The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon - 155 Rooms Inside a Pixelated Skyscraper

The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon occupies the lower floors of a 77-story tower that looks like it's being digitally deconstructed in real time. This 155-room property brings New York hotel swagger to Bangkok's Silom district, sitting 314 meters above street level in the King Power Mahanakhon – that glassy skyscraper with what appears to be a pixelated ribbon carved into its side. The hotel delivers everything from Mexican cuisine at Thailand's highest restaurant to a proper British pub, all while maintaining the kind of studied nonchalance The Standard brand has built its reputation on.

The draw here isn't subtle: you get access to a rooftop bar that ranks as the third highest in the world, a 24-hour gym with floor-to-ceiling city views, and a roster of restaurants and bars that would exhaust even the most dedicated night owl. Design comes courtesy of Jaime Hayon, who clearly received the memo about making bold choices, and the whole operation sits in prime position between Silom and Sathorn, putting you within striking distance of Lumpini Park, the Chao Phraya River, and Bangkok's old town.

The Building That Looks Unfinished on Purpose

King Power Mahanakhon – formerly just MahaNakhon before the ownership change in 2018 – is the kind of building that divides opinion the moment you spot it. German architect Ole Scheeren designed this 77-floor mixed-use tower with what appears to be a pixelated ribbon spiraling up its facade, as if the building is unzipping itself to reveal what's inside. Those aren't just architectural theatrics; they're actual balconies carved into the structure, creating outdoor spaces with unobstructed city views.

Construction wrapped up in 2016, and at 314.2 meters, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat recognized it as Thailand's tallest building. That distinction lasted until 2018, but the tower remains Bangkok's most visually distinctive high-rise. The glass curtain walls are segmented both horizontally and vertically, reinforcing that deliberately unfinished look. Inside, you'll find residences, retail space, The Standard hotel, and at the top, those sky-high dining and drinking venues that make the most of the elevation.

The building sits in Bangkok's Silom/Sathorn central business district, connected to the Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain station and close to the Bangkok BRT stop on Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road. The location puts you in the thick of Bangkok's financial district while keeping the city's more traditional neighborhoods within easy reach.

The Shop

The hotel's ground-floor retail component offers grab-and-go essentials for guests who need provisions without venturing far. It's stocked with the kind of items that come in handy when you're settling into a hotel room and realize you've forgotten something, or when you need snacks for a late night in.

Where Morning Coffee Becomes Evening Cocktails

The Parlor functions as an all-day hub for cocktails, work, live music, and lectures, spreading across 150 square meters indoors with an additional 310-square-meter outdoor terrace. The space shifts its personality as the day progresses – morning coffee service gives way to afternoon work sessions, which eventually surrender to evening cocktails and nighttime entertainment.

Live music happens on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the daily happy hour from 5pm to 7pm features a buy-one-get-one deal on signature cocktails. The drinks program is handled by an award-winning in-house mixologist, and the food menu leans into Thai dishes rather than trying to be all things to all people. Local DJs take over the venue's Sounds Studio Friday to Sunday, spinning sets that range across genres depending on who's behind the decks. The setup isn't a casual playlist situation – this is proper DJ equipment in a dedicated booth, treating music as a central element of the space rather than background noise. The space accommodates 56 people indoors with room for 76 more on the terrace.

Afternoon Tea Gone Rogue

Tease takes the traditional afternoon tea concept and twists it with eccentric design, classic blends with boozy additions, and cocktails after dark. The 43-square-meter space seats 24 people and presents an extensive tea selection alongside what the hotel describes as a playful array of American desserts and sweet and savory bites. The room's design commits fully to the unconventional approach, creating an environment that prioritizes visual impact over understated elegance.

The Standard Grill

Bangkok's iteration of The Standard Grill occupies 200 square meters indoors plus a 76-square-meter outdoor section, seating 62 inside and 40 outside. Led by Executive Sous Chef Alonso Lunar Zarate, the restaurant delivers classic American steakhouse fare with regional ingredients worked into the mix.

The menu features grass-fed aged beef, produce-driven dishes, shucked oysters on ice, spiced Bloody Marys, dry Martinis, and lobster bisque, with over 150 wines on the list. Coppertree bone-in rib eye and Chateaubriand arrive tableside on trolleys, maintaining that old-school steakhouse ritual. A three-course American-style lunch menu runs during the day, and the space takes on a more romantic atmosphere come evening. DJs spin every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 10pm, adding energy to the weekend dinner service.

Your Afterwork Pub in the Sky

Double Standard operates as an all-day pub serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with craft and draught beers on tap and a green terrace. The 136-square-meter indoor space connects to a 170-square-meter outdoor terrace, accommodating 68 people inside and 84 outside.

The menu covers pub classics – proper burgers, fish and chips, and other straightforward fare designed for casual meals rather than special occasions. A daily lunchtime special offers a Reuben sandwich, wedge salad, and potato soup as a set menu. Hours run from noon to 10:30pm daily, making it a reliable option when you want something uncomplicated.

Mott 32 Bangkok

Mott 32 brings its multi-award-winning menu to Bangkok, featuring favorites from Canton, Shanghai, and Beijing. The 225-square-meter restaurant and bar area seats 88, with a 90-square-meter private dining room for 36 and a 230-square-meter outdoor terrace accommodating 67.

The kitchen specializes in Chinese cuisine using time-honored traditions combined with modern cooking techniques. Standouts include the 42-day apple wood roasted Peking duck, house-made dim sum, Kobe and Wagyu beef, and barbecue Iberico pork. The restaurant's signature octagonal-shaped island bar serves as the focal point, offering cocktails incorporating Asian ingredients alongside a curated wine list. The terrace features natural-hued furniture and lush greenery for outdoor dining, and a four-course lunch menu runs daily, with light bites and signature cocktails available from 5:30pm to 8pm at the bar and terrace.

Thailand's Highest Restaurant

Ojo sits on the 76th floor as Thailand's highest restaurant, offering 360-degree views from the outdoor terrace. Chef Francisco Paco Ruano, from Guadalajara's Alcalde Restaurant (ranked number 51 on the World's Best list), helms the kitchen, bringing authentic Mexican flavors reinterpreted through a modern lens.

Designer Ou Baholyodhin created a space that draws inspiration from ancient Mexican civilizations, incorporating symbolism and mysticism throughout. The design references the Mayans' mathematical expertise through geometrical forms and maze-like pleated mirrors, while the name Ojo (Spanish for "eye") connects to sacred symbols woven into the restaurant through macrame and crystal quartz details.

The 334-square-meter restaurant seats 101, with an additional 84 on the terrace and 22 in the mezzanine. The aesthetic leans heavily into gold tones and jewel colors, referencing Central America's precious metals and gemstones. After dinner, you can head upstairs to Sky Beach, the rooftop bar directly above.

Standard King

Ranging from 29 to 31 square meters, the Standard King includes a king bed, fully stocked minibar, Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machine, rain shower, sofa and table, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The entry-level room category delivers city views and natural light throughout the day, with enough space for basic living – sleeping, working, lounging – without excess square footage. Rooms accommodate up to two adults and one child.

All rooms come with Davines bath amenities, smart TVs, custom robes, 24-hour gym access, and entry to the rooftop bar, restaurants, and Mahanakhon Sky Walk. The minibar stocks local Bangkok items rather than generic hotel fare, and pet-friendly rooms are available.

Corner King

The 56-square-meter Corner King features dual-exposure floor-to-ceiling windows, a king bed with fancy linens, rain shower and soaking tub, and a sofa for dining and lounging. The corner location provides views in two directions, maximizing natural light and giving you more connection to the city outside.

The room fits up to two adults and two children, or three adults and one child, making it workable for small families or groups who don't need separate bedrooms. The wraparound windows create a more open feeling than the standard rooms, justifying the upgrade if you're spending significant time in the space.

Penthouse

At 105 square meters, the Penthouse includes a kitchen pantry stocked with snacks, a dining area for eight, Bang & Olufsen speakers, Dyson hairdryer, living room with full sitting area, and connecting powder room. The master bedroom contains a king bed, roomy wardrobe, work desk, and en suite bathroom with soaking tub and rain shower. If you need a second bedroom, you can connect to an adjacent Standard King room, expanding the sleeping capacity.

The pantry makes this room practical for extended stays or for guests who prefer to have breakfast in rather than heading downstairs. The eight-person dining table positions the Penthouse for small gatherings or business meetings that require privacy.

Premier Penthouse

The 144-square-meter Premier Penthouse functions as a full Bangkok apartment, with a complete kitchen featuring Gaggenau appliances – microwave, wine cabinet, full-sized fridge, dishwasher, and cooktop. The dining area seats eight, and the living room includes a full sitting area with a connecting powder room.

The master bedroom matches the standard Penthouse setup with king bed, wardrobe, work desk, and dressing table, plus a Dyson hairdryer and en suite bathroom with soaking tub and rain shower.

This is the hotel's largest accommodation, designed for guests who want hotel services with apartment-style living. The full kitchen setup means you can actually cook if you want to, though with the hotel's restaurant collection, you probably won't need to. The space works for families, extended business stays, or anyone who finds standard hotel rooms too confining.

The Pool Situation

The pool measures 5.5 by 21 meters, with a 20-square-meter jacuzzi and 480-square-meter pool deck. The 20-square-meter pool bar seats 14, with an additional 43 spots on the deck for lounging and dining. The setting overlooks the city from a quiet, plant-filled space that feels removed from the urban density below.

The pool bar menu features light dishes, craft cocktails, small sharable plates, and a strong selection of plant-based options, juices, smoothies, and wellness-focused drinks. It's designed for all-day grazing rather than full meals, giving you the option to spend hours poolside without needing to leave for food. The terrace layout provides both sun and shade zones, and the lush landscaping creates pockets of privacy despite the open layout.

Third-Highest Rooftop Bar in the World

Sky Beach operates as Bangkok's highest cocktail bar and the third highest rooftop bar in the world, open from 10am to midnight with last access at 11pm. The outdoor venue provides 360-degree views of Bangkok's skyline, and the bar serves American-style bites alongside creative cocktails from one of Bangkok's celebrated mixologists.

World-famous DJs perform regularly, and the space functions as an entry point to the Mahanakhon Sky Walk for guests who want to venture onto the glass observation platform. The atmosphere leans toward party venue rather than quiet cocktail bar, especially during DJ nights when the space fills with locals and travelers looking for an elevated night out.

The elevation makes the experience feel more dramatic than typical rooftop bars, and the open-air layout means you're not separated from the views by glass barriers. The bar stays busy most nights, particularly on weekends, so arriving early improves your chances of securing a good spot.