BANGKOK — The wait is over for the renovation of the 50-year-old luxury hotel in the center of Bangkok’s downtown. Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel is set to reopen on September 27, 2024.
Following major renovations since its closure in 2019, the Dusit Group has unveiled exciting behind-the-scenes details, highlighting a comprehensive redesign aimed at creating a new legend in Bangkok.
Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, and Natthaphan Sriyuksiri, Managing Director of Dusit Estate and Vice President of Design Strategy and Creative at Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, shared insights from the five-year renovation journey. They were joined by Somkiat Lojindaphong, Deputy Managing Director of Architects 49 Co., Ltd. (A49).
CEO of Dusit Thani discussed the challenges and aspirations for the redevelopment of the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel. She stressed the hotel’s new idea, “An Icon Reimagined,” which combines modernization with the preservation of its distinctive past.
“Many changes have occurred between 50 years ago and the present. How can we restore the hotel to its former glory in the modern era? It must be upgraded and adjusted to meet higher standards while preserving the hotel’s distinctiveness.
The renovation combines innovation and modernity while retaining the core values of Dusit Thani Bangkok. The goal is to reestablish it as the finest hotel for Thai people, a shared source of pride for both Bangkok and the nation,” she said.
She further detailed the Dusit Central Park project, a major mixed-use development spanning 37,610 square meters with an investment of over 46 billion baht (approximately 1.265 billion US dollars).
The project comprises three buildings: Dusit Hotel, Dusit Residences, and Central Park Offices. Each building’s design reflects Thai aesthetics, with the hotel featuring a golden facade, Dusit Residences in rose gold, and Central Park Offices in silver. This color scheme aims to create a distinctive new landmark against the backdrop of Lumpini Park, Thailand’s first public park.
The Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel will be the first building to open. Mrs. Suphajee noted that more than 50 years ago, the original Dusit Thani Bangkok was Bangkok’s tallest building, standing 22 stories high with a unique golden spire resembling a ‘Chada’.
The new hotel, now rising to 39 floors, includes 257 rooms, each offering views of Lumpini Park. Room sizes start at 50 square meters, featuring large golden full-glass window frames to ensure panoramic views of northern Bangkok.
The hotel will also offer over 5,000 square meters of meeting and banquet space. The largest venue, The Napalai Room, spans 1,350 square meters and boasts an 8-meter-high glass panel, providing guests with unobstructed views of Lumpini Park from the conference room.
Modernity with Preservation
Mrs. Suthumpun discussed the challenges and aspirations for the redevelopment of the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel. She stressed the hotel’s new idea, “An Icon Reimagined,” which combines modernization with the preservation of its distinctive past.
“Many changes have occurred between 50 years ago and the present. How can we restore the hotel to its former glory in the modern era? It must be upgraded and adjusted to meet higher standards while preserving the hotel’s distinctiveness.
The renovation combines innovation and modernity while retaining the core values of Dusit Thani Bangkok. The goal is to reestablish it as the finest hotel for Thai people, a shared source of pride for both Bangkok, and the nation,” she said.
Suphajee further detailed the Dusit Central Park project, a major mixed-use development spanning 37,120 square meters with an investment of over 46 billion baht (approximately 1.265 billion US dollars).
The project comprises three buildings: Dusit Hotel, Dusit Residences, and Central Park Offices. Each building’s design reflects Thai aesthetics, with the hotel featuring a golden facade, Dusit Residences in rose gold, and Central Park Offices in silver. This color scheme aims to create a distinctive new landmark against the backdrop of Lumpini Park, Thailand’s first public park.
The Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel will be the first building to open. Mrs. Suphajee noted that more than 50 years ago, the original Dusit Thani Bangkok was Bangkok’s tallest building, standing 22 stories high with a unique golden spire resembling a ‘Chada’.
The new hotel, now rising to 39 floors, includes 257 rooms, each offering views of Lumpini Park. Room sizes start at 50 square meters, featuring large golden full-glass window frames to ensure panoramic views of northern Bangkok.
The hotel will also offer over 5,000 square meters of meeting and banquet space. The largest venue, The Napalai Room, spans 1,350 square meters and boasts an 8-meter-high glass panel, providing guests with unobstructed views of Lumpini Park from the conference room.
The Original Golden Spire
Ms. Natthaphan Sriyuksiri, Managing Director of Dusit Estate and Vice President of Design Strategy and Creative Work at Dusit Thani, discussed the complexity of creating the new Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel while maintaining the brand’s identity.
She underlined that the makeover must convey warmth and sincerity not only via service but also from the moment customers enter the hotel. This rigorous attention to detail entails combining both ancient and new features to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for all Dusit Thani customers.
The famous golden spire, inspired by the top of Phra Prang Wat Arun Ratchawararam, is one of the key characteristics that Dusit Thani has preserved. The new spire has a translucent design that allows one to see the original golden spire inside.
Furthermore, the teak ceiling from the original Benjarong Restaurant, a hallmark of the establishment, has been meticulously conserved and transported to the current location. Each ceiling panel has unique Thai characteristics, with new color tones to add depth and significance.
The hotel has also kept the original mural paintings from the Heritage Floor Hall. These magnificent artworks, originally painted directly on the walls, necessitated painstaking restoration procedures.
During demolition, the entire wall was spared and will be placed in the new hotel’s banquet room entry hall. Silpakorn University experts helped preserve and restore these important items.
“Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel serves as the flagship property for the Dusit Thani Group worldwide, setting the standard for the brand’s hotels globally,” says Ms. Natthaphan. “Therefore, the hotel’s design must align with current and future travel trends to meet the expectations of modern travelers.”
Sky Park Boosting Green Space
Somkiat Lojindaphong, Deputy Managing Director of Architects 49 Co., Ltd. (A49), who was vital in directing the design and décor of the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, discussed the development process and design idea. He emphasized the significance of history for Dusit Thani, Bangkok’s first hotel founded more than 50 years ago.
“Dusit Thani’s new style connects the hotel to its urban surroundings, providing guests with more than just convenience. We developed an 11,200 square meter sky park that is open and accessible to everyone, with commercial and recreation areas for city inhabitants, boosting green space in Bangkok and catering to the lifestyle of those who want to be close to nature,” Somkiat said.
The building’s shape has changed from its original triangular design to a square structure with 39 floors. The building’s functions must be designed to reflect modern trends, with more spacious rooms that fully embrace the panoramic views of Lumpini Park through golden window frames, which are a distinguishing element of the new rooms.
“In addition, the hotel will have a rooftop bar and a sky lobby with magnificent city views. At the same time, it wonderfully captures the original aura and essence of Dusit Thani from 50 years ago,” Somkiat added.
Suphajee also stated that the Baan Dusit area on Saladaeng Road, behind the hotel, will continue to contain the Benjarong restaurants—Thien Duong, Baan Dusit Thani, NóMADA Bangkok, and Dusit Gourmet. With the hotel’s reopening, the enlarged space will be connected by electric tuk-tuks, providing seamless access between the hotel and Baan Dusit Thani.
Suphajee concluded, “Soon, we will release a documentary on online platforms detailing the Dusit Hotel history and the five-year journey of the Hotel reconstruction project.”
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