CLASSIC THAILAND HOTELS & RESORTS
Classic Thailand Hotels & Resorts - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Classic Thailand |
| By: Susan Borham, Michael Shaw, Madeleine Stratton And Julia Clarke, Issue 42 – Autumn 2010 |
| (The Sarojin, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, The Chedi Chiang Mai, Sukhothai Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Library Koh Samui and Lebua at State Tower Bangkok – Thailand) |
| HOTELS AND RESORTS CAN BECOME KNOWN AS CLASSICS FOR MANY REASONS; IT MIGHT BE THAT IN THEIR STYLE OR DESIGN THEY REPRESENT SOMETHING QUINTESSENTIAL ABOUT THEIR CITY, OR IT COULD BE THAT THEY MADE A SPLASH WHEN THEY LAUNCHED AND HAVE CONTINUED TO ATTRACT DEVOTEES. PROPERTIES RARELY FALL OFF CLASSIC LISTS AND NEW ENTRIES ARE JUST AS RARE. NEVERTHELESS, HERE’S LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE’S LIST OF THAILAND’S CURRENT CROP OF CLASSIC HOTELS AND RESORTS. TEXT BY SUSAN BORHAM, MICHAEL SHAW, MADELEINE STRATTON AND JULIA CLARKE. |
| THE SAROJIN, PHUKET |
| Can you outsource romance in your relationship? Yes, you can. At Sarojin an “imagineer” has conceived a range of romantic spots on beaches, at waterfalls or at bends in the river, where he can arrange for you to arrive by boat and recline on day beds while hundreds of candles are lit and a lavishly dressed table is set just for the two of you. It’s rarely more romantic than that, in the privacy of the great outdoors. The resort sits on a white, coral-sand beach that curves beside the Andaman Sea on the coast of Thailand at Khoa Lak, about an hour by luxury transfer north of Phuket. There’s a lot that’s different about Sarojin. You’ll find nothing missing from the five-star features list but you’ll find a lot of personal touches that take it beyond every day luxury. Fifty-six onebedroom residences comprise the accommodation and are separated from the resort proper by tropical gardens of Helikonia and Strelizia plants, and kept private from each other with clever design. The restaurant and bar Ficus is at the centre of the resort under a magnificent old fig tree and beside a reflection pool that mirrors the sky. The atmosphere is romantic and the food is mainly modern western in style executed well and supported by an awarded, wellstocked cellar and a bar that’s open all day. Couple spa treatments are another of the romantic attractions of the Sarojin. Sarojin, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a resort for couples; there are no children under twelve allowed. So if you’re just starting out or rediscovering the magic of your relationship there is all the support you need at Sarojin. Website: www.sarojin.com Spa: Pathways Restaurants: Ficus: International and Italian; The Edge: al fresco Thai and seafood. |
| MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOK |
| The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok was the first hotel in Thailand when it opened in 1876 as lodging for seamen travelling the Chao Phraya River and today the hotel’s marketing arm makes the most of its history as a drawcard. But it’s the Mandarin Oriental ultra luxury hospitality style, as evident here as it is in any of its hotels world wide, that is the reason some people won’t stay anywhere else if there’s a Mandarin Oriental in town. The chauffeur will certainly be there on time at the airport for your transfer. Your transition to the limousine (in my case a seven series BMW) will be smoothly managed by the uniformed airport team. You’ll be greeted in the lobby by name and taken to your room, introduced to your floor butler and checked in while the porters arrange your luggage. Settled in minutes. And that’s the way it will be for the duration. The concierge desk when I was there, was staffed by a team of three older Thai gentleman with good English and this is where the hotel’s long history in Bangkok has direct benefits to its guests… decades of hosting foreigners in Bangkok makes for a concierge desk proficient in managing the details of guest/city interface. The other tangible benefit of being the first hotel in Bangkok is its location on the river; it got in first for one of the best spots in the city. Beyond its history and hospitality, the Mandarin Oriental is known for its award-winning Oriental Spa across the river (a two-minute ride in the hotel boat) in a traditional Thai-style house; it is an ayurvedic spa, rare in Thailand. Especially if you’re traveling with children, don’t miss the dinner show at the hotel’s Sala Rim Naam restaurant; an exciting night time tripacross the river in the hotel boat for a magical Thai traditional dance theatre show. Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok Spa: The Oriental Spa Restaurants: Le Normandie: French; Lord Jim’s: seafood, particularly sushi and sashimi dishes; Sala Rim Naam: Thai; The China House: avant-garde eatery; Riverside: eclectic; The Verandah: Asian and Western; Ciao: Italian; L’Espace: café style |
| THE CHEDI CHIANG MAI |
| Within The Chedi Chiang Mai’s modern exterior lies a mixture of contemporary and Thai classic aesthetics. What was once the British Consulate in Chiang Mai has been developed into a modern oasis on the banks of the Mai Ping River. With only 52 rooms, The Chedi Chiang Mai affords its guests space and privacy. For a small hotel, there is a great amount of open space, with the open plan lobby area spilling out into the courtyard. Each of the contemporary style deluxe rooms and suites evokes the feeling that you’re staying in a secluded resort rather than a city hotel. The consulate building, dated circa 1913, has been transformed into what is now named The Restaurant, where guests can choose from three full menus of Thai, Indian and International cuisine. The outdoor terrace is a particularly good spot to sit, with views of the river and Chiang Mai’s mountains in the background. The hotel’s central location, 15kms from the airport, means the sights of Chiang Mai are mere footsteps away and Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar is only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Website: www.chiangmai.bangkok.com/chedi Spa: The Spa at The Chedi Restaurants: The Restaurant: Northern Thai specialities, Pacific Rim cuisine and innovative Asian dishes. |
| SUKHOTHAI BANGKOK |
| It’s no surprise (and no accident) that everywhere your eye falls at The Sukhothai, Bangkok it finds something beautiful. No surprise because the design team was Kerry Hill architect and Edward Tuttle interior designer. No accident because they planned it that way. Inspired by the architecture of Thailand’s ancient Sukhothai Kingdom, from which it takes its name, the hotel makes lavish use of teakwood, marble and silk. Calmingly symmetrical, it achieves a perfect marriage of modern and classic Thai aesthetics and its annual refurbishment program, which involves replacing the rich green silks that adorn the walls, keeps it looking well, just beautiful. Situated near the embassy district (always a great address in any city) in central Bangkok it’s within walking distance of Bangkok’s major commercial district but you wouldn’t really have much sense of that once inside the hotel grounds. Most of the rooms face inward to reflection pools and the sixacre hotel estate is lushly planted. Sukhothai’s Celadon restaurant flows out into spacious open-air terraces, serving some of the finest and most authentic Thai dishes in the world. A recently added Italian restaurant, La Scala, hasn’t yet received any awards but they can’t be far off. Around the 25-metre swimming pool and across the garden at the seriously professional Spa Botanica, the same superior service standards as those throughout the hotel are maintained. After becoming a Bangkok classic within a short time of opening in 1991, this low-rise, independently owned property continues to have enthusiastic devotees among seasoned travellers. Website: www.sukhothaihotel.com Spa: Spa Botanica Restaurants: Celadon: authentic Thai Cuisine (2010 “Best Restaurant in Bangkok” by Travel and Leisure magazine; The World’s Best Hotel Restaurants 2009 – Food & Wine, USA; Best restaurant in Bangkok 2006 - Conde Nast Traveler); La Scala: Italian; Colonnade: international |
| THE PENINSULA BANGKOK |
| The distinctive W-shaped Peninsula Bangkok building sits right on the edge of the Chao Phraya river. The 370 guest rooms are furnished in an elegant and classical style, each with views of the river and Bangkok skyline and with only ten spacious guestrooms and two suites on each floor. Although classic in style, the are fitted out with all the typical Peninsula modern technology including bedside panels that give guests complete room control without having to get out of bed. Breakfast on the river is a great way to prepare for a day of sight-seeing which could be to take a hotel river boat down the Chao Phraya to Bangkok’s historic monuments. Learn about Thai culture at The Peninsula Academy, which runs, among other things, cooking courses at the hotel’s Thai restaurant, where you’ll learn to make Thai cuisine like nothing you’ve tasted back home. Don’t leave The Pen Bangkok without a treatment at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA. Traditional Thai treatments and tea ceremonies are coupled with modern features such as individual iPod access from treatment beds in an effort to achieve this balance. The Peninsula Bangkok is also one of a few hotels that provides guests with access to the award-winning Thai Country Club, less than 45 minutes from downtown Bangkok. Guests can play on its famous golf courses and enjoy the clubhouse cuisine. Website: www.peninsula.com Spa: The Peninsula Spa by ESPA Restaurants: Mei Jiang: Cantonese; Thiptara: Thai-style; River Café and Terrace: al fresco buffet dinning |
| THE LIBRARY, KOH SAMUI |
| For anyone who loves a good book, The Library hotel is a great place to stay on Koh Samui. Set on the popular Chaweng Beach, The Library is made up of contemporary design rooms and suites named “Page One”, “Page Two” and so on. Guests get the latest technology in their rooms including plasma TVs, iPod docking systems and iMac computers with free WiFi and guest rooms are illuminated by light boxes that can be set to different colours to create different moods. The Library’s famous swimming pool is tiled bright red, a striking contrast to the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Siam it overlooks. Relaxing by the red pool is made extra comfortable with beanbag sun beds on foam mats. If you feel like reading a book in bed and on the beach, that can be arranged. Mattresses on platforms with pillows and sheets are set up each morning so you can stumble onto the beach, snuggle in, order your breakfast and read until it arrives.’ The resort is dotted with white statues reading books on benches and under trees and the library theme is carried through to the hotel’s own library, a large building by the pool, where floor to ceiling glass windows reveal shelves of books, music and DVDs for guests to peruse, and borrow during your stay. Website: www.thelibrary.co.th Spa: Is Spa Restaurants: The Page: contemporary Thai and Western cuisine |
| LEBUA AT STATE TOWER BANGKOK |
| Lebua at State Tower is in the second tallest tower in Bangkok and so the suites have astonishing views and every room is a suite at lebua. It also occupies an enviable location, that being on the Chao Phraya River, a fiveminute walk to the sky-train and a pleasant walk to Silom village. Topping off the tower is the Dome at lebua, a collection of stylish restaurants and bars that provide a sophisticated night out a short elevator ride from your room. At the Dome you’ll find the famous Sirocco restaurant reputed to be the world’s highest al fresco restaurant, and the Sky Bar. Both have the additional draw-card of allowing diners to take advantage of the hotel’s sweeping views of the river and the city. But even if you stay somewhere else in Bangkok you have to visit the Sky Bar at dusk, just for one cocktail. It’s an open-air bar, frighteningly high above the city, where a mild early evening breeze (that arrives by virtue of its altitude) lifts the ladies’ cocktail dresses and provides a pleasant respite from the sometimes stifling heat of the city. Each of the hotel’s 358 suites feature Bvlgari amenities in the bathrooms along with 330 thread-count linen and complimentary Wifi and mini bar. The open-air swimming pool winds around the Mozu dining floor and off into the distance beyond the gym. Great if you’re travelling with children who can be supervised from the restaurant, if they’re old enough. The Tower Club at lebua was introduced in late 2009. All rooms on the 51st to 59th floors now have new LCD television monitors with interactive digital menus, free video on demand and access to the Tower Club lounge. Website: www.lebua.com/bangkok Restaurants: Mezzaluna: Italian (Listed under ‘Hot Tables’ by Conde Nast Traveler, 2005); Breeze: Asian style sea-food dining; Sirocco: al fresco (Listed under ‘Hot Tables’ & ‘Hot Night’ by Conde Nast Traveler, 2005) |