The Peninsula Bangkok

Style and Character

The Peninsula is a classic luxury urban resort offering neoclassical international elegance effortlessly coupled with contemporary Thai design touches. This makes for a subdued, formal ambience in the spacious public areas of the hotel, especially in the imposing lobby area.

Service and Facilities

Service is excellent, formal and forth-coming, but never intrusive. Besides a plethora of massage treatments, the opulent spa offers mind-healing sessions using Tibetan prayer bowls. The hotel also has a gym with sauna attached which offers free HITT, pilates, water aerobics, and yoga sessions.

There's a three-tiered pool outside which is 88 metres long and, for the very well to do, there’s a helipad with a dedicated lounge called Paribatra, which looks like an aviation museum: perfect for private parties.

The Peninsula offers a series of experiences to its guests, including a Thai cooking class and Muay Thai lessons. On the last Saturday of each month (except in the rainy season), there’s a farmer’s market with some 25 vendors sell handcrafted products, organic vegetables, fruit and teas. On Thursdays, guests can join a free herb appreciation class. Every Saturday morning, early risers may take a boat to Gong Wu, a Chinese temple dating back to 1736, for an hour of free yoga.

Rooms

Standard deluxe rooms are decent in size and offer spectacular views of the Thai capital’s soaring skyline across the river. The artwork on the walls, photography for the most part, is decent and while there is a chain hotel feel, local elements, such as wall coverings, remind guests ever so gently that they are in the far east.

Food and Drink

The Thiptara serves excellent Thai cuisine in small wooden pavilions by the river. The somtam — spicy papaya salad — a classic street dish, is surprisingly good. Some of the herbs used come from the hotel’s own garden. The River Café and Terrace offers a wide range of international food; The Mei Jiang is a Chinese restaurant very popular with local diners, its dim sum known around town.

All the Peninsula’s restaurants offer healthy eating options — dishes with less sugar and less oil, prepared with organic ingredients, including some vegetarian choices. Once a month, the college of music from Mahidol University performs parts of operas and other classical pieces during Sunday afternoon tea. On the remaining Sundays, a jazz band is in attendance.

The River Bar is the place to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner. Breakfast is a sumptuous buffet affair with plenty of Asian and western selections, great juices, and freshly cut fruit, best enjoyed outside by the river.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 11,299 baht (£256) in low season; from 14,830 baht (£336) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Family-Friendly?

There are connecting suites, and kids can enjoy junior cooking classes and painting sessions.

Location

The Peninsula towers over the western side of the Chao Praya, a short ferry or boat ride away from the Saphan Thaksin skytrain station and the city’s main historic sites, including the Royal Palace. It’s a little further to the city’s downtown shopping and nightlife meccas, but for all those who want sumptuous tranquillity and amazing views, it’s perfect.