Khao Sok´s unique Nature Resort, with Treehouse and Bungalow accommodation options for families and individual travellers alike. Nestled between Khao Sok Rainforest and the gentle flowing Sok River, Our Jungle Camp boasts Double and Single-Storey Treehouses as well as unique Adobe and Nature Bungalows.
Thailand: Bangkok – The Fig Lobby
The Fig Lobby is a bright and bold beacon to modern art lodged in an older traditional area of Bangkok. It is bright and ballsy and hard to miss with its bright colours and irregular patterns.
I often go out of my way to find unique and interesting places to stay, but in the case of the Fig Lobby, this was not the case. I found the hotel on Booking.com using a regular search – but was delighted when it came up on the list!
We arrived in Bangkok in the early evening and it was already dark. The train from the airport brought us into the city and we hopped onto the metro to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. From here it was only a 10-minute walk, but we were dragging our bags – and crossing a four-lane road was a bit sketchy during the rush hour period.
Just down the street from the hotel is a market – very much a locals’ market – selling produce. There is also a sizeable ‘wet’ market which is an upsetting sight, especially if like us you are vegan.
The hotel is located down a traditional street, full of small shop houses that back onto a klong (canal). It stands out here like a beacon.
Once inside the contemporary art theme continues from the wall decorations to the designs to the funky furniture. It was hard to tell whether the furniture was form or functional – we tried a couple and they were not too bad to sit on.
The hotel claims to be influenced by the works of Gaudí and the unique designs of the Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser – but the inside decoration has a much more diverse blend of themes including street art and graffiti. They also try to project a young and sexy theme – which does not fit our profile!
Once we were checked in they offered us a complimentary ice cream. How did they know the way to my heart?
Facilities
The Restaurant
There is an onsite restaurant, that like the rest of the hotel is bright and airy. The glass walls and ceiling let the light flood in – which makes for a pleasant environment, especially for breakfast.
We were very happy with the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
The restaurant is open early up until 21:00.
The Rooftop bar
This is a popular spot with the guests, especially around happy hour and through sunset. Here you will find great views, a full bar, food, loud music and a vibrant atmosphere.
The Spa and Cycle Class
For those seeking some relaxation or working off too much Thai food – the Fig Lobby has a full spa and a spin cycle room.
Art Classes
Choose from 13 workshops, Wheel throwing, terracotta, ceramic and clay sculpting, or simply painting. You can also opt for private classes that run from 2 to 4 hours.
The Bedrooms
Our room was large and spacious with a very large bed. There was also a large flat-screen TV mounted on a stand – which at first seemed a bit odd. We also had a free-standing desk in the middle of the room. Overall, I liked the space and the decorations. One feature that caught our eye was the controllable mood lighting.
We had a good-sized bathroom. The only thing we didn’t like was the storage which was limited.
Don’t expect much of a view. We were at the back of the building overlooking the airconditioning stacks – but to be fair they had decorated them so they looked sort of cool!
The Outside
The most distinctive design features of the hotel are reserved for the outside facade. There are large blocks of brightly coloured sections all over the walls, like some giant random jigsaw, and along the front of the building, there are a series of randomly shaped pillars covered in geometric shapes and cutouts for the balconies. We’d recently visited Vienna in Austria and saw some of Hundertwasser’s original architectural work and it is very much the influence for these designs.
Getting to the Fig Lobby
Airport
Train Stations
Metro Stations
| Website | https://www.thefiglobby.com/ |
| Telephone | +66(2)-103-1033 |
| fig@thefiglobby.com | |
| Address | 55 Rimtangrodfaisaipaknam Road, Khlongtoey, Khlongtoey Bangkok 10110 |
The best time to visit Bangkok
Bangkok, lies within the ‘Aw’ Köppen climate zone, demarcating the predominance of tropical wet and dry conditions more commonly known as ‘Savanna’. The geographical positioning of Bangkok within the lower central part of the country, close to the Gulf of Thailand, contributes to its distinctive tropical climate.
A consistent pattern can be discerned in the city’s climate throughout the year, with average monthly temperatures remaining relatively warm, ranging from a lowest average of 31.7°C to a maximum of 35.4°C. The relative humidity hovers between 66% and 79%, reflecting the tropical nature of the city’s climate. Rainfall varies dramatically, with the months of January and December experiencing just 13.3 and 6mm of rainfall respectively, compared to the deluge of 334mm in September. As far as sunshine is concerned, the city basks in between 5.2 to 9 hours of sunlight per day; this is complemented by daylight hours that range from 11.3 hours to 12.9 hours annually.
Remarkable patterns in Bangkok’s weather include the marked decrease in rainfall towards the tail end of the year and the relatively steady temperature throughout. This pattern of a pronounced dry season, coupled with uniform temperatures and fluctuating humidity levels, offers a distinctive characteristic of Bangkok’s tropical savanna climate.
A consistent pattern can be discerned in the city’s climate throughout the year, with average monthly temperatures remaining relatively warm, ranging from a lowest average of 31.7°C to a maximum of 35.4°C. The relative humidity hovers between 66% and 79%, reflecting the tropical nature of the city’s climate. Rainfall varies dramatically, with the months of January and December experiencing just 13.3 and 6mm of rainfall respectively, compared to the deluge of 334mm in September. As far as sunshine is concerned, the city basks in between 5.2 to 9 hours of sunlight per day; this is complemented by daylight hours that range from 11.3 hours to 12.9 hours annually.
Remarkable patterns in Bangkok’s weather include the marked decrease in rainfall towards the tail end of the year and the relatively steady temperature throughout. This pattern of a pronounced dry season, coupled with uniform temperatures and fluctuating humidity levels, offers a distinctive characteristic of Bangkok’s tropical savanna climate.
The best time to visit Bangkok
Visiting Bangkok from November to February could be an enjoyable experience as these months witness relatively lower temperature ranges, from 31.7°C to 34.4°C and the least rainfall, from 6mm to 50mm on average. With up to 8.5 hours of sunshine daily and a modest UV index of 9 to 10, these months provide an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore the city’s bustling streets and numerous attractions without the discomfort of extreme weather conditions.
The worst time to visit Bangkok
Planning a visit between May and October may prove to be challenging due to the substantial increase in rainfall, with September witnessing the highest rainfall of 334mm on average. June to September also recorded the highest relative humidity of 79%, potentially leading to discomfort due to the muggy climate. Temperatures from May to October do not provide much respite either, with the mercury hovering between 32.8°C and 35.4°C.
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