Reviewed by
Nicolas Buchele
Shanghai Mansion Bangkok is superbly sited for those who wish to stay in the heart of Bangkok's jubilantly chaotic Chinatown, and who appreciate quirky interior design. Rising above a restaurant and coffee shop (don't be put off by the mall-like exterior), you reach the second-floor lobby by lift. Architect Julian Coombs has sought to reflect the colour and character of Shanghai Mansion’s namesake; think decorative Chinese lanterns, plush red silk cushions and antique birdcages.
The lobby lounge, in opulent ‘30s Shanghai style, is a great place to bring your book or magazine. Or gaze down from the library’s internal balconies through the colourful hanging lantern-decked atrium onto which the stained-glass-windowed rooms look. But the Shanghai Mansion is really all about its rooms - great fun in either chinoiserie chic or pre-war Colonial, with cushion-bedecked four-poster beds and lantern-dominated bathrooms. This is the perfect place for the budget-conscious who want to be in the heart of the action.
The lobby lounge, in opulent ‘30s Shanghai style, is a great place to bring your book or magazine. Or gaze down from the library’s internal balconies through the colourful hanging lantern-decked atrium onto which the stained-glass-windowed rooms look. But the Shanghai Mansion is really all about its rooms - great fun in either chinoiserie chic or pre-war Colonial, with cushion-bedecked four-poster beds and lantern-dominated bathrooms. This is the perfect place for the budget-conscious who want to be in the heart of the action.
Highs
- Located in one of our favourite areas of Bangkok - bags of character, dripping in history and the cities best street food and restaurants on your doorstep
- Contemporary chinoiserie or pre-war Shanghai-style rooms will provoke a gasp upon entering and are romantically intimate
- During our last visit we were delighted with the dim sum afternoon tea, served by older Chinese ladies who took great pleasure in telling us about each tea on offer
- A cool, quiet haven with little or no traffic noise - impressive considering the intensity of Chinatown’s streets
Lows
- Superior Rooms (Mei Hua) are smaller than the other rooms and lack natural daylight - we'd opt for one of the Deluxe Rooms (Ying Hua) instead
- Thin doors in Superior Rooms (Mei Hua) mean that, audio-wise, nothing is left to the imagination; common areas are also noisy so ask for a room away from the lobby lounge
- Check-in can be rather disorganised and staff speak limited English; we did get very big smiles though
- The hotel’s restaurant, Red Rose, though good, can’t be beaten by the street food in Chinatown
Best time to go
Bangkok is a good year round destination, but it can get very wet from July to October. Although the heat is on all year round, March to May is the hottest time to be in the city, and December to February the coolest.
Our top tips
Although the in-house restaurant serves up tasty food, do save some space for the Chinatown street food available in the evening just outside the door. It’s fresh, tasty and diverse, with each stall having its own specialty. Plus the people watching opportunities from a street-side stall are endless!