The Rose Residence — Hotel in Si Phraya Subdistrict

My daughter took me to Bangkok for a holiday from 17th to 20th June 2024 and we chose The Rose Residence to stay at. Needless to say, it wasn't a decision we regretted in the least bit. I will add the one thing that could be improved and that is the presence at the reception, which was lacking just very few times. Other than that, the fabulous suite we stayed in and the in house restaurant Ruen Urai more than made up for any small mistakes. Though I have to say that the staff whenever we met them were very friendly and polite and helpful. The hotel is hemmed in by buildings which keeps it away from the sound of traffic a lane away. The hotel foyer is breathtakingly beautiful with beautiful flower arrangements. The swimming pool in a cosy nook was an absolute delight for my daughter who swam almost everyday we were there. The Ruen Urai restaurant merits a review of its own. I have noted down whatever we ate. I loved the food there. Just rightly spiced and so clean and hygienic. The prices were fairly reasonable. There's a lift so that was comfortable as we were on the 2nd floor, I think The suite was lovely with its dark wood flooring, beautiful furniture- sofas, desk, sideboard, small dining table and its comfortable bed with soft duvet and fluffy pillows. The welcome arrangements of hand towels on the bed and in the bathroom were exquisite. Though our room faced another building, our nice, heavy curtains ensured privacy. The bathrooms were equipped with a good shower in a cubicle and amenities such as one would expect in a good 3 to 5 star hotel, such as clean bath linen, liquid soap, shower gel, shampoo, toilet paper. A health faucet was a handy addition which I, as an Indian, really appreciated. There was a small kitchenette with a sink and enough crockery and silver for two.A coffee maker was a handy addition.There was a fridge to keep our food and drinks cool. Before we left a brand-new microwave was added to our kitchen. There's the customary tea, milk and sugar sachets, though we did need to remind for daily replenishments. An electric kettle for warming the water was an essential provided. The suite's AC control panels were state-of-the-art. There's a safe in the room. And the wardrobes were stylish and made of rich wood.

The icing on the cake for us was meeting the down-to-earth, affable and gracious owner, Mr Mickey Pierce, who impressed us with his humble down-to-earth approach and gave us a sumptuous complimentary breakfast just before we checked out. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that his real name is an Indian one, Manoj. And that his mother's name is Indian too, - Rajni. Lovely to see evidence of India's and Thailand's close ties. I have to say, coming back to the cosy luxury of our suite in the Rose Residence was something we yearned for at the end of a tiring day of sight-seeing. It will probably always be Rose Residence for me if I ever come back to Bangkok. Its central location, close to malls and the bustling Pat Pong Night market ( where shopping bargains are to be had with yummy street food, amongst other things) made it the right choice. The Rose Residence. A lovely name for a lovely place. P. S. Didn't know there were 2 pools- a rooftop pool as well. Just read that in other reviews. We just used the pool besides the restaurant and that was good...

I had the pleasure of staying at the Rose Residence with my partner for three weeks in January while attending classes at GIA Bangkok. Let me tell you, this 4 star hotel is truly a gem. As someone who prefers to avoid the impersonal feel of large high-rise hotels, the Rose Residence was a breath of fresh air. We received a warm welcome from Mickey, the owner, and his exceptional team as soon as we arrived.

Our premier room was spacious, comfortable, and had all the amenities we needed. The hotel's location on a quiet back alley provided a peaceful respite from the bustling streets of Bangkok, yet it was still conveniently located near many attractions. We enjoyed a relaxing 10-minute walk to Lumpini Park, where we could exercise or simply relax by the ponds. The rooftop pool was a nice private option, and we also loved spending time at the main pool, which was a tranquil oasis surrounded by lush gardens. The hotel's restaurant, Ruen Urai, served some of the best Thai food we've ever had in a century-old traditional teak house. We highly recommend having dinner here.

Every morning, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast in the garden while watching the squirrels play in the trees above and feeding the friendly cats. The Rose Lounge was a great spot for a cocktail, and we were especially grateful for our new friend Jak, who always went above and beyond to help us, from carrying our bags, room service to serving us his amazing cocktails by the pool. Sabai, who served us breakfast most mornings, was also fantastic, and we'd like to extend our gratitude to every other member of the hotel team.

Mickey is a super-friendly owner, and we enjoyed learning about the hotel's interesting history during our stay. He was always happy to chat and ensure that our stay was nothing short of amazing. The area surrounding the hotel was filled with bars, restaurants, and excellent street food at the night market. We even visited a nearby temple during our stay.

Overall, we felt right at home at the Rose Residence, and we were thrilled with the exceptional value it provided. We miss all the friendly faces, alley cats, dogs, and the sounds and smells of this vibrant city already. We can't wait to stay here again on our next trip...

Summary

A beautiful, high quality boutique hotel. An oasis in the bustle and busyness of Bangkok

What we liked

The beautiful peaceful quality of the place - it really is like an oasis in the bustle and busyness of Bangkok. Although right next door to Le Meridien and a stone’s throw away from the BTS (though we tended to opt for Grab for sheer convenience) The Rose Residence precinct is tranquil and chilled. It feels like stepping back into a quieter and more civilised era.

The hotel has been conceived, created and is managed by a very gifted family and the sense of family history comes though in the exquisitely framed photographs and other lovely works of art. The attention to detail is superb. The subtle fragrance of roses greets you as you push open the heavy doors, tiny baskets cradle your water glass at breakfast, frangipani flowers drift down into the midnight blue swimming pool. Everything you see and touch is of an extraordinarily high quality - from the classic moulded ceilings (displayed accurately in the photos) to the stunning solid wood and marble floors. This is no ordinary hotel.

Each time we came back to Bangkok on our recent trip to various destinations in Thailand, we loved returning to what felt increasingly like home. The wonderful staff welcomed us in and nothing was ever too much trouble. Chote’s response when we asked if we could leave a suitcase while off visiting beaches was typical - simply ‘Why not?’

And do make sure to ask Mickey Pierce, the MD and brother of the hotel’s architect, about the history of the hotel and restaurant. It is a very special place. They have created exactly what they set out to do - a true boutique hotel.

It is sadly far too quiet due to covid. When we were there we sensed that many of the 28 rooms were unoccupied. In spite of this, everything was polished and pristine and breakfast was all fresh and delicious.

I do so hope that demand surges back with the ebb of the covid virus. This hidden gem...