Bangkok: Romantic Dinner at the Oriental Hotel!
Dec 3rd, 2005, 07:39 AM
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Bangkok: Romantic Dinner at the Oriental Hotel!
After a very rough and dusty trip in Northern Cambodia my girlfriend (our 1st trip together) and I will be arriving in Bangkok bye overnight train from Surin in the early morning of 25 Jan.
We'll 1st spent some hours cleaning up, then put on some nice clothes (which we left in the guesthouse where we stayed upon arrival in Thailand) and then take a taxi to the Oriental Hotel, where I booked a room for the 25th and 26th Jan.
I've been travelling in Southeast-Asia many times myself (usually alone and I think at stay at the Oriental is something one should share with a very special person!) and it has always
been my dream to stay at the Oriental Hotel!
As my girlfriend is flying home on the 27th Jan at 2.30 am (myself I am flying to Phuket just a few hours later) and the 1st night we spent at the Oriental hotel is our last full night together, I think it’s a good idea to reserve a table in our preferred restaurant for dinner on the 25th Jan. in advance!
My parents are regular guests at the Oriental but they are not really into Asian cuisine.
For me, the local food has always been one the highlights of my trips and my girlfriend is rather adventurous in her tastes too. It would be a pity to have Western food on this special occasion!
We certainly do NOT want a buffet-style dinner and at first I thought Sala
Rim Naam would be a good option. The traditional Thai seating won't be very
comfortable for my girlfriend though as I won't be able to convince her (and
I don't want to try it anyway) not to wear one of her very nice dresses.
Sala Rim Naam Terrace might be what we are looking for? Are the traditional
dances viewable from the Terrace to? (we could live without them too I
think). Is the setting more or less comparable to the riverside tables at
Ciao? (the riverside tables at Ciao is the kind of
setting I am looking for according to my parents).
The China House looks like a good option too but there aren't any tables
outside? Which of both is more upmarket? What is your idea of the most romantic Dinner at the Oriental?
We'll 1st spent some hours cleaning up, then put on some nice clothes (which we left in the guesthouse where we stayed upon arrival in Thailand) and then take a taxi to the Oriental Hotel, where I booked a room for the 25th and 26th Jan.
I've been travelling in Southeast-Asia many times myself (usually alone and I think at stay at the Oriental is something one should share with a very special person!) and it has always
been my dream to stay at the Oriental Hotel!
As my girlfriend is flying home on the 27th Jan at 2.30 am (myself I am flying to Phuket just a few hours later) and the 1st night we spent at the Oriental hotel is our last full night together, I think it’s a good idea to reserve a table in our preferred restaurant for dinner on the 25th Jan. in advance!
My parents are regular guests at the Oriental but they are not really into Asian cuisine.
For me, the local food has always been one the highlights of my trips and my girlfriend is rather adventurous in her tastes too. It would be a pity to have Western food on this special occasion!
We certainly do NOT want a buffet-style dinner and at first I thought Sala
Rim Naam would be a good option. The traditional Thai seating won't be very
comfortable for my girlfriend though as I won't be able to convince her (and
I don't want to try it anyway) not to wear one of her very nice dresses.
Sala Rim Naam Terrace might be what we are looking for? Are the traditional
dances viewable from the Terrace to? (we could live without them too I
think). Is the setting more or less comparable to the riverside tables at
Ciao? (the riverside tables at Ciao is the kind of
setting I am looking for according to my parents).
The China House looks like a good option too but there aren't any tables
outside? Which of both is more upmarket? What is your idea of the most romantic Dinner at the Oriental?
Dec 3rd, 2005, 08:04 AM
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You won't see the dancers from the Sala Rim outside. It is on the opposite side of the river from Ciao. The only other outdoor restaurants are the Verandah and Riverside terrace buffet neither of which meet your criteria. If you want outside the Sala Rim Terrace is your best option.
However, I would say that the most spectacular restaurant would be Lord Jim which is mostly fish with asian accent and sushi.The redo that they did is fabulous. Make sure you ask for a window table since it gives wonderful views of the river.
China House is my favorite restaurant and you absolutely should go there for the Peking Duck but I think either Lord Jim or the Sala Rim are better for your first night since you will be able to watch the river from both and that is what makes Bangkok most magical.
BTW-- our paths will cross at the Oriental. I'm leaving late at night on the 25th (will be leaving the hotel at around 10:30PM).
Also I'd get to the Oriental as early as possible. You almost never have to wait to check in even if you get there at 7AM. That's one of the things that makes it such a special hotel.
sher os
However, I would say that the most spectacular restaurant would be Lord Jim which is mostly fish with asian accent and sushi.The redo that they did is fabulous. Make sure you ask for a window table since it gives wonderful views of the river.
China House is my favorite restaurant and you absolutely should go there for the Peking Duck but I think either Lord Jim or the Sala Rim are better for your first night since you will be able to watch the river from both and that is what makes Bangkok most magical.
BTW-- our paths will cross at the Oriental. I'm leaving late at night on the 25th (will be leaving the hotel at around 10:30PM).
Also I'd get to the Oriental as early as possible. You almost never have to wait to check in even if you get there at 7AM. That's one of the things that makes it such a special hotel.
sher os
Dec 3rd, 2005, 08:08 AM
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Another tip if you haven't already done it. Make sure your parents let the Oriental know that you are coming and that you are their son. It will probably get you an upgrade or at least a bottle of champagne.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 10:43 AM
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i agree that lord jim would be very nice, but am not sure it meets your criteria.....might i suggest that you venture across the river and eat at the peninsula hotel in their thai al fresco restaurant called thalitha (this spelling is completely incorrect)...in any case it is their restaurant out near their pool....they serve a la carte meals as well as 3 fixed priced meals for two which are excellent....you must have a reservation which you can do by e mail i am sure and ask for a pavillion....your own little raised platform with a roof....our meal was 2200 B for the basic food part...
you would not be disappointed with this....
just take the hotel boat across....ask the oriental boat to take you there...
you would not be disappointed with this....
just take the hotel boat across....ask the oriental boat to take you there...
Dec 3rd, 2005, 11:02 AM
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Thierry-- I love Bob and he gives wonderful advice but don't listen to him on this one. Stick to the Oriental. They'll make it a very special evening for you. I don't believe Bob has been to Lord Jim since it has been redone and it is really sensational -- it was just so so before. Alternatively, if you want to be outside the Sala Rim Terrace will provide a magical evening. There's a reason your parents and I return to the Oriental and a reason that their restaurants are frequented by local thais as well as tourists and a reason why the restaurants at the Pen have not yet attracted locals.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 11:59 AM
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Thanks a lot for the very useful information! We might not really want genuine Thai food after all as we will have some time in Bangkok before we fly to Phnom Penh and will spent, if time permits, at least 1 night Surin... which seems to be like a rather big provincial capital with the usual huge night-market with yummy Thai food…. (I should stop dreaming now as it gets me hungry again - lol).
I made the remark about Western food because, although I am very sure that Le Normandie offers a perfect setting, we live in Belgium (hence my sometimes poor English) and we have loads of wonderful French restaurants here.
I am convinced now that Lord Jim is the best option for us! There won’t be much seafood on our trip and it’s hard to find good sushi where we live….and after all the good comments…
We still have a full day on the 26th anyway which we can fill as we like (more sightseeing, shopping, other restaurants with Thai or Western food… or just relax by the pool)…
And now we just need to decide on what kind of massage we will take somewhere in the afternoon- another hard job
I made the remark about Western food because, although I am very sure that Le Normandie offers a perfect setting, we live in Belgium (hence my sometimes poor English) and we have loads of wonderful French restaurants here.
I am convinced now that Lord Jim is the best option for us! There won’t be much seafood on our trip and it’s hard to find good sushi where we live….and after all the good comments…
We still have a full day on the 26th anyway which we can fill as we like (more sightseeing, shopping, other restaurants with Thai or Western food… or just relax by the pool)…
And now we just need to decide on what kind of massage we will take somewhere in the afternoon- another hard job
Dec 3rd, 2005, 12:10 PM
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Oh yeah- for your information: I made our reservation directly on the website and of course I’ve mentioned that my parents are regular guests (naughty boy
)! When they confirmed my booking they also mentioned my parents next reservation (25-27 Feb) on a different note!
)! When they confirmed my booking they also mentioned my parents next reservation (25-27 Feb) on a different note!
Dec 3rd, 2005, 07:27 PM
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And you're right about Normandie. I've been to the Oriental 18 times and I have eaten there twice. It is gorgeous but it's french and I keep wondering why I need to go to Bangkok for french food. If you're from a place where you can't get great french food it should be a must but if you're from Belgium I would say Lord Jim will be perfect for you. And you can check it out when you get there and if for some reason you don't love it you can always cancel and book a table at Sala Rim Terrace. As a hotel guest they'll take care of you.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 10:33 PM
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i took my ques from the fact that you wanted thai and al fresco....i must have mis understood....i was not trying to head you away from the oriental only trying to answer your needs....lord jim will be perfect...
gloria you are right....i haven't eaten there for maybe 3 years and then only at lunch..
gloria you are right....i haven't eaten there for maybe 3 years and then only at lunch..
Dec 5th, 2005, 01:28 AM
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Gloria, in all my excitement (although I’ve been travelling in Southeast Asia extensively, I have the same feelings of excitement now as it was my very 1st trip) I red over your remark about our paths crossing!
My girlfriend and I are both in our early 30’s (32&34) and on the evening of the 25th my girlfriend will probably wear here very nice, stylish black dress with the back cut out (a little overdressed but if that’s her choice…) and high-heels. My girlfriend has medium length dark hairs, mine are dark and short + 1 wear modern glasses. I haven’t yet decided what I’ll wear myself but chances are big I wear dark grey pants, with a flashy green shirt and black shoes
Should you spot a couple like that, it’s probably us... a simple wink might be enough for me to spot you.
Anyway if we meet or not, thanks a lot for your fantastic advice!
My girlfriend and I are both in our early 30’s (32&34) and on the evening of the 25th my girlfriend will probably wear here very nice, stylish black dress with the back cut out (a little overdressed but if that’s her choice…) and high-heels. My girlfriend has medium length dark hairs, mine are dark and short + 1 wear modern glasses. I haven’t yet decided what I’ll wear myself but chances are big I wear dark grey pants, with a flashy green shirt and black shoes
Should you spot a couple like that, it’s probably us... a simple wink might be enough for me to spot you.
Anyway if we meet or not, thanks a lot for your fantastic advice!
Dec 5th, 2005, 03:30 AM
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And since I will be leaving that night to come home I will be the most casually dressed person haning around the hotel after 6. Short, fat, brown curly hair and looking like a total slob. I should be easy to spot.
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