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Luxury Style and Service:
Natural Ville Executive Residence
The people from Accor management, a large French hotel conglomerate,
are famous for two things: first, for renovating and returning the
glory to some of the finest old hotel properties in Asia (see the
Sofitel in Hua Hin, the Metropole in Hanoi or the Sofitel Dalat
Palace in Vietnam); second, the folks at Accor are known for spinning
out some of the most chic and upscale new hotels going (see the
luxury Sofitel on Bangkok's Silom Road, their convention property
in Khon Kaen and the many Sofitels worldwide).
These same savvy innovators are now rising to meet the demand of
well-heeled executives in search of the comfort and convenience
of a hotel at rates and with amenities tailored to longer stays.
Simply applying the Sofitel approach to a residential property,
the folks from Accor bring us Natural Ville, a new standard of style
and service in Bangkok. Staff and amenities at Natural Ville are
tops, public spaces are luxurious and guestrooms are sumptuous and
comfortable. But for the requirement of a minimum stay of at least
thirty-days, there is little to distinguish this classy residence
from any of the worlds Sofitel hotels. Tropical Living was given
a sneak peak just recently.
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A stainless steel awning of unlikely angles, jutting points and
delicate curved tubing hangs at a cool slant over the circular driveway
of this fashionable gem on busy Langsuan Road. The front of the
building is in fact arranged a little like the hood and grill of
a 1950's era Cadillac, with horizontal lathing of steel crossed
neatly by rounded design elements: a fitting introduction to a fine
property.
The lobby area has high ceilings and is a sumptuous space carpeted
in a unique, erratic design and divided by massive, plate-glass
panes into three porticos: in the centre a comfortable sitting area,
to one side a small bistro and to the other a reception area where
friendly and amenable staff greet visitors.
One hundred and fifty rooms span some twenty-eight floors overlooking
Lumpini Park to the south and the US Embassy to the east. Natural
Ville's fine corner units are the best choice, but most rooms have
good views of the surrounding area. The design scheme throughout
the property is a cool Western Contemporary, but "Asia"
is written in small details like local fabrics and patterns on lamps,
hangings and bedspreads. Spartan, Thai-themed prints and photography
can be found here and there, but units are clean-lined and light
with little decorative clutter.
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Slightly vaulted ceilings and light coloured walls make even the
smaller units seem expansive and walls of picture windows flood
rooms with light and are a constant reminder that you've escaped
the maze of the busy city below. Furnishings are in a dark hardwood
and each living area has couches and chairs of an austere, boxy
style but covered in overstuffed cushions that are quite comfortable.
Other furnishings, like the large "Louis" style desk and
dining table, bring welcome curved lines to a space that might otherwise
appear banal or too austere. Rosewood parquet flooring throughout
is a very important warming element in each space and shaggy throw
rugs are a good, cozy touch. Clean-lined, but no minimalism here.
Beginning with a compact, but still ample, studio unit; rooms span
a range from smaller one-bedroom flats with just one bank of windows
all the way up to larger corner units with balconies (and priced
to match). Suites on upper floors are impressive, spacious affairs
that offer plenty of private space for families with children. Just
as design elements are consistent throughout, incorporating the
clean contemporary style spoken of above, so too each unit carries
the same fine amenities.
Kitchens are compact, but stylish in a very modern, black and white
motif. Countertops are cool black granite and all appliances are
ultra-modern. Each unit features covered electric burners, microwave,
a large refrigerator and a basic kit of pots, pans and cutlery.
Kitchens in the largest suites have a central cooking "island"
and adjoin the common living area.
All bathrooms are large and finished in a refined white marble,
each with a bathtub and separate shower (suite rooms feature enormous
corner Jacuzzi tubs). Sink stands have unique, free-standing porcelain
wash bowls and plenty of counter space. Like any high-end Sofitel
property, bathrooms are fitted with hair dryers and countertop amenities
(soap, shampoo etc) that are constantly restocked. Each room has
a convenient safety box, IDD phone and Internet capability. Living
areas are built around an impressive home theatre area with DVD
player and great surround sound.
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Most importantly, guests at Natural Ville Residence enjoy all the
benefits of staying in a high-end hotel. The luxurious patio pool,
fed by trickling fountains from a wall of shale stone, features
soothing spa jets in small, private alcoves. A tranquil, shaded
lounging area surrounds the pool. The health club is spacious, with
all of the requisite machines and even a small juice bar for that
all-important cool down. A full-time personal trainer is on hand
and a lengthy roster of aerobics, yoga and training classes are
convenient for even the busiest executive or harried parent. The
spa area is a calming oasis of dark wood meant to represent an old
teak house. Twelve luxury treatment rooms surround a Thai pavilion
decked out in sumptuous pillows and hangings.
The treatment list is extensive. The lobby's Lenotre Parisian Cafe
is a chic little enclave, perfect for that nightcap or a little
snack after a busy day and there is even patio seating facing the
hotel's courtyard. The staff here can take care of any eventuality,
not unlike any upscale hotel, but because this is a residential
property there are unique services like a coin laundry corner for
those piles of kid's clothes that would cost a mint to have laundered
by a service. Baby-sitting can be arranged easily and private cooks
are available for preparing in-room meals.
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