Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Hotel Overview
Review of Shangri-La Hotel, by The TI Review Team
By TI reviewer Philip Fielding
After a hard day's sightseeing in bustling Bangkok, I returned to the Shangri-La Hotel, an oasis of calm on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya River.
It had been a hot, humid day during which I visited the Royal Palace to see the famous Reclining Buddha, haggled with traders at Chatuchak market and took a canal boat ride with the locals to a traditional Thai silk outlet and museum. My aching legs told me it was time to unwind in the Shangri-La's swimming pool, which is set in a lush riverside garden where you can recline on a lounger and watch the traditional long-tailed boats go by.
This waterside wonder is a perfect stopping point for business travellers, globe-trotting families or couples taking a break in 'The Venice of Asia'. Before my day of sightseeing, I arrived early and was shown to my Club room in the 629-room, 44-suite Shangri La Wing. Another wing, Krungthep, has another 129 rooms and suites.
My quarters on the 33rd floor and boasted spectacular views of the river and the city skyline beyond. The king-size bed looked inviting after a long journey but sadly there was no time for a nap with my packed schedule before me.
I checked out the bathroom: it was huge, bright and full of tasteful ceramics and L'Occitane creams and gels. Later, I'd have a long, hot, soothing shower with my favourite music piped in from the room's iPod dock. Other rejuvenating options included a massage at the hotel's tranquil Chi spa or working up an appetite in the well-equipped fitness centre, which has full length windows offering river views.
Shangri-La has three restaurants; Angelini, said to be Bangkok's finest Italian restaurant; Salathip, a traditional Thai restaurant set in signature teak garden pavilions; and NEXT2, a riverbank cafe with nine cooking stations from which chefs show off their culinary talents before food is served up.
After returning from my day out via the adjacent Skytrain station (I highly recommend getting around using the city's air-conditioned Skytrain: the streets get so gridlocked you end up wasting hours in taxis) and having a swim, I freshened up and took the elevator up to the Club Lounge. There I soaked up more stunning views and enjoyed a refreshing Mai Tai cocktail before meeting friends for dinner.
I left the curtains open when I finally retired to bed. I wanted to enjoy that fantastic view again when I awoke.
Facilities
Hotel Policies
Rooms
799Awards
"Gold List," Conde Nast 05; "20th in the World's Best Awards," Travel + Leisure Magazine 05Who stays here?
The Oriental's consistent quality has attracted the likes of Tiger Woods, the King of Sweden, jazz musician Kenny G and members of Asian royal families such as the H.E. Mr. Li Lanqing , Vice Premier, State Council People's Republic of China and HM Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.
Come for...
- The Chi Spa
- Five restaurants
- Luxury
Not Suitable for...
- Searchers of a quaint unique hotel
- Budget travel
Children
Interconnecting rooms, extra beds and baby-sitting services are available upon request.
Eating in
A superb selection of Asian and international restaurants awaits the guests. complimented by spectacular views of the Chao Phraya River. Sip on cocktails at the pool bar, while the lobby lounge and Riverside Lounge are the perfect venues for light snacks.
The Press Say
"My favourite was the Salathip, partly because of the setting (by the river), and partly because the authentic Thai food is served in an intimate and authentic-looking wooden Thai building." The Telegraph 08Reviews
Review of Shangri-La Bangkok, by Caroline Major
The luxury hotel Shangri-La Bangkok is next to the Chao Phraya River and the Taksin Sky Train station, and is also within 2 km of the Royal Palace. The Shangri-la boat departs from their Chao Praya pier for one of the best tours of the near-by ancient capital of Auyuttya which makes for a pleasant day strolling around the still active temple ruins.
The luxury hotel has squash courts, tennis courts, two pools, meeting and conference rooms, five restaurants, three bars, river cruises, a health club and a spa. The Chi concept has permeated the hotel, drawing inh a fresh-faced crowd who eat healthy 'spa cuisine' from the room service menu, gorge on tropical fruits and sun themselves between treatments by the river-side swimming pool.
The spa crowd is wising up to the recently rejuvenated Bangkok Shangri-La. Chi Spa's Chinese and Himalayan healing techniques are a huge hit.
All 799 guestrooms of the luxury hotel, including 139 suites, have large windows with city and river views, large desks, internet access and marble bathrooms.
Large rooms with modern bathrooms and a fresh contemporary Thai design provide for a comfortable stay in the capital. Choose a room with a river view for immersion in the Bangkok bustle without the hassle.
The business travellers, for the most part, are separated from the leisure hunters in a separate wing of the luxury hotel. This 'hotel within a hotel' is complete with its own reception, entrance, décor and more business orientated services. A well equipped gym is located between the two wings of the luxury hotel.