Casa Vimaya

Set alongside the restored Bang Lamphu Canal, Casa Vimaya's main restaurant serves authentic Thai dishes including a taste of Bangkok's best street food. The most popular seat is, of course, on the spacious veranda for the very best view. It's a fantastic spot to enjoy your morning cuppa, or a cocktail in the evening. Inside, there are framed photographs covering the walls, which offer a sense of place, and lots of beautiful, period-style furnishings. There is also a secluded rooftop pool and bar for reclining at between excursions.

Casa Vimaya has just two room types, the Superior, which is fitted with dark teak and colonial-style furnishings and the Riverside Deluxe, which is decked out in rattan and bamboo furniture and has a lighter feel. All rooms have King-sized or a set of twin beds, and every surface is dotted with vases brimming with flowers and potted orchids, while the bathrooms are sleek and modern. The Riverside Deluxe rooms also open onto spacious balconies with views over the canal.

With an address on Phra Sumen Road in one of Bangkok's most historic neighbourhoods, there's plenty to see right on the doorstep. Take a longtail boat ride down the River of Kings and take in views of the Grand Palace and the dazzling Wat Arun, or opt to visit the Democracy Monument, which commemorates the 1932 Siamese Revolution. You'll also find bustling markets, street food stalls and art galleries to peruse, or head for one of the luxury spas for a massage.