It was almost 4am in East Asia, and the second-best hotel of the world distinction went to the Passalaqua to the astonishment of the hoteliers present and viewers online like me. The Lake Como Regina descended from her throne with grace and anointed the stellar sucessor by the Chao Phraya, the Capella Bangkok. The frenzy and cravings for Capella reached the unprecedented height when John Blancos, the general manager, received the accolade from the academy in the majestic Guildhall. It was a moment of triumph to the Asian hospitality. Excitement, exaltation, and enquiry weaved up the Siamoise zeal in the following weeks, and to sojourn in Capella Bangkok or not to was absolutely the question amongst my global trotter set.
Passalaqua Como@passalacqualakecomo
Capella hotels and resorts, renown for the Singaporean quaintness and bleisure ethos, never fail to lure me for exploration. Still, tutored by the Mandarin Oriental and the Dorchester grandes dames in the formative years to become an ultra hotel junkie, such an eminent, institutional taste for refinements also discourages any faux pas.
@50best_hotels
The question is undeniably about whether Capella hotels and resorts are the next generation curios to beacon amidst the constellation of Asian hospitality hallmarks or another soulless derivative?
Capella Taipei @capellahotel
The subsequent grand openings in Sydney, Taipei, and Macau in early 2025 cement a stronger presence and cohesive ambience, the Capella array of hotels is invincibly a collection of distinctive jewels and the raison d’etre for lodging.
@capellabangkok
Chapter of Bangkok
Alighting the BMW limo at the cocooned arrival hall, Antonio Saponara, the veteran successor to Blancos, and the Capella Culturists usher me into the Living Room. Not unfamiliar with the languorous Chao Phraya in sight, the tanned and spirited hotelier speaks with such an enthusiasm about Capella philosophy, “Culture, colleagues, and curation are the DNA of Capella. Our culturists, the evolved conciergerie, are the ambassadors of the community and the destination, please be chaperoned with us and rediscover the reverie of Khun Thep.”
The 101 rooms and suites are among the largest in the city and breathe ultra residential luxury in the coherent neutral hue. The entry level rooms are so sizeable that any bleisure nomads would be awed by the vain, generous golden wood walk-in wardrobe and a travertine marble bathroom. Patio is quintessentially Capella Bangkok, access to the nature is the ultimate luxury from the entry level to top tier villas. Amenities and electrical gadgets are the trendiest, I am impressed by the southern eastern Asian subtlety in every unexpected turn, from the elevator landing to the verdant yawn by the river.
Much consideration has been given to the layout to create a real urban retreat. Unlike the city's other top hotels, there is a clear separation between the hubbub of the lobby, bars and restaurants, and the guests-only pool area, the Living Room, and lifts to rooms, which are all shielded behind a key card-accessed door. This allows the hotel to be both buzzy and a sanctuary of sorts.
@capellabangkok
“Your observation is accurate. Capella and her ethos might appeal to a younger clientele. They believe in work-life balance or integration, and they embrace diversity and differences.” In a later chitchat with Antonio on the patio overlooking the swimming pool, the Utopian layer of the Capella philosophy surfaces. While my culturist nods and brings in the chilled Americano, I then resume the conversation, “We must figure out a term for Capella enthusiasts, as I am a fan now.”Chapter of Ta
Chapter of Taipei
The urge to call Dennis Laubenstein a Loulou is such, I am so much enlightened by the passion and vision of the urbane hotelier. “From the morning ritual, evening cocktails, to the curated Capella moments, our team and I endeavor to deliver an authentic Taiwan experience, which showcases the cultural heritage to the international guests and enables the local clientele to rediscover the beautiful Formosa.” The general manager speaks with apparent flickers in his transparent eyes.
@capellataipei
Interior design maestro André Fu coins the conceptual “modern mansion” motto with the Capella Taipei team. The prolific architect has dazzled the world with the quiet yet sensuous elegance in aesthetics, noticeably the recent openings of the reimagined Dusit Thani in Bangkok and the revolutionary Emory in London all devised similar concepts of domesticity that is rooted in the much-lauded Upper House in Hong Kong. Yet in this 87 keys property, a guest can see how far the designer has come in his storied career.
Dennis Laubenstein(left) and Joseph Wan, the Author
The arrival experience begins as the door valets push open the heavy gate leading to series of cavernous entry halls: the first one simply for the visual accueil, and the second housing two elegant reception-concierge desks, and connecting to the final massive vestibule which is home to the Plume, an all-day dining heaven and cocktail bar. Noble materials exude luxury for the connoisseurs: travertine, wood veneer and polished stone tilework adorn the public spaces. Upholstery comes in rich jacquard velvet and thick wool bouclé.
The Living Room and guest-only pool are high above the city and again separated from the restaurants and bars. Snacks and wide range of beverages are available in the Capella Living Room, the espirit of grand salon is revived masterfully. “Now I should pin the Capella Hanoi and Capella Ubud on the map.” I sip the chilled Americano of light-roasted beans curated by the general manager, and Dennis glees at the content, “trust me, you would love to visit the rest of the Capella hotels.”
Capella [email protected]
Capella [email protected]
Professionalism, pro-activism, and perfectionism are the exact secret to the sensational success of the Capella Hotels and Resorts. “We ask the guest, what he wants and how he wants it. And then we make it happen. That is the new luxury. We have commissioned a survey and we learnt from it, that 79% of hotel guests would prefer more individuality during their stay. A port for their own i-pod – people want to listen to their own music while they are in the hotel room – unlimited internet access at no extra charge, etc.” the late Capella co-founder Horst Schulze once responded in an interview back in 2009. His vision is now proven the de facto trend in ultra luxury hospitality industry. May Capella continue being the leading black sheep.
Author：Joseph Wan
Photo：Joseph Wan、instagram@capellabangkok、@passalacqualakecomo、capella.com
