Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Popular with business travelers and big-budget tourists alike, this opulent five pearl is easily Bangkok's most desirable address -- it's also one of the older hotels in the city, dating to 1876. The lobby is airy and grand, with huge vases of flowers and plants, multiple bell-shaped suspended lanterns, and huge floor-to-ceiling windows that look out towards the grounds and the river beyond. To the left of the lobby is the Garden Wing of the hotel, where there's an arcade with a few shops selling souvenirs and gifts; to the right is the River Wing, which predominantly houses guest rooms. The river takes center stage at this property, and the restaurants, bars, and most rooms are set up so that visitors can watch activity on the river. The spa, fitness center, and tennis courts along with the Thai Cooking School and the Sala Rim Naam restaurant are located across the river from the main hotel, but a wooden shuttle boat takes guests back and forth from early morning until late evening.

The hotel is located directly on the western banks of the atmospheric Chao Phraya River, and southeast of the busy, touristed Sukhumvit area. The entrance of the hotel is hidden away down a fairly quiet side street, and it's about 10 minutes on foot from the Sathorn Pier, which is where all the river ferries stop -- there's also a free riverboat shuttle for those who don't want to walk. The Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain is also located here. The hotel is near many of Bangkok's best-known attractions. Jim Thompson house is just over 10 minutes away by car; getting to both the Grand Palace and the iconic Wat Arun takes closer to 15 minutes. Both the Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Don Mueang Airport take about 25 minutes to reach.

This hotel has a huge range of room categories, from entry-level Superior Rooms clear up to gorgeous refurbished suites. Most categories come with either two twin beds or a king-size bed. Rooms are split across two wings: the River Wing and the Garden Wing, the original hotel building. Most rooms fall into the Superior and Deluxe categories, with classic furnishings such as patterned carpets, plush pincushion chairs, and medium-wood furnishings, plus separate walk-in showers and tubs in the bathrooms. The only differentiating factor between these two room types is that Deluxe Rooms are on higher floors and come with free bath oil. 

Rooms in the Garden Wing have a different look and feel altogether, with lots of Edwardian-style elegant furniture, framed vintage photos of the hotel, dark hardwood floors, light furnishings in hues of pale green, gray, and white, and river-facing balconies. Garden Suites are particularly attractive, with a split-level loft design featuring upstairs bathrooms and bedrooms and downstairs living rooms. For something fancier, the Ambassador Suite has a glass conservatory and its own elevator. The Royal Suite comes with a private spa, a library, and a gym. 

Rooms in both wings have similar amenities, including flat-screen TVs with cable, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, safes, slippers, and bathrobes. Note that Wi-Fi is not included in room rates, though guests who sign up for the chain's "Fans of M.O." program (an alternative to loyalty programs that focuses on personalization rather than points) get free Wi-Fi and a number of other perks, if they book directly through the hotel. 

Unsurprisingly, this luxury hotel offers a huge array of amenities. There's an enormous fitness center with outdoor tennis courts and a spa complex, although both are inconveniently located across the river from the main hotel. Treatments range from body wraps and scrubs to special anti-jet lag massages. The fitness center is fantastic, with all sorts of Cybex machines along with yoga and Thai boxing classes, plus tennis courts out back. The rest of the facilities are over at the main part of the resort. There's a 25-meter-long lap pool flanked by lounge chairs along with a smaller kid-friendly wading pool that's ideal for younger guests. There's also a small spa on this side of the resort with a limited selection of services for guests who don't want to take the boat across.  

For business travelers, there's a business center with four computers and a couple of boardrooms; secretarial and Thai translation services are available. The hotel also offers a number of meeting spaces ranging from the Royal ballroom, which can accommodate 1000 people cocktail-style, to a few smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings. Audiovisual equipment is available. Note that while Wi-Fi packages can be arranged for conference delegates, it's otherwise only free for members of the Mandarin Group's free loyalty program. Valet parking is available for a fee. 

This hotel offers some fantastic dining options. The chicest is Le Normandie, a two Michelen-star fine-dining spot focusing on French cuisine. Guests who dine here can expect to be sent home (or back to their rooms) with a small gift box of macarons. A romantic option is the Thai-focused Sala Rim Naam, situated a quick river boat ride across from the main hotel complex. Thai music and dance performances are frequently staged here in the evenings, with indoor seating in a gorgeous traditional-style structure with wooden floors and painted ceilings and additional outdoor seating on a river-facing terrace. There's also a Thai Cooking School attached to the restaurant. 

China House offers Cantonese fare, including Peking duck, in a refurbished colonial house. There's also Lord Jim's, a contemporary seafood option for buffets at lunch and a la carte dinners. For Italian fare, Ciao Terrazza serves pastas, wood-fire pizzas, and a great bar. Breakfast is served buffet style out by the river at the Riverside Terrace. This fantastic morning spread features everything from mango and sticky rice to fresh coconut water to Moet mimosas, but options for vegetarians are limited, especially for a property of this caliber. Guests staying in higher-category rooms are also offered a free evening cocktail hour at the Author's Lounge, a bright and sunny space that's at its busiest during the daily afternoon tea service. Jazz lovers might want to check out the The Bamboo Bar, a classic cocktail lounge with nightly jazz performances that bring in a regular crowd of Bangkok's well-heeled.