Not Enough Superlatives...The Oriental, Bangkok
Written: Oct 05 '01 (Updated Feb 01 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Service that will leave you amazed....
Cons: A hotel bill that will astound.....
The Bottom Line: If you want a top hotel adventure, you really owe it to yourself to stay here at least once. The Oriental is what every hotel aspires to be.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: The Oriental Bangkok |
The Oriental has had so many superlative reviews in its long history, who am I to add one more to the list? My previous review did not do justice to the place, so I submit the following missive......
Lobby
The lobby is a large, sunny room with acres of polished marble and huge teak chandeliers. It is always very busy, but you really do not spend much time there. After being whisked to your room, the rest of the registration process will be completed in privacy.
Dining
There are quite a few restaurants here to choose from. Starting at the top, the Normandie is a glorious tribute to the great French liner. On the top floor of the Garden Tower (a 1950's era wing), this place glides along as smoothly as the Chao Praya outside the windows. One of my rules is usually to avoid a restaurant at the top of ANYTHING. This one is well worth breaking that rule. The room is long, dark and dramatic, with dark paneling and whimsical nautical detailing. The menu is extensive, and the wine list could take years to read. You are best advised to try one of the set menus. At about $45 per person, this was an exceptional value for lunch (4 courses). The French chef here is incredibly talented and you really cannot go wrong with anything here. Our next favorite was the China House, a restored late 19th century house that has been transplanted in one of the Oriental's abundant gardens. Dim sum here can be a transporting experience. Service in this restaurant was simply among the best I have had anywhere in the world, surpassing even that at the Normandie. Ciao, their Italian restaurant, is excellent as well and has outdoor tables on the terrace. Sala Rim Nam is their floating tribute to Thai cooking. It is a great experience as well. They even have a cooking school here. The Riverside Cafe is informal and overlooks the pool and gardens. The only one we missed was Lord Jim's. I am told that it is an excellent place. After your dinner, wherever it may be, make sure to go into the famous Bamboo Bar. It swings late into the night with sultry jazz singers and wickedly strong drinks. Afternoon tea can be taken in the white wicker chairs in the old lobby of the Author's Wing- very restful indeed, after a day of riding around in the smog and pollution of Bangkok.
Rooms and Suites
The hotel has three principal sections. The Garden Tower, the Author's Wing and the newer Main Tower. If you are very, very lucky, you may find yourself in the veritable paradise of the Author's Wing. This is the original part of the hotel, dating from the 1870's, where such luminaries as Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad and others stayed. More modern authors are represented too-Barbara Cartland and James Michener have suites named after themselves as well. Ours was the James Michener Suite (in connection with the Sir Basil Holt Suite-who was he anyway?)-essentially one whole side of the old building facing the gardens and pool on one side and the river in front. To say that these suites are utterly fabulous (I HATE that word, but it is true in this case)does not begin to do them justice. Littered with beautiful antiques, old and interesting screens and more Thai silk than you could imagine, these suites are decadent, but worth every penny. The iridescent hues of orange, mauve and green silk twinkle in the soft lighting from every corner. Nice little gifts like brass letter openers come gift-wrapped for you. The letter paper is even engraved with your name before you get there. Just in case you might have guests of your own, there is also paper with the name of the suite....Baths are a wonderful dream of gleaming tiles and marble. The fixtures are a great balance of the historic and the new-lots and lots of marble everywhere. The tubs are the great old fashioned kind that you almost need help getting out. No need to worry-if you get stuck, there is always your butler on call 24 hours a day.
Service
The guest/staff ratio here is one of the highest in the world. There is a staff member somewhere for you at all times. Summon them with the push of a button and they will make your dreams come true. Everything has been thought of for you, down to re-confirming your flights as soon as you have settled in.
Recreation
The pool and gardens are a riot of blossoming flowers and tropical trees. You can easily forget that you are right in the middle of the harrowing wen that is modern Bangkok. The pool itself is very large-good for lap swimming. Of course, you can get just about anything you could desire from the pool-side bar.
General
There are many reasons why this hotel is consistently rated as one of the top two in the world. The staff never drop the ball on anything. If you want it, they will get it for you without murmur. A nearly seamless balance of the old and charming and the new and swift, the Oriental gives you the best of both worlds.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 443 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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