REVIEW | Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
- VVZ Travels
- Apr 27
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Room rate and hotel details
Room type: Premium room
Room rate: AUD 560 per night
Nights stayed: 4 nights
Dates stayed: 17-21 April 2025
Complimentary benefits when you book with us
100USD (or USD equivalent) hotel credit per stay
Daily complimentary full breakfast for 2 guests
Priority for complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability)
Local welcome amenity
Personalized welcome note
Early check-in / late check-out (subject to availability)
Overall Rating
Explanations can be found in the conclusion of this post
Room: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10 General areas: 9/10
Facilities: 9/10 Service: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Introduction
The Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, a hotel that seamlessly combines luxury with a lively and inviting atmosphere, is a premier option. Situated in the prestigious Langsuan neighborhood, adjacent to Lumphini Park, and next to Sidhorn Kempinski Bangkok, it offers an ideal mix of green spaces and convenient access to the city's shopping such as the Dior gold house and Central Embassy, dining, and business districts.
The design is striking—contemporary, fashionable, and brimming with character. It combines many elegant local elements with a cosmopolitan touch. Rooms are roomy, extremely comfortable, and carefully crafted, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing stunning views of either the city skyline or verdant park landscapes. The meticulous attention to detail is evident, from the luxurious bedding to the expertly selected mini bar.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is among the select upscale hotels that welcome pets. Naturally, if you don't have pets, you can request a floor where pets are not allowed.
Arrival and Check-In
We reached the hotel from Suvarnabhumi Airport in 40 mins using a premium Grab service. Initially, we considered using the hotel's airport limo transfer (BMW 7 Series) for THB 4,000 (AUD 180), but chose not to due to negative reviews about the hotel staff getting guests' names wrong at the airport and providing unsatisfactory service.
Tip: In Thailand, Grab is inexpensive, and opting for a premium Grab will cost you just 1/6 of the price of the hotel's airport limo service.
General area and Lobby Lounge waiting area. You will spot many pets roaming around from hotel guests.
Upon seating, they offered us a welcome drink and a hand towel to freshen up. The reception staff quickly handled our booking, and we were pleased to wait only about 15 minutes. They explained the room details and escorted us to our room.
Left: Welcome drink and towel, Centre: Art installation at the waiting area, Right: Outdoor seating area (CRAFT)
Premium Room
We received an upgrade to the premium room, which was quite spacious. The bathroom featured all white marble, and they added a personal touch by decorating the room with balloons, knowing it was my birthday trip.
In addition to the standard amenities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, shower caps, cotton buds, and pads, Kimpton Maa-Lai offers a "take as you please" service with a full travel-size package, anticipating that guests will be traveling light.
Take as you please:
Airport Approved Liquid
Bags
Contact Lens Solution/Case
Dental Floss/Mouthwash
Deodorant
Feminine Hygiene Products
Golden Cup Balm
Hair Bands
Make Up Remover
Mosquito Repellent
Nail Kit/Nail Polish-Clear
Oil Removeer Paper
Quick Fix Body Tape
Razor/Shaving Cream
Sewing Kit
Sleeping Eye Mask
Tweezers
Wrinkle Release
The shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body lotions were full-sized HARNN bottles. However, they were not replenished during the morning and evening housekeeping services, and we had to ask for refills twice, only to have the shower gel refilled. We were dissatisfied with this aspect of the service and hope for improvements in this area of housekeeping.
The premium room on the 20th floor offered breathtaking and delightful views of the distinctive architecture of Kempinski Bangkok and the city skyline of Bangkok.
Welcome amenities
As part of the perks (also applied to you when you book with us), we were greeted with an entire spread as a welcome amenity, along with not one, but two handwritten welcome notes. There were two types of desserts, a chocolate cake (personalised or my birthday) and sweets like macaroon and chocolate with a Thai twist. They had also provided some local fruits like mango, mandarin, apple and pear (not pictured).
Breakfast
The room includes complimentary breakfast for two at the hotel's buffet restaurant, Stock.Room. This venue is styled like a contemporary, high-end food market, combining a relaxed ambiance with warm lighting, greenery, and open kitchen designs.
At breakfast, the atmosphere is lively, featuring an extensive and elegantly presented array: from freshly baked pastries and tropical fruits to custom-made egg dishes, Asian favorites like dim sum and noodle soups, as well as health-focused stations offering smoothie bowls and gluten-free choices. The ingredients are fresh, the presentation is chic, and the selection is impressive without being daunting.
We had plenty of options, but certain dishes like the soybean paste soup from the Korean section were quite bland. The congee and some soups weren't hot enough, and the waffles were hard and dry. Aside from these, the rest of the food selection offered good value for money and tasted above average.
Tip: Coconut and café-style drinks are available upon request. Be sure to ask for them, as there is no extra charge, but they are not included in the buffet display.
Hotel Facilities
The hotel features an infinity pool and a traditional jacuzzi area. The lush greenery immediately captured my attention, offering a delightful retreat from the city's urban jungle.
The gym was truly remarkable, with its spacious, well-lit, and exceptionally equipped facilities, surpassing typical hotel gym expectations. It includes a comprehensive selection of high-quality cardio machines, free weights, strength training equipment, and even functional workout spaces such as TRX and a boxing zone. Clean towels and a bottle of water are served upon arrival and cold towels are available in the fridge provided. Additionally, it boasts a rock climbing area and stunning views of the greenery while you engage in your usual treadmill routine.
Amaranth Spa by HARNN at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is pure bliss. From the moment you step in, the serene, beautifully designed space immediately puts you at ease. The ambiance is calming and luxurious without feeling over-the-top — soft lighting, subtle scents, and tasteful, natural decor create a perfect escape from the city's energy.
The treatment menu is carefully designed, combining Eastern healing practices with contemporary wellness methods. I chose the papa bear intense massage, and it was incredible. It ranks among the top spa treatments (THB 5,500) with calming techniques that targeted the right areas and eased the knots I had. I was able to apply the USD100 hotel credit to this spa treatment, making it an outstanding deal.
The little details stand out too: premium HARNN products, soothing teas before and after your session, and private treatment rooms that feel like mini sanctuaries. It’s clear that the spa experience is crafted with a lot of heart and expertise.
Bar.Yard - Free drinks from 5 to 6pm
The premium room includes complimentary drinks daily from 5-6 pm at the rooftop bar of the Kimpton Maa-Lai. During this hour, you can enjoy an unlimited selection of alcohlic and non-alcoholic drinks. Make sure to take advantage of this happy hour and savor the rooftop views of Bangkok.
Bonus: Easter season
On our final night, it was coincidentally Easter. The hotel had prepared an additional surprise during the turn down service which was this cute Easter chocolate display! I had some and it was tasty.
Conclusion
Room: 9/10
The room was spacious and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light. The views were stunning, and the marble-covered bathroom added a touch of luxury. Additionally, the room was well-maintained and clean, showing minimal signs of wear and tear.
Breakfast: 8/10
The breakfast offered a wide variety of options, though the food wasn't particularly outstanding. The taste was above average, with a greater focus on quantity over quality. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience overall.
General area: 9/10
The main areas were spacious and well-lit, providing ample room for hotel guests to move around. The shared spaces were comfortable and meticulously maintained around the clock. Pets can freely explore this area, making it enjoyable for pet enthusiasts, though perhaps less so for those who aren't fond of animals. During peak check-in and check-out times, it can become quite busy, so expect less exclusivity then.
Facilities: 9/10
The facilities exceeded my expectations, particularly the gym, which I greatly appreciated for its ample equipment and spaciousness. Additionally, the views from the gym were exceptional. While the pool was enjoyable, it wasn't the best we've experienced.
Service: 7/10
The staff were generally good, and the service initially met expectations. However, the major disappointment was with housekeeping, as they failed to refill the shampoo and shower gel despite two requests. This is unacceptable for a 5-star luxury hotel.
Value: 9/10
Overall, staying at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok was enjoyable. For the price paid at a 5-star hotel, we received good value for money. The experience was excellent, and with some improvements in service, it could easily be rated a 10/10.
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