ASIA | HOTEL REVIEWS
Thailand: Comparing Bangkok's best hotels
We measure the virtues (and minor faults) of some of Bangkok's top accommodations.
Luxe hotels in Bangkok, Thailand
Hotels in Chiang Mai, Thailand
THE PENINSULA BANGKOK
Address:
333 Charoennakorn Road, 011-66-2-861-2888, www.bangkok.peninsula.com.
Doubles as low as:
$244
Location:
West side of Chao Phraya River
Nearby site:
Boat trip on Chao Phraya to the Temple of Dawn
In a few words:
Elegant, classy
Spa:
*
Memorable eats:
Thiptara, alfresco Thai
Pure delights:
The long, beautiful, riverside pool
Best for free:
River shuttle boats
Nothing's perfect:
Cramped, crowded locker rooms at health club
THE ORIENTAL BANGKOK
Address:
48 Oriental Ave., 011-66-2-659-9000, www.mandarinoriental.com.
Doubles as low as:
$269
Location:
East side of river
Beautifully restored O.P. Place for upscale shopping
In a few words:
Opulent, historic
Spa:
* * *
Memorable eats:
Riverside Terrace with its amazing buffet
Pure delights:
High tea in the white wicker Authors' Lounge
Best for free:
Mandarin Oriental lotus and ginger toiletries
Nothing's perfect:
I failed to specify and ended up in a smoking room
THE SUKHOTHAI
Address:
13/3 S, Sathorn Road, 011-66-2-344-8888, www.sukhothai.com.
Doubles as low as:
$195
Location:
Midcity
Nearby site:
Lumpini Park and the junky but fun Suan Lum Night Bazaar
In a few words:
Cool, high-powered
Spa:
* *
Memorable eats:
Celadon's elegant atmosphere and inventive nouvelle Thai menu
Pure delights:
Excellent king-size beds
Best for free:
Stunning Thai sculpture in public areas
Nothing's perfect:
Un-air-conditioned corridors
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOK
Address:
155 Rajadamri Road, 011- 66-2-250-1000, www.fourseasons.com.
Doubles as low as:
$195
Location:
Midcity
Nearby site:
Erawan shopping and hotel district
In a few words:
Polished, palatial
Spa:
*
Memorable eats:
Spice Market for such classics as satay and pad Thai
Pure delights:
$40 Thai massage in the health club (not the spa)
Best for free:
People-watching in the swanky lobby
Nothing's perfect:
Caters to cruise groups
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL BANGKOK
Address:
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, 011-66-2-236-7777, www.shangri-la.com.
Doubles as low as:
$200
Location:
East side of the river
Nearby site:
Skytrain Saphan Taksin stop
In a few words:
Big, busy
Spa:
* * *
Memorable eats:
Salathip for Thai cuisine by the river
Pure delights:
The Best Salon in the shopping arcade where I got a haircut and blow-dry, nail-polish change and eyebrow shaping for $50
Best for free:
Costumed dancers at Salathip
Nothing's perfect:
Uneven accommodations; different wings, different rooms, different experiences
 This hotel, which dates to 1921, has 39 rooms and commanding perch by a big river. |
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