過酒店行業，誰也沒想到，這個搖滾巨星會與著名酒店設計師Bill Bensley碰撞出驚世絕倫的火花，讓暹羅酒店成為曼谷的一顆隱世明珠。
1973年Krissada的父親收購了暹羅酒店所在的土地，用作他的河流勘探碼頭。Krissada提議在這里建一座與湄南河畔的文華東方半島等大品牌截然不同的豪華精品酒店，一個曼谷當地的家庭旅館，讓人想起暹羅的黃金時代那時候人們乘船沿湄南河順流而下，造訪這個熱情好客的國家。
“我如何做出與眾不同的事情并成為我自己？我們必須有所不同，像創立一個獨立樂隊或制作一部精彩的獨立電影一樣去經營這個酒店?！盞rissada在接受采訪時這樣說道，他更喜歡將The Siam視為一個獨立酒店和歷史博物館，代表的是他的趣味，以區別于湄南河畔那些國際大牌龐然大物。他請來以設計峴港的洲際酒店，清邁的四季酒店泰國曼谷半島酒店等聞名的建筑師和室內設計師Bill Bensley，將20世紀初國王拉瑪五世（18531910）柔美莊嚴的古老泰國文化遺產與西方裝飾藝術融為一爐，并以一種沖突又融合的方式共存，形成一種獨特的迷人魅力。并在酒店的公共區域和客房都裝飾私人收藏的古董，在無邊奢華的寧靜中為客人提供一種沉浸式的歷史體驗。
事實上Krissada除了音樂天賦，還是一名狂熱的古董收藏愛好者，藏品超過2000件。做這個酒店的初衷很大一部分是在某個地方放置一切。Krissada的母親也是一個狂熱的收藏家 在酒店大堂的中國兵馬俑殘片就是她的。她也是一位爵士樂歌手，已經發行了20多張唱片。
在酒店的每一個角落，都放置著品位不俗的收藏，從20世紀40年代緬甸木制牙科椅拉瑪五世統治時期的軍用頭盔曼谷唐人街20世紀初藥店的草藥柜1904年泰國第一本曼谷指南熱帶鳥類標本到中國的唐三彩16世紀的緬甸木質佛像20世紀30年代巴黎酒吧推車……每一件物品都有一段歷史故事，值得駐足。
在通往空中花園的黑膠唱片室里，古老的豹皮鋪在古董鋼琴上，拍攝過美國從西貢撤離的標志性照片的越南戰爭的攝影師Hugh Van Es收藏的全部爵士黑膠唱片陳列其中，一架古老但運轉良好的唱機，在夕陽西下時等著客人用它放披頭士的第一版專輯。
走廊的墻壁上則點綴著19世紀下半葉拉瑪五世國王的暹羅帝國的舊地圖，代表了帝國當時有爭議的獨立性。
除了公共場所，每個房間也展示不同的藏品。有的房間是老式口香糖或香煙包裝上的泰國名人畫。有的房間是木炭素描或樂器，我們的超大衛生間裝飾的是全套的泰式女性盤發老照片和一臺古老的紡紗機，饒有趣味。
當裝飾藝術遇上暹羅古風
從踏上酒店臺階的那一刻起，就感覺像進入一個私人珠寶盒?；▓@，游泳池和庭院被優雅的對稱性所包圍，帶來靜謐和私密的氛圍。而穿越暹羅的旅程始于一個以巴黎奧賽博物館為靈感的長廊，寧靜的大理石走廊圍繞著玻璃下的中央庭院，茂盛蔥蘢的蕨類和棕櫚樹充足的自然光線與黑白相間的建筑色調相映成趣。
每個房間都有超過三米高的木制天花板，大床和超大浴室。整體灰色和中性色調搭配柚木深色家具，黑白馬賽克瓷磚和黃銅配件為房間增添了復古魅力。無處不在的線條和對稱造型產生獨特的韻律。
湄南河畔的游泳池平行于河流，環繞著茂密的綠植，兩側是殖民風格的酒吧和兩棟豪華別墅，顏值超群。
酒店設有兩間餐廳，一間酒吧和一間池畔休息區。Chon是早餐的主餐廳，也是酒店的泰國烹飪學校。這幢三百年歷史的泰國柚木別墅，屬于古董商和OSS經紀人Connie Mangksau?？的莸呐蓪苡袀髌嫔?，聚集了全球知名人士，如杰基肯尼迪，約翰洛克菲勒，羅杰摩爾，威廉霍頓和亨利福特。這幢房子最初位于阿尤德亞（Ayuddhya），后來被搬運至此。為了避開曼谷繁忙的交通，暹羅酒店為住客準備了私家的渡船，并有管家妥帖安排行程。在黃昏時，可以沿湄南河欣賞古老寺廟和現代霓虹高樓交織的迷幻混搭的河濱景觀。
暹羅酒店還提供其他體驗除了 Opium水療中心外，瑜伽，冥想，在泰國王室成員偶爾使用的設備齊全的健身房練習泰拳，在私人圖書館下棋，在私人電影院，用老式電影放映機和最先進的視聽設備欣賞一部專屬的影片，都是輕而易舉的享受。酒店甚至為客人準備了sak yant 神圣的泰國紋身體驗。
The Pearl of the Chao Phraya River
The Siam Hotel is Bangkok‘s most secret and most desired boutique luxurious hotel. It is hidden in the Dusit Royal District on the Chao Phraya River. This year marks the sixth year of its opening. It was created by Thai rock star Krissada Sukosol Clapp based on its family‘s Sukosol hotel brand. With only 39 rooms and 4 traditional teak villas, the hotel tells a story of the Siamese era, full of wonders and adventures, with countless private antique collections and unique designs. In a short time, it has become one of the most beloved Thai boutique hotels by global superstars, celebrities and elites.
Krissada Sukosol Clapp has never been involved in the hospitality industry before setting up this hotel. No one expected that the rock star would create such sparks with the famous hotel designer Bill Bensley that made the Siam hotel Bangkok‘s hidden pearl.
In 1973, Krissada‘s father acquired the land where the Siam Hotel was located and used it as a river exploration dock. Krissada proposed to build a luxury boutique hotel that is distinct from the major brands such as Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula on the Chao Phraya River. This would be a local family hotel in Bangkok that is reminiscent of the golden age of Siam – when people took the boat down the Chao Phraya River to visits this hospitable country.
”How do I achieve something different and become myself We have to be different, and run this hotel like running an independent band or making a wonderful independent film.” Krissada said in an interview. He likes to think of The Siam as an independent hotel and history museum, representing his taste, to distinguish it from the international big brands along the Chao Phraya River. He invited the architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, who designed the InterContinental Hotel in Da Nang, the Four Seasons Hotel in Chiang Mai, and the Peninsula Bangkok in Thailand, to combine the ancient Thai cultural heritage of King Rama V （18531910） in the early 20th century with Western decorative arts, so that they coexist in a conflicted fusion of unique charm. The private collection of antiques in the hotel‘s public areas and rooms provides an immersive historical experience with deep tranquility.
In fact, in addition to his musical talent, Krissada is also an avid collector of antiques, with a collection of more than 2,000 pieces. A big part of the original intention of this hotel is to place everything in one place. Krissada‘s mother is also an avid collectorthe Chinese Terracotta Warriors fragments in the hotel lobby belong to her. She is also a jazz singer and has released more than 20 albums.
In every corner of the hotel, there is a good collection, such as the 1940s Burmese wooden dental chair, the military helmet of the reign of Rama V, the herbal cabinet of the 20th century pharmacy in Bangkok Chinatown, the first Bangkok guide in 1904 in Thailand, tropical bird specimens, China‘s Tang tricolour, 16thcentury Burmese wooden Buddha statues, 1930s Parisian bar carts... Each item has a historical story that deserves deep appreciation.
In the vinyl record room leading to the sky garden, the ancient leopard fur is laid on an antique piano, alongside the jazz vinyl records collection of Hugh Van Es, the Vietnam War photographer who photographed the iconic photos of the United States retreating from Saigon. An old but wellfunctioning record player awaits for the guests to use it to play the Beatles‘ first album at sunset.The walls of the corridor are dotted with old maps of the Siamese Empire of King Rama V in the second half of the 19th century, representing the controversial independence of the empire at the time.
In addition to public spaces, each room also displays different collections. Some rooms display Thai celebrities paintings on oldfashioned gum or cigarette packs. Some rooms display charcoal sketches or musical instruments, and our oversized bathroom is interestingly decorated with a full set of Thai women‘s old hairdo photos and an old spinning machine.
When Art Deco Meets Siamese Antique Style
From the moment you step on the stairs of the hotel, it feels like entering a private jewelry box. The garden, pool and courtyard are surrounded by elegant symmetry, bringing a calm and intimate atmosphere. The journey through Siam begins with a promenade inspired by Orsay Museum in Paris. The serene marble corridor surrounds the central courtyard under the glass, encircled by lush ferns and palm trees, with plenty of natural light and black and white architectural tones.
Each room has wooden ceilings over three meters high, large beds and oversized bathrooms. The overall grey and neutral tones are complemented by dark teak furniture, black and white mosaic tiles and brass fittings, adding a touch of vintage to the room. The ubiquitous lines and symmetrical shapes create a unique rhythm.The swimming pool on the Chao Phraya River is parallel to the river, surrounded by lush greenery, with colonialstyle bars and two luxurious villas on both sides.
The hotel has two restaurants, a bar and a poolside lounge area. Chon is the main restaurant for breakfast and the hotel‘s Thai cooking school. This threehundredyearold Thai teak villa belongs to antique dealer and OSS broker Connie Mangksau. Connie‘s party is legendary and brings together celebrities from around the world such as Jackie Kennedy, John Rockefeller, Roger Moore, William Horton and Henry Ford. The house was originally located in Ayuddhya and was later transported here.In order to avoid the busy traffic in Bangkok, the Siam Hotel has prepared a private ferry for the guests and has a housekeeper to arrange the itinerary. At dusk, you can admire the riverside landscape of ancient temples and modern neon highrises along the Chao Phraya River.
The Siam Hotel also offers other experiences in addition to the Opium Spa, it is also easy to do yoga, meditation, practice Muay Thai in the wellequipped gymnasium occasionally used by Thai royals, play chess in private libraries and use oldfashioned movie projectors and most advanced audiovisual equipment in private cinemas to enjoy an exclusive film. The hotel has even prepared a sak yant sacred Thai tattoo experience for guests.
