I am most pleased to announce the hotel we have selected for our stay in Bangkok is the Peninsula Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. I think I can say without fear of contradiction that the Peninsula Hotel, will in all probability, be the nicest hotel property most of us will ever have the privilege of occupying. The Peninsula is of course a 5 star property, has been ranked the best hotel in Bangkok (remember there are 2,700 hotels in Bangkok) and its spa has been ranked as one of the five best in all of Asia. While the hotel is 37 stories tall it has only 10 rooms per floor and has the largest average room size of any hotel we visited in Bangkok.
The Peninsula is located directly on the east banks of the Chao Phraya River. The Chao Phraya is the major river running through the heart of Bangkok. It is probably 200 yards wide and forms the basis of much of transportation and lifestyle of Bangkok. Barges, ferries, long tail boats and other river craft constantly ply the river taking goods and or people to market or up one of the many canals that are part of the Chao Phraya system. Most of downtown Bangkok is on the west side of the river so the hotel being on the east side has unobstructed views of the bustle that is Bangkok. The hotel is built in a “W” shape and thus each room feels like a corner room and has an unobstructed view of the river and Bangkok.
The hotel has 5 restaurants, one of which is located on the banks of the river. That is the one I liked to dine at. It is just fun to have breakfast sitting in the shade of large trees surrounded by flowers on the banks of the river watching the river traffic. We have negotiated that breakfast is included and I would highly recommend that you take that on the riverside. The hotel has several swimming pools, a nice fitness facility, and of course a world class spa on property. While the hotel is considered a “downtown” hotel, it has the feel of a resort because of its spacious meticulously groomed grounds.
We deliberately chose a resort type hotel for our “landing spot” after the long flight it takes to get to Thailand. Our goal is to provide an experience such that no matter how tired and stressed you might be as you arrive after the long flight, you will find the hotel most peaceful, inviting, and restful. Transportation to and from downtown Bangkok for shopping or sightseeing can be accomplished easily by taxi, or you can take the complimentary shuttle boat that leaves every 15 minutes from the Peninsula’s docks. Many of the temples, the Grand Palace, and many tourist desirable venues are on the banks of the Chao Phraya and thus can be accessed easily from the hotel. Long tail boat rides/tours that take you up the canals to the residential areas are great fun and most interesting. There you will see a side of Bangkok that few witness.
I guarantee that you will love the Peninsula Bangkok! Congratulations! You have/are/will be earned it!
Scott Quist
