A Return to Timeless Luxury
Kate Morfoot returns to The Peninsula Hotel to discover timeless luxury, exceptional service
and an unforgettable journey down memory lane.
It has been eighteen years since my husband William and I stayed at The Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok, a glorious hotel dominantly situated on the Chao Phraya River. We returned to reminisce our honeymoon in Thailand all those years ago, to find this luxurious and most outstanding hotel is still delivering its five-star comforts and service.
After we took the high-speed lift up to the 35th floor to our Deluxe Balcony Room we completed a smooth in-room check-in and checked out the incredible panoramic view of the city. Below, the river buzzed with life, from bustling river cruises and vibrant long-tail boats to elegant hotel vessels, including The Peninsula’s own iconic green tuk-tuk boats, gracefully transporting guests to various riverside spots for shopping and sightseeing adventures.
Our room was pure luxury, featuring a super king-sized bed and an expansive marble bathroom complete with double sinks, a spacious double bathtub, and a powerful rainfall shower. Designed in an elegant contemporary style with classic Thai touches, our room featured spacious walk-in closets and a dedicated dressing area. The lounge area opened onto a private balcony, furnished with teak chairs, the perfect spot to unwind and watch the sunrise. We also had high speed wireless internet and access to the helpful WhatsApp ‘PenChat’ for seamless assistance with any questions or bookings.
Coming from Koh Samui a beautiful island located south of Bangkok, where the weather was hot but stormy, the weather in Bangkok was blazing sunshine and getting hotter by the day reaching 35 degrees.
Our first port of call was to relax by the beautiful pool area, where there are three long pools aligned with comfortable sun loungers and luxurious cabanas, with a choice of full sun or shady spots. There’s plenty of staff attentive to every need with water on tap and rounds of free coconut ice cream and cold towels. After spending five days at the hotel, we could see the routine of many guests, some of which spend weeks at the hotel and have practically moved in (why wouldn’t you?). One couple we met from New York have holidayed there every year for the last 45 years and spend their days at the luxurious pool side being waited on. Having been to the city many times, they explained they’ve seen all the sights, all they want to do is nestle in ‘The Pen.’ I have to admit it is hard to drag yourself away from the comforts of this hotel, which has the reputation for being the best in Bangkok.
The hotel has three iconic green shuttle boats that run to and from the hotel regularly all day until midnight. With no need to book, the boat will arrive and drop you off where you need to go across the river within a few minutes.
There’s so much to see and do in this diverse and captivating city. Food in Thailand is unavoidable and the streets in Bangkok are lined with people cooking street food, selling food and lots of authentic Thai places where you can eat street or restaurant food very cheaply! The aroma of Thai food drifts along every roadside, as people cook with fresh ingredients like chili, coriander, ginger, and lemongrass. Eating street food might be off putting for those not used to it, but as long as it’s cooked and hot, it can be some of the tastiest Thai food to be found and the cheapest, with dishes costing as little as 50 bart (£1.16).
Bangkok is one of the most diverse cities in the world, there is no shortage of restaurants for any tastes or budgets to choose from. Gordon Ramsey recently launched Bread Street Kitchen & Bar at the newest shopping centre ICONSIAM (a short hop on the boat from The Pen) and within this shopping centre you can find hundreds of places to eat in their extravagant food hall. This in itself was an experience just looking at the different styles of cooking and different types of fruit, vegetables and seafood.
The Peninsula’s breakfast is a delightful experience, bringing joy each morning. Tables are elegantly arranged along the river terrace, adorned with vibrant orchids. Coffee or tea is brought to your table then you can choose from the buffet anything that takes your fancy. The food is all presented beautifully with fresh mangoes being prepared, a display of fresh fruit, all kinds of freshly baked breads, waffles, pastries and homemade yoghurts with fresh fruits in jars. Not a plastic container in sight! There are hot dishes to suit all tastes from choice of eggs and omelettes to a Full English to healthy broths, dim sums and noodles. Smoothies and juice shots, guava, pineapple, apple and orange juice, all freshly made and served in individual glass bottles.
We indulged in a set menu dinner at the hotel’s Thiptara Thai Restaurant, an unforgettable journey into authentic Thai fine dining. Thiptara, meaning ‘water from heaven’ offers a stunning riverside setting, with the option to dine al fresco or beneath the shelter of one of their intimate wooden pavilions, known as ‘sala’ in Thai. Nestled among tropical Banyan trees and vibrant orchids, the restaurant feels like a hidden garden paradise. They even grow their own herbs ensuring the freshest flavours in every dish.
Chef de Cuisine Monnipa Rungthong, renowned for her expertise in Thai cuisine and passion for showcasing the rich variety of Thai rice, curated an extraordinary tasting experience for us. We were truly spoiled with six exceptional dishes, some fiery and bold! The highlights included a fragrant Spicy Fried Grouper Tom Yum Soup with Taro and Kaffir Lime Leaves, alongside the delightfully unique Homemade Coconut Ice Cream drizzled with Salted Egg Yolk Sauce, paired with Thai Tea Custard and Sweet Sticky Rice. Each bite was a vibrant celebration of flavours, making it a Thai dining experience to remember.
The Peninsula’s International Buffet is an experience you won’t want to miss! The impressive spread offers something for every palate. The ‘Seafood on Ice’ selection features Blue Crab, Mussels, Tiger Prawns, Oysters, Sushi, and Sashimi. A tempting grill station showcases Tomahawk Steaks, River Prawns, and Beef Tenderloins, while live cooking stations serve up fresh pasta and steamed fish. Signature highlights include Salmon Wellington and Salt-Baked Wild-Caught Andaman Seabass, alongside an array of cold cuts, cheeses, vegetarian options, and indulgent desserts.
Apart from eating and drinking the hotel offers a wonderful spa for treatments. Thailand is famous for massages after all! There are daily wellness activities at the hotel starting from 6am through to 4pm. From meditation with a monk, floating singing bowl meditation to sourdough making, kombucha making, cooking classes to aqua fit and yoga. And if that is all too much, you can book yourself into their wellness spa located in a stunning three-story Thai colonial-style building by the river, which houses a number of private suites with steam showers and an en-suite whirlpool overlooking the Chao Phraya River.
Some of the hotels in Bangkok have rooftop pools and sky bars, this hotel has a helipad so for the well-heeled or businessman, that’s one way to arrive and leave in style! For us, though, the journey home was made just as seamless. The hotel’s luxury transport whisked us through Bangkok’s famously chaotic traffic with ease. Upon arrival at the airport, a friendly Peninsula staff member guided us smoothly through check-in and security, all part of the impeccable five-star service.
With that, we bid farewell to the wonders of Thailand, carrying home unforgettable memories.
Kate Morfoot April 2025
FACT FILE:
Peninsular Hotel, room rates start from £280 per room, per night.
Reservation link: https://www.peninsula.com/en/bangkok/5-star-luxury-hotel-riverside
Fights: British Airways fly direct from Gatwick to Bangkok
Car parking APH
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) offers a wide range of parking and overnight hotel stays at all major UK airports. One week’s APH Park and Ride parking at Gatwick Airport costs from £60. To book, visit www.aph.com/gatwick-airport-parking.html.
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