The whirling waters of the Chao Phraya River have long been a symbol of Bangkok, and the evolution of the riverbank has lured young artists and entrepreneurs to the area too, bringing an artistic element into the mix, which has seen the area experience a cultural and creative boom, making it one of the most exciting places to stay in Bangkok

Found at the heart of the action, is Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, an ideal place to soak up all the local flavor from Bangkok, one of the world’s most popular capitals. A quintessential five-star hotel; the 726-room property offers unparalleled views of Bangkok, which creates the peaceful “resort in the city” environment.

A few minutes walks from BTS Saphan Taksin station and nearby public piers, Bangkok’s central business district and entertainment areas are easily accessible by train or boat. But, by way of its 1-Hour Gem program, the hotel’s charm is bolstered with a thoughtfully curated excursion of local treasures and hidden gems, all within one hour walk of the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers.

The program is a fascinating mini-tour of the microcosm of Bangkok sitting on the hotels doorstep, and three standouts of the program are all just 15 minutes away.

The name Talad Noi, which translates as small fresh market, does not give away the true nature of the individual attraction So much more than the average market, Talad Noi is surrounded by old metalwork stores, used car shops and dotted with piles of car parts – lending the eclectic mix of Chinese shops houses, food stalls and landmarks a unique industrial but arty aesthetic.

Nearby, guests will find an assortment of landmarks reflecting the culture of the Portuguese, Vietnamese and Hokkien Chinese residents who once made their home in the area.

Another combination of the unexpected is Sol Heng Tai Mansion (above), where authentic Chinese architecture, designed and built by the ambitious Sol Clan over 200 hundred years ago, is presented against the everyday backdrop of a diving school and dog kennel.  The unusual but powerful dynamic of artfully crafted housing and ornamentation, paired with local mundanity, places both into sharp relief – a stimulating experience for anyone new to Bangkok as well as veterans of the city.

A quick jaunt across the Chao Phraya River will take guests to Klongsan Plaza, for a shopping trip they will never forget. Here, vintage clothes and new fashions, rub shoulders with massage parlors and nail bars in this thriving center of local cool. Head over to Jam Factory for evening drinks and sample a taste of the Big Mango’s underground art scene – where international talent mixes with indigenous artists in this cutting-edge bar and gallery space.

The immediate locality of the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers offers all manner of creative diversions and destinations such as Lhong 1919, where a group of derelict warehouses and a Chinese shrine –  dating back to King Rama IV (1851-1868) – has been reclaimed and reimagined as a 6,800 sq. meters co-work space, flush with cafes and boutiques blended into a hangout hotspot, to celebrate and nurture the talent of young Bangkokian artists and craftspeople.

Also, nearby is Warehouse 30. An uber-hip work/lifestyle hub from the mind of World famous architect and founder of Jam Factory–which boasts the tantalizing distractions of metropolitan living – food, fashion and shopping.

For a more sensory experience, Yaowarat Road in Chinatown (above) is the place for those with an appetite for life and pleasure. Call in at one of the dozens of restaurants or street food stalls for tea, homemade ice cream, mango and sticky rice, or put your feet up and sample some of the best Chinese food outside of Beijing!

If you want to dip your toe into an inspirational and thriving creative scene and discover a less journeyed side to Bangkok, Royal Orchid Sheraton is offering a Creative District Discovery package including a buffet breakfast for two, room upgrades (subject to availability), late check-out until 4 PM, and hotel credit worth up to THB 1,000 nett (US$30) per stay towards any F&B spend in the hotel

Find out more about the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers