Abundance in Bangkok

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't miss the opportunity to take a dinner cruise on the hotel's luxury yacht. Seeing the lit skyline from the Chao Praya river is quite the sight.

Description:

One of Thailand's most renowned and prestigious hotels, the Shangri-La has been consistently voted one of the best hotels in the world. Located in beautiful tropical gardens on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station is right next door. If you really want to feel pampered, this is the hotel to stay in. It is also the largest of Bangkok's fine hotels as you can drive a tuk-tuk from one wing to the other. The Shangri-la has a number of fine eateries, especially its Italian restaurant, Angelini's.

Description:

This half-day private sightseeing tour in Bangkok is a must for anyone visiting Thailand's capital city. On this private tour you will have the opportunity to explore the complex, which houses a number of attractions including Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in the company of a local Thai guide.

Built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs, The Grand Palace complex, once the official home for the Kings of Siam, is unquestionably one of the Thailand's major tourist highlights. The King still uses the Grand Palace for certain ceremonial occasions and the regal flavor within its enormous royal grounds is still evident. During the tour you will visit the Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation Hall.

The main centerpiece of the complex however is the 45 centimeter Emerald Buddha. Carved from just one piece of Jade it is the holiest and most revered religious object in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha is housed within Wat Phra Keow, which is a very ornately decorated building whose roof tiles reach up into the sky.

Description:

Wang Suan Pakkad ("Palace of the Lettuce Garden") is one of Bangkok's most delightful retreats. This peaceful oasis was the home of Princess Chumbhon of Nakhon Sawan, an avid art collector and one of the country's most dedicated archaeologists -- credited with having partly financed the excavations at Ban Chiang I in 1967. In 1952, five 19th-century teak houses were moved from Chiang Mai and rebuilt in a beautifully landscaped garden on a private klong, separated by a high wall from the tumult of Bangkok's streets. The Lacquer Pavilion (moved here in 1958) came from a monastery grounds and was a birthday present from the prince to the princess.

The balance of the collection here is diverse, with Khmer sculpture, ivory boxes, and some marvelous prints by European artists depicting images of Siam before the country opened to the Western world. There is an entire room of objects from the Ban Chiang I site, including pottery and jewelry. Look out for a superb Buddha head from Ayutthaya, and an example of a royal barge outside in a shed in the garden. Be sure to ask to see the pavilion housing the princess's collection of Thai and Chinese ceramics. The gift shop at Wang Suan Pakkad offers...

Description:

Vacations are all about treating yourself and this evening Bangkok dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya river is most definitely a treat!

This will be a memorable night on board one of Bangkok's most luxurious restaurant boats relaxing in modern comfort and dining like King Rama V on a variety of Thai dishes. As you cruise slowly along the Chao Phraya River you will pass The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and the Grand Palace complex which both provide sensational twilight photo opportunities. It is also a great vantage point to watch the life along the river as people slowly start to unwind or head home after a busy day.

Throughout the cruise the on board band will also keep you entertained.

Our Local Expert Says:

The bar opens an hour and half before the restaurant which makes it a good place to catch the sunset before dinner.

Description:

They don't call this Vertigo for nothing. The views from the 61ist floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel are indeed dizzying. Arguably one of the most romantic spots in Bangkok, Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar provides upscale food and drink in a smart casual environment. Grilled seafood and champagne with a 360-degree view of the City of Angels makes this place a must. Enjoy occasional jazz music as well. This is an open-air restaurant and opening hours are weather dependent.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you had to see one thing in Bangkok, this arguably would be it.

Description:

Over 200 years old, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's largest and oldest temple complexes. For an entry fee of 50 baht, visitors can roam the grounds with or without a guide, stopping along the way at numerous notable temples and sites. The most famous of Wat Pho's relics is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, wherein lies an impressive 46 meter-long gold-plated image of a reclining Buddha. A first grade royal monastery, Wat Pho is also Thailand's oldest learning center and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Take a Chao Phraya River ferry to Tha Thien (pier). The Grand Palace is a short walk from Wat Pho. You can also cross the river from the pier to see Wat Arun. Beware that scam artists (often tuk-tuk drivers) will try to claim that the temple is closed for the day. Don't believe it.

[Note: Pho is pronounced with a P like Paul not an F like a Vietnamese noodle soup]

Description:

Take a privately guided tour to the The Rose Garden Cultural centre, located amidst the rural scenery along the Nakhon Chaisri River, 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of the city of Bangkok.

The Rose Garden offers a numerous reasons to escape the city of Bangkok for half a day with the most attractive being the typical Thai Village. Here, you will see local Thai villagers creating traditional village handicrafts in their natural environment. All sorts of skills are on display including; silk-weaving, pottery-making, umbrella-painting, Khon mask masking, mat weaving, doll making, fruit carving, garland-making, rice-pounding and even the delicate crafting of silver and laquerware.

There are also impressive displays of authentic Thai period costumes, a chance to see busy, typical Thai market, different styles of Thai Houses (from both the North to South regions of Thailand) and an intriguing display of Thai antiques from various parts of the country. The Thai village offers a real potpourri of different Thai cultural activities that also include Muay Thai boxing, sword fighting, Thai dances, elephants at work and much, much more.

Description:

Part of the exclusive Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok, Jesters Restaurant and Lounge is one of the city's most happening night spots. A charming riverfront view is the setting for a meal of Pacific Rim origins. You can choose to sit downstairs or savour the Bangkok skyline from the upper level with a live band lifting your spirits. Note that children below 12 years are not allowed in the dining room.

Our Local Expert Says:

For those who like live jazz music, but aren't in the mood for Saxophone Pub's bigger, upbeat space, Brown Sugar has a very laid back vibe. It’s a small bar that has a lot of charm…and great music.

Description:

This club is a long standing favorite among Thais and foreigners alike. Brown Sugar hosts jazz musicians from all over the world. It's a quite small venue, so it can get quite crowded on some nights, but has lots of character. Thai food and bar snacks are served along with a full bar menu.

Description:

Located within the grounds of the Bangkok Golf Spa Resort just 30 minutes from the heart of Bangkok, this premier 18-hole championship golf club features a well-maintained fairway and a challenging course amid an island tee, an island green and a cascading waterfall. It also offers night golfing at its nine-hole par-three course. Facilities here include a driving range, pro shop, massage parlor, sauna, lounge, and restaurants serving Chinese, European, Japanese and Thai cuisines.

Description:

Often listed as one of the top spas in Southeast Asia, the Devarana is located inside the venerable Dusit Thani Hotel. Expect very professional service and divine pampering. The name means "garden in heaven" and the modern design plays with amber lighting and perspective to create an other-worldly feel. In addition to a full range of spa therapies, healthy organic appetizers and desserts are on order. 14 treatment rooms including 5 spa suites are available. This is located across from Lumphini Park next to the Sala Daeng BTS Station and Silom MRT Station.

Description:

The Oriental Bangkok has a reputation for stately elegance and Sala Rim Nam, the hotel's fine dining restaurant, lives up to the expectations. Set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River directly across from the hotel, Sala Rim Nam boasts fine interior design showing Thai silk and etched glass. Starting at 7 p.m. a professional dance troupe puts on their nightly show. The menu is set in the evening and lunch offers a wonderful buffet. The hotel has a free ferry for diners to cross the river to the restaurant.

Description:

Undeniably voted as "one of the world's highest bars", Sky Bar is the most sought after in Bangkok. At the Sky Bar, situated on the 63rd floor of The Dome at State Tower, you get a spectacular view of Bangkok city and Chao Phraya River. It is this panoramic setting which takes guests to a completely different high. There is an array of vintage wines and beverages to choose from. Drinks are complemented with delicious appetizers. So step into the bar and reach up to the sky or watch the twinkling stars in the midnight sky.