F Mandarin Oriental. Bangkok, feels like home. - jeepneyjinggoy

Mandarin Oriental. Bangkok, feels like home.



The garden path to the hotel's famous Author's Wing, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel by the famous river & the hotel lobby

I NEVER thought I’d get the chance to set foot on this place again. The plan to dine in a fancy hotel beside the famous waterway of Bangkok and tell a story didn’t materialize. But fate had a funny way of working things out for the better and making things happen. Finally, after countless trips to Bangkok, I found my story, and a bonus. I think I just may have found a spot in this city I can call home.

The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, is unlike any other hotel I’ve stayed in. Everything reminds me of a home- well appointed, warmly decorated, polite staff and a “house” rich with history.

“Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been an inspiration to a host of world-renowned writers from Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham to James A. Michener and Paul Theroux. Voted the world’s best hotel by readers of influential magazines, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok boasts an international reputation for splendid service and facilities,” said Somsri Hansirisawasdi, the hotel’s Director of Public Relations.

“Built in 1876, the hotel has long been famous for its service, style and grace. With 393 luxuriously appointed rooms including 35 suites, the hotel boasts three Wings: The 16-storey River Wing housing the Royal Oriental Suite, Selandia and Siam Suites and two-bedroom suites; the Old Wing or Authors’ Wing where the four famous Heritage Authors’ Suites are located; and the Garden Wing boasting a selection of unique split level Premier Rooms overlooking the River and the main swimming pool. The hotel’s private teakwood shuttle boats provide daily access to the world famous Thai Cooking School, the hotel’s Thai restaurant, the award-winning Oriental Spa and Health Centre located across the River; as well as the nearest skytrain station (Saphan Taksin) and River City Shopping Centre,” she added.


The Executive Suite

The Deluxe Room

The Selandia Suite

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has eight restaurants’ Le Normandie, Bangkok’s finest French dining venue; The China House with its avant-garde 1930s Shanghai Art Deco interior; Lord Jim's, featuring daily talk-of-the-town seafood buffet lunch galore and a la carte menu for dinner; The Verandah Coffee Shop; BBQ Riverside Terrace; Sala Rim Naam Thai Restaurant, revived into a mini palace serving a lavish Thai Buffet Lunch spread daily and set dinner with Thai Classical dance show nightly; the outdoor Terrace Rim Naam featuring a la carte Thai menu; and Ciao, an outdoor Italian bistro (seasonal). The historical Authors’ Lounge serving superb Afternoon Tea and The Bamboo Bar, touted to be the best jazz venue in town complete the picture.

Somsri proudly shared that the Oriental Spa, which opened as the first city spa in Bangkok in 1993, and has since garnered numerous awards from the most esteemed travel and beauty publications worldwide, is a temple of well-being offering a unique Thai-style health and beauty centre, featuring the latest spa techniques in a traditional Thai setting. Also on offer is an exclusive range of healing and natural rituals and rejuvenating therapies straight from the great traditions of “Keraleeya Ayurveda” in a tranquil ambiance. On hand to give consultations and present tailor-made yoga sessions is a yogic lifestyle trainer direct from India.


With Somsri Hansirisawasdi, Director of Public Relations & Karn Puntuhong, Public Relations Secretary

Actually, there is more than one story to tell. Let me share them one at a time.

For more information about Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, visit their website: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/

For more travel & lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/


Published in Sun.Star newspaper on May 3, 2012.



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