Updated 07/01/2008
DUSIT
THANI (*****L): Seven years after our first stay, we have been enjoying
the We particularly enjoy the rooms. They look like the ones we used to stay in the major European palace hotels. Their "Thai heritage Suites" are superb: extra large, with splendid bathrooms, they match The Oriental. We stayed in both the "Sukkothai" and "Lopburi" suites: they are extraordinary, and this is where you should check in, indeed. The "Landmark Rooms" are actually also suites: they offer the best value for money one could ever imagine. A butler takes care of their distinguished guests: reconfirming a flight, unpacking and packing luggage, selecting free video tapes for entertaining the kids... They can do anything with a smile. Their new fitness club is great: working up there, enjoying a sauna or a steam bath, is a most pleasure way to relax. They even get a golf training on the roof ! But our best impression comes from the extra treatment we received as "Landmark Room" and "Thai heritage Suites"guests: a generous breakfast was served to us in the intimate "Hamilton Steak House", and we were invited every afternoon, from five till seven o'clock, in the "Landmark Lounge", for free snacks (five star deluxe ones !) and spirits. They have open and complimentary bar. It seemed to us that plenty of "busy" businessmen locked their agenda on this schedule to enjoy French Cognac or Spanish Sherry in this very exclusive club. A "Landmark Room" will cost you approximately US$ 150. This is the kind of accommodation we DO recommend you. If you want to feel like a kind, you will be expected to pay about US$ 300 for a "Thai Heritage Suite". Staff is most friendly and helpful. He calls you by your name and remembers you forever! The concierge is the best in Bangkok. Guests are extremely enjoyable. This is the only place where everybody communicate such an easy way: a characteristic of the DUSIT THANI we like very much. Their restaurants are reputed among the Bangkok happy few. A lot of upper class local people consider that the MAYFLOWER serves the very best Cantonese specialities in town. Which is also our opinion. Queen Sirikit is one of its faithful guests. The THIEN DUONG serves much affordable Vietnamese fares. We like very much the Royal Thai cuisine served at BENJARONG. The TIARA is more international, and doesn't get the fame of would deserve: it offers a dramatic panorama over Bangkok. Having a night cocktail there is very romantic. For lunch, just forget the gloomy coffee shop: just like in any international hotel, it is definitely standard and packed with dull businessmen. Rather go to the exquisite HAMILTON STEAK HOUSE: great food, and warm atmosphere. The staff at the HAMILTON matches the best European maîtres d'. The DUSIT THANI is one of the "LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD" You already understood why
this is our favourite hotel in Bangkok!
DUSIT
THANI: 946 Rama IV Rd, Bangkok 10500
THE
PENINSULA (*****L): Since November 1998, The Peninsula Bangkok offers
to the traveller a The lobby is palatial. Some find it quite cold; personally, we loved it distinction at first sight. The staff is extremely courteous: which is quite normal in a five star deluxe hotel in Thailand. One of the most impressive difference with other hotels of this category comes with the brand new Rolls Royce Silver Spur II, available for glamourous and top comfortable transportation (THB 1,800 per hour, inside Bangkok). The Dusit Thani used to have its Silver Shadow II fleet, but unfortunately stopped the operation five years ago. Distinctive travellers will hear with pleasure that the Spirit of Ecstasy is back in Bangkok ! Rooms
are exceptional. Large: about 46 sq.m. All with a dramatic view over the
river. They are certainly the most sophisticated in town nowadays. They
come with invisible fax machine, discretely integrated inside the The pool is a long and straight one, with some waterfalls: we like its design. The pool side is much pleasant: very tropical, with a its private "khlong" (canal), and small lake with a Thai Sala. The fitness center is one of the best equipped and luxurious in Bangkok. It is equipped with Californian work-out equipment, and has a very pleasant hot tub. Of course there is a sauna, and all the basic facilities one could find in any international hotel. Fitted for VIPs, The Peninsula has its own helipad. Only the Shangri-La can compete with it on this matter. Before flying over Bangkok, the passengers can have a drink in the very high tech and intimate Paribatra lounge. We enjoyed the place very much, with its aviation related decorative items. We had delicious Dim-Sums, Egg Noodles with Seafood and Moon Cakes at the Mei Jiang: The Peninsula relaxing and smart Chinese restaurant was full the day of our visit. Excellent service: they even get some kind of a sommelier... specialized in tea ! The Cilandro is serving Thai specialities. For lunch, it displays a superb international buffet. There is a terrace for outdoor evening barbecue. Such a luxurious place should have its French restaurant; it does not. As there is the top famous Normandy, at The Oriental, the management certainly preferred to offer a more relaxed alternative to smart dinners: with Jesters. There is some Philippe Starck's influence, indeed, in that trendy room, decorated with aluminium, painted steel, and high tech furniture. A large window faces the river. There is a live band. By night, it may be extremely romantic to have a candle light dinner there. They serve "Pacific Rim" cuisine: we still ignore what it means... More details will be provided after our next inspection. Actually exceptional. Part of the PENINSULA
GROUP OF HOTELS.
THE
PENINSULA BANGKOK: 333, Charoennakorn Rd, Klongsan, Bangkok 10600
THE
ORIENTAL HOTEL (*****L): Since 1876, and despite the recent opening
of The Peninsula, THE ORIENTAL is still the hotel in Bangkok. Though
the only remain of its original architecture is nothing more than the sublime
colonial pavilion where is located the Somerset Maugham's Suite -the most We particularly enjoyed the location of the hotel, on the left bank of the river Menam Chao Phraya: despite of the invading traffic jams in the lanes and streets all around, this is indeed the last area in Bangkok where oxygen is still available... Let's cross the Menam with an old fashioned teak ferry boat, and this is THE ORIENTAL again, with its annex in Thonburi: here are the SALA RIM NAAM, the SPA (a Paradise made of precious wood, devoted to relaxation, where you will be treated by George Bush private masseuse!), the Thai Cooking School, and the sports club. Though overpriced for dinner, their restaurant, LE NORMANDIE, remains one of the top 10 French restaurants in Asia. Recently totally refurbished in a charmless coffee-shop, the LORD JIM remains an excellent alternative for both affordable and palatable international food. This is a MANDARIN ORIENTAL hotel. THE
ORIENTAL: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500
AMARI
WATERGATE(****L): One of the airlines crews' favourite, this elegant
recently opened 575-room hotel, in the very heart of Bangkok, is a splendid
choice for The spacious guestrooms of 40 sq.m are elegantly decorated in pastel fabrics with Thai artefacts. All are equipped with IDD phones with voicemail, fax link, personal safe and minibar. We like the twin hand basins in the marble bathrooms. All rooms have a dramatic view over downtown Bangkok. Businessmen enjoy particularly the Corporate Floors, on the 29th-31th floor of the hotel. For these top executive clients, everything is available since they step inside the lobby: in-room check in, welcome drink and refreshing face towel, and daily breakfast in the VIP section of the Promenade Coffee Shop. There is also a 24 hours complimentary fruit bowl, coffee/tea facilities, and a selection of business publications on each floor in the lift landing area. Each Corporate Floor room is equipped with e-mail and Internet connections. Full Business Centre services are available, including three small meeting rooms for guest use. The AMARI WATERGATE is extremely popular among travellers. Not only for its discerning comfort and much affordable rates (USD 184 for a single Superior Room and USD 248 for a double Executive room; with very interesting discounted packages); but also for its security. It has been regularly identified as one of the top 3 safest hotels in the city, by the Bangkok Authorities: thanks to the Building Automation System, regular staff training, and up-to-date fire prevention and safety equipment. We like the fact that this nice hotel is also very much family oriented: this is the only one downtown with a Kids Club. Children will be delighted to find a special corner, prepared for them in their room upon check in, with plenty of welcome gifts and candies ! In the bathroom, they will find a rubber duck, and during their stay the hotel's photographer will take a picture of them with their favourite number of staff: as a souvenir to take home ! Thai service -and we get used of it- will never stop amazing us. And, at the AMARI WATERGATE, it is actually first class. Children are also taken care of when parents enjoy with them the restaurants. The choice is great, between the HEICHINROU CHINESE RESTAURANT, the GRAPPINO (fine Italian specialities in a trendy atmosphere), and the famous franchised HENRI J. BEANS BAR AND GRILL (where a lot of expatriates hang up by night). The buffet at the PROMENADE COFFEE SHOP is excellent: its show kitchen is a feature of the restaurant, with uniformed cooks preparing eggs, pastas and meats on request. Their fastuous Sunday Lunch is a favourite in town. One of the best choice in Bangkok. Part of the AMARI
HOTELS & RESORTS GROUP, which manages hotels throughout Thailand.
AMARI
WATERGATE : 847 Petchburi Rd, Bangkok 10400
THE PAN PACIFIC BANGKOK
(****L): One of the very best business hotels
in We could also visit the Pacific Floor. Should you come on a business or, better, as a tourist, this is certainly the best place to stay. We didn't see much difference between the Pacific Floor Rooms and ours -except the suites, which are superb- but found that it is worth paying little bit more just to enjoy the Executive Lounge. If you are a traveller and already know Bangkok quite well, you will realise at first sight that this is a perfect copy of The Oriental Author Lounge! Even larger and more luxurious than the original, it is quite impressive: with greenery all around this somehow colonial style private atrium. The perfect place to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and pre-dinner cocktails. Note that a private butler and complimentary laundry service comes with the room. This is, let's say, a five star upgraded accommodation. Another good reason to stay in THE PAN PACIFIC BANGKOK is its unique Bali style swimming pool. From far the greatest in Bangkok, this is a landmark which appeared already in all the travel and decoration magazines worlwide. Its beauty is revealed by night, when the stone carved frescoes and columns are softly illuminated. One could hardly imagine being on a 24th floor. The view is, of course, terrific. It is linked to the immaculate and splendidly equipped fitness club and SPA. Patpong and all the bustling nightlife is a two minutes by walk; anyway, many guests like to escape from the hustle and rather use the hotel's restaurants. The KEYAKI is reputed for its Japanese specialities. The HAI TIEN LO serves authentic Cantonese fine cuisine. The meeting rooms and ballrooms are very suitable for banquets, conferences and exhibitions, and can welcome up to 280 persons. Rack rates for a room is US$ 200-275. Suites start at approximately US$ 320. An excellent address downtown.
THE PAN
PACIFIC BANGKOK: 952 Rama IV Rd, Suriyawongse, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
PATHUMWAN
PRINCESS (****): In the middle of the city's
best shopping and Individual traveller receives special attention: like separate check-in, quietly sitting being a guest relation desk. Away from the groups. Though the hotel was almost fully booked, it took us less than five minutes to reach one of the 382 guestrooms and suites. Our Deluxe-Room was fully equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV, minibar, personal safe, IDD telephone, and a nice bathroom with hair dryer, bathrobe, toiletries and telephone. The hotel is a 29-storeys high rise: we had therefore a splendid panorama over the "City of Angels". The PATHUMWAN PRINCESS is only four years old; but it seems that, due to their immaculate cleanness and excellent aspect of fabrics, some rooms have already received some minor refurbishment. There are also two Executive Floors: complemented by an Executive Lounge, they are perfect for an upgraded stay, and will suit the requirement of business travellers. In addition, there are 64 service apartments for long-term stays. We spent our evening at eighth floor amazing Olympic Club. This is the largest fitness centre in Bangkok: with the latest and best equipment by Cybex, supervised by highly trained personal instructors, it is rated by many professionals to be one of the best in the world. A superb roof top pool, tennis court, jogging track and squash courts, complements it. The PATHUMWAN PRINCESS is reputed for its restaurants. Great Asian food -including generous buffet breakfast- and good live Latin music at the Salsa Club. Interesting rates, with an average US$ 60/night/room for corporate and Internet booking. The Princess
Hotel & Resorts are part of the Dusit
family of hotels.
PATHUMWAN
PRINCESS: 444 Phayathai Road, MBK Centre, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
NOVOTEL
BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE (****): When
Novotel remains a three stars product in its country of origin (France),
it gets a more elitist image overseas, offering When we stayed at the NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE, on June 2000, the average rack rate for a "Superior" room was about USD120; corporate discounts and packages are reducing the yet most reasonable prices. Excellent fitness and sport equipment, with a huge swimming pool, a marble Jacuzzi, and a brand new work-out room. The distinguished guest will make sure he stays in an international four stars hotel when enjoying the restaurants which upgrade the fame of the NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE. We warmly recommend the CHISTERA CAFE RESTAURANT. For little bit more than USD10, we had free access to its buffet: this is actually one of the best in town, with Lord Jim at the Oriental Hotel. Of course, the Executive Chef is French ! The LOK WAH HIN proposes Chinese gourmet meals for very decent prices: especially if you come for a Dim Sums (succulent steamed Chinese dumplings) lunch. Most of the guests are Asian: which shows how perfect the cook may be. Their new Italian restaurant, FOCAZZIA, is simply great. There are many discotheques in the area: starting with the Novotel’s private one, ranked number two in town, just after the illustrious Spasso (in Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). You will mix up with expatriates, tourists, but also young Thai people much involved in posh and fashionable night spots. The CONCEPT CM2 actually hosts many discos under a same roof: a ground floor street drives from a Californian bar with a reputed live band to karaoke rooms, or to a curious and top affordable restaurant where rice is cooked following many original -and succulent !- recipes. This is an ACCOR ASIA-PACIFIC
hotel.
NOVOTEL
BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE : Siam Square
Soi 6, Bangkok 10330
BANGKOK MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA (****): A splendid resort on the Thonburi side of Bangkok, on the bank of the majestic Chao Phraya river. Nestled in 11 acres of lush gardens, pools and lily ponds, the MARRIOTT ROYAL GARDEN RIVERSIDE offers pure Thai style comfort in its 425 rooms and suites. We feel like far away from the congestioned downtown, easily and pleasantly reachable by a complimentary shuttle boat made of tropical wood: it runs every 30 minutes from the hotel private pier. Among the six restaurants, we particularly enjoyed the TRADER VICS . The hotel also runs the MANOHRA SONG : a top luxurious boat for excursions to Ayutthaya. BANGKOK
MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA:
BAIYOKE
SKY (****) : Taxi drivers
know the BAIYOKE SKY as Baiyoke II (pronounce bayok song); we would rather
like to call it "Baiyoke Out of the 79 storeys, only 35 where operating when we stayed at the BAIYOKE SKY in September 1999. By February 2000, lucky guests will get a chance to sleep on the 42nd floor. Nevertheless, we could enjoy altitude by being lifted up to the very top of the tower, where three levels are already opened to the public. No need to be a hotel guest to visit the Observation Deck, on the 77th floor: tickets for this Bangkok leading attraction are on sale for as less as 100 THB (US$ 2.5). We recommend you should rather order some set lunch or dinner: much affordable for less than 10 US$ per person... including entrance to the deck ! Advantage of the second solution: the BAIYOKE SKY RESTAURANT is on 78th floor. One step higher, for gastronomes looking for delicious Chinese cuisine, is the 79th floor STELLA PALACE: ideal to enjoy Dim Sums or aristocratic Shark Fins feeling like flying in the air. Out of the 310 rooms, most of
the standard ones are sold out by tour operators. Which makes this nice
The pool is beautiful, though small; which is not such an inconvenience, when most of the guests are touring away from dawn to sunset. When businessmen will like to make reservation there -and they will do sooner- they will also need to develop a decent fitness center. Out of the comfort of the hotel, and the pleasure we had to stay in a real landmark, what impressed us in the BAIYOKE SKY was indeed the service. More than fair; we found it dedicated. Smiles were not for sale: they were authentic, and warmed up the somehow pharaonic design of the public areas. For approximately THB 2,900 (US$
71) per night in a huge suite, and less than 2,000 in a deluxe room, this
is a best traveller's choice in the whole heart of Bangkok.
BAIYOKE
SKY: 222, Rajprarop Rd, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
OUR COMPLETE REVIEWS OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN BANGKOK
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DUSIT
THANI one more time with much pleasure. We actually do our best to stay
there at least once a year: just to feel, breath and see its luxurious
atmosphere, sophisticated luxury and unmatched service. The most dedicated
staff in town pampers one of the friendliest and most distinguished clientele
in the world. Our ultimate inspection let us with the global impression
that the Thai Royal Family's favourite hotel is now on its way to become
the number one hotel in town. Of course, the Silom area is not as romantic
as the banks of the river Chao Phraya. But it remains the very best location
for business and leisure. Night life is great, with Patpong and plenty
of open air seafood restaurants nearby.
splendid
riverside alternative to the legendary Oriental. Both hotels are facing
each others: without the river Chao Phraya as a border line, sure a merciless
war should had broken out already. Such a concurrence is a splendid opportunity
for who is looking for superlative service and comfort in Bangkok.
According to us, The Peninsula quickly took the post position: it will
do its very best to keep it. While The Oriental is located in a much congestion
area, which is inconvenient for businessmen, The Peninsula stands on the
Thonburi side of the river: traffic is still OK there, and the highway
is accessible in a few minutes. There is a private pier and river shuttle,
with check in/checkout facility on opposite bank.
desk.
Besides the king size beds, a master switch controls light, air conditioner,
and TV. Bathrooms would suit a Roman emperor. Made out of yellow and black
precious marble, they are equipped with a TV set: having an aromatic herbs
bath while watching a good movie is considered here as a basic facility.
The suites are too new to get the charm of those at The Oriental or Dusit
Thani; but on the other hand, they offer much more luxury. Impossible
to find more comfortable, glamourous and ritzy than The Peninsula Suite.
Imagine a duplex, designed like a multimillionaire's apartment, with Chinese
furniture and antiques, deep and smooth sofas covered with gold Thai silk,
huge bedrooms (including a small one for the butler), a large dining room
with separate kitchen, bathrooms with Jacuzzi and, last but not least,
an open air sun deck with hot tub overlooking the river and the all city
of Bangkok. There is no hotel in South East Asia, even The Raffles in Singapore,
offering such a superlative suite. At US$ 2,600 ++ per night, happy few
will still find it good value for money. Budget minded traveller will just
refuse to believe it when we would reveal the latest (September 1999) rate
for a standard room: US$ 85 only ! We couldn't believe it ourselves; but
the hotel needs to offer flat introductory rates to build its fame in an
economically stricken Thailand. A Superior Suite is US$ 120... It will
be mathematically impossible to keep those ridiculous rates more than a
few months: it is therefore the right time to experience The Peninsula
at low cost.
lavishly
great in Bangkok- and the Authors' Lounge -splendid tropical lobby and
extraordinary tea room to enjoy a Darjeeling seated comfortably in an "Emmanuelle"
armchair. Though THE ORIENTAL, so far, looks like from outside any Hilton
or Sheraton, the soul of the palace is still alive in its walls: with a
nice decoration, a fully devoted service (the best in town with the Dusit
Thani and The Peninsula), and renowned guests. The jet society loves it:
even if they tend to visit more and more The Peninsula, royals, statesmen,
artists and globe-trotters are still making the reputation of THE ORIENTAL.
Long time those people didn't mind the standard comfort and decoration
of the rooms; just checking in the splendid suites. But its over now: the
hotel has been fairly well refurbished, and actually offers a five star
deluxe design and comfort in ALL rooms. Anyway, if you can afford, try
for instance the "Captain Anderson Suite" once in your life, like we did:
and you will see what luxury means.
businessmen
(the World Trade Center is cross the street) and tourists (Sukhumvit road
and Siam Square are a ten minutes walk away). Behind the AMARI WATERGATE
stands the bustling Talad Pratunam: one of the most amazing day and night
market in town.
Bangkok,
located within walking distance of almost all the important offices, banks
and tourists attractions in town. Its four star deluxe accommodations occupie
the top 10 floors of the 32-storey Ramaland skyscraper. We found THE PAN
PACIFIC BANGKOK more intimate as we could imagine from outside. It is a
warm and human place, organised round a quiet atrium. The check-in is one
of the friendliest and quickest we had in Bangkok. The 235 rooms and suites
are perfect for corporate guests. Nothing missing. We had a Deluxe Room,
with a dramatic view over the city. No need to mention that it was full
equipped with IDD telephone, individually controlled air conditioning,
and a useful message viewing and check out facility displayed on our cable
TV screen. The bathroom was ritzy, with separate shower cubicle and telephone.
Though in the bustling center of one of the noisiest city in the world,
we hardly could hear anything when lying on our king-size bed: this hotel
is 100% soundproofed!
entertainment
facilities, with connecting corridors to the MBK (Mah Boon Krong) shopping
and business centre, a stone's throw away from shopping centres Siam Square,
Siam Centre and Siam Discovery Centre and walking distance to the World
Trade Center: this is a first class hotel with a first class location.
This is also one of the most Asian deluxe hotel in town: the guests invading
all year long the magnificent Pathumwan Lobby, cool and spacious, with
it's luxurious marble floor and pillars leads, is 75% originating from
far east. We have been astonished that westerners, who would like its discernible
comfort and shopping facilities (home to over 2000 vendors, the MBK arcade
is one of the best value for money in South East Asia), still didn't discover
the PATHUMWAN PRINCESS.
remarkable
comfort and services: a perfect illustration being the NOVOTEL BANGKOK
ON SIAM SQUARE. Ideally located in the whole heart of the business, shopping
and leisure area of the "City of Angels", between the WTC and Siam Shopping
Center, this elegant and modern hotel has got 429 rooms. Most of them being
ranked in the "superior" category: nicely refurbished only few months ago,
spacious, clean and top comfortable, they offer to the businessmen and
tourists a wide range of high tech facilities: there is a minibar, satellite
TV receiving more than 20 international channels, with in-house VDO displaying
14 movies per day ! We like very much the marble bathrooms, both elegant
and fairly well equipped. Located in a district with a round-the-clock
animation, the NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE is perfectly isolated: you
can be sure that your sleep will not be disturbed in any way.
plus".
Plus compared with the neighbouring 