Fit for a King? Well, for a prince certainly. Built in Bangkok in 1908 by Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath and converted into a boutique hotel in 2003 by his granddaughter, Narisa, the Chakrabongse Villas may well be one of the Thai capital's best-kept secrets.
Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, smack in the heart of old Bangkok, the complex consists of three villas—the Riverside Villa, the Thai House and the Garden Suite—constructed in an architecturally sympathetic style around the original residence. The villas offer exquisite views of the Temple of Dawn and are serviced by 12 staff. Guests are ferried around Bangkok by the villas' own longboat, river launch or
tuk tuk. Breakfast is enjoyed on private terraces, while lunch or dinner can be taken on a riverside veranda. And the best part? This discreet luxury comes at a surprisingly affordable price. Rates start from just $100 a night in the low season, breakfast included. No wonder the visitors' book is full of anguished goodbyes. "How do you leave this place?" reads one. "We will have to come back again and again." For more information, visit
thaivillas.com.
