Reintroducing the Dusit Thani Bangkok: the luxury property off Lumpini Park houses Umberto Bombana’s first restaurant in Thailand, and marries André Fu’s signature aesthetic with Thai elegance

Jan 15 , 2025

The new Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel marries André Fu’s signature aesthetic with Thai luxury and elegance. Photo: Handout

The completely reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok sits in the heart of the city and features 3 restaurants and 3 bars, a pool and a gym, among other facilities – all in a tastefully opulent package

The most exciting hotel opening in Bangkok in recent months is actually a reopening. Late last year, the historic Dusit Thani Bangkok made a grand re-entrance on the city’s hotel scene with a complete transformation that reimagined the original property and adapted it to the 21st century.

Located a stone’s throw from its original location opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of the Thai capital, the new hotel was designed by Hong Kong-based André Fu Studio, known for its work at iconic properties such as Claridge’s in London and The Upper House in Hong Kong.

The newly built, 257-key property is part of Dusit Central Park, a development that will also include luxury residences, office and retail space, and a rooftop park when it’s completed by the end of the year. The original hotel, which first opened in 1970 and was the flagship property of the Thai hospitality group of the same name, closed its doors in 2019. It was long known as one of the city’s most iconic properties, equally beloved by frequent visitors to Bangkok and well-to-do locals, who flocked to its fine-dining establishments such as Chinese restaurant The Mayflower.

A hand-painted pillar in the lobby of the new Dusit Thani Bangkok is a remnant from the original structure. Photo: Handout

Those who still remember the first Dusit Thani as “Bangkok’s grande dame” will find plenty of nods to its history. Greeting guests in the lobby are two imposing pillars preserved from the original structure and painted with hand-drawn motifs. One of the best offerings at Pavilion, the Thai and Chinese restaurant on the ground floor, is a fragrant rice dish that was also on the menu of The Mayflower and is named after that beloved restaurant. A new addition to the dining offerings is Cannubi by Umberto Bombana, the first and only restaurant in Thailand by the Michelin-starred chef who has built an empire of fine-dining Italian establishments in Asia.

Setting the hotel apart from other five-star properties in Bangkok is the sweeping panorama of the city’s skyline as well as the vast green expanse of Lumpini Park, viewable from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the suites and rooms, and from its top floors, where the two bars are located. With its chic indoor setting, 1970 Bar offers cocktails inspired by the many luminaries who have stayed at the hotel over the years, while Spire Rooftop Bar, named after the spire on top of the building, provides some of the most breathtaking views of the city (beware if you’re prone to vertigo).

Pavilion restaurant offers Chinese and Thai dishes, ranging from dim sum to mango and sticky rice. Photo: Handout

If you’re familiar with the aesthetic of Hong Kong designer André Fu, you will recognise some of his signatures in the warm and welcoming ambience of the property, where a sense of serenity and calm reigns supreme. This is thanks in no small part to the soothing colour palette, cosy atmosphere and nods to Thai culture that provide a much-needed counterpoint to the modern skyscraper.

Inspired by traditional Thai pavilions, the grand lobby is located next to a lovely waterfall garden planted with trees from the original Dusit Thani. With their unobstructed views of the park, the rooms are cocoons of luxury in which elements such as lattice panelling and Thai furniture are mixed with modern pieces, all in a palette of celadon green, sage and “pale champagne”, with a sprinkling of gold.

A deluxe corner king room at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, offering unrivalled views of Lumpini Park and the city’s skyline. Photo: Handout