Dusit International, a prominent hotel and property development entity in Thailand, has announced the grand reopening of the iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel on September 27, 2024. This landmark event marks a significant milestone for the company both domestically and internationally. The hotel has undergone a complete transformation, serving as the centerpiece of the Dusit Central Park complex, harmoniously blending its 50-year tradition with innovative standards in upscale hospitality. The design, meticulously tailored for sophisticated travelers, aims to redefine luxury service and aesthetic benchmarks.
Located at its original prestigious address, the revitalized Dusit Thani Bangkok boasts 257 guest rooms, each providing unparalleled, unobstructed views of Lumpini Park. The rooms incorporate stylish, cantilevered window seats, offering guests a front-row perspective of the park’s scenic beauty. The project’s unveiling took place at an exclusive media gathering in Bangkok. Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO of Dusit International, highlighted the seamless fusion of modern trends with the historical essence of the original hotel, which upon its debut in 1970, stood as the city’s most imposing structure.
“For over five decades, the original Dusit Thani Bangkok was a cherished landmark, a true ambassador of Thai hospitality for global travelers,” said Ms. Suthumpun. “As we embarked on its reimagination, we were committed to honoring that legacy while exceeding the expectations of today’s discerning guests. This meant meticulously preserving elements of the original hotel and seamlessly blending them with a fresh, modern design. Throughout this process, we stayed true to the vision of Dusit’s founder, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, and owner, Mr. Chanin Donavanik, to showcase Thai culture, art, and gracious service in a way that resonates with contemporary travelers and adapts to evolving preferences. Sustainability remains a core focus for Dusit, and this commitment is also reflected in the new hotel’s design and operations. Ultimately, we aim to deliver an unparalleled guest experience while preserving the warmth and service that have always been synonymous with the Dusit Thani name.”
Ms. Natapa Sriyuksiri, Managing Director – Dusit Estate and Group Creative Strategy, Dusit International, emphasized that the primary challenge in designing the new Dusit Thani Bangkok was capturing the essence of the original hotel’s warmth and character while ensuring a fresh, modern aesthetic. “The original Dusit Thani Bangkok had a soul all of its own, and our goal was to translate that spirit into a contemporary space equipped for the future,” said Ms. Sriyuksiri. “We started by reinterpreting the original hotel’s unique design elements through a modern lens. This involved studying the hotel’s distinctive interiors and architecture to identify patterns we could modernize or reference in new creations.”
The architectural vision, meticulously crafted by Architects 49 International Limited and OMA Asia Hong Kong Limited—a branch of the renowned Office for Metropolitan Architecture—pays homage to the hotel’s historical architecture. Internationally acclaimed André Fu Studio spearheaded the interior design, expertly merging traditional Thai elements with modern influences, employing warm hues and understated motifs that reflect Thai art and craftsmanship. A dedicated ‘Heritage Floor’, designed by Thai firm P49 Deesign & Associates Co. Ltd, showcases exclusive local art inspired by the hotel’s rich history.
This reimagined version of the Dusit Thani Bangkok also pays tribute to its heritage with its iconic golden spire, now prominently housed within a new, larger structure. Original artworks and elements from the hotel’s famed Benjarong Thai Restaurant have been carefully preserved and integrated into the lobby and other areas of the hotel. “By reimagining elements from the original Dusit Thani Bangkok and focusing on exquisite craftsmanship throughout the entire design process – from architecture to décor to furnishings – we’ve woven a connection between the hotel’s past and present, creating a timeless harmony guests will experience throughout the entire new hotel,” said Ms. Sriyuksiri.
The four key pillars of Dusit Graciousness – Service (personalized and gracious), Locality (uniquely linking guests to the local community), Well-being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa); and Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental) – that inspire the guest experience at Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide also influenced the new hotel’s design. “Dusit Thani hotels, wherever they are in the world, are carefully designed to serve as a unique reflection of the communities they serve, creating places to see and be seen, and bringing value far beyond the property’s walls,” said Ms. Sriyuksiri. “The new Dusit Thani Bangkok is the epitome of this commitment. No inch of space has been wasted in our pursuit of hospitality excellence. With an unrivaled Thai-inspired design that becomes progressively more modern towards the building’s golden spire, we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure the aesthetics of each area serve as the stage for lasting memories to be made. There’s a genuine sense of theatre, too. Large, open windows in the ballroom and lobby seamlessly connect the hotel’s vibrant energy with the surrounding Lumpini Park, showcasing both the stunning cityscape and the exciting events happening within. This innovative design ensures the new Dusit Thani Bangkok stands out as a unique landmark, a true icon for a new era of Thai hospitality.”
Beyond aesthetics, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok also incorporates Feng Shui principles for a holistic guest experience. “Our goal,” explained Mr. Somkiat Lo-Chindapong, Deputy Managing Director of Architects 49 Limited (A49), “was to seamlessly integrate world-class design with the legacy of the original hotel, and this included marrying ancient Feng-Shui wisdom about wind and water with modern architecture. This approach is evident in the building’s positioning within Dusit Central Park, ensuring each guest room offers unobstructed views of Lumpini Park through large bay windows with a luxurious gold finish. These breathtaking vistas act as ‘golden frames of memories,’ drawing positive energy into the hotel while creating lasting impressions for guests. “Blending old-world charm with modern elegance, there simply is no other building like it in Bangkok. It is instantly recognizable as the Dusit Thani Bangkok, inside and out. Furthermore, the seamless connection to Lumpini Park and the upcoming roof park at the heart of Dusit Central Park ensures nature is truly at the heart of the guest experience.”
The design philosophy of the new hotel is guided by the four pillars of Dusit Graciousness—Service, Locality, Well-being, and Sustainability—which influence all Dusit Hotels and Resorts globally. The redesigned hotel offers 257 rooms, reduced from the original 517, to enhance spaciousness, with each room starting at 50 square meters. Designed to blend elegance with modern luxury, these rooms frame the breathtaking views of the park. The hotel now features a new urban wellness concept, ten dining venues, and extensive meeting and event spaces, including one of Bangkok’s largest ballrooms with a stunning view of Lumpini Park. Other components of the Dusit Central Park development, such as ultra-luxury residences, a modern office tower, a premium retail center, and an expansive Roof Park, are set to open in 2025.
