Bangkok is a teeming city of nearly 10 million Thais, with the pulsating
Chao Phraya river running through Bangkok’s city centre.
On the Chao Phraya river you'll find everything from the fascinating
river markets full of fresh produce to dinner cruises aboard quaint distinctly-Thai
boats.
Photo from The Oriental Bangkok accommodation near Chao Phraya River
Most hotels will book a
Chao Phraya
River cruise to Ayutthaya for you. Bangkok is great value,
with bargain prices for everything from fine accommodation to designer clothing.
Accommodation near the Chao Phraya River, which is Bangkok's nerve
centre, is remarkably good and includes Bangkok's best resort hotels, notably
the world-renowned Oriental Bangkok Hotel. Whatever you do when you
visit Bangkok, stay at The Oriental.
Why is Bangkok so good? Bangkok’s tourism all started with The Oriental Hotel, founded by two Danish sea captains in 1865 who needed quality accommodation for their passengers as Thailand opened up for trade.
They didn't realise then that the hotel they started would one day be
a celebrated luxury hotel graced by the rich and famous. The old wing built
in 1876 is still standing.
Bangkok Oriental Authors Wing
In 1923, famous English writer Somerset Maugham stayed at the Oriental Bangkok and wrote the children's tale, "Siamese Fairy Tale" while sitting in the river terrace gazing out at the Chao Phraya.
Other famous authors soon followed and even today you can stay in and marvel at the Authors’ Wing steeped in literary richness.
The Oriental’s General Manager Amanda Hyndman is frequently
seen in the Authors’ Wing and around the hotel making sure guests
have every need catered for in her warm, hands-on manner.
The Oriental
Hotel Bangkok
has a classic colonial chic about it, and service that truly is the best
in the world. For example if an airline loses your bags, they have emergency
clothes ready - in your size.
Room photo of The Oriental Hotel Bangkok
Just about every hotel staff member seems to know your name as soon as you check in. And when you go to dinner at their relaxed romantic riverside restaurant, they carefully watch everything you prefer, including the type of bread you favour from the varied bread basket that includes bread sticks and crunchy wafer bread. When it's refilled, your favourites dominate.
The rooms at The Oriental in Bangkok are also wonderful and
as you would expect for Bangkok's top-rated 5 star hotel - stylish, roomy
accommodation and with great views over the Chao Phraya
River.
One of life's pleasures in Bangkok is taking the complimentary river boat
from your resort hotel to the nearest Skytrain station for a quick trip
into the busy commercial centre of Bangkok.
The Skytrain which was opened by Thailand's King on December 5th 1999, has made efficient fast travel in Bangkok. Skytrain has also reduced the polluted traffic jams Bangkok used to be renowned for. Travel accross Bangkok that used to take an hour in congested traffic in a taxi will take only a few minutes on the Skytrain, which is spotlessly clean, cheap and safe
When you get to the huge Bangkok city centre, it's shopping heaven, especially
for clothes and electronics. Go to the busy MBK shopping centre
where there's a whole floor dedicated to the latest mobile phones, TVs and
Ipods.
You'll also find street stalls everywhere openly selling the latest release
DVDs and CDs for only 90 Baht (approximately $3).
Buddhist monks among busy Bangkok shopping
For really stylish clothes, go to the Paragon shopping centre where you can find clothes in which you'll look a million dollars back home without lightening your wallet or purse too much. And men, if your partner likes shoes, you're in for a long day.
Bangkok restaurants and cafes through the Thai capital also seem mostly
good, although some ex-pats here advise wiping your cutlery before eating
at some of the smaller establishments.
And when in Bangkok, you have to try a Thai massage to finish the day perfectly.
The Oriental Hotel has the perfect venue. You sail lazily across
the river in their complimentary Thai river boat to The Oriental's
Spa
pavilion, a traditional Thai-style house of beautifully carved, golden
teak wood.
It's described as "a transcendental
spa experience in an oasis of tranquility" - with 14 suites, ancient
remedies and soothing aromas.
The first of its kind in Asia, the Oriental Spa has been recognised
as one of the best spas in the world, winning awards and rave reviews since
its opening.
Beach resort hotel accommodation near Bangkok is at
Pattaya and Hua
Hin where you'll find many big brand hotels.
A visit to Bangkok isn’t complete without seeing the wonderful
Authors'
Wing (see above) at The Oriental Hotel, where many famous
authors have stayed and written. They include Noel Coward, John le Carre
and Barbara Cartland, with suites named after these authors with
themes ranging from bold to romantic.
The Authors' Lounge is a memorable place to visit to admire the
colonial furniture and ambience. If you close your eyes, you can almost
image being there many years ago with the famous authors, as the strains
of the violins being played in the nearby lobby drift in. You can take afternoon
tea here, served by silk-clad waitresses with silky smooth manners.
Photo of The Oriental Hotel outdoor restaurant near Bangkok's Chao
Phraya River.
Accommodation near Bangkok airport ranges from 2 to 5 star hotels with swimming pools and air-conditioning. The new Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi airport railway link makes it easy to get to and from accommodation near Bangkok's international airport.
For a memorable dining experience, The Oriental Hotel’s Riverside
Terrace should be your first choice.
Dinner at The Oriental Hotel is one of life's pleasures for a number
of reasons, but mainly because of the superb food prepared by French chef
Pierre - especially the authentic Thai dishes including what must
be the world's tastiest stir fried chicken and cashew nuts, as well as the
Padh Thai noodles.
The Oriental has just opened a new Italian restaurant named Ciao with a beautiful riverside setting. It features classic Italian cuisine uncder the watchful eye of Bangkok’s legendary chef Norbert Kostner . Ciao offers spuntino - Italian style tapas - as well as an extensive a la carte menu of Italian classics and imaginative dishes.
There is a trendy bar and café in Silom called
Opus
that has very good pasta and meat dishes such as osso buco. Or
try Café Enotica in Bangkok city for
another taste of Italy.
The Oasis Lounge in
Patpong is also a good place to eat
before venturing out to see the kilometres and kilometres of open air clothing
stalls in Patpong’s famous night markets.
Antonio’s in another popular café that gets good reviews in the Watthana district.
Youtube drone video of Bangkok.
"One Night in Bangkok" by
Murray Head
Video of Bangkok clothing
and electronic shopping malls
Google "Street View" of Bangkok near embassy of Australia
Hotel Marketing Thailand for those hotel executives in Thailand to know how we got to be Google first for "hotel marketing thailand".
A sure sign of a good holiday, when you've left Bangkok and its many charms, you'll want to go back.
Google Map of Bangkok
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