The Moxy is celebrating its first anniversary in Bangkok and continues to delight its guests with its playful and colorful character. Travel journalist Roderick Eime experienced it firsthand.

With the introduction of the lifestyle brand Moxy, Marriott finally managed to break free from the outdated "one-size-fits-all" hotel business, and the new, one-year-old Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong fits like a glove into this lively, youthful personality, which includes around 100 sister hotels worldwide.

My first encounter with this unusual brand was at its first Australian branch at Sydney Airport. I was immediately impressed by its bold, industrial-chic decor, which included various references to retro eras such as vinyl records and classic vintage arcade games.

Moxy is clearly aimed at a young and young-at-heart audience. Driving beats echo in the reception area, and the decorations and murals are reminiscent of a mix of Liberace, Banksy, and Warhol. Naturally, these deliberately eye-catching spaces practically invite sharing on social media – a clever marketing strategy given the target audience.

Although stylistically and atmospherically similar, the Bangkok hotel is the first Moxy hotel in the Asia-Pacific region and is located in the vibrant and rapidly developing Pathum Wan district near the Chit Lom BTS station. This takes the Moxy concept to the next level.

With over 500 rooms spread across 20 floors, the rooms are almost identical to those I remember from the Sydney Airport Hotel. Sixty percent of the rooms are standard Queen rooms, with the remainder available as Twin or Deluxe rooms. If I had to find fault with anything, it would be the size of the standard rooms (18 m²), which are more like a cabin-like space. However, the available space is cleverly divided, so you don't feel cramped. Details like the wardrobe and fold-down furniture maximize the limited floor space, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

The largest rooms are the Deluxe Rooms at 36 m², of which there are 18. A further 18 corner rooms offer a living area of ​​26 m².

As a discerning sleeper whose aging bones quickly develop problems with many types of mattresses, even expensive ones, I can say with a clear conscience (pun intended) that Simmons brand mattresses, preferred by many top hotel chains, including Marriott, ensure that I no longer have to struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

Comparisons with my on-site experiences regarding the restaurants and event spaces are completely different. While the Moxy Bangkok, with its cafeteria-style concept and long benches, still exudes a certain "industrial" charm, it blends perfectly into the arena-like space on level 9, where the reception, bar, and various gaming areas are located.

A spacious, themed outdoor terrace is ideal for large or small events, and guests can dine there while enjoying views of Bangkok's glamorous "Blade Runner" scenery.

For those in a hurry, there is still a small snack stand opposite the bar, but a full restaurant experience is preferred, especially as the kitchen proudly advertises its many delicious offerings.

Chef P and his sous-chef Mind proudly recommend some of the delicious creations from the Moxy Bar & Restaurant as I ponder the many options. The Massaman beef curry seems to be their go-to dinner dish, while pork (or chicken) in black sauce is recommended as a hearty breakfast kick—and I can hardly disagree with either.

The cocktail menu reads like a Hollywood film festival and testifies to the bar team's boundless ambition. As they themselves say, "Our new cocktail selection is a love letter to iconic scenes and legendary characters." They pique our curiosity with creations like "The Infinity Kiss," "The Ice Berg," "Hunter's Last Shot," "Galactic Stardust," and "Felix Felicis." I'll leave the cinematic references to you.

At the Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, you can regularly expect attractive offers on food, drinks, and rooms. For example, the "Breakfast Included" promotion runs year-round and offers guests a complimentary breakfast. I highly recommend this generous breakfast – it will give you the perfect start to an exciting day in Bangkok. Further details can be found on the website.