Good Vibes at Innside by Melia, Bangkok

Bangkok is visited by more international tourists than any other city in the world, so competition among hotels in the Thai capital is understandably fierce. The relatively new and stunning Innside is extremely popular among tourists visiting from Spain — and rightly so: the premium lifestyle property belongs to the highly regarded Spanish hotel chain Melia, and it deserves broader recognition among visitors of all nationalities as a desirable accommodation choice in the gateway city to Thailand.

Location is always a key factor in choosing a hotel, and Innside ticks that box with ease. While it is not located in the part of the sprawling city with the greatest concentration of hotels, it is just a few steps away from the On Nut elevated rail station of the BTS Skytrain, a key component of Bangkok’s highly efficient mass transit system. The hotel is also right off a freeway exit, for easy access by car and taxi, especially when transferring to or from the airport. 

The Skytrain, in combination with the underground MRT, will whisk hotel guests to virtually every sightseeing attraction and restaurant in Bangkok, without the need to contend with the horrific street traffic jams for which the city is notorious. The On Nut station also conveniently houses a currency exchange office recommended by Innside. (Tip: Don’t forget to bring your passport when changing money in Thailand.)

For those times when it might nonetheless be more convenient to travel by taxi, it is highly recommended to use the local app Grab, the Southeast Asian version of Uber, to which we were kindly alerted by the hotel’s PR representative. Grab is very user-friendly, even for English speakers, and although most of the drivers do not speak English, they have your route map and will rarely need to communicate with you. 

If you run into any trouble navigating the app for the first time, do not hesitate to ask the friendly and professional staff at the Innside front desk for assistance: as is their wont, they patiently walked me through my first use of the app. (Note: Grab is also the best way to transfer back and forth from the airport, since there is no point at all to renting a car for use within the city.) Those guests who nonetheless have opted to check in with cars will be happy to learn that free on-site parking is available. 

Impressive and Attractive Design 

The Innside brand of Melia Hotels is a worldwide collection of upscale urban (and beach) hotels designed to captivate and enhance your stay. We found the Bangkok property, admittedly our first exposure to the brand, to be particularly aesthetic and appealing.

In fact, my better half, who is an architect and interior designer by profession, could not help but remark that the hotel’s unusual and imaginative white and gold décor gave off a palpable feeling of “good energy.” Whether we were in the reception area, the restaurants, the alluring common working and meeting areas, or even just waiting for the elevators, we felt we were in an atmosphere that was particularly conducive to either work or relaxation.

Beautifully Welcoming Rooms

The Innside commitment to artistic creativity and attention to design detail extends as well to the guest units. There are no fewer than six room types, sizes and configurations to choose from, each category better than the next.

Have no fear, however: even the smallest and least expensive room option is comfortably spacious, with the surprising apparition of the sink installed in the bedroom, rather than the bathroom. This unique design feature added to the Innside experience – quirky and fun.

Even the most basic rooms boast every amenity that one expects in a five-star establishment: beds with DreamMaker mattresses, user-friendly climate control (A/C), large flat screen television with multi-channel and multi-lingual programming, laptop-sized electronic safe for valuables, and refreshment corner with mini-refrigerator and complimentary items in the minibar, plus an electric kettle for making coffee and tea. Free WiFi extends to all guest rooms, as well as public spaces. 

Bathrooms are fastidiously clean, with spacious shower stalls equipped with dual showerheads, pampering organic toiletries by Smile, hair dryers, and more. Plush Innside bathrobes and comfy, wackily decorated slippers complement the thirsty bath towels. 

An upgrade to a larger room or suite could merit a few extra perks, such as an espresso machine, complimentary alcoholic beverages in the minibar, and/or a bathtub. The hotel, which is, importantly, a non-smoking property (in all guest units and public indoor areas), also offers handicapped-accessible or adapted rooms. 

Rooftop Pool Oasis

Of course, one does not come to Bangkok to stay in one’s room, as inviting as the guest quarters might be. However, it’s reassuring to know that when you’ve had your fill of sightseeing or just need to cool off from oppressive heat and humidity, there’s a fantastic rooftop pool surrounded by sunbeds. 

Moreover, the view from the infinity pool, with its distinctive transparent bottom, is breathtakingly panoramic. The vista may be equally enjoyed while sipping a drink ordered from the Giant Swing Pool Bar, named after the towering metallic swing that adds another dimension of elegance to the pool area. 

It’s fun to soak in the pool, but not always easy to swim laps. Fortunately, for those craving some exercise, there is a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment. 

International Dining

Innside is also home to great culinary experiences served up in the hotel’s two restaurants. On the rooftop terraces adjacent to the pool, as well as one floor below, guests and local residents alike enjoy a rare gastronomic treat in Thailand: authentic Iberian dishes from the kitchen of LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. A chef imported from Spain prepares classic tapas as tasty as any you would find in Madrid or Barcelona.

Of course, when in Thailand, one must indulge in Thai cuisine, and the hotel’s Kites Eatery has guests covered on that score as well. Check out the Pinto set lunch: Thai favorites presented in colorful, stackable dishes commonly used throughout Southeast Asia to keep food warm and portable.  

The Kites Eatery is also the venue of the hotel’s daily breakfast buffet – a lavish smorgasbord reflecting international flavors. Whatever time of the day or evening you eat in the restaurant overlooking the city, captivating views are visible through floor-to-ceiling windows.  

In short, there is never an excuse to go hungry at Innside, since there is also 24-hour room service. The pet-friendly hotel will even ensure that your four-legged friend will also be taken care of. 

Rates at Innside by Melia, Bangkok, start at only $90 per night (breakfast not included) in low season, and are dynamically adjusted upwards. Members of the Melia Rewards loyalty program enjoy special discounts and other benefits. 

Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.

Text and photos by Buzzy Gordon, who was a guest of the hotel for purposes of review. As always, the opinions expressed are his own.