Mirella Pandjaitan
Jul 02, 2026
Somewhere above the clouds, I could no longer lull. Murmuring to myself, “Wow! I’m on the way to Bangkok—at last!” The magnetic city has always been on my radar. After a few series of almosts, my deep conviction in “when the time is right, it truly is” echoes this dainty morning profoundly.
“Bangkok, for me, is still unwritten,” I announced to my travel sidekick, the same one I wandered through Singapore with a year ago. If anything, it’s the unknown that made me lean in further.
We strode past immigration in a blur onto Gate 5, where our transfer was already in place, quietly and patiently waiting, masked in a smile that arrived before words did. “Good afternoon. It will take approximately 45 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport to COMO Metropolitan Bangkok. Please enjoy the refreshments beside you,” revealed the chauffeur, before we were mesmerised by the passing scenes through the glass.
The initial glimpses of Bangkok carried a distant reflection of the world we come from. Yet, a certain edge squealed.
Our car transcended the downtown area, surrounded by embassies, bespoke accommodation, and entertainment hubs on either side. It made a left turn towards a quiet path dappled in green. The signage found us, understated and sure. “Sawadee khap,” greeted the doorman.
Space, light, and intention take precedence
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a restful oasis amidst the city’s constant hum. “It’s perfect for travellers seeking a sense of calm and balance in the heart of Bangkok, combining understated luxury, generous space, privacy, and restorative wellness experiences,” expressed Sri Rezeki (Lolo), the Cluster Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications - Thailand and Bhutan.
Accentuated in earth tones, each detail of the lobby is a trace of Southeast Asia’s heritage. A sculptural woven high-back seat, inspired by traditional Thai weaving, anchors the room. The reception counter, clad in textured stone, draws inspiration from Thai masonry and temple architecture through a contemporary lens. Behind it, a softly illuminated niche lends a quiet sense of ceremony, while patterned bamboo panels filter natural light and add rhythm to the space.
“Hello, Ms Pandjaitan, we’ve been expecting you. Please enjoy this Butterfly Pea Flower tea while we process your check-in,” said the front desk staff.
The hotel recently refurbished its rooms but retained the clean lines, tactile materials, and a sense of quiet clarity that beckoned guests to slow down. A palette of soft monochromes endured a calm foundation, lifted by subtle textures that caught the light sufficiently, while nature-inspired details wove together craft and contemporary form.
Our COMO Metropolitan with Pool View room opened into a hush of white, carrying the feeling of exhalation—luxury, openness, and sensory calmness. This room was particularly serene since it overlooked the hotel’s pool, just behind the blinds. Natural light filtered in gently, illuminating the bed and L-shaped sofa, handwoven lanterns, and sculptural ceramics placed with quiet precision. The result? A room that didn't demand attention, but instead alluded to us to pause, soften, and settle into a deeper kind of rest.
The COMO Metropolitan Room with Courtyard on the fourth floor featured an extension that opened onto a private terrace with an open-air bath. Among the 137 were suites left untouched, softened with warm tones while Thai influences lingered in the details. The Penthouse Duplex Suite was defined by double-height volumes where light, texture, and generous living spaces aligned in a composed setting; whereas the COMO Suite was an expansive residence-esque retreat set on the 11th floor, drawing in shifting luminance across a tapestry of textures and hand-finished surfaces with sweeping city views and a sense of privacy.
Scouting the Sathorn area
Bangkok was never far. Just minutes away, the city pulsed with its usual intensity—markets, nightlife, and the energy of Sukhumvit. It’s positioned between the river and the city’s modern core, all while within easy reach of the BTS and MRT stations.
“Shall we get our exploring caps on?” asked my sidekick. We immediately skidaddled to nearby go-tos on foot. The Sathorn district was pedestrian-friendly. During the day, passersby in office or smart-casual attires braved the humidity underneath the canopies. The Lumpini MRT Station was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while the Sala Daeng BTS Station (Silom Line) was reachable in 10-15 minutes on foot or a five- to 10-minute drive. Amidst these stations were the massive yet serene Lumpini Park, two upbeat shopping malls (Dusit Central Park and One Bangkok), and Club 21.
“How ambitious are we to walk this far?” amused, my sidekick wiped his skin, sweating diamonds. But our day held one more pause: cocktails at one of Bangkok’s 50 best bars, 13 minutes away from the hotel. A walk back was out of the question. Grab drifted us back to the hotel, hunger in tow.
“Housekeeping will clean the room twice a day, once in the late morning and again merely before sundown for your rest,” I recalled the hospitality host’s explanation to my covers slightly pulled back, calling my name. But I had to tone down my grumbling stomach. I dialled ‘In-room Dining' and placed our orders.
A spread of Thai delights covered the dining table in the living area. The all-day dining COMO Cuisine drew from COMO’s global kitchens, reimagining familiar dishes with a focus on balance, integrity, and flavour.
The Crab Fried Rice (blue crab, egg, celery, baby corn, shallots, seasoned with white pepper and fish sauce) comforted my sidekick. My love for Pad Thai didn't quite sit with my recent dietary restrictions, though. The COMO Shambhala menu catered for my fixation with a vegan version of wok-fried brown rice noodles with tofu, greens, pickled radish, dried chilli, tamarind tamari sauce, and roasted cashews. We shared the Healing Black Chicken Soup from the same menu (shredded chicken, Asian greens, winter melon, dried shiitake submerged amongst brown rice noodles) for an extra soothing boost to our night.
Dessert slipped our minds; eager enough to succumb to a placid slumber after my excitement over COMO Shambhala’s line of ‘Invigorating’ amenities emerged. The bathtub was equally inviting, yet my eyes grew heavy, despite the white accents splashing the bathroom.
“We have a private walking tour tomorrow at 9 AM,” were my last words mustered after my head sank onto the cloud-soft pillow.
Striding along the old soul of Bangkok
We moved through the morning half-awake, breakfast left behind, until the lobby — and Pat, waiting. The tour included a private round-trip transfer, an English-speaking private guide, admission fees, bottled water, chilled towels, and travel insurance. “Hopefully, you can see the real life of the Chinese people who migrated from China to Thailand over two decades ago,” expressed Pat. “Especially seeing the locals; how they live everyday life adapting to evolution [technology].”
From the moment we settled into the car, Pat carried us through layers of history, punctuated with small, unexpected details. Bangkok's rise into the capital, the first-ever built road, etc., flowed en route to Talat Noi (‘Small Market’ in Thai),
This open-air archive of the city’s evolving identity is one of Bangkok’s oldest riverside neighbourhoods. Once a mechanic district and a historic trading street by the Chao Praya River, it has since become a diverse, welcoming neighbourhood, with the Chinese arrival, followed by Vietnamese, Portuguese, and other communities leaving their mark. Nowadays, Talat Noi exists in that dazzling in-between.
Our journey began at sacred and storied landmarks. First was the neo-Gothic silhouette of Kalawar Church. We continued along an alley of Talat Noi's visual memorables on either brick walls, as cyclists on a separate tour rang their bells to make way. Then, the Chow Sue Kong Shrine and the 200-year-old Teochew-style So Heng Tai Mansion.
In between, we passed auto workshops and weathered Chinese shophouses, where time seemed to sit in the corner; the next, Pat queued for coffee at a riverside café. Our curiosity about Talat Noi and Bangkok as a whole found complete answers. I couldn't help but notice the light behind Pat's eyes every time a story unfolded against the river behind her.
“I want you and anyone else joining this tour to enjoy it!” she exclaimed. “And prepare to walk a lot! The lanes may not be comfortable for wheelchair users because they’re quite narrow and bumpy. It's pretty much left authentic here.’’
We agreed to visit a traditional Thai house-turned-museum as our final stop. Tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined lane, the Bangkokian Museum preserved a gentle portrait of mid-century Bangkok through a cluster of restored wooden homes. Inside, sun-faded interiors reveal antique furniture, vintage kitchenware, porcelain, and personal objects that quietly trace everyday life during World War II. “Bangkok itself carries an affluent past. It's a multicultural city even before this century,’’ Pat mentioned. The whimsy caretakers warned us about the slippery floors; alas, my sidekick slipped on one of the staircases, triggering a flicker of panic.
Cherishing the restful oasis
Four hours had passed in a breath, and there we were, caught in a pause for a massage at COMO Shambhala. Our responses were deliberately assessed, mapping areas of the body that called for extra care. From the selection of bespoke blended oils, ‘Calm’ was appointed for relieving pent-up stress with powerfully relaxing lavender and geranium. Its ingredients enhance the treatment of long strokes. “Or would you like to try our signature scent, ‘Invigorate’?” asked the spa therapist. Simultaneously sniffing once more, in one tone, we responded: ‘Calm’.
Well-being isn’t an afterthought at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok. At COMO Shambhala, therapies are restorative without excess, going hand-in-hand with Shambhala's Sanskrit meaning, ‘peace’. Holistic well-being here signifies that modern science and ancient practice meet in pursuit of balance between body, mind, and spirit. Massage therapies range from Asian traditions, moving between soothing restoration and deeper release.
Wrapped in kimonos, we were led to separate treatment rooms; dimmed shadows and delicate Thai melodies wove through. A gentle foot scrub notioned the Signature COMO Shambhala Massage, designed to calm the mind while subtly rebalancing the body—a quiet reset for those seeking sustained wellness. How necessary!
I reached a flow state of complete drowsiness. Tingles of shock bore my senses awake in body parts I never knew stored pain and restlessness, releasing a sigh in every stroke. “Ma’am, your treatment is done. How do you feel?” the spa therapist queried. “Calm,” I answered. My muscles naturally glued themselves to the bed. She pulled my arm to get me into a seated position while playfully giggling.
A cup of hot ginger tea worked its way through me in waves of warmth as the protein ball returned me to equilibrium. So I thought… the hydropool did! Each pulse was a quiet reset to my body.
An hour left till dinner at nahm. Merely beside the lobby, nahm holds its place among Asia’s most acclaimed dining spots. Our 10-course dinner at this one Michelin-starred restaurant featured a contemporary expression of Thai cuisine, where bold, multifaceted flavours were shaped by tradition and reinterpreted with precision. Chef Pim Techamuanvivit brought a deeply personal perspective, crafting menus that honour Thailand’s culinary heritage while introducing unexpected nuance in texture and taste. She prepared alternatives to my no-shrimp restriction with chicken and vegetables. In a way, our meal was diverse compared to the other tables in this intimate setting. “Everything is abundant in flavour yet still in perfect harmony,” described my sidekick. I concurred. Our taste buds danced on each serving. Coconut was the star of the dessert selections, distinctively in modern and authentic Thai flair.
The Sathorn district is reputedly safe for nightcrawlers. If turning right led to Lumpini Park, strolling left pulled us deeper into the district, featuring more shopping malls and nightlife hotspots. Sathorn drifted deeper into the night; our room mirrored the outside world upon our return past midnight.
Sunday morning yoga has been a personal ritual; thus, it's necessary to bring it even in my escapades. Both in-house and external guests can join the daily 8 AM yoga classes at COMO Shambhala. Whether it’s hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, or yin yoga, the weekly schedule was printed and digitally accessible. This Sunday was yin; ideal to recalibrate before a full day of exploring facets of Bangkok. “This isn't the type of yin I anticipated—more fiery, even,” my thoughts muttered. Nonetheless, the local instructor carefully took her time to adjust each participant's forms, completely enhancing every asana's purpose. But she never forced us to move beyond our limits, which's truly yoga's stance.
Fellow hotel guests gathered for breakfast at the light-filled and sculptural COMO Cuisine. Its palette of warm tones, bamboo screens, and marble textures sets the tone for a lively yet composed space.
Similar to Singapore’s menu, we contentedly chose from a generous continental selection — freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruit, yoghurt, cereals, cheeses, cured meats, and juices — while one à la carte dish of choice was whipped up in the kitchen. That dish was either egg-based or local cuisine — in this case, it was Thai.
What’s better than a Sunshine Smoothie Bowl after yoga? Blended rozen mango, young coconut, banana, and passionfruit, topped with honey granola, toasted coconut, and fruit cutlets, was immensely replenishing. A beetroot apple juice, a hot cappuccino, and a slice of banana cake on the side were equally invigorating.
A place to call our own
The sun kissed the Chao Praya River as we disembarked the Hop On Hop Off tourist boat at Sathorn Pier, 15 minutes away by car. The housekeeping cart was doors away. “Can we get a bucket of ice, please?” requested my sidekick. This was by far the most underrated but essential feature of the room, especially in a destination like Bangkok. I melted on the sofa while he took over the dining chairs in complete silence.
Our final night ended after more local eats and shopping. Again, I was glued, but this time to the bed.
Nothing else was left on our list before our homecoming. I eyed the table beside's intriguing spread at COMO Cuisine, intuitively thinking it to be the Smoked Salmon Plate. Pleased with the correct order, I stacked the smoked salmon and capers above the cottage cheese on pumpernickel bread. Then sweetened my taste buds with my favourite fruits –mango, papaya, and dragon fruit– as well as a carrot cake muffin. What a tantalising, nutritious start to the day!
Meanwhile, my sidekick relished the fresh mango, blueberries, and roasted coconut on the Coconut Waffles, slathered in vanilla mascarpone and maple syrup. Dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in both nahm and COMO Cuisine was a kind of luxury that felt considered rather than declared. The daily fresh coconut water indulgence? Truly pleasurable.
I took a quick stroll around Sathorn one last time and tarried at COMO Shambhala's shop in the lobby before sorting my luggage. I peeped through the room's blinds facing the pool, realising, “Oh no! I haven’t had a pool day here! No bubble bath either!” I gasped.
Rohaan Chandra, the hotel’s General Manager, did reveal, “Bangkok almost feels unmistakably human. It’s not just a place people visit, but one they connect with.” I'm taking this and my skipped activities as my sign to return to COMO Metropolitan Bangkok.