The Ultimate Luxury Travel Guide to Bangkok

Bangkok is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers a wealth of attractions, experiences, and cuisines for travellers of all tastes and budgets. But if you are looking for a truly luxurious and exclusive way to explore the Thai capital, here are some tips and suggestions on how to travel in style.

Where to Stay

Bangkok has no shortage of luxury hotels, but some stand out for their exceptional service, design, and location. Here are some of the best options for a lavish stay in the city:

• The Siam: This exquisite boutique hotel is set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, surrounded by lush gardens and antique villas. The hotel features 39 spacious suites and pool villas, each decorated with elegant Thai art and antiques. Guests can enjoy a range of facilities, including a spa, a gym, a library, a cinema, a cooking school, and a private pier. The hotel also offers complimentary boat transfers to the main attractions along the river. A night at The Siam costs from $500 to $1,500, depending on the room type and season.
• Mandarin Oriental: This legendary hotel is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Bangkok, dating back to 1876. It has hosted many famous guests, including writers, celebrities, and royalty. The hotel boasts 368 rooms and suites, all with stunning views of the river or the city. The hotel also has 11 restaurants and bars, a spa, a fitness center, two outdoor pools, and a tennis court. The hotel offers a variety of activities and experiences for guests, such as Thai cooking classes, yoga sessions, cultural tours, and river cruises. A night at the Mandarin Oriental costs from $300 to $3,000.
• Park Hyatt: This sleek and modern hotel is located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and entertainment district, within walking distance to major malls, restaurants, and nightlife venues. The hotel has 222 rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary furnishings. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an infinity pool, and five dining outlets. The hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant offer panoramic views of the city skyline. A night at the Park Hyatt costs from $200 to $1,000.

Where to Eat

Bangkok is a food lover’s paradise, with a diverse and delicious cuisine that ranges from street food to fine dining. If you want to treat yourself to some of the best culinary experiences in the city, here are some of the top restaurants to try:

• Gaggan Anand: This restaurant is ranked as the best in Asia and the fifth best in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It is run by chef Gaggan Anand, who creates innovative and playful dishes that fuse Indian flavors with molecular gastronomy techniques. The restaurant offers a tasting menu of 25 courses that change every season. Some of the signature dishes include yogurt explosion, charcoal prawn amritsari, and chocolate balloon. A meal at Gaggan Anand costs about $300 per person.
• Le Normandie: This restaurant is one of the most acclaimed French restaurants in Bangkok, located on the top floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel. It offers a refined and elegant dining experience, with stunning views of the river and the city. The restaurant serves classic French cuisine with a modern twist, using premium ingredients from around the world. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list and a cheese trolley. A meal at Le Normandie costs from $100 to $300 per person.
• Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin: This restaurant is a collaboration between chef Henrik Yde-Andersen of Kiin Kiin in Copenhagen and chef Chayawee Sutcharitchan of Sra Bua in Bangkok. It offers a unique fusion of Thai and Nordic cuisines, with creative dishes that surprise and delight the senses. The restaurant serves a set menu of eight courses that feature dishes such as frozen red curry with lobster salad, tom yum soup with river prawn foam, and slow-cooked beef rib with massaman curry ice cream. A meal at Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin costs about $150 per person.

What to Do

Bangkok has plenty of attractions and activities to keep you entertained, whether you are interested in culture, history, art, or entertainment. Here are some of the best things to do in Bangkok for a luxurious and exclusive experience:

• Visit the Grand Palace: The Grand Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bangkok, and a must-see for any visitor. It was built in 1782 as the residence of the kings of Thailand until 1925. It is now used for ceremonial purposes and as a museum. The palace complex consists of several buildings, halls, pavilions, and gardens, all adorned with intricate architecture and decoration. The most famous attraction within the palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which houses a revered statue of Buddha carved from a single piece of jade. The entrance fee to the Grand Palace is 500 baht (about $16) per person.
• Enjoy a spa treatment: Bangkok is known for its excellent spas, where you can pamper yourself with a variety of treatments, such as massages, facials, body scrubs, and aromatherapy. Some of the best spas in the city are located in luxury hotels, such as The Oriental Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, The Spa at The Siam, and The Panpuri Organic Spa at the Park Hyatt. You can also find some independent spas that offer high-quality services, such as Divana Nurture Spa, Oasis Spa Bangkok, and RarinJinda Wellness Spa. A spa treatment in Bangkok costs from $50 to $300, depending on the type and duration of the treatment.
• Take a helicopter tour: If you want to see Bangkok from a different perspective, you can take a helicopter tour that will give you a bird’s eye view of the city and its surroundings. You can choose from different routes and durations, depending on your preferences and budget. Some of the highlights you can see from the air include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Chao Phraya River, Chinatown, Lumpini Park, and the skyscrapers of Sukhumvit. You can also fly over some of the nearby attractions, such as Ayutthaya, Pattaya, or Hua Hin. A helicopter tour in Bangkok costs from $200 to $1,000 per person.