Get a taste of authentic Thai hospitality while soaking in world-class luxury at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been an inspiration to a host of world-renowned writers like Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham, and Wilbur Smith and you will understand why the minute you step into its grand lobby. The breathtaking décorthat greets you as soon as you enter the premises sets the tone for a luxurious stay. You will find an unmistakable air of opulence everywhere you turn and experience the best of hospitality making sure your visit to Bangkok is memorable. An important fact that guests should be aware of here is the strict dress code the hotel adheres to keep up its sophisticated ambiance – smart casuals during the day and elegant evening wear post 6.30pm. So in case you are returning from one of the beach cities like Pattaya, make sure you pack off your casual holiday clothes and get out the best from your wardrobe.
The hotel is ideally located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, with easy accessibility to all major attractions and key points of the city. The private shuttle boat service that is operated by the hotel, transports guests to the nearby Skytrain station as well as to the hotel’s facilities such as the Thai Cooking School, the Thai restaurant, Sala Rim Naam and the Oriental Spa and Health Centre that are located across the River. These traditionally built teakwood boat rides to enhance the overall Thai experience.
Dining
The dining options at the Mandarin Oriental include eight popular outlets, namely, Le Normandie, the French dining venue, The China House, Lord Jim‘s which features a seafood buffet lunch, The Verandah Coffee Shop, the BBQ Riverside Terrace; the popular Thai restaurant, Sala Rim Naam, and Ciao Terrazza – a re-interpretation of a classic Italian restaurant in a breathtaking alfresco setting. The historical Authors’ Lounge that serves the afternoon tea and The Bamboo Bar, touted to be the best jazz venue in town complete the picture.
A stay at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental will not be complete without a dinner at the Sala Rim Naam. Housed in a richly decorated pavilion built in the traditional Northern Thai style, this authentic Thai restaurant serves a lavish Thai Buffet spread for lunch and set menu for dinner with Thai Classical dance show. The Dinner provides a unique opportunity to get a peek into Thailand’s cultural art forms performed every night. The set dinner menu is the best way to get a taste of all the local delicacies in its finest form. The delicious spread consists of a choice of traditional Thai dishes including Lon Poo Talay (sea crab meat cooked in coconut milk), Yaam Talay (spiced seafood salad) and Mussamun Nuea (southern style beef curry with sweet potato and onion).As you are treated to the various courses of the exotic meal, it becomes increasingly difficult to pick your favourite as each dish vies to outwit the next in its flavour and taste.
The daily buffet breakfast that is served at The Verandah is the perfect way to kick-start the day. The river view from the table is refreshing and the food spread has a mix of continental and Thai specialities. Your hostess will recommend that you try their specially brewed coffee. Don’t give it a miss if you are a coffee lover as you will certainly not be disappointed. If you are not in a hurry to start the day, spend some time leisurely over breakfast as you watch the various boats pass by.
The Rooms
The rooms are done up tastefully with a subtle Thai influence. The deluxe rooms particularly offer a beautiful view of the Chao Phraya River and it is pretty therapeutic to watch how busy the Chao Phraya River gets through the large windows. The Rooms feature traditional teak furniture which is both comfortable and functional. There is a separate work area, a seating area and an in-room interactive entertainment system that allows you to create your own favourite playlist. There is even a bedside button for your private butler! If you are a fan of the lemongrass fragrance, do spend some time soaking in the huge bathtub with the hotel’s exclusive bath gel.
The Oriental Spa
is the first spa to open within a hotel property in Bangkok. The spa provides an all-encompassing spa experience that couples traditional Thai holistic teachings with contemporary philosophies and creates a harmonic ambiance that is both nurturing and rejuvenating.
Located alongside the Chao Phraya River far away from the city’s din, the Oriental Spa is housed in a classical Thai-style 4-storey building made from golden teak wood. There are 14 private rooms that promise relaxation and renewal right from the time you step in for your massage.
The Oriental Spa offers a new Digital Detox Retreat, which encourages guests to use their visit to the spa as a chance to disconnect and re-evaluate their relationship with technology. On arrival at the spa, guests will be asked to surrender their phones, thus removing online distractions, and will be encouraged to fully relax during a calming Digital Detox Retreat treatment.
This 60-minute experience focuses on grounding both body and mind through the power of human touch and is designed to provide a calming and soothing respite from the stress of the outside world.
If the breakfast at The Verandah is the perfect way to start the day, a relaxation massage will be the perfect end to a day after all the shopping and sight-seeing is done.
