{"id":174889,"date":"2017-05-18T11:32:51","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T11:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/luxurylaunches.com\/?p=174889"},"modified":"2017-06-02T10:39:02","modified_gmt":"2017-06-02T10:39:02","slug":"mandarin-oriental-bangkok-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxurylaunches.com\/review\/mandarin-oriental-bangkok-review.php","title":{"rendered":"Review: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – Luxury on the banks of paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nOne of the most charming relationships in this world is that between the old and the new. It is like the innocence of a child, sweet and honest. For a bustling city like Bangkok with its urbanization and modern infrastructure, there are several ancient and age-old hidden gems \u2013 some standing tall and proud in the heart of town and others tucked away in a cozy yet significant location \u2026 like the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.
\nThe hotel\u2019s history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and the old world charm has not left the property and its ambiance rather has aged like fine wine.<\/p>\n

My trip to Bangkok was in a hot and humid February, the stuffy weather now synonymous with the city. But this was a discomfort too petty to lug along at the Mandarin Oriental, as there is only sufficient time to relish in its ancient luxury. Mandarin Oriental is historic to the brand and the city of Bangkok, as much as Taj Mahal Mumbai is to the Indian city.<\/p>\n

The hotel was built on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in 1876 after a fire had gutted the initial building (a rest house for foreign seafarers) in 1856. \u2018The Oriental\u2019 as it was called, was the first luxury hotel in the city and hosted the cr\u00e8me a la cr\u00e8me of the world\u2019s literary, art and cultural icons, legendary movie stars, famous politicians and royalty alike.
\nW Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, Princess Diana, US President Nixon, Audrey Hepburn, Michael Jackson, Sean Connery, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and Billy Idol have all come, lived and loved the hotel \u2013 a lot of them depicting the property and its surroundings in some of their masterpieces.<\/p>\n

The hotel went through several owners. During the Second World War, liberated allied prisoners of war ransacked the place, which was then under Japanese ownership but was later restored after a team of 6 investors took over the hotel. The Oriental reopened in 1947, in 1974 Mandarin International Hotel Ltd<\/a>, owner of The Mandarin in Hong Kong was formed and in 2008 it formally changed the name to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
\nThe Guardian describes the property as \u201cthe preserve of wealthy travelers and cultural icons, perfectly cosmopolitan while exuding traditional Thai charm.\u201d No arguments there.<\/p>\n

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\nThe first impression is the best impression, believes MO BKK. The Lobby is a living example of this. Step in and you are welcomed by the whiff of 400,000 fresh flowers. You are welcomed in by the ever-friendly \u2018sa wah di khaa\u2019 and you feel urged to respond in a similar fashion. But irrespective of this exchange, you will be welcomed with a garland before you are checked in and escorted to the room.<\/p>\n

The five-star hotel is spread over two areas, separated by the river in between, and divided into three wings \u2013 The Author\u2019s Wing, the Garden Wing and the River Wing. <\/p>\n

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Elephants near the elevators.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nThe hotel\u2019s main complex which includes the lobby, room wings, bars, restaurants and pool. This is connected to the opposite side by a boat-ride, to an estate acquired in 1983 and featuring the popular foodie haunt, Sala Rim Naam, The Oriental Thai Cooking School – the first cooking school in the city and a fitness centre. The Spa is also located here. The teak shuttle boats ply every 5 to 10 minutes, so you aren’t push against time. <\/p>\n