Punctuated by dramatic art installations—look out for the abstract water dragon suspended above the Living Room dining area—the 222-room Park Hyatt Bangkok provides a welcome refuge from the bustle of downtown Bangkok from its perch on the top 27 floors of the sinuous Central Embassy tower in Phloen Chit. The design, by Yabu Pushelberg, is the epitome of understated luxury, with neutral colors and natural materials bathed in light from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The concierge service is top-notch, as are the dining options. There’s the Embassy Room for modern European flavors, international and Thai comfort food at the Living Room, and, spanning the hotel’s uppermost floors, the Penthouse Bar + Grill, a Manhattan–inspired collection of six venues (all designed by New York firm AvroKo) comprising The Grill, Chef’s Table, The Cocktail Bar, Whisky Room, The Mezzanine, and the open-air Rooftop Terrace.

With upmarket shopping on its doorstep and direct access to the Phloen Chit BTS Skytrain station, Park Hyatt Bangkok also affords an ideal base for exploring the Thai capital’s myriad attractions. Other facilities include a 40-meter infinity pool with panoramic city views, a 24-hour fitness center, and the tranquil Panpuri Organic Spa.