Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Jazz Venue

Three Decades in the Top of Hotels Along Sukhumvit Road!

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok had been on our list for years. Not because some press release pointed us in that direction, but because the same name kept coming up whenever we asked people on our travels through Thailand where they preferred to stay in Bangkok. There was also a personal thread: a good friend of ours regularly performs at The Living Room, the hotel’s jazz club that is something of an institution in Bangkok. And when a friendly general manager from the Westin across the street casually asked whether we had actually slept here yet, the final penny dropped.

March 2026 was the moment we were genuinely curious to see how this grand old lady of Sukhumvit would present herself to us. A hotel that has been a clear landmark in the city since 1996 inevitably carries a reputation of luxury with it, and we wanted to know whether that reputation still held up.

The check-in process immediately suggested it would. The team behind the desk is a small international collection in itself: staff from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan and Korea, and you can hear and see this in the service. Everyone was remarkably calm, friendly, and decisive at the same time. Everything was explained without haste, every question got a full answer, and the entire procedure felt more like a welcome than an administrative formality. The line we heard early that morning, “your suite is already ready”, was perhaps the loveliest opener you could possibly hope for.

Its history

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok opened in 1996, at a time when Sukhumvit Road was still developing into Bangkok’s commercial heart. The 33-storey tower was built by Bangkok architectural firm CASA, with interiors by the world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates.

From its founding, Sheraton attracted a number of names that still command high regard in the luxury hotel world today. Designer Bill Bensley, famous for his theatrical resorts across Southeast Asia, left his mark on parts of the design. The turquoise glass sculptures in the lobby are by artist Stephen Gormley and are now valued as collector’s pieces in their own right. Since the merger with Marriott in 2016, it sits in Bonvoy’s Category 5, on par with the JW Marriott, The Athenee and the St. Regis.

Renovations have left the bones of the hotel intact, while comfort has been renewed multiple times. The lobby and public areas were refreshed in 2010, the rooms were thoroughly refurbished between 2013 and 2015, and most recently the swimming pool received a complete makeover in early 2024. The result is a hotel that feels both classic and contemporary, with a story that has been running for three decades.

The brand traces its heritage to 1906, when Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA) was founded to host travelers to Venice; CIGA’s properties became the foundation of The Luxury Collection in 1994. Today the collection spans roughly 120 accommodations in over 35 countries, each retaining its own architecture and identity while guests still enjoy Marriott Bonvoy benefits.

Where is Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit located?

If there is one hotel in Bangkok that can rightfully claim to lie at the crossroads of everything, it is this one. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit stands at 250 Sukhumvit Road, right at the Asok intersection, the famous crossroads where the BTS Skytrain network meets the MRT metro. A covered pedestrian bridge connects the first floor directly to BTS Asok station and even crosses over to the well-known Terminal 21 Shopping Mall.

What makes this address unique for anyone who knows Bangkok is the covered walkway. Whether it is crowds, rain or sun, you do not have to set a step outside to reach the stations (BTS/MRT), one of the largest malls in the city, a charming evening market, and dozens of restaurants, bars and shops.

• Travel time from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: ± 35 minutes by car via the expressway (toll road)
• Travel time from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: ± 45 minutes, depending on traffic
• Accessible by: BTS Skytrain (Asok, direct sky-bridge), MRT (Sukhumvit, ± 100 m), taxi, Grab and Bolt
• Parking: valet and self-parking free for guests, electric charging point available
• Close by: Terminal 21 (2 min walk), Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (5 min drive), Emporium, EmSphere and EmQuartier (10 min walk), Lumphini Park (3 min drive), SW1 Night Market (4 min walk)

Architecture & (interior) design

From the outside, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is a straightforward 33-storey tower, typical of Bangkok’s 1990s skyline. It looks sleek and businesslike from the street, but the real story begins the moment you step inside.

Stepping into the lobby feels like a transition between the busy city and a much quieter world. High ceilings, warm lighting, and a considered palette of teakwood, marble, silk, glass and bronze accents create an immediately classic, luxurious appearance, all elegantly composed by the renowned interior designers of Hirsch Bedner Associates. At the centre of it all stands the grand travertine staircase, the architectural heart of the lobby. Carved from natural stone in soft beige tones with gracefully sweeping curves, it blends timeless European elegance with the warm Thai hospitality of the house. That same travertine flows across the lobby floor, the columns and the public areas, giving the entire ground level a single, seamless architectural language. Adding a splash of colour and personality, the striking turquoise glass sculptures by Steven Gormley are widely regarded as collectors’ pieces by Asian art enthusiasts, a small detail many guests walk right past.

At the heart of the hotel’s design lies a material increasingly rare at this scale: teakwood. It is crafted into the Thai Theme Suites and into The Sala, where its warm grain and quiet grandeur set the space apart from the city’s more conventional luxury interiors. Long treasured in Thai architecture for its richness and resilience, teakwood here becomes a tactile, living connection to Thailand’s design traditions, one that few properties in Bangkok still offer at this depth.

The central tower is logically structured, with the lobby and restaurants on the lower floors, the swimming pool and wellness on the third floor, and the rooms on the upper floors with views over Bangkok. What stands out is that Sheraton consciously does not try to be modern or minimalist. No bare walls, industrial concrete or trend-driven designer furniture. Instead, this hotel chooses a classic grand-hotel feel, with sweeping marble staircases, chandeliers, fresh floral arrangements and many warm details. Some areas may feel slightly older, but that is precisely what gives the hotel its character, and many returning guests seem to appreciate that reassuring quality.

What we noticed during our first walkabout: at the swimming pool, the atmosphere changes completely. The classic city luxury gives way to lush greenery, tropical plants and a resort feel you would never expect in the middle of Sukhumvit. An oasis in the busy Asok district of Bangkok.

The Atmosphere and its Guests

What works beautifully is that the hotel essentially has two faces. On the one hand, it feels businesslike and professional, which makes sense given its Asok location. You regularly spot business travellers with laptops, meetings underway and smart outfits. On the other hand, around the pool and in the restaurants, there is a distinctly relaxed resort vibe.

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit has an atmosphere you rarely encounter these days. No trendy lobby full of influencers with cameras or thumping beats by the pool, but instead a calm, classic five-star ambience. The pace here is noticeably slower. People read a newspaper in The Living Room, enjoy a quiet gin and tonic, or take their time over breakfast.

What stood out is that many guests are not here for just one night. You get the feeling that many people return and really know the hotel. You feel it in the atmosphere too: relaxed, familiar, and unhurried. The ambience feels mature. Not boring, but refined. While Bangkok rushes past outside, inside everything moves just that little bit more slowly.

Service & Hospitality

Service is one of the areas where Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit truly excels. From arrival, we noticed that everything runs calmly and professionally. We were allowed to check in early, all information was explained clearly, and nothing felt rushed or routine. It is clear how well management has combined Thai hospitality with the international standards of The Luxury Collection. You never feel that anything is going through the motions.

Everywhere, from the restaurants to the pool and the gym, the service feels classically five-star: present when needed but never intrusive, with natural Thai hospitality combined with international luxury standards. The little details make the difference. At breakfast, fresh orange juice is continuously topped up; in Rossini’s and basil, the staff take time to explain dishes calmly; and in The Living Room or lounge, you are never rushed out to make room for someone else.

We also enjoyed the Luxury Room benefits, which were thoughtfully designed. From the Sweet Sawadee moment at The Living Room to cocktails and canapés during the evening hours.

Room Types at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel

With 420 spacious and elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites across floors 10 to 33, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit offers accommodation for every type of traveller. Below is an overview of the room categories.

Rooms

• Grande Room (45 m², 223  rooms, king bed or two separate beds): the entry level, spacious and comfortable, featuring a large walk-in closet, marble bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, Thann bathroom amenities, universal socket, and a fantastic view overlooking Benjakiti Lake or the city
• Luxury Room (45 m², 147 rooms): similar size to the Grande, but with updated decor, luxury extras, and a curated benefits package that includes 24-hour butler service, executive breakfast at Orchid Café or Rossini’s, complimentary evening cocktails at The Living Room, The Sala or BarSu (6:00 to 8:00 PM), daily complimentary pressing (2 pieces) and high-speed internet
• Family Room (100 m², 7 rooms, levels 14 to 20): perfect for families, with a deluxe king connected to a deluxe twin through a private unique entrance, two large walk-in closets, two large bathrooms with shower and bathtub, Thann amenities and a 42-inch LED television

Suites

• Grande Suite (70 m², 7 suites, levels 17 to 24): a separate living area with a king bed and luxury bathroom, ideal for guests who want more space without stepping up to a full suite category
• Luxury Suite (70 m², 27 suites): the same generous 70 m² footprint as the Grande Suite, with an elegantly separated bedroom and living room, large walk-in closet, spacious bathroom with standing shower, bathtub and bathroom television, Thann bathroom amenities, universal socket, and the full Luxury benefits package (24-hour butler, executive breakfast at Rossini’s, complimentary evening cocktails, daily pressing, high-speed 80 Mbps internet)
• Family Suite (130 m², 3 suites, levels 14 to 16): perfect for families, with a king bed connected to a Grande Twin through a private unique entrance, two large walk-in closets, two large bathrooms with shower and bathtub, Thann amenities and a 42-inch LED television

Thai Theme Garden Suites (90 m², level 10)

Three unique Thai-themed garden suites, each a homage to exquisite local aesthetic and design, beautifully decorated with authentic Thai teak furniture and traditional crafts. Each suite includes an en-suite private bathroom with jacuzzi and a private terrace with tropical garden.

• Raja Suite: an intimate Thai retreat with garden and outdoor jacuzzi
• Rachada Suite: a spacious Thai-themed suite with private garden and outdoor dining space
• Rama Suite: the most extensive of the three, with 164 m² of tropical outdoor space alongside the 77 m² interior, sun-dappled lounges overlooking The Sala and swimming pool, plus a private outdoor jacuzzi. Ranked higher than the Presidential Suite by the hotel itself

International Style Suites

• Governor Suite (117 m², level 32): 117 m² of living space with separate bedroom and living room, large walk-in closet, standing shower and bathtub, Thann bathroom amenities, universal socket, spectacular view overlooking Benjakiti Lake, 55-inch LED television and a bathroom television. Comes with the full 24-hour butler and Luxury Collection benefits package
• Presidential Suite (117 m², level 33, one bedroom): a classic blend of Thai design and modern luxury with panoramic views over Lake Ratchada, sharing the same footprint and amenities as the Governor Suite but positioned at the top of the tower
• Royal Suite (248 m², level 33): the crown jewel of the hotel, with separate bedroom, living room and dining room, large walk-in closet, standing shower and bathtub, Thann bathroom amenities, spectacular Benjakiti Lake view and a 46-inch LED television.

Every room or suite is fitted with:

• Bed comfort: Frette linens with a 400-thread-count cotton sheets, hypoallergenic pillows, blackout curtains
• Bathroom: marble, separate rainfall shower and tub, thick folded towels, Le Labo amenities
• In-room features: swivelling flat-screen LCD TV, marble desk, safe (laptop-sized), minibar, coffee and tea set, garment steamer, walk-in closet
• Digital check: free high-speed Wi-Fi with speeds of 600 Mbps in rooms and public spaces, USB ports beside the bed, smart TV with streaming options

Our Luxury Suite on Level 26

We stayed in a Luxury Suite on the 26th floor, overlooking Lake Ratchada and, in the distance, the silhouette of Benjakitti Park against the Bangkok skyline. A separate living room with a generous workspace, a bedroom with a king-size bed that felt like a cloud, and a spacious marble bathroom. Thanks to the separate sitting area, the marble entryway and a separate toilet just off the hallway, the suite feels much larger than the 70 m² on paper.

We loved the welcome plate with the map of Thailand and four different chocolates, each representing a Thai region. We are absolute suckers for Thai topography!

Living Room

The living room of the suite feels more like a proper living space than a standard hotel room. Everything is generously laid out, and the atmosphere is warm and classic: plenty of dark teak, soft beige tones, and subtle marble details that flow directly through from the lobby downstairs.

Opposite the sofa and coffee table stands a generous desk with a serious office chair, where we easily worked for a few hours each day. The large television is centrally placed in the room, but stayed dark the entire stay. Honestly, with this view over the greenery of Benjakitti Park and the Bangkok skyline beyond, who needs a TV?

The coffee corner is complete without being excessive: a capsule coffee machine, a kettle, a thoughtful tea selection and a fridge. Fresh water and fruit were replenished daily, a small gesture that proves surprisingly valuable after a hot day on Sukhumvit Road.

Bedroom

The bedroom felt calm and could be closed off from the living area, a detail you appreciate the moment one of you decides to keep working into the evening. The atmosphere is again warm and classic, with soft colours and comfortable fabrics.

The bed is large and, above all, exceptionally comfortable. The kind of bed where you slightly too easily lie down for “just five minutes” after a long day in Bangkok. Beside the bed sit an extra sofa and a vanity table, a set that makes the room feel that much more complete. There is also a large television opposite the bed here, but once again the view won the battle. After coming home in the evening, watching the lights of Bangkok from bed is a holiday ritual in itself.

Adjoining the bedroom lies a sizable walk-in closet, fully equipped: a generous safe, plenty of storage space, an ironing board and a proper iron. Beyond it, the bathroom awaits.

Bathroom

The bathroom continues the luxurious feel of the suite without missing a beat. Marble dominates, combined with strikingly coloured wall tiles that give the space just a hint of its own character. The layout is practical, with a separate rainfall shower and a free-standing tub, keeping the whole room feeling open. After a long day walking through Bangkok, that tub is more than welcome.

The Byredo amenities add another layer of refinement. Fresh and light in scent, never so heavy that they wrap you in a cloud of perfume. The water pressure in the shower is also strong and consistent, a detail we take just a bit more seriously in a hotel than the average traveller might.

What works best is that the bathroom is beautiful and functional at the same time. Everything is where you expect it, and the space is large enough to remain comfortable even on a longer stay.

Facilities

Swimming Pool

The playful swimming pool on the third floor was, without doubt, one of the biggest surprises of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. In the middle of Asok’s skyscrapers, this place feels like a small tropical resort. Palm trees and tropical plants are everywhere, with different levels and corners that make it feel playful. There is a large heated jacuzzi, and comfortable sun loungers with soft cushions and oversized towels are scattered around in the shade.

A nice touch: the team came by every now and then with cold water for guests. If you fancy a drink or a bite to eat, The Sala Pool Bar has you covered (more on that later).

The free-form pool has been one of the most beloved pool retreats in Bangkok since 1996. Sukhumvit Road literally disappears here, vanishing between bamboo, palms and frangipani trees. The elevation and the wall of greenery shut out almost all the city noise. What remains is the sound of a waterfall and the occasional chirp of birds.

Spa & Wellness

Alongside the swimming pool and the gym area, the hotel also features an extensive wellness section, where relaxation takes centre stage. We did not use it this time and cannot offer our own verdict. What we did notice: they work with products from HARNN, one of our favourite Thai wellness brands. That tells you something about the level at which they operate here.

The Fitness Club

On the third floor, the same level as the pool and spa, lies The Fitness Club. Staffed from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and accessible with your room key outside those hours. Perfect for the early birds among us.

The gym is divided into two areas. The first, reached via a small staircase towards the parking garage, is entirely devoted to cardio: treadmills, recumbent and upright bikes, step machines and crosstrainers, mostly from the well-known Life Fitness brand and all neatly maintained. The second room focuses on strength training, with dumbbells, an extensive selection of Cybex strength equipment, and a separate yoga and aerobics studio. Some equipment feels slightly older, but the range is broad enough for a full workout, and everything functions properly.

Personal trainers are available by appointment for anyone who refuses to let their fitness routine slip while on holiday. Adjoining the gym lie a sauna, a steam room and a jacuzzi, a pleasant combination after a morning session.

Restaurants and Bars @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit houses an impressive line-up of restaurants and bars, each with its own identity. Anyone staying here should dine in-house at least once, if only because you would otherwise miss half of what this hotel has to offer. We settled in at Rossini’s, the Italian fine-dining restaurant, and at basil, where the Flavours of Thailand concept took us on a journey through familiar and lesser-known Thai dishes. Breakfast was mostly at the Orchid Café, and we shared a number of memorable drinks together at BarSu, The Living Room, and The Sala Pool Bar.

That said, we are huge fans of another concept hosted at this Sheraton: Dine in the Dark. A four-course dinner in complete darkness, guided by visually impaired hosts and hostesses who become your eyes for the evening. An experience we wholeheartedly recommend to anyone overnighting in Bangkok. Honestly: this alone is a reason to stay here.

Rossini’s

After each of us had enjoyed an Aperol Spritz as an aperitivo at The Living Room, we walked a few minutes over to Rossini’s, on the same second floor. The Italian fine-dining restaurant felt as though we had swapped Bangkok for a classic villa in Tuscany. The lighting is warm, the atmosphere relaxed, and at the table you immediately sense that the service here operates at the highest level. Manager Ritdhidon and his team made sure our romantic evening went flawlessly, a true professional through and through.

From the Monte Tessa Appassimento to the surprisingly delicious tiramisu hidden inside an Italian mocha coffee maker: Rossini’s turned out to be so good that we decided to dedicate a separate, in-depth review to it. Read our full account of an Italian evening that felt like a short holiday in Italy, right in the middle of our grand Thailand journey.

Breakfast @ Rossini’s

For Marriott Platinum members and suite guests, like us, there is the option to have breakfast at Rossini’s. Rather than the bustle of the large buffet, this feels like a calm, focused start to the day. The selection is somewhat smaller, but everything is fresh and beautifully prepared.

You will find, among other things, fresh fruit, açaí bowls, Greek yoghurt, muesli, a small cheese selection, and various breads, including gluten-free options. There is also a separate breakfast menu from which you can order dishes prepared fresh at your table.

I ordered the Thai River Prawn & Crab Meat Omelet with Choo Chee Curry, a light omelette filled with tender river prawn and crab meat, served with a creamy Thai red curry of coconut milk, kaffir lime leaf and a hint of palm sugar. A refined Thai-Italian fusion dish that fits effortlessly into this setting.

Breakfast at Rossini’s means: fewer people, more personal attention, and a breakfast that feels just that little bit calmer. Sometimes less choice is exactly what you need.

Breakfast @ Orchid Café

An international breakfast buffet and à la carte for lunch and dinner, halal options, ideal for families: that is Orchid Café in a sentence. Breakfast is clearly the hotel’s main breakfast offering, and you notice this immediately upon entering the oval room from the sheer scale of what is on offer. We explored various international stations, with separate Japanese, Korean and Indian corners, a noodle station and an extensive egg station where eggs are prepared exactly to your liking. Alongside, you will find a generous selection of cheeses such as brie and cheddar, smoked salmon, charcuterie, satay, various breads, and plenty of fresh fruit including mango, apple and orange.

The choice was broad, but the bakery section caught our eye in particular. From whole-wheat croissants and sourdough bread to soft rolls and sweet pastries, there is more than enough to choose from. Also welcome: there is consideration for different dietary requirements, including gluten-free options.

Fresh orange juice was topped up continuously, and the service remained at the same level throughout breakfast. Here we still felt genuine attention during breakfast, something that often gets lost in larger hotels. Despite the scale, it never feels chaotic: everything is clearly laid out and well maintained. Special thanks to the team, and in particular to the warm Senior Venue Manager Khun Chanida Anankusri and the passionate Indian chef Bharat, who showed us what Asian hospitality at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit truly means.

From our table, we had a view of the BTS line, Terminal 21 and the unfolding morning life on Sukhumvit. Enjoying a quiet breakfast inside while Bangkok slowly comes alive outside: a charming dynamic you will not easily find elsewhere.

basil

basil felt like a small discovery tour through the Thai kitchen. Flavours of Thailand, unlimited à la carte delights, the concept is surprisingly simple yet smart: around 30 different Thai dishes, served in smaller portions, so you can taste plenty without feeling full after three courses. At just under 1,000 baht (930 to be exact), it also feels like a surprisingly good deal for a hotel of this calibre.

From the traditional Miang Kham that appeared on our table before we had even opened the menu, to the Paenang Nua Gaem Wua with duck and fruit of which we ordered a second round just to taste it again: basil turned out to be one of those evenings we could not capture in a single paragraph. We found basil so smart and so delicious that we decided to dedicate a separate, in-depth review to it, including a number of traditional dishes that came to our table, what surprised us, and which Thai gems we tried for the first time. Read our full account of basil in Bangkok.

BarSu

After dinner at basil, we decided to have a few more drinks at BarSu, short for Bar Sukhumvit. As we settled in at the outdoor terrace, we looked out onto, where else, Sukhumvit Road. Ilonka rightly remarked: “Funny, isn’t it, how often we’ve walked past here, and now we’re sitting here.” Followed, without the slightest hesitation, by: “Just bring me a beer first, by the way.”

I myself ordered The End of the Road, a fitting name considering we were nearing the end of our six-month-long Thailand journey for 2025/2026. A rich, thoughtful cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon, Amaretto, Dom Bénédictine and chocolate bitters, exactly the kind of drink that suits looking back on a long journey with more highlights than we could count in one evening.

To finish, we had a Blooming in a Garden, a floral and refined interplay of Beefeater gin, elderflower liqueur, maraschino liqueur and lime juice, and a Tam Yam Yam, a cocktail packed with Thai flavours of Absolut, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, galangal, chilli and lime juice. A liquid tribute to our dinner earlier that evening at basil.

Dine in the Dark

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit hosts a dining concept that has no equal in all of Bangkok: Dine in the Dark. A four-course dinner in complete darkness, guided by visually impaired hosts and hostesses who literally become your eyes for the evening. No smartphones, no candlelight, no dim lamp, only the voice of your guide, the scent of what stands before you, and the feel of cutlery in your hand. We ate largely with our hands, just letting go!

The concept runs Monday  to Saturday from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, at 1,990++ THB per person. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. The Queen, which makes this evening not only a culinary experience but also a gesture with real meaning.

We experienced it ourselves, and the way taste, texture and aroma behave when you cannot see anything remains a memorable dining experience.
Read our full account of Dine in the Dark in Bangkok, including the bonus we received and why the end of the evening left us silent.

Le Petit Chef

On the first floor of the hotel, in an adjoining room near The Living Room, another remarkable dining concept takes place that sets this hotel apart from almost any other address in Bangkok: Le Petit Chef. An evening where not one but four projected chefs of six centimetres tall, a Spaniard, a Frenchman, an Italian and a Japanese, compete for your vote via 3D projection mapping on the tablecloth, and where every course is served while the story unfolds across your plate.

A perfect outing for families with children aged six and up, but equally suited to couples or groups of friends looking for something altogether different from a standard dinner. We went during our stay and dedicated a separate, in-depth review to it, including our honest assessment of each course and which chef, according to us, won the competition.
Read our full account of Le Petit Chef Bangkok.

The Living Room

We first came into contact with The Living Room thanks to the complimentary evening cocktails from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Practically every evening we found ourselves here, often before our dinner elsewhere in the hotel. The team, led by Bar Supervisor Khun Piyapong, was so wonderfully warm and went out of their way to make guests feel at home. When I mentioned our journey and that I was planning a Thai “we-are-back drinks party” once we got home, he reappeared a little later with a sealed bag of coconut bites. “For your party,” he said, pulling the bag from behind his back with a smile.

Back to the cocktails. During cocktail hour, we and the other guests could choose from a broad selection, from a classic Mai Tai and Cosmopolitan to the special cocktail of the day. What struck us: a staff member first asked us at our table what we liked, and then mixed a special cocktail to suit our personal taste. During our stay, we enjoyed Aperol Spritz as an appetite opener, Ilonka regularly ordered her favourite daiquiri or mojito, and I fell head over heels for The Vada Gimlet, a cocktail based on gin, lemongrass, Thai basil, lime and chilli pepper. A combination so refined and yet so distinctly Thai that I could barely get enough of it.

Not in the mood for cocktails? At The Living Room you can also order a wide selection of (iced) coffee, tea, and even hot or cold chocolate. During our benefit hours, small Thai and international canapés were also served, a thoughtful addition that made the whole experience feel more like a relaxed evening moment than a standard hotel happy hour.

Jazz & Gin @ The Living Room

What truly sets The Living Room apart from any other hotel bar in Bangkok is the music. For over two decades, this space has been regarded as Bangkok’s premier live jazz venue, internationally recognised by Asia Bars & Restaurants as “the preeminent jazz venue” in the city. A broad monthly jazz programme is presented here, with a jazz ensemble performing every evening from 6:45 PM to 10:30 PM, sometimes even running until 10:45 PM. On Saturdays, there is a Jazz Afternoon Tea from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, and on Sundays the Sunday Jazz Brunch from 12:00 to 3:00 PM.

Gin Library

The Gin Library, part of The Living Room, is known as one of the largest gin collections in Bangkok and indeed all of Thailand, with more than 270 different gins from all corners of the world. This goes far beyond a shelf with a few familiar labels. From classic London Dry gins to botanical, spiced and more experimental varieties from every corner of the globe, the choice is truly impressive.

If you love gin, you would do well to take the menu in hand. The concept is best summed up by its own tagline: “This is not just gin, it’s a journey in every sip.” The Gin Library offers various curated gin flights, each accompanied by Fever Tree tonic, allowing you to taste gins from across the world in a single evening.

We took full advantage of this experience after one of the most memorable dinners of our entire Bangkok trip: Dine in the Dark, on the ground floor next to BarSu. Back upstairs at The Living Room, with our senses still sharpened, we shared four gin and tonics of the Asian Botanicals Flight while Thai jazz vocalist Athalie performed on stage with her wonderful Jazziam Band. An evening where music, taste, friendship and unforgettable memories blended seamlessly into one another.

This flight presented us with four iconic Asian gins, under the theme “Spice, Soul & Serenity”. The Ki No Bi from Japan opens softly with yuzu, green tea and sansho pepper. Minimalist, yet surprisingly powerful. Next comes the Lady Trieu Mekong Delta Dry from Vietnam, with its fresh citrus and herbaceous depth from native botanicals. The Siam Lanna from Thailand brings a tropical surge of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf. To close, Stranger & Sons from India: an interplay of cardamom, pepper and coriander that unfolds over a robust citrus base.

Even if you are not a serious gin lover, The Gin Library is the kind of place where you will likely come across something that makes you think: okay, I actually want to try that.

The Sala Pool Bar

At The Sala Pool Bar, located beside the tropical swimming pool amid palm trees and lush greenery, we ordered a fresh coconut and a mango shake. After a relaxed session in the large heated jacuzzi and a few laps in the playful swimming pool, we let ourselves drop happily onto the comfortable loungers in the shade.

With those soft cushions beneath us, the sound of running water in the background and the Bangkok skyline in the distance, this is truly a place where you let a few hours drift by. Life is grand, and certainly so at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok.

The Art of Lotus Folding @ The Sala

Over at The Sala, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, guests can join The Art of Lotus Folding. Part of the hotel’s Destination Discovery journey, this signature experience invites you to learn the graceful, meditative practice of shaping lotus flowers, a symbol of purity and the emblem of the hotel itself. A quiet moment of beauty, tradition and serenity, wrapped up in an hour of Thai heritage.

Our Conclusion

After our stay at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel, we could only come to one conclusion: this grand old lady of Sukhumvit Road still earns her reputation!

What makes this Bangkok five-star hotel unique is the combination of worlds that meet here without ever getting in each other’s way. The pure functional luxury of the location, with a direct sky-bridge to BTS Asok, Terminal 21 and MRT Sukhumvit, alongside the tropical calm of the swimming pool that makes you forget you are in Bangkok’s commercial heart. Add a number of top restaurants on top: from Rossini’s and basil to the unique concepts of Dine in the Dark and Le Petit Chef, and of course The Living Room and The Gin Library with its impressive collection, for many a reason in itself to visit Bangkok.

But what stayed with us the most is the service. The decisive attention at the reception, the bar supervisor at The Living Room who handed us coconut bites for our “we-are-back” drinks party at home in the Netherlands, and the care with which every cocktail was mixed to personal taste. We will undoubtedly return for a revisit, to see whether we still feel the same way about it a few years from now.

Some good reasons to book a stay at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok

• One of the best hotel locations in all of Bangkok, with a direct sky-bridge to BTS, MRT and Terminal 21
• A playful swimming pool in a tropical garden on the third floor, that feels like a resort in the middle of the city
• The Living Room, internationally recognised as one of Bangkok’s finest live jazz clubs
• The Gin Library, with perhaps the largest variety of gins in all of Thailand
• Rossini’s, a Michelin Plate Italian restaurant where you feel like you are dining in a Tuscan villa
• Outstanding service thanks to GM Carl Volschenk and his loyal team of associates who go above and beyond to make every guest’s stay memorable
• The Dine in the Dark concept, for us a true highlight of our 2025/2026 journey
• 5-Leaf Green Leaf certification, the highest sustainability standard in Thailand

Some tips and interesting facts

• Book Le Petit Chef and Dine in the Dark two to three months in advance. Both concepts are almost always fully booked and are the unique F&B experiences of the hotel
• Ask for a room on level 24+ on the Lake Ratchada side at check-in. The view over the lake and Benjakitti Park is calmer and more spectacular at sunset than the Sukhumvit side
• Visit SW1 Night Market. A charming evening market within walking distance of the hotel
• Book the Sunday Jazzy Brunch ten days in advance. A Bangkok tradition since 2000, with live jazz and an extensive buffet. Ask for a table with a good view of the stage
• Be at the pool before 8:30 AM. Between 8:00 and 9:30 AM, the oasis is practically empty, perfect for undisturbed swimming or photography⚠️No reserving with a towel and then coming back later, just so you know! ⚠️
• Thailand’s Leading Business Hotel in 2010
• Artworks by Stephen Gormley: the iconic turquoise glass sculptures are valued by Asian art connoisseurs as collector’s pieces, a detail many guests overlook
• The Living Room was named “the preeminent jazz venue” of Bangkok by Asia Bars & Restaurants
• Dine in the Dark supports the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. The Queen: a portion of the proceeds from this four-course experience in complete darkness goes to this charity

General information about Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Address: 250 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
Tel: +66 (0)2 649 8888
Check-in: 3 PM / Check-out: 12 AM
Book your room or suite via Agoda or Booking.com