Japanese Art Gems on Show at Park Hyatt Bangkok

From the hallway, the Pagoda Mirage installation by Japanese artist and designer Hirotoshi Sawada sets an arresting tone. His nebulous swirls of copper cones suspended at the heart of the central staircase recall a Thai pagoda, made even more striking by the bareness of the stairs, the walls, and the floor, which are all covered in sandblasted concrete. Art is given more of a platform than ever by this luxury brand.

Known for his aerial installations and fluid, suspended works, Hirotoshi Sawada launched his design agency in 1994. Since then, his work, recalling natural elements such as water or the aurora borealis, has been shown all over the world, including in the Louis Vuitton store in Tokyo, Printemps in Paris, and the Four Seasons in New York.

On the ninth floor, in the Living Room, is Naga, which means serpent in Sanksrit. The piece ripples out from the ceiling right across the room. The body is made up of dark, vertical batons that coil like mythical water serpents. It’s a delight to enjoy an early morning snack underneath the graceful installation, touched by the rays of sun coming in through the eight-metre bay windows.

An architecture also infused by art

It’s not just Hirotoshi Sawada’s works that make a trip to the Park Hyatt Bangkok worthwhile. The tower itself, designed by architect Amanda Levete’s London agency, AL_A, is breathtaking. The supple structure appears to roll out from its axis to form a figure of eight, a lucky number in Chinese culture. Its façade is adorned with traditional, Thai architectural motifs, rendered in glistening aluminium tiles.

The group’s first venture in Thailand, the hotel was constructed on the site of the former residence of the British Ambassador. Its 27 floors include 222 rooms of which 32 are premium suites with incredible views of the capital and its skyline. The restaurant is headed by talented French chef Franck Detrait and offers a delicious mixture of western and Asian gastronomy. The skills of the team can be admired by all thanks to the open kitchen with its wood fire oven.

The peak of comfort can be found on the 35th floor with The Cocktail Bar, The Mezzanine, and The Whisky Room. For atmosphere, The Cocktail Bar is instantly seductive, with private cabins, each enclosed with gilded, wrought-iron partitions. For taste and exclusivity, however, head to The Whisky Bar for its unique selection, served to the highest of standards.

More information on Park Hyatt Bangkok can be found on the group’s website.