Peninsula Bangkok

Bangkok is a busy, noisy, confusing and sometimes frustrating city. It's wonderful to have a hotel like this to escape to when it all gets too much!

We stayed for four nights prior to our three week trip Thailand & Cambodia arranged by a very good local travel (Global Travel Cambodia), stayed in a beautifully furnished room with panoramic views from several angles over the river and the pool. The room was very comfortable and had everything you would expect. I liked the separate hallway for wardrobes and suitcases, which left the main room uncluttered. The bathroom set up works well too.

Our first dinner was the buffet by the river, which was exquisite. The breakfasts at the same venue couldn't be bettered either.

STAFF - very friendly and helpful
GYM and SPA - fantastic facilities, great steam room and sauna
POOL - wonderful pool area, loungers, drinks, peaceful and soothing
LOCATION - you're on the other side of the river, but the boat service more than compensates for this. The little street up from the Peninsula Pier (next to the Shangri La) has good massage places and tailors, but no good restaurants. There is a good Thai restaurant further up that road, after you cross the main road.

Although the hotel is by no means funky or trendy, the level of service and calm oasis it provides means we will definitely return.

I stayed at the Peninsula Bangkok for three days in February of 2009.

Much to my surprise, I was underwhelmed by the service! Sad, but true. From all the glowing reviews that I’ve read, I just expected to be bowled over, so I was disappointed that the service at this hotel wasn’t as good as either at the Hotel de la Paix or Raffles Le Royal in Cambodia. A German family sitting next to us at dinner one night at Thiptara was absolutely ignored during their entire meal, despite their many polite attempts to get service. There are several restaurant options at the Peninsula: Jesters, Thiptara (the setting of which was lovely, and it was surprisingly inexpensive), the Bar, the Lobby, the River Cafe and Terrace (where the buffet breakfast is held if it is included in your room rate, as well as a dinner buffet. I’m not sure what either one costs, since both were included for us, but these buffets are the nicest that I’ve ever seen anywhere), Mei Jiang, and the Pool Bar. I did not see the spa or fitness center, but the spa is in it’s own two- or three-story building, so I suspect it’s lovely. The pool is gorgeous with plenty of chairs and a few salas (cabanas) that are first-come, first-served. The bar along the river is a great place to have a drink; it is part of the River Cafe and Terrace. There is no smoking inside the hotel, and only at a few places outside (the River Cafe bar and the Thiptara relaxation/waiting area and one small section near the pool). There are 37 stories in this hotel, but amazingly, there was never a wait for an elevator. Rooms were large and comfortable with every possible amenity including the less-often-seen automatic curtains, daily newspaper box with light, TV above the bathtub, and twin his-and-hers sinks. I didn’t mind the Thonburi location: I liked having a good view of both the river traffic and the city itself, and it was easy to walk to local mini-markets with ATM machines nearby the hotel. There weren’t many off-site tourist restaurants nearby, but there were plenty of local sidewalk food stands if you were so inclined. We booked our airport/hotel transfers with Tour with Tong for $25 per way, which was more than it would have cost for a regular taxi, but much less than the $75 per way charged by the hotel.

we have stayed several times at the penn. we love the tastefullness of the room decor, its lux bathrooms, its silk lined undies drawers, its unique pool and surrounding area, its restaurants, its hushed lobby area...
the rooms could not be more comfortable, including the wonderful beds. the electronic items in each room are fun even for an old guy...i love waking in the AM and touching the bedside button to open the drapes and having bkk's skyline and mighty river revealed to me before even getting out of bed. their shuttle boats to river city and to the skytrain are lovely and run constantly. the boatmen are really nice and welcoming and they always remember you.
the hotel often offers specials or small packages. the spa is considered worldclass. we've never had a bad meal there and jesters is unique and fun...

this kind of service and lux would cost you 2-3 times as much in the rest of the world...

This beloved property is now past that '10-year mark', and she's as special as ever. (Enormous personal / professional / sentimental reasons, to be sure.) ... Have had the honour of knowing certain Peninsula employees since her 'debut', and they continue to provide a rather refined lodging experience. ... Have always loved staying on the 'wrong' side of 'the river' with business colleagues, and loved ones, alike. ... (And rumour has it, not such a bad place to share an evening or two of 'honeymoon'.) ... One suggestion for an uplifting Peninsula intro is to arrive late, via that all-sensational Singapore Airlines. (Or, to truly beat that Bangkok traffic : simply take 'a little boat ride', having just checked out of the Oriental with your sweetie -- not such a bad way to experience the contrast in two rather special hotels.) ... (And, as for that Bangkok Oriental/Peninsula hotel debate : as a 'single guy' travelling to Bangkok for work, it was Peninsula 'all the way'. Now, well, let's call it a 'draw'.) ... Thanks forever, most gracious Peninsula staff. As always, we look forward to seeing you again this forthcoming Loy Krathong -- if not before. ... Savour your joyous times, with some of the finest.

We have been told that the best way to appreciate Bangkok was by staying by the river, it was true. The river is lively and Bangkok perspective from it is elegant and inspiring. Boats, ferries, long tail boats and vendors make the river alive like no one and the Golden View gave us peace of mind.

Staying at the Peninsula is a dream because of the impeccable and warm service and the hotel itself, a very well kept building.

We enjoyed the pool in the morning and the spa services, the room and the restaurants. Unfortunately the gym is a little small.

The most enjoiable thing was the use of their ferries which go everywhere, the Oriental , the River City shopping mall, the mass transportation train. We used also the Oriental and the Sheraton ferry (a beauty for the river, old fashioned and superb).

We didn't have time to explore the city cause the river area is the place where we wanted to stay , you'll see it by yourself.

Two friends or ours stayed at a private luxury apartment nest door from the Peninsula (TheRiversideBangkok.com) and they were happy as well, visiting us for dinners and coctkails.

Overall an unforgettable experience at the Peninsula, will go back.

One of the only hotels in BKK that is handicapped accessible, with ramps to the outside breakfast buffet & pool. JESTER'S is now Mediterranean cuisine w/ a new Flemish chef who serves brilliant cuisine in a VERY romantic atmosphere; great fois gras & 10th Anniversary menu is excellent, great service (not for families or kids). Mei Jiang offers haute cuisine from China, reminiscent of the days of the Mandarin... although it's overly air conditioned.

Pool is unheated, very cold.