Stay in Bangkok: My Chill Base, Great Food
Just got back from a short solo trip to Bangkok and honestly, it was exactly what I needed. No wild nights, no jam-packed tourist to-do lists just a comfortable hotel, good food, and a few laid-back walks around the city.
Where I stayed: Sindhorn Kempinski
This place felt like a bit of a hidden gem. The building itself is made of exposed concrete, which sounds kind of harsh, but it actually works. Inside, it’s quiet and soft, with big windows up top and that warm kind of lighting that makes everything feel calm. The lobby was mellow. Couples having tea, a piano playing somewhere in the background, staff walking around like they actually enjoy working there. As soon as I checked in, they offered me tea and let me pick between juice, sticky rice with mango, or chocolate bars. I picked the chocolate. No regrets. The suite was way bigger than expected. Huge bed, walk-in closets, a proper kitchen, snacks, coffee machine, even milk in the fridge. Every little detail felt well thought out. The manager actually walked me to the room and explained how everything worked. That kind of personal touch is rare.
If you're into good sleep, they’ve got different pillow options - memory foam, latex, that sort of thing. And everything just felt brand new, like I might’ve been the first person to stay there. The small stuff (because nothing’s ever perfect)
Breakfast gets a bit busy at peak time, so if you’re planning a slow morning, maybe go early. Also, spa access isn’t included in every room package—it’s about 600 baht per day if you want to use it, and treatments aren’t exactly cheap. If that’s your thing, probably better to book a package that includes it. But overall, I’d say the service, comfort, and setup more than make up for it. It’s quiet, it’s relaxed, and it doesn’t feel like you're in a hotel full of tour groups.
Dinner spot: Vaso (Spanish Tapas)
While in Bangkok, I wanted something a bit more fun than the usual quiet dinner alone. I’d heard about Vaso from a few people and decided to give it a shot. I didn’t book anything fancy, just turned up solo and grabbed a seat in the main dining area. No one blinked. That already made me like the place. The vibe is loud, busy, but in a good way, like the whole restaurant is buzzing with people who actually want to be there. The music’s upbeat, the lighting’s warm, and the staff all seem genuinely into what they’re doing. For a solo diner, that kind of energy makes a big difference. You don’t feel out of place, just kind of folded into the whole atmosphere without needing to try.
I ordered a few small plates, patatas bravas, obviously, because that’s a no-brainer, and a seafood paella that had solid flavor. A couple of things were saltier than I’d like, which threw it off a bit, but overall the ingredients were fresh, and it felt like the kitchen actually cared about what they were putting out. Not cheap by any means, but you could tell where the money went.
The cocktails were tasty, maybe a little too easy to drink. Mine felt on the lighter side, but I wasn’t really looking to get smashed, just something to sip while people-watching from the bar. Speaking of, I ended up staying there after dinner, just taking it all in. The staff were easy to talk to and even explained a few drinks when I asked. At one point, I noticed someone at the bar buying a round for the whole place. Apparently- that’s a thing here. Random, but kind of fun.
What really stood out was the service. Super friendly, never overbearing, and no one made me feel weird about dining alone. That’s rare. There was no pressure to leave, no over-attentive hovering, just the right amount of attention and good energy. Vaso’s worth the stop. You might not know anyone when you walk in, but it doesn’t feel like you’re eating alone.
Lumphini Park
Bangkok can be intense. Between the traffic, the street food stalls, and the sheer number of things happening at once, your senses are kind of always on. So stumbling into Lumphini Park one morning felt like hitting pause on the city.
I didn’t plan to go there. I just woke up early, grabbed a coffee from a street vendor near my hotel, and wandered. Ended up at the park entrance around 8AM, where it was already full of life - but not in the hectic Bangkok kind of way. People were jogging, some were doing tai chi under the trees, and a few were just sitting quietly by the water, watching the world go by.
The first thing I noticed was how clean and open it felt. It’s one of those parks where everything has room to breathe. Big shady trees, winding paths, wide lawns. You don’t have to do anything specific here. I walked for a while, then sat near the lake and just... existed for a bit. There’s something about the stillness of the water and the rhythm of people going about their morning routines that’s weirdly grounding.
And then there were the monitor lizards - which, I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect at all. The first one I saw, I thought was some kind of weird log until it blinked. They're huge. Just out there, roaming the grass, slipping into the water, sunbathing like they own the place. I saw two of them fight for a minute, and it was a full-on National Geographic moment. They’re chill if you keep your distance, but yeah, maybe don’t go petting them.
There aren’t any drinking fountains, so if you bring a bottle, make sure it’s full. There are public bathrooms, though, and they’re decent enough. The whole park just feels looked after, not over-designed, just cared for in a way that makes you want to be respectful of the space.
If you're traveling alone and need a reset, this place is perfect. You can go for a run, stretch out on the grass, or just sit and do nothing for an hour without feeling like you should be somewhere else. I left feeling clearer than when I arrived, which is kind of rare in a big city.
