Bangkok's historic waterfront to have two new luxury hotels

Opening within weeks of each other, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok and Plaza Athénée Nobu Hotel & Spa Bangkok are adaptive reuse of historic architectural icons.

Both properties overlook the Chao Phraya River and celebrate Bangkok’s commercial history while bringing internationally recognized luxury brands into some of the city’s oldest surviving waterfront buildings.

A new life for Thailand’s historic Custom House
The first to welcome guests will be The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, accepting reservations from 20 December.

The 75-room property is centred around Bangkok’s historic Custom House, originally established in 1888 during the reign of King Rama V. Once regarded as Thailand’s principal gateway to international trade, the landmark has undergone an extensive restoration to preserve its architectural heritage, work of Austrian Italian-speaking architect Joachim Grassi.

Rather than recreating the complex exactly as it once appeared, developers have paired the restored building with a contemporary riverside structure. The architect describes the relationship between the two buildings as “the grandfather and the grandson”—old and new existing in harmony.

The restored heritage buildings will become public spaces housing restaurants, bars and lifestyle venues, while the new wing accommodates 60 guestrooms and 15 suites overlooking the river, courtyards and Bangkok skyline.

The hotel will also feature Langham’s signature Chuan Spa, a Technogym fitness centre and luxury transport experiences including private river cruises and Bentley transfers.

East Asiatic Building begins a new chapter
Just upstream, another of Bangkok’s best-known historic landmarks is experiencing its own transformation.

Thai real estate company Asset World Corp (AWC) is turning the 125-year-old East Asiatic Building into the Plaza Athénée Nobu Hotel & Spa Bangkok. The project deliberately avoids constructing a high-rise tower. Instead, the developer is restoring two century-old heritage buildings to create an intimate luxury retreat comprising only 26 suites.

The development will include world-class dining led by the Nobu brand, a riverside swimming pool and spa facilities while preserving the original architecture that once housed the headquarters of the East Asiatic Company.

Founded in 1884 by Danish sea captain Hans Niels Andersen, the East Asiatic Company became one of the most influential trading firms operating in Siam, making its Bangkok headquarters an important symbol of the country’s growing international commerce.

The hotel is also scheduled to open by December 2026.

With the opening of The Langham and Plaza Athénée Nobu Hotel, the Bang Rak area along the Chao Praya River is blending luxury with heritage. Both new hotels stand next to the famed Oriental Hotel, which also preserved the 150 year-old Authors’ Wing.