The Siam Opens In Bangkok

Nestled among palaces, temples, and museums in Bangkok's historic Dusit district, The Siam is located on three acres along the Chao Praya River of Kings. The hotel includes unique features like a Thai culinary school, 11 pool villas (the first in the capital), and a muay Thai gym (it's the first hotel in the world to have one). Designed by Bill Bensley, The Siam's 39 suites and 11 pool villas combine Art Deco and ancient Thai inspirations.

Guests can dine in or stay in one of four traditional Thai teakwood houses formerly owned by silk tycoon Jim Thompson. Executive chef Blair Mathieson, who hails from New Zealand and whose globe-trotting career has taken him to the Pier restaurant in Sydney, The Dorchester and Leatherne Bottel in England, and the Cricket Club in Singapore among other locales, has created menus that reflect his desire to source locally and keep dishes simple.

Dining options include Chon, The Siam's Thai restaurant and cooking school, Deco Bar & Bistro, a black and white, split-level bar and bistro that serves small plates and home-style meals, and Café Cha, a patisserie with a shady verandah and garden. Chon is set within three of Thompson's teakwood houses. The space that is the cooking school by day becomes a six-person chef's table by night.

The Siam is offering a culinary package in honor of its grand opening for travelers who book through Virtuoso. The culinary package includes three nights' accommodation in a Siam suite, a complimentary lesson at the property's Thai cooking school, as well as a market tour with executive chef Blair Mathieson. The package is available until Dec. 31, 2012 and rates start at $775.