The Peninsula Bangkok

The Peninsula Bangkok is an elegant and happening spot that attracts business travelers and tourists who aren't put off by the high prices of rooms and services. Outside guests come here for fine-dining and spa pampering, and the large conference facilities attract Bangkok residents for weddings, business meetings, and seminars. The ambience is elegant, but not overly formal, and you'll see business suits, tuxedos, and even shorts here. Most guests hang out at the long swimming pool at some point during their stay, which has plenty of lounge chairs and a busy poolside bar. The high-ceilinged lobby restaurant, with its all-day dining, tea, and coffee, is also a very popular spot. Being on the river, there is less of a bustling business vibe than one might find elsewhere in town, and the riverside bar and creaking shuttle boat pier remind you that this is a place for slowing down. 

The Peninsula has a commanding position overlooking the Chao Phraya River that flows through Bangkok. All rooms have unobstructed river views, and as the hotel is on the Thonburi and not the Bangkok side of the river, there are great views of the dramatic Bangkok skyline. The only drawback of being on the western bank of the river is that getting to Bangkok proper by road is arduous. Fortunately, the hotel runs a free shuttle boat on the river, which drop guests at the Saphan Taksin Pier. From here, visitors can access both the river ferries as well as the BTS Skytrain to get around the rest of the city. The Peninsula does have a road entrance, far up a driveway from the main road, although its inconvenient for accessing any kind of local spots without a taxi. The airport takes 45 minutes to an hour by road, depending on traffic. 

The 370 spacious rooms and suites at the Peninsula are luxurious, but elegantly understated, with cream-colored walls, classic dark-wood furniture, elegant writing desks, and windows in the shape of an outward pointing V that look out on the magnificent Chao Phraya River below. The overall look may strike some as slightly dated, however, or at least a bit staid, and the V shape -- while allowing all rooms to have views of the river -- also means that some guests will be able to see their neighbors. Rooms come with extra high-end features such as bedside controls for dimming the lights and adjusting the volume on the DVD/CD players and TVs, and can even be used to close the curtains. The universal power outlets could be better placed and more plentiful, however. Elegant marble bathrooms are a highlight, and feature large walk-in showers with benches, green marble countertops in front of lighted vanities, makeup mirrors, hands-free phones, and deep bathtubs with mist-free TVs. Some of the fancier rooms -- such as the Grand Balcony Room -- feature outdoor balcony seating. Suites are enormous and have separate dining/living rooms and teak paneling. 

The Peninsula Bangkok is packed with plenty of features, including six bars and restaurants, plus room service. Mei Jang serves high-end Cantonese Cuisine and has a private chef's table room where guests can sit at a large table with views of the kitchen. The restaurant serves dim sum as well as signature dishes such as roast pigeon, lobster, and crab. Thiptara Thai is a classic Thai restaurant housed in an elevated traditional sala above a wooden deck over the river, where guests can sit on silk cushions and enjoy royal Thai cuisine. The menu features classic dishes such as tom yum goong, roast duck simmered in red curry, and som tam (green papaya salad). Thiptara also has locally inspired signature cocktails that use quintessentially Thai ingredients such as kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass to create drinks that pair well with the food. The hotel also features a lobby restaurant with high ceilings strung with chandeliers, where a buffet breakfast is served every morning. The restaurant also offers all-day dining, plus coffee, tea, and snacks served either indoors or in an outdoor terrace section.The hotel also has a large fitness center with weights, kettle balls, and Life Fitness-brand treadmills, stairclimbers, and elliptical machines with individual TVs. The swank locker rooms come with saunas, steam rooms, and hot and cold plunge pools, and there are lounge areas for post-workout relaxation. Guests can also get their exercise in at the on-site tennis courts on the ground-floor level, although the lack of shade at the courts may deter some guests from using them during the hottest parts of the day. The hotel also has a long, three-tiered swimming pool lined with lounge chairs and shaded traditional Thai salas. The pool looks out over the river and has its own pool bar. The Peninsula Spa is arguably one of Thailand's finest and is housed in a colonial building along the river. It has private suites with steam showers and whirlpools to go with signature spa treatments for men and women that include facials, traditional Thai, Ayurvedic, and Swedish styles of massage as well as a range of body treatments using high-end salts and oils.The Peninsula also features a range of 13 function and meeting rooms that can handle small groups and massive gatherings alike, making the hotel a popular spot for weddings, conferences, and seminars. The largest room, the Sakuntala Ballroom can accommodate up to 800 guests. if arranged reception-style.