Onion Interior Architects really had its work cut out on the Sala Rattanakosin project. The brief was to convert seven “shophouses” in the Ta Tien community of Bangkok into a top drawer, 17 room boutique hotel, complete with restaurants, an outdoor deck and a rooftop bar, and the Thai agency was more than up to the challenge, as our pictures show.

The redevelopment was made all the more tricky by the special nature of the location. Ta Tien is one of the older parts of the city – it even has its own crest – and a string of the shophouses along Maharat Road have listed status due to their importance as a community market, which is held on the ground floor. The property sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and has the good fortune to enjoy views of a couple of Bangkok’s most impressive ancient monuments. On one side is the Temple of Dawn, while in the opposite direction shimmers Wat Po, a Buddhist temple which contains more than 90 pagodas. Both aspects can be enjoyed at leisure from the chilled rooftop bar. Onion has designed the guest rooms to take advantage of the scenery too; floor-to-ceiling glass means you don’t miss a thing. Perhaps the biggest compliment we can pay Sala Rattanakosin‘s lovely interior is that it isn’t overshadowed by the spectacular surroundings. Impressive all around.