Mode Sathorn Hotel, Bangkok

IN A GIST: A boutique hotel at 144 North Sathorn road, Silom, Bangkok | USD244 for 3 nights in Deluxe Room | 40minutes via taxi (using skyway) from Suvarnabhumi Int’l airport | Right in front of BTS Surasak station | Rooftop bar and infinity pool overlooking the city are its best points.

The hotel lobby – low ceiling with dim lighting and a bit of funk.

Deluxe room with a modern asian vibe. Cot will provided if you ask. The mini bar includes a lot of liquor 😉

Love the bathroom! Big space, rain shower, and tub overlooking the city.

Hotel pool – L-shaped and small but the views around totally compensate for it. Has a bar too but not much loungers.

Enjoy the sunset views of Bangkok at the hotel’s rooftop.

The hotel’s rooftop bar named “The Roof @38” -being on the 38th floor. Happy hour til 8pm and from thereon the promo is 2for1 on martinis and mojitos (July 2015).

Overlooking the bustling city at night. Epic.

About the hotel’s restaurants, we haven’t tried any (only their rooftop bar in which we tried their so-so paris brest for dessert). But they have a popular chinese restaurant, a modern Thai resto, a cafe /bakery and a buffet restaurant -none of which interest us; afterall, we were in Bangkok and where else shall we go for real/old Thai taste but out on the streets for some worthy binge!

On the Beaten Path: Bangkok, Thailand

Temples, night markets, street foods, red lights, and floating markets -these are what Bangkok is immensely popular for. A tourist favorite of the recent years, this city is an awesome juxtaposition of the old and new, solemn and outrageous.

Here are some of the popularly beaten places for tourists where my family of three have gone elbows-to-elbows with around the crowd in Bangkok.

Khaosan road: nightlife, street food, tattoos/henna, street massage, and coconut ice cream!

Wat Traimit: Solid Gold Buddha Temple located in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Wat Pho: the most beautiful temple of the three temples we’ve visited. Home to the biggest/longest reclining Buddha and center for learning Thai massage

Wat Benchamabophit: Temple made of marble, nothing too special inside tho. If you have to visit one temple in Bangkok, I recommend Wat Pho.

Soi 38: A haven for cheap goodness. It has the best mango sticky rice I’ve tried (I’ve had mango sticky rice almost everyday for 8 days in Thailand!). Soi38’s food hawkers start from 5pm in time for the locals coming home for dinner.

Soi Cowboy: This is one of Bangkok’s major red light district, with more western visitors. Close to the end of the road is the ladyboy bar -Cockatoo! No, we weren’t able to get in at any of the bars since we’re carrying a baby … next time, when he’s 13 maybe (hehe).

Damnoen Saduak: The oldest floating market which is an absolute tourist trap! The market is not really a local’s market, all things on sale are souvenirs for tourists and overpriced foods -but we still suck up to it, still a good experience.

Sampran Riverside: Popular for its elephant and cultural show. It also has a small mock up of the floating market. We have tried their organic int’l buffet restaurant -nothing special except for the seafood noodle soup and the fresh tropical fruits from dessert!

There are a lot more to see and do in Bangkok -fancy shopping at Siam center, stroll at the Royal Grand Palace, a daytrip to Ayutthaya, etc. You just got to pick your best bets unless you have a lot of time staying in this awesomely chaotic megalopolis!