When we first started planning this trip, I remember spending an awful amount of time comparing hotels. There wasn’t actually a shortage of good options, but the problem was that we were travelling with our 18-month-old daughter.

We wanted to avoid inconvenient transportation, especially if it meant long walks in the hot weather. Coupled with the fact that we wanted our toddler to take her naps in the hotel, it meant that we had to stay somewhere really central and near as many of the attractions (read: shopping malls) as possible.

That’s ultimately why we booked the InterContinental Bangkok. Read on to find out more about our experience, and why I give this 5-star hotel a glowing review.

Quick summary of our stay at Intercontinental Bangkok

We stayed in one of the Classic Rooms for the entire week, and I think that’s long enough to notice things that wouldn’t necessarily stand out during a one-night stay.

In a nutshell, the room simply worked. That sounds like a strange compliment to give a luxury hotel, but anyone who’s travelled with a toddler will probably understand what I mean. There was enough space for our luggage, shopping bags and stroller without the room feeling cluttered, even after several days of shopping.

We were greeted by a very warm welcome in our room because my husband told the staff we were celebrating an anniversary, and the guest relations really went to lengths to decorate the room.

Considering the hotel sits in one of Bangkok’s busiest districts, I half expected traffic noise to drift in throughout the day. Fortunately, that never really became an issue during our stay.

Plus point: the views were good, and our toddler was sufficiently entertained by the trains to give us enough time to prep!

The toilet is one of the largest I’ve ever had in any hotel room.

But the best part might be the toiletries – because which other hotel is going to offer guests Byredo shower essentials?!

Breakfast buffet at Espresso

When I booked our stay at the InterContinental Bangkok, we did not hesitate to add on breakfast buffet at their restaurant.

Pre-kids, I would have scoffed at the idea because I love going out to explore local eateries rather than eat the same hotel buffet everyday. However, after our Seoul trip, we realised we could probably cut out the stress from finding one meal place everyday.

I’ll be honest – the novelty of the buffet did wear off sometime around the 3rd or 4th day because the spread was more or less the same everyday. However, it worked pretty well for us because we had so much variety to pick from when it came to feeding our toddler.

The core of the buffet remains fairly consistent. There are pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt, breads and cereals, while the live cooking stations serves eggs cooked to order and freshly prepared noodle dishes. Around that familiar foundation, the hot buffet changes enough from day to day that it keeps things interesting. We noticed different Thai dishes appearing throughout the week, alongside rotating Chinese and international options, so there was always something new to try without the buffet feeling unfamiliar.

If you’re staying for just one or two nights, you’ll probably be impressed by the variety. If you’re staying for a week like we did, you’ll appreciate that the menu evolves just enough to stop breakfast becoming repetitive.

The live cooking stations were where I found myself gravitating most mornings. Freshly cooked eggs are available however you like them (they also switch up their special variations every day!), while the noodle station is rather popular for those who want to fix their boat noodle cravings.

Beyond the live stations, the buffet covers a surprisingly broad range of cuisines. Alongside familiar Western breakfast favourites, there are Thai dishes, congee, dim sum, Japanese breakfast items, salads, cheeses and a very comprehensive bakery section. Fresh tropical fruit is replenished regularly, and there was always plenty to choose from whether I felt like a lighter breakfast or something substantial before a full day of sightseeing.

While the variety is quite impressive, I was not a huge fan of their sweet pastries and coffee served. I found the coffee a little too watered down for my liking, and the pastries a bit too dry.

But, would I pay for breakfast again? Without hesitation.

Not because Bangkok lacks fantastic cafés, but because Espresso gave us one less thing to think about every morning. We could enjoy a proper meal, make sure everyone was well fed, and head out knowing we probably wouldn’t need to stop for food again until lunchtime.

Impressive guest service

One of the advantages of staying somewhere for seven nights is that you begin noticing the things that don’t necessarily stand out during a shorter stay, and good service is one of them.

It’s easy for a luxury hotel to make a strong first impression. Maintaining that same standard day after day is much harder, particularly when you’re interacting with the same staff every morning and returning to the same room every afternoon.

What I appreciated about the InterContinental Bangkok was that the service never felt forced. Housekeeping went the extra mile to fold towel animals even without being asked. The staff at the lobby were always friendly and professional, and the team at Espresso even made an effort to remember our toddler’s name and say hi over multiple days!

Hotel facilities beyond the room

To be honest, we didn’t spend very much time using the hotel’s facilities.

With an itinerary packed full of shopping, sightseeing and toddler-friendly attractions, we usually left the hotel after breakfast and only returned in the afternoon for our daughter’s nap before heading out again for dinner. As a result, our stay was much more about the location and the comfort of the hotel than making full use of everything it had to offer.

That said, the InterContinental Bangkok has all the facilities you’d expect from a luxury five-star hotel.

The outdoor swimming pool is located on the sixth floor and offers a welcome escape from Bangkok’s heat. Surrounded by greenery and loungers, it’s a peaceful space to relax after a day in the city or enjoy a slower morning if you don’t have sightseeing plans. Poolside food and drinks are also available if you want to spend a few hours there.

The hotel also has a well-equipped Infinity Fitness gym with a good range of cardio machines, strength-training equipment and free weights. It’s open daily, making it a convenient option for guests who like to keep up with their workouts while travelling.

If relaxation is higher on your priority list, SPA InterContinental offers a selection of massages, facials and body treatments in private treatment rooms. While we didn’t book any treatments ourselves, it’s a popular option for guests looking to unwind after a long flight or a busy day exploring Bangkok.

There’s also a sauna and steam room available for guests using the wellness facilities, adding another option if you’re hoping to slow down and recharge during your stay.

Would I recommend InterContinental Bangkok?

Without any hesitation, yes.

If you’re visiting Bangkok for the first time, I think it’s an excellent choice. Being able to walk to CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Big C, Gaysorn Village and Chit Lom BTS makes getting around remarkably easy, particularly if you don’t want to rely on taxis every day.

I also think its location is particularly well suited to families with young children. We never had to think twice about returning to the hotel for our toddler’s afternoon nap because it was always nearby. If we needed to stock up on any baby essentials, Big C was only a short walk away. If we wanted somewhere air-conditioned to spend a few hours, CentralWorld and Siam Paragon were practically on our doorstep.

Those little conveniences sound fairly ordinary on paper, but together they removed so much of the friction that often comes with travelling as a family.

Couples and business travellers will probably appreciate the same location for entirely different reasons. Bangkok’s best shopping is within walking distance, the BTS is nearby, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafés surrounding the hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is InterContinental Bangkok worth it?

For us, yes.

It’s certainly not the cheapest five-star hotel in Bangkok, but the location alone justified the price. After spending a week here, I realised how much time we saved simply because we could walk to many of the places we wanted to visit instead of constantly arranging transport.

Is the breakfast at Espresso worth paying for?

I think it is, particularly if you need a convenient meal option.

The buffet has enough variety that it never felt repetitive during our week-long stay, and the live cooking stations, international selection and Thai dishes made it one of the better hotel breakfasts we’ve had in recent years.

Is InterContinental Bangkok good for families?

Yes, especially if you’re travelling with babies or toddlers.

The hotel’s central location made returning for naps incredibly easy, while nearby shopping malls meant baby essentials, restaurants and family attractions were always close by. We also found the staff warm and welcoming throughout our stay, and breakfast offered plenty of options for our eighteen-month-old.

Is the hotel close to public transport?

Yes.

The hotel is directly connected to Bangkok’s elevated Skywalk network and is just a short walk from Chit Lom BTS station, making it easy to reach other parts of the city without sitting in traffic.

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Final Verdict

A week is long enough for the novelty of a hotel to wear off. By the third or fourth day, you’re no longer noticing the marble lobby or admiring the room. You’re simply staying there, and that’s when the little things begin to matter. How easy it is to get back after a long day. Whether breakfast still feels enjoyable after your seventh morning. Whether the room remains comfortable once you’ve accumulated a week’s worth of shopping bags, laundry and toddler essentials.

The InterContinental Bangkok passed all of those tests remarkably well.

The InterContinental Bangkok gave us a comfortable room to return to, an excellent breakfast to start each morning, and a location that made exploring Bangkok feel effortless.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Not because it’s the newest or most extravagant luxury hotel in Bangkok, but because after seven nights, it proved itself to be exactly what we needed. If your itinerary looks anything like ours—with plenty of shopping, family-friendly attractions and a toddler who still needs an afternoon nap—I honestly think it’s one of the best places you could choose as your base.