Thailand has been one of the leading tourist centers for a generation as millions of visitors from Asia, Australia, the UK, and the United States have been drawn to the nation’s beautiful beaches and Bangkok’s unique mix of traditional life and nightlife. Bangkok is a huge city located on the Chao Phraya River that is well-traveled by water taxis, long tail boats and ferries Most of the hotels, tourist sites and business activity in Bangkok are centered on the east side of the river, but the western bank has a wonderful high-rise hotel and resort on it known as the Peninsula.

Amenities

The upper floors of the Peninsula hotel provide views of most of the metropolitan area from clean, spacious rooms. But it is the quality of service at the Peninsula, the infinity pool along the river, and the restaurants that make the Peninsula an exceptional hotel. The pool area is stunning because there are series of connected pools which look directly out at the city on the other side. It is as if you had a swimming pool right on the Hudson River with a daytime or nighttime view of the New York City skyline. The cool and relaxing pool really comes in handy since the sweltering humidity of Thailand’s tropical climate can be overwhelming for first time visitors.

On several nights, we had dinner right along the pool and enjoyed it immensely. There are also several waterfront restaurants at the Peninsula including one that offers a large breakfast buffet and one with formal dining by torchlight. Be ready to offset the hot and spicy flavors of Thai food with large helpings of rice and sweet Thai tea. The Peninsula is a hotel that offers guests all the amenities of a luxury resort, while still serving the needs of business travelers, conference attendees and wedding parties. It provides an excellent base of operations to take in the spirit of Bangkok while still being able to escape the manic pace, humidity, and crowds of the city several times a day.

Area Activities

The hotel’s water taxi is another useful feature. You can many of the city’s leading tourist attractions or tour the canals in a matter of minutes by crossing the river.   There is an abundance of historical places to visit in the city ranging from the Wat Arun Temple to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha to the Grand Palace.  Nightlife in Bangkok can include everything from a visit to the Lumphini Stadium to have a drink and watch Mooay Thai martial arts contest to shopping at several modern malls or visiting the city’s infamous nightclubs. Day trips from Bangkok take in one of the floating markets nearby, the ruins of the kingdom of Ayutthaya or the World War II bridge at Kanchanaburi. 

Location

Bangkok’s Svarabhumi Airport is a modern and large facility located close to the City with direct connections to all major hubs in Asia and Europe. However, if you take a taxi or a private vehicle to the hotel, get ready for some of the worst traffic jams in the world because video boards alongside the highways sometimes display television shows. The Airport Rail Link may be an alternative if you travel light. Once you get to the hotel, you can get around by using a combination of river taxis and the elevated above-ground, air-conditioned rapid transit system known as BTS Skytrain. 

The Peninsula is a hotel that offers guests all the amenities of a luxury resort, while still serving the needs of business travelers, conference attendees and wedding parties. It provides an excellent base of operations to take in the spirit of Bangkok while allowing you to escape the manic pace, humidity, and crowds of the city.