If you want something that just feels more international, stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts' Intercontinental Bangkok. It's everything you'd expect from a five-star hotel in Bangkok; the lobby is a sweeping, spotless shrine to marble, the service is impeccable and spacious rooms are on par with any luxury hotel in the world where there's multiple people manning the door. Don't expect the food to be traditional gourmet stuff, though. On the ground floor is SoCal, relaxed Californian dining that makes for a great lunch (the lobster tostada is a belter). Upstairs, the Summer Palace is authentic Chinese cuisine. Then, there's the Balcony Lounge which is old school glam with a jazz band that comes in several times a week. Factor in a luxury spa and a rooftop pool, and the Intercontinental is ticking all the boxes for a few days in a very busy city. The best part is the Intercontinental Bangkok's location. Luxury shopping centre EmQuartier is just across the road (there's Dolce & Gabbana, Off-White, Valentino, Emporio Armani, Prada, Balenciaga – all of 'em!) and the historical tourist spots are easily accessible by a cab.