Checking In: Experiencing Modena by Fraser Bangkok

As a Brand Communications Senior Officer with our Corporate Office in Singapore, Michelle Leong is no stranger to our serviced residences and hotels. But what did it feel like to stay in one of our properties as a guest?

In this interview, Michelle shares about her personal stay at Modena by Fraser Bangkok and offers tips on how one can make the most of their experience.

How did you get to Modena by Fraser Bangkok?

Given Bangkok’s notorious traffic and the fact that the MRT station was going to be on the doorstep of the residence, we opted to travel by train instead of taking a taxi.

The Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport took us to Makkasan Station. From there, it was a short walk to Phetchaburi MRT Station, which is just two stops away from Queen Sirikit National Convention Center MRT Station.

What was the first thing that caught your attention on arrival?

The sleek and spacious lobby area, which had floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed plenty of natural light to stream in. The locally designed embroidered tuk-tuk textile art piece in the lobby (see main photo) was very intriguing, with its unique modern take on a traditional mode of transport.

The shipping container-inspired feature wall at the lift lobby was a great backdrop for photos too. I learnt an interesting fact: There are different designs on every floor, so you’re bound to find one to suit your mood (and outfit)!

What apartment did you stay in?

My family and I stayed in a Studio Executive. Though our party of three required an additional bed, I was pleasantly surprised by how huge the room felt even with a study table, a sofa and a coffee table.

The bathroom was extremely spacious and clean too, which is a non-negotiable for me. The large bathtub was an added luxury and great for relaxing in!

It was also helpful to have a full kitchen. One of the things I like to do when travelling is to try out new food and I found interesting pastries at the 7-Eleven store in FYI Center, the same building the hotel is located in. I was glad I had a microwave to warm them up when I was craving for a late-night snack.

Where was your favourite spot in the serviced residence?

The Coffee & Cider bar at the lobby, which was a cosy space to hang out. Our family bonded over a few games at the foosball table before retiring for the night. I also appreciated the design and décor of the area. The yellow accents were a cheery welcome after a long day!

What else did you do in Bangkok?

The last time my family and I were in Bangkok was 12 years ago, so we hoped to hit some must-dos as well as explore new areas away from the usual tourist haunts. We made use of the free tuk-tuk service, which dropped us right in the centre of action across from Terminal 21 mall and Asoke Station in under 10 minutes.

We also took a short walk to the nearby Khlong Toei Market, which is part of a rustic neighbourhood. It was really quite a sight to see hundreds of open-air and covered stalls selling fresh produce as well as cooked food such as salt-grilled fish – it couldn’t get more local than that!

This would be a convenient place to pick up meat, vegetables and fruit if you were intending to prepare meals in your apartment. It was also particularly surprising that there was no foul odour throughout the market!

I also found shopping at Union Mall (a stop away from Chatuchak Market) to be a more pleasant experience compared to battling crowds at the popular Platinum Mall. The prices are very affordable as well.

Where can one enjoy some good local food?

I would recommend going to Rot Fai Market in Ratchada, when it’s bustling with activity from evening onwards. It’s a great place to sample local food without breaking the bank, as you’ll find everything from grilled pork skewers for only 10 baht (US$0.30) to super-sized seafood platters filled with crabs, clams and giant prawns.

There were also stalls selling clothes, locally made knick-knacks and snacks for low prices. There was so much to see and do that I visited twice!

I also explored Talad Neon, a new hipster night market best known for its creative food and activities, such as glitter-filled mocktails, old-school funfair games and even barbers! However these do come at a price, so you should expect to spend more than usual here.

Another place you shouldn’t miss is Somsak Pu Ob. Its Pu Ob Woon Sen is a claypot dish of sweet crab meat and springy glass noodles that comes with a unique savoury sauce and copious amounts of pork lard – a real umami treat for seafood lovers like me.

I suggest skipping the original Wongwian Yai outlet and heading to the second outlet at Krung Thon Buri BTS Station instead to avoid the long queues.

What was the most memorable part of your stay?

Being a creature of habit, I could not go without my weekly exercise, especially after all that feasting! I did not have the time to make it to the gym, so I used the yoga mat in the apartment to squeeze in a simple and quick workout.

After hearing from my parents that I chose to forgo breakfast to exercise instead, the F&B manager at Bistro@M packed a personalised breakfast box for me. He put together a variety of pastries and fruit from the breakfast buffet along with coffee and a specially assembled sandwich for me to have on the go.

It was a small but heartwarming gesture that exemplified the service ethos of the staff – it made my day.

If you’d like to find out more about these fully-furnished midscale serviced apartments in the heart of the city, check out the Modena by Fraser Bangkok website.