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Our Local Expert Says:

The Dream is best for the young, chic, urban traveler. From the lobby to the rooms, the lighting and décor truly are "dreamy". If you're into Salsa, the hotel's Flava Lounge is great on Saturday nights.

Description:

Dream Hotel has garnered a reputation as being one of the cooler, slightly upscale boutique properties in Bangkok. While this is not the level of fancy of a Mandarin Oriental, it is indeed elegant and guests can expect a very high level of service. The rooms are spacious and well appointed and staff are well trained and friendly. There is a restaurant onsite, the Maple Leaf, though the offerings of Sukhumvit Road are also close by. The hotel has a fitness center complete with a trainer. Head up to the rooftop to chill in the pool or garden. Dream Hotel is a good way to do Bangkok in style.

Description:

This luxury hotel is built on the site of the old Erawan Hotel, next to the much-revered Erawan Shrine. The lobby is a stylish four-story atrium with a stained glass roof, and it is decorated with an extensive art collection. The guest rooms are very spacious and comfortable and each one has original art pieces. The service is swift and efficient and the three Regency floors offer concierges. The rooms with the best view overlook Lumpini Park and the racetrack.

Description:

Rising to toward the sky behind the Central World shopping complex in the heart of downtown Bangkok, Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre really is connected to it all. The five-star hotel has nine restaurants and bars including a rooftop bar and restaurant Fifty Five / Red Sky which provides an excellent nighttime view of the city for the martini crowd. 36 of the 505 luxury rooms are suites. Amenities are ultra-modern with connectivity for laptops, cameras and iPods. Centara Grand has an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and Spa Cenvaree on-site and Central World next door offers a vast amount of shopping and dining options as well as an SFX World cineplex and IMAX theatre. The BTS SkyTrain passes close by and the hotel has ramp parking.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Grand Palace is a Bangkok must-see, but beware of tourist traps! If a tuk tuk driver tells you that the Palace is closed for the day, make sure to get confirmation. And definitely think twice before agreeing to take the city tour he'll probably offer.

Description:

Bangkok's Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thailand's kings from the time it was built in 1782 until midway through the 20th Century. Although the entry fee is considerably higher than most at 300 baht, the grounds are gorgeous and provide an unforgettable glimpse at Thai history and architecture. Sitting on over 215,000 square meters, the Grand Palace houses government offices, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and royal residences. A trip to the Grand Palace is worth combining with Wat Pho, its next-door neighbor of equal cultural importance.

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.

Description:

Red Sky, Centara Grand Hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant, is a bit of a landmark. Two lighted arches morph through the colors of the rainbow along an open-air terrace on the 55th floor and are a conspicuous part of the downtown skyline. Red Sky serves a long list of cocktails with abundant martini options and wines from a two-story glass-enclosed wine cooler. Diners can choose from an air-conditioned indoor space (reservations required) or the open-air bar which offers excellent city views and some stars on a clear night. The menu offers some nice fish dishes, grilled meats and pasta. A smart casual dress code is enforced and prices are definitely upscale.

Our Local Expert Says:

The world's highest open-air restaurant

Description:

This is that moment you decide to splurge on a drink. Go 63 floors up over Bangkok to this open-air restaurant with its Skybar perched out over the edge. Sirocco, situated at The Dome at State Tower, gives a view that goes almost 360 degrees showing off the skyline and the Chao Phraya following its serpentine course. Drinks are good and pricey. A smart casual dress code is enforced. Make a reservation if you want to stay for dinner. Try to get here for sunset but expect people to line up at the bar early. Live jazz is commonly featured.

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]

Our Local Expert Says:

Just strides away from Central World, one of Bangkok's largest and most upscale shopping malls, the Erawan Shrine presents the shopaholic tourist with a convenient chance to soak up some culture.

Description:

In the middle of the glitz and traffic of downtown commercial Bangkok stands Erawan Shrine, a very unique place of worship that is a must-see. Devoted to the Hindu god Brahma, Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 to honor the spirits that once resided in trees that were chopped down during construction of the nearby Erawan Hotel. Nowadays, the shrine is constantly flooded with worshippers praying for good fortune as they burn incense, light candles and place carnation garlands at offering tables. Traditional Thai dancers perform on a stage around the clock, and tourists are welcomed to partake in the spirituality. The open-air fills with pleasant scents and the good vibes are abundant. Erawan Shrine is a Bangkok must.

Description:

Supatra River House as the name suggests was once a residence. Situated near Wat Arun on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, it was once the home of Khunying Supatra Singholaga, a womens' rights advocate. The food is highly regarded though some have said the spices are toned down for the Western palate. Dine indoors or on a terrace with views to the Grand Palace across the water. On weekends the nearby Patarvadi theater hosts classical Thai dance performances and other special performing arts shows. During lunch time the restaurant has cooking demonstrations and an on-site museum is dedicated to the namesake. There is a boat pickup from just about anywhere on the river for about 250 baht per person, but you need to call ahead.

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.

Our Local Expert Says:

Bed Supper Club is one of Bangkok's most famed clubs. Due to its popularity among high-society Thais and foreigners, the cover charge is the steepest you'll find. To avoid paying the outrageous price, go for a late dinner first and just stick around.

Description:

This is one of the most unusual clubs you'll ever visit. Dubbed as a 'dining in bed experience', it is an amalgamation of a restaurant, club, art gallery, and theatre. The décor is stark white, which gives the place a zesty, futuristic look. At the restaurant, you can slip off your shoes and lie down. Dinner is served only once; so if you need to have some, make sure you arrive by 8:30p. On weekends, you can savor the four-course menu that serves up different food week after week. The bar has been creatively designed and looks exactly like the restaurant. Come here to lounge and enjoy the tunes of international DJs, such as Benjamin Diamond and Miguel Migs. If you're into hip-hop, then don't miss Tuesday nights.

Description:

Dine in a traditional Thai house with a remarkable menu of gourmet Thai dishes. Baan Khanita has a long list of awards and the reputation among Thai and foreigners alike is quite good. Popular dishes include crab with yellow curry, red curry pork and fish cakes, but don't skip dessert with homemade ice cream. Make a reservation for the Thai pavilion for an open-air dining experience.

Our Local Expert Says:

Go here with a group and share dishes in the Thai style. The crab is as good as it gets.

Description:

Laem Cha-reon opened its first location in Rayong and became a smashing success. Hesitant to expand the name and water down the quality of this fabulous seafood eatery, the owners have added three Bangkok locations adamant about preserving the reputation. How unexpected then this setting in a shopping mall? Central World is centrally located and easy to get to. The 3rd floor setting is above the buzz of Bangkok with some seating in the glass-enclosed hall in front of the restaurant overlooking the lights of the mall's popular plaza. The steamed crab is served in its turned over shell allowing eaters to focus on the joy of eating it rather than the troubles of getting to the meat. The fried and steamed fish platters are exceptional and the tom yung goong is some of the best with fresh cleaned prawns. A Laem Cha-reon specialty is gaeng kua poo kai nor mai dong - egged crab in spicy coconut milk curry with preserved bamboo shoots. All seafood is brought in fresh daily. Laem Cha-reon is perfect for sharing dishes in the Thai style of group meals and though not exactly backpacker in price, it is also not particularly pricey. Dishes range from 180-400 baht and a group of four could expect... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Many people refer to this as a jazz club, but other genres are much more common.

Description:

Saxophone is a music-lover's hang out. The live music venue puts the band right at the center of the room for a very intimate setting with a mezzanine overlooking it all. Photos of jazz greats line the walls but jazz is hardly the only item on the music menu. Saxophone offers a lot of blues, rock and a popular local reggae band T-Bone every Friday. Thai food and some Western bar snacks are decent and the locals love the whiskey. The Saxophone Bar crowd is a good mix of foreigners and Thai, all focused on the music not on what you're wearing.

Description:

Ask anyone who has been to Bangkok what their 'must see' list is and without fail they will always include The Grand Palace complex. This half-day sightseeing tour in Bangkok will allow you 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.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a recommended spot for tom yung goong, and the heat of the phad krapow mu sap is not toned down for the farang palate.

Description:

This corner restaurant is a good economical choice, popular with a mix of foreigners and locals. The expansive, but strictly Thai menu shows English names and photos and so makes Suda a good place to explore the cuisine a bit. The quality of the recipes isn't earthshattering but it isn't bad either and the restaurant has a loyal fan base. Bright orange plastic chairs spill out onto the walk and tables fill up quickly at night. Beer is served as is whiskey, but only the Thai version. The assorted bottles stored around the joint are actually left there by customers who come back regularly to keep working on them. Suda's convenient location just off Sukhumvit Road under the Asoke SkyTrain station doesn't hurt either.