If there’s one thing Thailand does well, it’s hospitality. Famous the world over for its genuinely warm, welcoming culture, excellent customer service and luxury hotels priced at a fraction of Europe’s five-star portfolio, it has long been a destination for international travellers to holiday – and holiday well. 

It’s fair to say that I was in dire need of the aforementioned sterling hospitality when I arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport after a 16-hour flight from Heathrow. Having crossed two continents and six time zones – from London’s icy 1°C temperatures to Thailand’s balmy 33°C February climate – I thanked myself for choosing a luxury hotel as I nursed exhaustion and genuine confusion as to what day of the week it was. 

Having opened last September, Madi Paidi is one of the newest boutique hotels in Bangkok and Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection debut in Thailand. As the name suggests – “ma dee” meaning a pleasant arrival and “pai dee” being bon voyage in Thai – the hotel is centred around the heartfelt hospitality its native country is famous for. It’s more than just lip service. Within seconds of our taxi pulling up outside the eight-storey, timber-clad address nestled in Bangkok’s Thong Lor district, I was inside Madi Paidi’s golden-hued lobby with a cool towel in one hand and an iced oolong tea in the other. Grateful doesn’t cover it. 

Inside the stylish hotel – where a core clientele of international travellers and business visitors can choose from 56 rooms – the design is inspired by the juxtaposition between the street’s relaxing, residential charm and the lively vibe of Thong Lor, famous for its eclectic bars and shops. It’s a world away from the crowded fringes of Bangkok’s main waterway, the Chao Phraya River, where other major luxury hotel brands, such as Shangri-La and Anantara, chose to set up shop years ago. But for those after an authentic taste of Bangkok – and all of the craziness it’s famed for – staying in a humble but up-and-coming district such as Thong Lor is a fantastic way to experience it. 

Madi Paidi itself, however, promises something of an oasis away from the chaos. The tumbling foliage of the hotel blends seamlessly with the natural, suburban-style surroundings of a leafy avenue that leads to the district’s skytrain station, putting the centre of the Thai capital within easy reach (more on that later). Interiors are calming and subtly influenced by rich contrasts – classic meets contemporary, and east meets west – while traditional Siamese drawings adorn the corridors. Keep an eye out for the auspicious ‘chalew’ star symbols thoughtfully woven into the hotel’s interiors, emblematic of Thai care while wishing every guest good luck and a safe onward journey. 

Rooms are inspired by some of Thailand’s precious gemstones, such as topaz, sapphire and emerald, and differ only in size (ranging from 32-56 square metres), not luxury amenities. I bagged a topaz suite, featuring the requisite king-size bed, coffee maker, mini-bar and large LED TV, alongside an adjacent en-suite marble bathroom including a huge walk-in rain shower complete with sumptuously soft bathrobes. From the floor-to-ceiling window, I watched the skytrain weave through the skyscrapers while taking in the hustle and bustle of the city beyond. 

The jewel that sits quite literally in the crown of Madi Paidi Bangkok is its rooftop pool and state-of-the-art gym kitted out with Technogym equipment – the perfect spot, I quickly discover, for shaking off those tense post-flight muscles. Aptly named the Vitamin Dee pool, the 10-sunbed terrace basks in sunshine from dawn ‘til dusk and is serviced by a concise menu of ice-cold drinks and an array of lighter bites (the classic BLT is a real treat). Go for the sun, but stay for the sunset, as the rooftop promises some of the best views across Bangkok as the city comes alive for the evening. 

For something more substantial, head downstairs to Madi Paidi’s flagship restaurant, Ekkaluck. Housed in a bright and airy dining room on the ground floor, with an adjacent low-lit glass terrace adding to the ambience, this is not your typical hotel eatery. Given the vibrant culinary reputation of Thong Lor, Ekkaluck is designed to not only compete with what’s outside its doors but also to gain recognition of its own away from the hotel – and that it has. Helmed by executive chef Wuttisak Wuttiamporn, Ekkaluck is a modern Thai fine-dining restaurant – a surprisingly rare concept in the city – offering continental breakfast in the morning and a la carte dishes of pomelo salad with red prawns, braised lamb shank Massaman curry, and tender roasted black chicken in the evening, alongside an exquisite tasting menu. 

Priced at 3,500THB – roughly £75 – the seven-course dinner features the finest local and seasonal ingredients, including rare finds from local niche suppliers, small-scale farms and fisheries. Presentation is thoughtful and effective, as are the flavours: think a tenderloin tartare spring roll with a kick of E-sarn herbs, foie gras in tamarind jus, and dry-aged turbot fillet with caviar beurre blanc. A personal highlight was the mushroom tom kha: a rich, dense mushroom soup served with truffle sauce and a parmesan crisp.

An innovative sweet course of raspberry yoghurt panna cotta with Thai mignardise, saw us handed four different spoons to show how each spoon’s shape evoked a different flavour profile of the dessert. It may be pricier than the food at the nearby street markets, but the price here isn’t necessarily the point; Madi Paidi takes pride in traditional Thai cuisine and has nurtured it into experimental tasting menus to offer its guests something unique. 

While Bangkok is smaller than London (trust me when I say it doesn’t feel like it), there’s plenty to explore day or night here. Make good use of the concierge team at Madi Paidi, who are on-hand to help with detailed itineraries filled with local knowledge, stellar recommendations and tips for public transport if you don’t fancy getting snagged in Bangkok’s chaotic traffic. Moments from the hotel, board the Thong Lor skytrain and head west to discover the Grand Palace – official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782 – and the sacred Buddhist Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho Temples, as well as vibrant markets such as Chatuchak. 

It’s no secret that Bangkok offers so much to travellers, and perhaps it’s the sheer array of opportunities and experiences that make the city wonderful but, at times, a tad overwhelming. Thank goodness then for hotels as relaxing and welcoming as Madi Paidi. Add to that second-to-none service, thoughtful interiors and state-of-the-art wellness facilities, and you’ve got yourself a winner – one I see destined to become a starry stalwart on Bangkok’s luxury hotel scene. 

From £164 per night, visit marriott.com

Read more: The holiday hot list: Where to travel in February