firm foundation
It may be a peculiar name for a resort, but it certainly catches one’s attention, especially after knowing how the name came about. In the 1880s, a teak homestead in Chiang Mai, Thailand was built to be the headquarters of East Borneo Company. Nicknamed Borneo House, the colonial-styled mansion subsequently became home for families of British Louis Leonowens, Scotsman William Bain, and his son, Jack.
The early 2000s saw the Wongphanlert family buying Borneo House and converting the surrounding land into a hotel, with the restored Borneo House as centerpiece. To pay homage to Borneo House, the hotel was named 137 Pillars House, after the number of pillars Borneo House had in its structure.
Today, the 30-suite hotel is known for its tiled verandas, rattan furniture, and modern facilities juxtaposing its landscape. To cater to the growing demand for luxury properties in Thailand, 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Bangkok in the first quarter of 2017. Called 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, the property comprises 34 suites and 179 private residences, and sits on Sukhumvit Soi 39, near the mouth of the city’s Chao Phraya river.
Suites are divided into four categories, and named after the royal periods in Thai history: Rattanakosin, Ayuthaya, Sukhothai and Thonburi. Available in one- and two-bedroom options ranging between 70-127sqm, the suites will be located on between the levels 24 to 32. Rattanakosin Suite, the largest of the four, is a 127-sqm, two-bedroom suite with a dining room, pantry, and a maxi bar with a wine cellar. Each room features an ensuite marble bathroom, complete with circular baths and a built-in TV. The balcony overlooks the city skyline and makes a perfect spot for relaxation with its oversized daybed and signature 137 Pillars rocking chair. Guests who arrive before the check-in time may head to the 27th storey and lounge in the early check-in pods, and freshen up using the private shower facilities.
The residences, located on the lower levels, include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments that range between 40-91sqm. Each comes with a kitchenette, private terrace, and a spacious living area. Residents may also request for services such as in-residence dining and laundry.
The suites-cum-residences property offers dining options such Bangkok Trading Post, an all-day bistro, and Nimitir, a specialty Thai restaurant that features a ‘molecular twist’. Other notable mentions include a golf putting centre on the sixth floor, a spa and wellness centre with aerial flow yoga equipment on the 26th, Cigar Divan and Jack Bain’s Bar on the 28th, and an infinity pool and a Sky Bar on 32nd. Then comes the cherry on top of the cake: a by-invitation-only Louis Leonowens Club with member-only privileges.
To ease transportation woes, the property offers limousine rides with WiFi, mobile phones with a local chip, and a fully air-conditioned tuk-tuk shuttle that allows guests to connect to the BTS and MRT.
