Ocean Bangkok brings the stylish concept of an urban resort to the crowded heart of Bangkok.
by Federico Brandi
Bangkok can get overwhelming from time to time, and when you feel like getting out but don’t have the time to travel outside the city, urban resorts like Ocean Bangkok (●Sukhumvit Soi 33, Phromg Phong BTS, 02 261 2800, www.oceanbangkok.com) are a good option to escape the city’s noise and chaos for a bit.
Drawing on his experience in hotels and resorts around the world, Franck Delen thought of creating a peaceful island in the middle of Bangkok. He realized his vision when he recently opened Ocean Bangkok, by putting together a qualified team that includes Jacopo Astray, a Spanish chef who worked at the award-winning elBulli restaurant; Joseph Boroski, an experienced mixologist; Martine Pailloux, an expert globetrotter designer; and Orawan, an avant-garde DJ with a taste for quality music. And of course Ocean, the mascot dog, who runs around making sure that everyone is doing their job!
Passing through the entrance, you will leave behind the bustle and clamor of the metropolis to enjoy superb cuisine and drinks while tanning or stargazing by the pool—and maybe having a massage, too.
The first thing I noticed when entering this urban oasis was the White Ocean Spa and Well-Being Center next to the entrance. It’s a small and cozy spot for beauty and relaxation treatments. After the spa, on the left, the Ocean Mixology Bar provides a large space to warm up for the evening while tasting cocktails and mocktails.
In the main area, a truly classy touch of this urban resort beckons: the Ocean Pool Lounge, an ideal location for sunbathing and swimming during the day, or enjoying a drink with friends in the evening. I arrived at Ocean at sunset. With a perfectly designed arrangement of colors and lights, inviting cushions, and a relaxing atmosphere that makes you doubt you are still in Bangkok, the venue looked astonishing.
On the right-hand side of the pool, Ocean Gastro-Tapas Bar offers modern Mediterranean–Asian fusion cuisine. The concept behind the bar is called “bistronomy”—a genuine and more affordable approach to modern cuisine, offering high-quality dishes in a more friendly and convivial environment. It’s a new idea for Thailand but is well known in Europe, particularly in France. The idea is simple: you don’t need to go to a trendy restaurant to find excellent food. You can eat it in a simple bistro, sharing time and food with your friends, and enjoying each other’s company.
The last thing you might notice is a small white door opposite reception … and that is the secret entrance to Ocean Below: a small but nicely designed club, with an excellent sound system, where good music is played by a lineup of international and local DJs.
It is the combination of all these different features and atmospheres that make Ocean Bangkok a unique fixture in the city’s nightlife playground. Have Sunday brunch and relax by the pool, or party hard on a weekend night: Ocean Bangkok gives you the opportunities, but the choice is yours.
