Girl… goes boutique swish in Bangkok, Thailand

Where: Tenface Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Why: From the outside, you’d never guess this was one of Bangkok’s newest and hippest hotels. Confusingly, the signage on the building says ‘serviced apartments’, but this is very much a perfect example of the wave of cool boutique hotels springing up around the city. All the rooms here are suites, which means there’s plenty of space to pop open your luggage and strew it all over the bedroom, bathroom and separate living room. I stayed in a luxe one-bedroom suite and found it to feel spacious yet comfortable enough to totally relax in. The huge TV opposite the oversized canopied bed is perfect for jetlag-weary arrivals, and the large, modern bathroom with a deep tub is ideal for a relaxing soak.

The décor is stylish and hip in a quirky South-East Asian way – think hand-painted murals and line drawings on walls adorned with large, bespoke wire sculptures – making this hotel feel uniquely Thai; a refreshing change from the standard décor found at most international chain hotels in the capital. The staff mostly have a good command of English and are ridiculously friendly and helpful – we were grateful for their recommendations (massage rooms, car rentals, you name it, they can help) and attentive service. And the breakfast was brilliant – a five-star Asian-meets-Continental fusion feast that’s worth getting up for. For the price* (the published room rate is 9,000baht, but there are always specials on the Tenface website slashing this rate), this is one not to miss.

What’s hot: The Tenface welcome box – it has a pre-paid Skytrain card inside, which gives you a free day of travel, a free Thai sim card for your phone, an iPod so you can listen to the Tenface podcast during your stay, a ‘must-see’ map and a Taxi card. The lovely Tenface bath products are take-them-home worthy and the two Tenface condoms (which aren’t free, btw), are v fancy and almost too pretty to use… The free wifi is also a bonus.

What’s not: The location – Situated in a quiet, upscale, residential part of Bangkok (in the same area as many international five-star hotels) at the end of a long backstreet, there’s not much to do around the hotel, so if you want to get to where the action is, or visit the city’s temples and historical sights, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk or taxi. Also, the Nespresso coffee machine in your room isn’t complimentary.

Number of rooms: 79

Check-in/out: 2pm/12pm

Room service: 6am-midnight, last orders at 11.45pm.

Swimming pool: Yes – a plunge pool is located near the Wanara restaurant.

Spa: No

Dogs welcome: No

Best room: All the rooms offer the same experience with similar views, the only difference being you can book two- and three-bedroomed suites, which is perfect if you’re travelling with girlfriends and all want to stay in the same room.

Best dish: The Tenderloin Foie-Gras and the Baked Snowfish are divine.

Who stays here? Hip 20- and 30-somethings looking for a luxe, boutique-hotel experience in a quiet location in the heart of the city.

Eating & drinking: The contemporary vibe of the Wanara eatery, with its white walls, teak dining furniture and wire sculptures, is the perfect backdrop to enjoy Tenface’s fusion menu. The Thai-meets-western dishes offer twists on your favourite Thai classics, and all meals are beautifully presented. The late-night Sita Bar is a relaxed space, complete with a DJ spinning chilled tracks – perfect for sipping cocktails or unwinding over a glass of wine.

Near to: Sadly, the famous Lumpini night markets have been shut down, but this part of town still has a lot to offer – there are plenty of shops and restaurants that are reasonably close by and you’re only a 15-minute walk or a five-minute cab ride from the bustling excitement of Sukhumvit Road – just ask the concierge to order you a car. If you’re feeling game, jump on the back of a motorbike taxi for the ride of your life.

Getting there: I always recommend taking a taxi from the airport. It will cost between 300-500baht (£6-£10) plus tolls, depending on traffic (be sure to ask the driver to turn on the taxi meter to avoid getting stung for extra cash), and is the most comfortable way to get to the hotel. It also means you get your bearings without stress. If you fancy the Skytrain, you can take it from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ploenchit BTS station, but it’s too far to walk with luggage, so hail a cab for the five-minute drive to the hotel. Alternatively, the hotel can arrange a limousine pick-up from the airport for around 1,500baht (£30).

Price: From £200 per room per night*

Address: 81 Soi Ruamrudee, 2 Wireless Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand

Web: tenfacebangkok.com