Luxury Travel Advisor - January 2008 - (Page 51) Along the banks of the Chao Phaya, the Peninsula Bangkok’s (www.bangkok.peninsula.com) most requested accommodations are the riverfront one-bedroom Deluxe and one-bedroom Grand Deluxe suites. But the riverfront Peninsula, Duplex and Terrace suites are top-of-the-line choices. The enormous two-bedroom Peninsula Suite is home to not one, but two living rooms and two dining rooms (seating 10), a fully equipped fitness center, a study and a butler’s room. The two-bedroom Duplex Suite on the top two floors boasts a large living and dining room (seating eight), pantry, private study, two terraces and an outdoor Jacuzzi. Affording both city and river views, the 2,045-square-foot, onebedroom Terrace Suite features a master bedroom with a studycum-den, a formal dining room (seating six) and a large terrace with a Jacuzzi. Tip: The Peninsula Suite is the only accommodation that includes butler service. All are bookable over the GDS. Contact Resident Manager Joseph Chong (jchong@penin sula.com), or Kristine Sy (ksy@ peninsula.com), who heads up guest relations for VIPs. A hotel representative at Bangkok International is at the ready to assist with guests’ arrival—they will fetch clients at Bangkok International or the domestic-flights-only Don Muang International airport in style (arrange for your private jet clients to land at the latter). For VIPs, contact Chief Concierge Yudhadanai Vesarach (yvesar ach@peninsula.com). Insiders tell us General Manager Charles Morris (charlesmorris@penin sula.com) will also act as point person for your special clients. Close to the river’s edge in a separate Thai colonial building (finishes include rescued teak woods and traditional Thai tiles from old houses north of Thailand), the Peninsula ESPA Bangkok has 18 large treatment rooms (all with private rain showers), including two exceptionally romantic Private River Spa Suites (read: sigh-inducing vistas from private balconies, hydrotherapy-chromotherapy tubs for two, spacious steam rooms and twin treatment tables and Thai massage mats). The Chakra Balancing with Volcanic Stones is said to be one of the spa’s most popular treatments, but we swear by the customized Peninsula Ceremonies, particularly the Thai Yoga Massage. Treatment Manager Karen Robson (krob son@peninsula.com) reports that Senior Therapist Dome is the most sought after when it comes to massages. Spa Director Richard Williams recommends booking ahead by e-mailing spapbk@peninsula.com. Mei Jiang restaurant serves haute Cantonese, and we particularly loved the Happiness Menu. We started our meal with a spicy lobster and coconut roll and ended with mango pudding, savoring them and all that was served in between (don’t miss the fried rice with barbecued pork and hot chili sauce). Booking ahead is essential, as the restaurant fills up quickly. ACCESS: SINGAPORE SUGGESTED DINING Celadon (Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel, 13/3 South Sathorn Road; 66-2344-8888) has repeatedly been voted best restaurant in town. Reservations are a must. Iggy’s (Regent Singapore, Cuscaden Road; 65-6732-2234) offers Chinese-infused European cuisine with a wine list to match. Be sure to book ahead. IL Lido (27, Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa Golf Club; 65-6866-1977) is a Bici-of-Milan outpost with to-die-for-Italian. Leave room for the spectacular tiramisu, and be sure to make reservations at least a day ahead. Shopping tips: We found most of the stores at Lucky Plaza off Orchard Road open to bargaining. Though the 24/7 Mustafa Centre is high on everyone’s list, we found it a bit too crowded and low-rent. Browse the enormous collection of stalls inside the Little India arcade on Campbell Lane off Serangoon Road for textiles, collectibles, henna supplies, saris, jeweled shoes and more. BANGKOK SUGGESTED DINING Le Normandie (Oriental Bangkok Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue; 65-22360400) touts fancy French food extraordinaire. Barbeque Terrace (Oriental Bangkok Hotel, 48 Oriental Ave., 66-26599000) hosts an upscale alfresco barbeque buffet at the river’s edge nightly. Cabbages & Condoms (10 Sukhumvit Soi 12; 66-2229-4610) is highly recommended and serves delicious Thai dishes while simultaneously raising funds for Thailand’s family-planning program. Book the garden for romantic soirées. Shopping tips: The dozen or so shops at the back of the Four Seasons Hotel lobby on Rajadamri Road are some of the best we found in the city. We wanted to buy everything at the Jim Thompson Silk Shop on Surawong Road. Inside Damnoen Saduak’s main market are handbags, jewelry, apparel and collectibles. www.luxuryta.com January 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 51 http://www.bangkok.peninsula.com http://www.luxuryta.com
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