A 143-Year-Old Bangkok Hotel Gets Redone for the Instagram Era

Bangkok’s first luxury hotel has been welcoming travelers for more than 143 years, making it one of the oldest five-star stays in the world. But even the grandest of dames need face-lifts, and the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is unveiling one that comes with a $90 million price tag.

The hotel’s renovation, which was partially unveiled in November 2019 and is expected to be complete by spring, comes at a key time. Bangkok itself is going through a major transformation, with high-end malls, restaurants, and bars emerging around historic monuments. Battery-powered ferries will soon enter service alongside traditional longboats, and more green and public spaces are planned throughout the city. Direct competition is swooping in, too, as Four Seasons and Capella prepare to up the ante for luxury in buildings that are a two-minute boat ride from Mandarin’s property line.