Riverside delights
THE ORIENTAL BANGKOK
The venerable hotel has been welcoming guests since its founding on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in 1876 - with Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward among the distinguished authors and guests to have suites named after them.
There are 358 rooms, most with river views, and 35 suites. Among the nine restaurants and bars, Le Normandie offers what many regard as the finest French dining experience in Asia, while Lord Jim's is recommended for seafood, Sala Rim Naam for Thai, then there's China House, Ciao for pizza and The Bamboo Bar for jazz, along with relaxing riverside terraces and colonial lounges. If you are still curious, the famed Oriental Thai Cooking School will provide fascinating insights into the joys of Thai cooking.
The Oriental Spa, the first of its kind in Asia, offers 14 perfectly appointed suites, ancient Ayurvedic remedies, soothing aromas and effective treatments across the river in a traditional Thai-style house of beautifully carved golden teak wood. The Oriental Health Centre includes weight training, tennis and squash, and there are two outdoor pools and a children's day care centre.
