The Metropolitan, sister to the ultra-hip London property, with its Mies van der Rohe-style façade and black Yohji Yamamoto uniformed staff, seems the epitomy of modernism. That's until a large picture-window, cut into an outside wall, reveals a glimpse of a water feature and the Cy'an restaurant. Once in the lobby - all cream and dark makha wood - the sequenced mood lighting establishes this new Bangkok hotel experience as theatre. The bedrooms avoid obvious Oriental references in favour of clean lines and stone bathrooms. Amanda Gale's superlative menus join the dots between modern Asian and Moorish Mediterranean. While at the Met Bar, DJs compete with mixologists over Martinis.

Rates: From USD 255.00pn + tax