During my visit to Bangkok in early 2019, I had the opportunity to stay in one of the city's best establishments. After my stays at the Peninsula Bangkok, The Siam, St. Regis Bangkok, and Okura Prestige, I spent a night in one of the most legendary hotels in the entire world: the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. More below on my luxury getaway, surrounded by glitz and colonial chic!
An Iconic Hotel
Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok enjoys an impressive reputation, having welcomed countless celebrities in its colonial-style rooms and suites. Since the hotel's opening in 1876, it has remained a favorite among chic travelers from across the globe. It was the first luxury hotel to open its doors in Thailand, eventually joining forces with some of the greatest names in the hospitality industry to become the ideal upscale travel destination.
When it comes to style, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is an absolute gem! I was a big fan of the lobby's stunning style, which matches the rest of the establishment. From the 331 beautifully designed rooms and suites to the various bars and restaurants and even the lounges, the Mandarin's yesteryear charm truly hits its mark!
My Chao Phraya Suite: Astonishing Luxury!
We stayed in the flawlessly elegant Chao Phraya Suite, which features a refined colonial style along with optimum comfort and luxury. Located in the Garden Wing, the suite offers a superb view of the river and gardens through large picture windows. But the view is by no means its only asset. Who wouldn't love the colonial-style yet contemporary interior design, the incredibly luxurious furniture, or the breathtaking marble bathroom?!
Renovations to Stay at the Top of the Rankings
When I was passing through last February, the rooms in the River Wing were nearing their final days. On November 11th, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok reopened its River Wing with a brand-new look! This skillful renovation was spearheaded by Jeffrey Wilkes, who also oversaw the design of the newly launched Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai (check out my review here). This incredible metamorphosis cost the trifling sum of 90 million dollars, marking for a stunning result!
High-Flying Gourmet Dining Options
In terms of food and drink, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok rises above the competition thanks to its numerous dining options, from upscale and highly authentic restaurants to more relaxed eateries. When night fell, we crossed the river for dinner at Sala Rim Naam. Seated in the beautiful restaurant room, we enjoyed fantastic Thai cuisine accompanied by a lovely dinner show (as this is not always the case in Bangkok, it's important to emphasize when it is!).
After our feast, we headed to the Bamboo Bar. We had discovered this fabulous bar a few years ago while passing through Bangkok, so we were thrilled to visit it again. Considered one of the best bars in the world, the Bamboo Bar features a unique, jazzy ambiance with its impressive design and live music. This establishment is a must-see!
Other restaurants include the two-Michelin-starred Le Normandie, which flies the French flag high over the Thai capital. Meanwhile, The China House is the place to go for lovers of dim sum and other Cantonese specialties. Those with a sweet tooth should check out The Authors' Lounge, which welcomes guests to its world-renowned afternoon tea in one of the hotel's most iconic halls. I myself had the opportunity to test it on my birthday a few years back (see my blogpost on my delicious afternoon tea experience at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok)
The following morning, we decided to take advantage of our beautiful suite and order room service breakfast. On the menu: tropical fruit, croissants, freshly squeezed juices, eggs cooked however we liked… in short, a delicious and perfectly presented breakfast!
Plenty of Activities
When it comes to activities, guests are spoiled for choice! You can tour the city (the MO Bangkok being perfectly located for visiting the most famous tourist attractions), lounge about the two pools, check out the incredibly peaceful spa, or inquire about the various activities offered by the hotel, such as cooking classes and Thai boxing lessons.
The Verdict
The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is an iconic hotel in the global luxury hospitality industry, and its excellent reputation is by no means threatened. I was swept off my feet by the opulent rooms and suites, but I also loved the variety and quality of the many bars and restaurants, some of which are among the best in the entire city. Moreover, the Mandarin Oriental's colonial chic style and professional staff both make for a fantastic experience. This hotel is a must-see at least once in your life!
- My Chao Phraya Suite: gorgeous style and unheard-of luxury down to the smallest detail
- Culinary offering: the Mandarin Oriental offers a wide variety of restaurants, and everything we tested was flawless!
- The colonial-style design is both attractive and up to date, thanks to multiple renovations that have kept the hotel at the top of the rankings!
Practical Information:
- Stay taken in February 2019 and updated in September 2022.
- Suite Chao Phraya starting at €1330/night in February 2019
Thank you The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok for the invitation to explore their establishment.Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.