Peninsula Hotel Bangkok

( 4 stars , Bangkok , Thailand )

Bottom line: If Shangri-la prices are comparable these days, I would stay there.

It cost us around £100 a night and it was well worth the money, definetly earns its rank as the new number 1 in Bangkok.

I rate the hotel 3 stars at best. The prices are 5 star.

My husband and I stayed at the Bangkok Peninsula in October 2003. I had never stayed in a Peninsula hotel before, but I had walked around the one in Hong Kong where the workers made me feel like a second class citizen, so I wasn't expecting the workers to be very nice here either. What a pleasant surprise when they greeted us with a smile every time we passed someone! The bedroom was absolutely beautiful, very spacious with remote control features for almost everything in the room, including the curtains!!! The bathrooms were gorgeous, I would love to put their exact bathroom in my own home!!! My husband bought a shirt from the downstairs gift shop and they informed us they would have the shirt delivered to our room as we were just on our way out for some sightseeing. Upon our return to the room, a beautifully wrapped package lay on the bed, it was the shirt we bought!!! A Buffet Breakfast was included with the room and we were amazed at the selection we were afforded!!! No wonder this hotel was rated the number one hotel in the world in 2002!!! The only downside to this hotel is the location of it is across the river from everything you want to see. They do have their own private boat system that is convenient, but not as convenient as staying across the river.

The contrast between the hotel itself and the neighborhood was very striking...I took multiple photos because I couldn't believe it! But generally, the hotel was very safe and the guide told me everything was outside the hotel (and believe me..he warned me about things NOT to do and where not to go and what not to eat!)

If you like to drink, check in advance if there are any public holidays that forbid alcohol on those days. We were there the day before the elections, and selling liquor was forbidden.

It must be noted that when we arrived the Peninsula had only been open for a few months and we heard that rates were still "special" as they worked to establish themselves. They more than surpassed any of the other hotels we heard about and I fear that those "special" rates may now be history. Still for a pampered, deluxe stay the Peninsula has no rival.

one of the best hotel in the world.

I don't want to omit my favorite part of the hotel room. The amenities are great: hair dryer, minibar, bathrobe, slippers, luxury bath products. But, none of these compare with the television in the bathtub. After two weeks of travel, it was so nice to watch MTV while soaking in the tub. Incidentally, my husband was more impressed with the light that went on by the door every morning indicating that the morning paper in English was available in the shoe shine box in our room (delivered from the hall).

Tips: "Superior" rooms at the Peninsula are simply those rooms within the designated category that are on the higher floors. Hence a Superior Deluxe room is the same as a Deluxe room other than the floor it is located on. Even if you are on a budget get the Mercedes transfer back to the Airport, it will be the best $40 you ever spend.