Robinson Sukhumvit

This is where you go when you need something practical rather than something exciting. Four or five floors of clothing for men, women and kids, plus electronics, bags, shoes and cosmetics, with Watsons and a Tops supermarket taking up big chunks of floor space. Discount racks are a regular feature and the prices sit well below the luxury malls. It's been a fixture on this stretch of Sukhumvit for decades and it still does the same job it always did.

Don't come expecting a destination. The food court gets mentioned by long-time shoppers as having been better in the past, particularly the Japanese counter, so I'd treat it as a convenience rather than a reason to visit. What you're really getting is cold air, a broad spread of everyday goods and no pressure. If you want the glossier experience, Terminal 21 is a few minutes away on foot and you can do both in one trip.