Hotel review: Amari Watergate Bangkok’s new look and feel

Luckily for Amari Watergate in Bangkok, closing up the hotel in February 2020 had already been part of their renovation agenda, regardless of Covid. During their year away, upgrades were made to both the daylight meeting rooms on the fifth and seventh floors, as well as the Premier Rooms. All of this has helped elevate this Thai name to sleek sophistication, sans dated, golden patterns and frills. Location wise, it cannot possibly get any better for tourists, where one is steps away from both the high-end flagship boutiques and bargain buys at Platinum Mall.

This humongous 5-star hotel with 564 rooms is also something of a hotspot for MICE events. It’s amazing how a ballroom as large as 948 sqm is available right in the heart of the city. For any Indians on the lookout for a sangeet venue, the meeting rooms and facilities at Amari Watergate are able to shape-shift to serve parties of anything between 10 guests to 800. It’s accommodated events from rock concerts to global conferences, all with a professional yet genuinely friendly manner to guests.

The arrival

After making one’s way through the hustle and traffic that envelopes the Pratunam area, there’s nothing more welcoming than stepping into a warm and modern lobby with a triple-volume atrium. Guests can gaze up at the new hanging installation reminiscent of falling rain. Titled as “Water of Life”, the sleek and breezy chandelier comprises of 847 pieces of individually handcrafted Murano glass. This is a nod to both the hotel’s address at 847 Phetchaburi Road, as well as its proximity to one of the city’s most well-known canal, Khlong Saen Saep. Without being too in your face, it showcases the significance of water to Thai culture, a theme that is discreetly but wonderfully reflected in all the décor throughout the property.

Contemporary Thainess

The 202 Premier Rooms that have been refurbished exude a fresh modernity. Approximately 40 sqm in size, they belie any expectations of a dark, old-school lodging. Turquoise blue or burgundy red tones are used in the rooms in tribute to the khlongs the hotel is situated near, while a graphic version of Thai motifs and wave ripples deck the walls and carpets.

Also remodeled to have double vanities and back-lit mirrors, the bright bathrooms awash in glorious white marble now rival those you’ d expect to see at ultra-luxury hotels. It’s a spacious respite to return to after a long day of work or shopping, but if you’re still active, a large gym, squash court and resort-style swimming pool with views of the city’s skyline await on the eighth floor. Breeze Spa, situated next to the pool, offers a range of reasonably priced treatments.

Dining from Samui to Bangkok

Make sure to enjoy a meal at the hotel’s contemporary Italian restaurant Prego, which will be rolling out at all Amari properties in the future. Considering the exceptional taste and authenticity, it’s a total steal how pastas and pizzas are priced at the range of a mere THB 200-300. The eatery had just launched in April 2022, however, the renowned name dates back two decades to its first branch at Amari Koh Samui. A brainchild of Italian Chef Marco Boscaini, a not-to-be-missed decadence is his Risotto Alla Montanara. Richly creamy and topped with a raw egg yolk, this dish was featured in publisher Gribaudo’s book i Risotti dei migliori Ristoranti del Mondo, among a selection of 100 best risottos from around the world.

The hotel does not have a designated bar outlet, save for the lobby lounge downstairs. Guests staying in the Executive Room tier and above have access to the serene Executive Lounge on the 32nd floor. Before a night out in town, indulge in some pre-dinner drinks from 6-8pm. There is a sizeable menu of free-flow drinks (beers, liquors, wine and five cocktails), as well as a delightful spread of both Western and Thai canapés and bite-sized desserts, like mango and sticky rice.

A final word

Checking all the boxes of comfort and convenience, what makes this corporate chain memorable is its service. It may feel like it is easy to go unnoticed in such a large and busy entity, but the staff are well-trained to make guests feel welcomed and attended to at Amari Watergate. As general manager Sukamal Mondal confirms, “I really empower our staff to make guests happy by placing less restrictions. Software is super important. You can have the best rooms anywhere, but if your software is bad, it’s a disaster.”

Amari Watergate Bangkok