Sometimes the best family escapes aren’t planned – they just happen. Our two days at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit were exactly that: a spontaneous city getaway that turned into a sky-high adventure for my wife, my son Leonardo, and me. What we discovered was a hotel that knows how to delight both the young and the young at heart – and, as we later learned, one that had only opened its doors in July 2023.
A Rooftop Pool That Stole Our Son’s Heart
Let’s be honest – Leonardo’s main occupation during our stay was the spectacular rooftop pool. And who could blame him? Perched on the 34th floor, this infinity pool features a transparent glass wall that extends beyond the building’s edge, offering the sensation of swimming into the Bangkok skyline. Considered one of the city’s most impressive rooftop pools, it’s the kind of feature that turns a hotel stay into an unforgettable memory. The pool area, with its sun loungers and Instagram-famous swing, became our family’s base camp. From dawn until dusk, Leonardo could be found splashing in the crystalline water while we soaked in the panoramic views stretching from the Chao Phraya River to the city’s distant horizons. What the brochures don’t tell you is how the light changes up there – golden at sunrise, blinding white at noon, and softly amber as the city starts to twinkle below.
Our Home Above the City
Our room was spacious enough to feel like a true urban sanctuary – one of 208 rooms across the property, each designed with the same contemporary flair. The generous sofa was transformed daily into Leonardo’s own bed by the thoughtful turndown service, a detail that made him feel like a VIP guest in his own right. Crisp white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a pop of pink in the ensuite created a contemporary space that felt both luxurious and family-friendly. What caught our attention were the thoughtful touches: a restored vintage rotary phone on the bedside table, a Marshall amp in the lounge, and the hotel’s trademark wink logo appearing on everything from cups to towels. The room wasn’t just a place to sleep – it was part of the experience, with the cityscape unrolling beneath us like a living map.
The Kites Eatery: A Culinary Journey Through Thailand
Eating at The Kites Eatery on the 31st floor was an experience in itself. The restaurant’s retro design – 1970s-inspired with modern touches – features kite artwork adorning the walls, referencing the popular pastime of kite flying at Sanam Luang state park, with graphic glass walls depicting myriad kites in flight. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted city views, making every meal feel special. Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., the eatery serves up central, northern, northeastern, and southern Thai cuisine à la minute, using quality ingredients sourced from local farms – a commitment we could taste in every bite.
The highlight was the pinto lunch experience, available daily from noon to 3 p.m. A pinto is a traditional Thai multi-tiered food container, reminiscent of an Indian tiffin carrier, historically used by workers and schoolchildren to carry homemade meals. Each tier contains a different dish – rice, curries, stir-fried vegetables – carefully stacked and served for a nostalgic dining experience that’s both visually striking and deeply satisfying. We tried two different four-course sets, all delicately prepared with fresh, local ingredients under the guidance of Executive Chef Katisak Pinkaew and his team. Each pinto was beautifully presented with perfectly balanced flavors, showcasing the best of Thai cuisine in an authentic and memorable way. The concept resonated with Leonardo, who delighted in uncovering each layer of the pinto, as if unwrapping a present. For families, it’s also wonderfully practical – no juggling multiple plates, just one beautiful stack of discovery.
A Coffee Break with a View
On the 34th floor, adjacent to the Open Living Lobby, we discovered the hotel’s “Brew and Bite Delight” promotion – available as a hot or cold set from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. It offers freshly brewed coffee paired with what might just be the best croissant in Bangkok, one that could make a French baker envious. The 1980s background music, unobstructed views over the city, and proximity to the Chao Phraya River create a perfect mid-day escape. We lingered longer than planned, watching the traffic crawl far below while feeling utterly removed from it all – a rare luxury in a city as frenetic as Bangkok.
Luz Tapas Bar: Spain Meets Bangkok
But dinner was the pièce de résistance. At Luz Bangkok Tapas Bar on the 33rd floor, the atmosphere shifts to elegant and romantic, with gold wires criss-crossing the ceiling in tribute to the Rama VIII Bridge – a design feature that becomes even more striking at night when the lighting catches the metallic angles. Under the stewardship of Madrid-born Juan Ignacio García Racionero, who has honed his craft at some of Spain’s finest kitchens, Luz offers authentic Spanish tapas, wines, beer on tap, cocktails, and signature sangrias, inviting diners on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain with a dynamic variety of local Thai ingredients embellished with Spanish flavours. Open from 4 p.m. until midnight, the tapas bar also offers a spectacle unlike any other in Bangkok – guests can peer directly into the underside of the infinity pool above, a surreal design twist that drew gasps from our table.
The real magic, however, happened when Nacho visited our table to personally describe each tapas dish as it arrived. We were treated to a parade of Spanish classics: Serrano ham, pan con tomate, olives, croquettes, tochos, Roman salad, and artichokes. Each morsel was crafted with care, and the hospitality was warm and generous. We opted for the chef’s recommended dinner, and washed it down with Luz signature cocktails first and red wine to follow. Leonardo, meanwhile, devoured a perfectly prepared burger while my wife and I enjoyed natilla and arroz con leche for dessert. Closing my eyes, surrounded by the twinkling lights of Bangkok’s skyline, the night view merging with the rooftop atmosphere, I was briefly transported to Spain – not bad for a family evening in Bangkok.
The Architecture: A Love Letter to Bangkok
What makes this hotel truly special is its design philosophy. The interiors draw inspiration from the city’s iconic landmarks: the Chao Phraya River, Wat Pho, and Wat Phra Kaew. Each floor features original art pieces and line-drawing murals of Bangkok’s temple skyline. The building’s most dramatic feature is its inverted lantern design – the tower cantilevers outward as it climbs, defying conventional architecture. The lobby’s suspended cloud of frosted glass globes cascading down a mirrored ceiling sets a theatrical tone that elevates the entire experience.
The Magic View: Day and Night
Throughout our stay, the ever-changing view was our constant companion. From our room, from The Kites Eatery, from the pool, and from the tapas bar, Bangkok revealed itself in infinite variations. By day, the city’s sprawling urban tapestry, the Chao Phraya River’s winding curves, and the distant temples. By night, a glittering galaxy of lights stretching to the horizon. Guests consistently praise the rooftop pool as a highlight, with stunning views and a spectacular vantage point over the city – and after two days up there, we understood why. The view became our internal clock: morning coffee with the rising sun, afternoon swims under hazy heat, evening tapas as the city flickered to life.
A Family Stay We’ll Remember
Both Leonardo and my wife were thoroughly pleased with our choice of establishment, and seeing their smiles as we took in the panoramic views made the experience all the more rewarding. Travelers consistently praise the hotel’s staff for their warm hospitality and attentiveness – and we felt that warmth in every interaction, from the front desk to the pool attendants to Nacho’s passionate explanations at Luz. That human touch, more than any design feature, turned our two days into something we still talk about at the dinner table.
For families seeking a memorable city break, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit offers the perfect blend of modern luxury, cultural immersion, and family-friendly comfort. 
Two days may not seem like much, but when spent 35 floors above Bangkok – in a property that opened only recently and already feels like a landmark – they can feel like a complete escape. And perhaps, just perhaps, a preview of your next family adventure.
Situated at 1472 Sukhumvit Road in the lively On Nut neighborhood, the hotel is a 30-minute ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport and conveniently close to the On Nut BTS Skytrain station and Bangkok’s largest convention centre, BITEC – yet once you’re inside, you feel miles away from the everyday rush. Visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/bangkok/innside-bangkok-sukhumvit
