Just when you thought Bangkok's hotel accommodation couldn't get any more varied and unique up pops another young Thai with a new idea - and the determination to turn it into an amazing reality.
It's very hard to accurately describe the Bangok Tree House and even harder to explain how well it's many contrary facets 'work', but they absolutely do. So often you find the higher you go up the 'luxury' ladder the further removed you become from the reality of life in the country or city you're in. The Bangkok Tree House manages to blur these lines in a very successful way.
It's nestled in some trees on stilts above the Chao Phraya River. The river here isn't a vision of loveliness but the tree cover almost obscures the city on the other side and I enjoyed watching the ships, in the words of Otis Reading, 'coming in and going back out again'! Within the context of it's location - just minutes of down town Bangkok - this is a seriously quiet, pretty corner.
If you've never visited this area of Bangkok you'll be amazed. There are almost no roads, instead houses and life are connected via a labyrinth of raised walkways through coconut groves and jungle - raised because this is a flood plain and there is very little firm ground here. If there is an area like this so close to any other major city in the world I'd be very surprised.
The hotel has bikes which it will lend you for free and you can ride around all day discovering this amazing neighbourhood. On weekends there is a large market which is great for food and bits and pieces. It's really lively, cooler and much, much nicer than Chatuchak. In future I think we'll suggest visiting friends should check out this market instead of Chatuchak as combined with the walkways it's a much more enjoyable day out.
The rooms at the Bangkok tree house are pretty amazing. The standard rooms have a huge outdoor solar heated shower, comfy clean bed, aircon, computer and free wifi (which works OK but not great) and private roof terrace. The building is unique and the way they maintain it is really cool. The whole place is designed to fit in with the nature around it and so leaves aren't all cleared away and the place hasn't been made completely sterile. It's a high level of comfort found in balance with it's surroundings, not trying to eradicate its natural neighbourhood.
Everything to do with this place tries to be in balance with the natural and human world around it. The manager Joey explained that he didn't build it until he had the local neighbourhood onside and wherever possible he puts money back into the local economy. Money from every booking also goes to clean up the drift-rubbish that the river inevitably brings down with it. This really is an attempt to make luxury accommodation work with it's surroundings, and you do get a feeling of that staying there. You're part of a real, living area of Bangkok and yet you're in a beautiful hotel, you're on the side of a major shipping lane and yet you're relaxing on a roof terrace with a sparkling wine. It's contrary but it works.
The food changes with the seasons but always caters for vegan/veggie, with the rest of the menu when we went made up of fish and seafood. The three course menu is a total bargain at 500bt each.
A trip to the Tree house involves a bit of an adventure, especially if you're a tourist who doesn't live here. But don't let that put you off - the trip across the river either on the ferry or long tail rocket boat is all good fun and you'll get there even if you don't speak any Thai.
I would say the best thing about The Bangkok Tree house is how easy it is for people who live in Bangkok to get away for the weekend. BTS Bangna, short taxi then river crossing and you're there - less than a hour from lower Sukhumvit.