What is the mindset of a tourist when it comes to choosing a hotel?
Well, most of the time, it is ties down to the budget, location and “comfort”.
For budget traveller, comfort is equivalent to clean and tidiness; for people with a handsome budget to spend, it is always the hotel rating star that matters. Be it for business or leisure trip, after a long day of business appointments or sight seeing/shopping spree , everyone sure would like to escape back to the hotel and unwind in their hotel room.
For me, a comfortable hotel make me feel at ease once I stepped into the hotel lobby and I can totally relax in the guest room for hours; better still, be pampered by the services.
I had stayed in more than 40x hotels in Bangkok over the past ten years, ranging for motel to 5 star accommodation; and there are two hotels that fit into my “comfort” bills. Namely So Sofitel and Hotel Muse.
These hotels gave me a feel of privacy, intimacy and luxury right after I stepped into the main lobby. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the friendly and helpful staffs , followed with a unique welcome drink that casts a remarkable first impression. Once I resided to the room, I were further impressed with its décor and fell in love with its elegantly designed bathroom, featuring free-standing French roll-top bathtub and washing basins.
So Sofitel is categorized as luxury hotel designed by Christian Lacroix by Accor group. It has a fresh and hip décor theme. The rooms are available in Metal, Wood and Earth elements; whereas the Water element is only available in suite ( I yet to try ). And Earth element is my preferred choice. Facing the lumpini park, the hotel offers a spectacular open city view.
Hotel Muse Bangkok is categorized under the MGallery – a selection of exceptional and memorable hotels by Accor group. The hotel interior design and décor exudes an interplay of classic European signatures juxtaposed against ornate Asian motifs. The guest room is opulent in design, coupled with its award winning restaurants and roof top bar, this Bangkok Boutique Hotel is unique among its peers. Ranked number one in my Bangkok hotel choice for its style and value for money ( less than $300 per night )
These are the hotels that I would highly recommended for people who like to experience a difference and be pampered with the hotel services. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t afford to stay in these hotels throughout my trips in Bangkok. What I did is just to spend my last day of my trip in these hotels ; refreshing myself before going home..
And I would like to promote the concept of “hotel hopping” by switching hotel stay daily on the conditions that a) one has to travelling light, and b) knowing how to outsmart the city traffic while hopping. By moving and staying in a different neighborhood, one is able to enrich the tour experience and get to love or hate the city. Oh! I Love Bangkok !
Tired of shopping in MBK, Saim Paragon and central world plaza? Take a switch by visiting a shopping mall built in the earlier day of Bangkok - The Old Siam Plaza. Old Siam Plaza is one of those places the local youngster just consider old and outdated, but this is the mall that give you a glimpse on its past with its old style movie theater, shops and Art Deco building.
Ranked by lonelyplanet at a modest #310 of 792 things to do in Thailand, the Old siam plaza can never be the hot tourist spot. However, if you are a sentimental person who likes oldies or someone who love desserts, this is likely the place for you.
The Old Siam Plaza is a 3 storeys building with two domed atriums split between fashion items on one side and traditional Thai snacks on the other. The snacks atrium is where you can find all sorts of traditional snacks and sweets skillfully prepared right in front of you. And there are more snacks stalls in Old Siam Plaza than Or Tor Kor Market ( Famous fresh food market next to Chatuchak Weekend Market). A true traditional Thai snack haven that desserts lover can't missed!
The plaza is located on the end of Yaowarat Road, intersection between Phahuratm road and Triphet road; approximately 1.3km away from the China town central.
Take a look at my photos : Aroi Mah!
There are tour agencies offering cycling and walking tour that that cost $30 for a duration of 3 hours and more. These may not be the most popular tour package but it provides a good insight to the daily life of local Thais. However I still believe the best way getting know a city is plan your own walking tour with own pace and timing. Most of the times, you will be lost and come across discoveries with pleasant surprises.
And the tourist guides are the essential planning kit and travel companion to help us navigate the city.
I did my Bangkok walking tour planning in the past. One of my favorite travelling guide is
A Walking Tour Bangkok by Bryne Bracken. Since Bryne Bracken was an architect who worked in Bangkok, the book is an architectural adventure through the bustling streets and busy canals of the city.
Because Bangkok cities is full of street and lanes that are not shown on usual tourist maps ( so as the digital Google map ), I still got lost, resulted in “excessive walking” that exhausted me.
My recent Bangkok walking tour in Jan 2015 started from the Khlong San district :
a) Visit to Wat Phichaiyat ; accidental discovery of Wat Prayurawongsawas Waraviharn,
b) Strolling along the riverside, bumped into a cycling tour group,
c) Crossing the Memorial Bridge, back to Rattanakosin City
d) Visit to Yodpiman river walk and Bangkok flower market ( Pak Klong Talad )
e) Lost in the Samphanthawong district, ended in The Old Siam Plaza
f) Walking through China town and headed to Hua Lamphong MRT station
A total of 4km walking tour started at 9am ( excluding an hour taxi ride from Silom to Klong San ) ended at 3pm ( excluding the MRT ride back to hotel )
What a pleasant walk!
Some people consider the heart of Bangkok city to be Silom which is the financial district and the commercial centre where many of the banks, financial institutions, international corporations and embassies have their offices. Silom is also undoubtedly one of the tourist favorite spot because of its famous nightlife scene around the Patpong area other than traditional sightseeing attractions.
Patpong is world famous for its night market offering various counterfeit goods and the center of Bangkok's night entertainment for people who wish to walk on the wild side of things.
In fact, there are more to explore in Silom, beside the nightlife scene.
By day, Silom as part of Bangkok's central commercial district is bustling with life where the city’s financial institutions and corporate workers rushing in and out from their offices.
During the day time, the side streets ( soi in Thai ) of Silom main road are "littered" with various market traders selling foods and domestic grocery to serve this big mid-income working group.
If you want to experience the working life of this Bangkok mid-income group; do visit this area in the morning from 7-9am or during lunch hour from 11-1pm. Alight at Saladaeng BTS Station, walk along Soi Phiphat and turn towards Trinity Mall near to Chong Nonsi BTS station. You will crowded with the local Thais preparing themselves before the office work started.
These hotels gave me a feel of privacy, intimacy and luxury right after I stepped into the main lobby. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the friendly and helpful staffs , followed with a unique welcome drink that casts a remarkable first impression. Once I resided to the room, I were further impressed with its décor and fell in love with its elegantly designed bathroom, featuring free-standing French roll-top bathtub and washing basins.
Hotel Muse Bangkok is categorized under the MGallery – a selection of exceptional and memorable hotels by Accor group. The hotel interior design and décor exudes an interplay of classic European signatures juxtaposed against ornate Asian motifs. The guest room is opulent in design, coupled with its award winning restaurants and roof top bar, this Bangkok Boutique Hotel is unique among its peers. Ranked number one in my Bangkok hotel choice for its style and value for money ( less than $300 per night )
