RM 4,300 FOR 2 NIGHTS AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOK, DUBBED 'BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD' PLUS A HOST OF EXTRAS

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOK HAS BEEN VOTED 'BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD' SO MANY TIMES I DARE NOT ASK FOR THE LIST...IT RUNS INTO 17 PAGES! 

Suffice to say it remains the Best Hotel in Observable Universe as The Sunday Times of United Kingdom, Britain's most prestigious newspaper has again voted Mandarin Oriental Bangkok 'Best Hotel Worldwide' in the latest compilation dated 6 October 2013!

It says " The place to stay in Bangkok for the past 137 years, this mouth-watering modern-meets-exotic hotel by the Chao Phraya river supplies a much-needed escape from the city chaos. The 9 restaurants and bars and spa with 40 treatments provide more reasons not to venture out."

The Sunday Times declares Le Manoir aux Quat-Saisons in Oxfordshire the best UK hotel and Hotel Arts in Barcelona, Spain the best European hotel. 

But trust me, I have stayed at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok umpteen times and it remains the Best Hotel in Observable Universe.

Once, there were triplets manning the 3 lifts which floored me and how the lobby staff know my name within 60 minutes is beyond me and a mystery I have never solved. But certain magical things are best left alone.

‘DISCOVER BANGKOK’ WITH BESPOKE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES FROM MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BANGKOK

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is delighted to introduce its Discover Bangkok package featuring luxurious accommodation and an a la carte menu of carefully curated experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic destinations.  

Tailored for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, the Discover Bangkok package offers guests an exciting collection of culturally rich adventures ranging from a private tour of the city’s ancient temples to an insider’s guide of Bangkok’s eclectic art galleries.

“Many of our guests tend to come to Bangkok for just a few nights because they wish to fit in as many places as possible during their vacation. They are often anxious about experiencing as much of Bangkok as possible,” says General Manager, Amanda Hyndman. “The Discover Bangkok package helps guests maximize their time and create an experience that best suits their interests and preferences. This way, guests arrive with an itinerary in place, hit the ground running and are more relaxed knowing the hotel has everything already arranged for them.”

The Discover Bangkok package starts from USD 1,350 and includes:

·         Two nights accommodation

·         Daily breakfast al fresco on The Riverside Terrace

·         One lunch at Sala Rim Naam, the hotel’s popular Thai restaurant

·         Round trip BMW limousine airport transfers

·         One of the following curated a la carte experiences

Cultural Journey: Includes some of Bangkok’s most iconic ‘must-sees’: Temple of Dawn, Reclining Buddha and an exclusive, guided tour with the resident curator of the Grand Palace’s Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. This journey also includes dinner at the hotel’s Riverside Terrace restaurant and a 90-minute Thai massage at the hotel’s legendary Oriental Spa.

Heritage Journey: Features a private tour of the Vimanmek Teak Mansion and the famed Jim Thompson house followed by traditional afternoon tea in the hotel’s colonial-style Authors’ Lounge. A Thai cuisine dinner at the hotel’s Sala Rim Naam Thai restaurant and a 90-minute Thai massage at the hotel’s Oriental Spa is also included.

Master Chef Journey: Immerse in the art of Thai cooking at the hotel’s Thai Cooking School, Bangkok’s oldest cooking school, with Chef Narain and a private lesson that ends with a Thai meal cooked by the class. The day finishes with the Oriental Spa’s 90-minute Thai massage.

Culinary Journey: This culinary adventure begins with a morning visit to the local market with Thai celebrity chef Chef Vichit Mukura. Guests will select ingredients for dinner that evening at Vichit’s Chef’s Table, located in his custom-made demonstration kitchen in the hotel’s Sala Rim Naam restaurant.

Floral Journey: Mandarin Oriental’s Floral Director leads a private tour of Bangkok’s Flower Market with its intoxicating aromas and exotic flowers, followed by a 90-minute step-by-step floral design class. A 90-minute Thai massage at the Oriental Spa and a three-course set dinner at the hotel’s renowned Lord Jim’s restaurant is also included.

Wellness & Spa Journey: Immerse in Thai wellness and meditation practices with 90-minutes of yoga and guided mediation with the hotel’s yogic healer. The session is followed by the Oriental Spa’s 90-minute Signature Treatment that uses a customized blend of essential oils and hot herbal compresses to massage the body into total relaxation. End the day with a set dinner, Spa Cuisine menu at Lord Jim’s.

Artistic Journey: This is an exclusive ‘insider tour’ of some of Bangkok’s most eclectic art galleries including P Tender Cool, Wrap Studio 54, the Lamont Gallery, Serindia and H Gallery. End a busy day of gallery tours with the Oriental Spa’s 90-minute Thai massage and a Cantonese dinner at the hotel’s art deco-style China House. 

The Discover Bangkok package is based on two nights accommodation and double occupancy. Additional nights, guests and/or an additional journey may be added at an additional price. This package is based on availability and does not include tax and service charges. The Discover Bangkok package is available now through 30 September 2014. For more information, please visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok or call +66 (2) 659 9000.

The world famous lobby at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok---big enough to impress but small enough so guests are not drowned!

My favourite suite---Heritage Author's Suite

The Normandie is the best French restaurant in Thailand and maybe SE Asia

Spectacular Thai classical dance at Sala Rim Naam restaurant

Riverside Terrace is where you watch the world sail by

Authors' Lounge is for afternoon tea and wedding photos!

This Deluxe Room really is a room with a view of the Menam Chao Phraya

This Spa Suite is really the ultimate in pampering

About Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Built in 1876 and ideally located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been an inspiration to a host of world-renowned writers from Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham to Wilbur Smith and John Le Carre. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok boasts an international reputation for splendid service, style and grace and facilities including eight restaurants. The hotel’s private teakwood shuttle boats provide daily access to the world famous Thai Cooking School, the hotel’s Thai restaurant, the award-winning Oriental Spa and Health Centre located across the River; as well as the nearest skytrain station (SaphanTaksin) and River City Shopping Centre.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. The Group has grown from a well-respected Asian hotel company into a global brand and now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing over 11,000 rooms in 26 countries, with 20 hotels in Asia, 11 in The Americas and 14 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.