Heritage gem Dusit Thani Bangkok reopens with fresh new look
Bangkok’s skyline has welcomed back an old friend, the Dusit Thani Bangkok.
Once a fixture in the city since 1970, the heritage gem reopened in the same prime location, this time as part of Dusit Central Park, with a new design vision anchored in cultural memory.
The 257-key flagship hotel of Dusit International reintroduces itself through a collaboration with the Hong Kong-based André Fu Studio, led by interior architect André Fu who is known for his thoughtful approach to combining heritage and contemporary luxury.
Fu brings his signature restraint and refined touch to the hotel’s new interiors by drawing from a portfolio that includes The Upper House in Hong Kong and Claridge’s in London, as well as collaborations with Louis Vuitton and Villa La Coste in Provence.
As a major project, this swanky hotel required a careful balance between honoring the past and embracing the future of a beloved landmark. Reimagining a space with five decades of history meant more than updating its design, it also involved preserving the emotional and cultural significance it holds for locals and visitors alike.
“We started with a vision to celebrate Thai culture on the global stage,” Fu said. “Together with Dusit’s creative team, we explored the spirit of the original property and translated it into a new skyscraper through my personal language of relaxed luxury.”
That language unfolds right from the moment guests enter. The triple-height lobby draws from traditional Thai pavilions, reinterpreted through contemporary design. A mural by Thai artist Sakon Malee and earthenware from Koh Kret root the space in local artistry. Preserved tropical trees and a tiered waterfall garden recall the original Dusit Thani’s lush surroundings.
Above, dusty-golden diamond-shaped ceilings take inspiration from lotus leaves. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the lobby in light, while freestanding bronze screens, made in collaboration with Project STUDIO and crafted by Dong Sculpture, feature intricate patterns that suggest movement and ascension. A palette of oak, antique bronze, mauve, teal, and sage sets a warm tone. Even the custom-designed streetlamps reflect Thai architectural silhouettes.
At the center of the space stands a jade green marble bar, envisioned as the hotel’s new gathering point. Flanked by two antique pillars salvaged from the original Benjarong restaurant, the lobby now functions as what Fu calls “a living room for Bangkok society.”
Guest rooms, starting at 50 square meters, continue the story of gentle transformation. Each one is anchored by a five-meter-wide, single-glass window that frames uninterrupted views of Lumpini Park. Designed to evoke the Thai sala asai, or rest pavilion, the cantilevered daybed allows guests to stretch out and look directly into the city’s green heart.
Color palettes remain soft—sage, celadon, pale champagne, and gold—paired with oak paneling and furniture that gently references traditional Thai forms. Latticework and handwoven headboards made by local artisans echo murals from the original hotel, while adding a contemporary layer of texture.
“The idea was to make these rooms distinctively Dusit Thani Bangkok—unlike any other luxury accommodation in the city,” Fu said.
The hotel now sits as a major landmark at Dusit Central Park, a mixed-use development that includes Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside, a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail center, and an 11,200-square-meter roof park—all set to open this year.
“This has been a journey of curation and craftsmanship,” Fu said. “We’ve breathed new life into a beloved landmark, creating a timeless destination that will inspire and enchant generations to come.”
Bookings for Dusit Thani Bangkok are now available at dusit.com.
