Holidays in Thailand 2016
Dec 19th, 2015, 07:28 PM
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie, it just opened 10 days ago. It deserves some time to get things in order. The grand opening will be in January. I think we will be returning, but maybe not until April. We still need to try what is touted to be the best Mexican place in Bangkok. The name escapes me. The location is in Mahatun Plaza. We tried to go once before, but it was closed.
Looking forward to a Sukishi "Chinese fondue" lunch, a good dim sum buffet, a dinner at Indigo (a favorite in Silom) and a nice brunch maybe next Sunday, as we think ahead about places where we enjoy dining in Bangkok. Also looking forward to Christmas Eve dinner on our terrace! It will be a catered meal, mostly from the J W kitchen. Turkey (if we can get it) and the trimmings. Sales of USA turkeys to Thailand have been banned. Silly politics.....?.?.?.. US/Thai relations have been a bit strained since the coup.
Another relaxing day, although there is a pool tournament at 3:00. DS will play and we will be watching, for a while at least.
Looking forward to a Sukishi "Chinese fondue" lunch, a good dim sum buffet, a dinner at Indigo (a favorite in Silom) and a nice brunch maybe next Sunday, as we think ahead about places where we enjoy dining in Bangkok. Also looking forward to Christmas Eve dinner on our terrace! It will be a catered meal, mostly from the J W kitchen. Turkey (if we can get it) and the trimmings. Sales of USA turkeys to Thailand have been banned. Silly politics.....?.?.?.. US/Thai relations have been a bit strained since the coup.
Another relaxing day, although there is a pool tournament at 3:00. DS will play and we will be watching, for a while at least.
Dec 21st, 2015, 12:50 AM
#26
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carol: Didn't you go to a restaurant inside of the Siam Kempinski hotel? I thought I read it somewhere. Anyhow, last night I went on Expedia and booked one night at that hotel as I still want to try different hotels. I'll just leave my belongings at the apartment and try that hotel out for one night and maybe also do a spa treatment and then eat, sleep, and check out the following day and back over to the apartment.
I also booked the Dusit Thani for one night as my best, Thai friend here in L.A. used to go there all the time when she'd go home to visit family in Bangkok. She said the buffet is really good there and she just loves the hotel in general. I think it's kind of Old School, Thai. The photos remind me a bit of the Siam Intercontinental where I used to stay until about 6 months before it was demolished to build Paragon Mall. I still really miss that hotel.
I got the Dusit Thani for $46.50 total. Yes, $46.50 and that's with breakfast included the next day. So, another possible spa day at a hotel and then just eat, rest, walk around that neighborhood, sleep and then go back to the apartment the next day.
Happy Travels!
I also booked the Dusit Thani for one night as my best, Thai friend here in L.A. used to go there all the time when she'd go home to visit family in Bangkok. She said the buffet is really good there and she just loves the hotel in general. I think it's kind of Old School, Thai. The photos remind me a bit of the Siam Intercontinental where I used to stay until about 6 months before it was demolished to build Paragon Mall. I still really miss that hotel.
I got the Dusit Thani for $46.50 total. Yes, $46.50 and that's with breakfast included the next day. So, another possible spa day at a hotel and then just eat, rest, walk around that neighborhood, sleep and then go back to the apartment the next day.
Happy Travels!
Dec 21st, 2015, 08:15 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guenmai, we had brunch at the Siem Kempinski with Bob and Karen and Hanuman. It was the best brunch with free-flowing champagne, lots of fresh seafood, basically everything you can think of in a top quality brunch buffet.
Dec 21st, 2015, 11:41 AM
#29
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie: Oh, yeah, it was you who ate at the Siam Kempinski. I couldn't remember who it was as I read through these threads so fast and not on a regular basis. Was it a Sunday brunch or do they do it daily? I check in on a Sunday, but check out on Monday. There's also a Thai restaurant in there, from what I remember, that I'd like to try.
Speaking of restaurants, off the Bangkok topic a bit, but Spago is open in Singapore in the Marina Bay Hotel. I'll have to drop in for a meal.
Happy Travels!
Speaking of restaurants, off the Bangkok topic a bit, but Spago is open in Singapore in the Marina Bay Hotel. I'll have to drop in for a meal.
Happy Travels!
Dec 21st, 2015, 11:47 AM
#30
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"simpsonc510 on Dec 21, 15 at 6:09am
Great sounding deals! Wow! We usually book a place for a long stay rather than move around."
I'm not moving around that much. I have an apartment in the heart of Rajadamri that I've paid rent on for over 3 weeks. But, I'd also like to try out some new-to-me hotels for just one night. So, all I need to do is throw some overnight clothes in a carry-on tote bag and head to the hotels. My stuff stays back at the apartment. The whole concept is to do a staycation and also to hang out in other areas and not have to deal with getting back to the apartment possibly late at night if out with Thai friends.
Happy Travels!
Great sounding deals! Wow! We usually book a place for a long stay rather than move around."
I'm not moving around that much. I have an apartment in the heart of Rajadamri that I've paid rent on for over 3 weeks. But, I'd also like to try out some new-to-me hotels for just one night. So, all I need to do is throw some overnight clothes in a carry-on tote bag and head to the hotels. My stuff stays back at the apartment. The whole concept is to do a staycation and also to hang out in other areas and not have to deal with getting back to the apartment possibly late at night if out with Thai friends.
Happy Travels!
Dec 21st, 2015, 03:45 PM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So we saw Star Wars at Central Embassy. I enjoyed the movie as it had lots of similarities to the original, which I loved. I was not that impressed by the theater itself though. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of luxe, but my seat didn't recline! Boohoo! I'm spoiled by Paragon, I guess. We plan to see the new Bond movie and maybe will return to Paragon to see it. Does anyone know about the "Enigma" theater there?? A Google search tells me that it might be the best movie experience in Bangkok........???
Lunch was at The Girl and the Pig, which is at Central Embassy and just one floor below the theater entrance. Service was not great but the food was pretty good. DH and I each tried the fresh berries waffle with whipped cream AND ice cream. DS tried a spaghetti dish which looked a bit strange to me as it didn't have any sauce. Just spaghetti and shredded chorizo. Lat had the bar-b-qued salmon. It looked tasty.
Dinner was at Hemingways. BUSY place! Wow! Everything was good, as always. I tried their Mahi Mahi. DH had a salad niscoise (sp) which he said was very good. DS and Lat shared a caprese salad and some chicken wings. We were delighted to have fodorite Edgar from Honolulu joining us. We always have interesting dinner conversation!
It's early Tuesday morning, and Bangkok looks cloudy today. I cannot complain one bit about the weather we are experiencing, as it is truly delightful here! Nothing on the day's schedule, other than visiting an Agoda office to confirm a booking along the way on our drive to Phuket next week, and then tonight we will catch up with our entertainer friend Lee Shamrock at a pub on soi 11 for some cold beer and singing along.
Lunch was at The Girl and the Pig, which is at Central Embassy and just one floor below the theater entrance. Service was not great but the food was pretty good. DH and I each tried the fresh berries waffle with whipped cream AND ice cream. DS tried a spaghetti dish which looked a bit strange to me as it didn't have any sauce. Just spaghetti and shredded chorizo. Lat had the bar-b-qued salmon. It looked tasty.
Dinner was at Hemingways. BUSY place! Wow! Everything was good, as always. I tried their Mahi Mahi. DH had a salad niscoise (sp) which he said was very good. DS and Lat shared a caprese salad and some chicken wings. We were delighted to have fodorite Edgar from Honolulu joining us. We always have interesting dinner conversation!
It's early Tuesday morning, and Bangkok looks cloudy today. I cannot complain one bit about the weather we are experiencing, as it is truly delightful here! Nothing on the day's schedule, other than visiting an Agoda office to confirm a booking along the way on our drive to Phuket next week, and then tonight we will catch up with our entertainer friend Lee Shamrock at a pub on soi 11 for some cold beer and singing along.
Dec 21st, 2015, 05:07 PM
#33
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Dinner was at Hemingways"
Three of my Thai friends and I went to Hemingways in January 2015. The food was really good, but my friend didn't make a reservation so we had to wait a very long time. Plus, the service was very slow. I might give it another try on this upcoming trip since my best friend will fly over to meet me in Bangkok. I don't think she's been to Hemingways. But, it will be with a reservation. I really would like to go back to Thanying restaurant over in Silom. Maybe I'll go when I stay at the Dusit Thani. I haven't been to Thanying in over a decade.
http://thanying.com/
Happy Travels!
Three of my Thai friends and I went to Hemingways in January 2015. The food was really good, but my friend didn't make a reservation so we had to wait a very long time. Plus, the service was very slow. I might give it another try on this upcoming trip since my best friend will fly over to meet me in Bangkok. I don't think she's been to Hemingways. But, it will be with a reservation. I really would like to go back to Thanying restaurant over in Silom. Maybe I'll go when I stay at the Dusit Thani. I haven't been to Thanying in over a decade.
http://thanying.com/
Happy Travels!
Dec 21st, 2015, 05:14 PM
#34
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Kathie on Dec 21, 15 at 1:30pm
Guenmai, the brunch is on Sundays.
One of the benefits of staying at the Siam Kempinski is that you can go from the hotel to Siam Paragon without going outside!"
Thanks. Oh, since Paragon and the Kempinski are linked, then I guess I could just take the skytrain to Siam and then walk through Paragon to Kempinski? I don't know what floor they connect on though. Maybe there are signs in the skytrain station. I really never paid much attention to it before.
Just get me on the plane! Only a few more days to go. Now back to packing.
Happy Travels!
Guenmai, the brunch is on Sundays.
One of the benefits of staying at the Siam Kempinski is that you can go from the hotel to Siam Paragon without going outside!"
Thanks. Oh, since Paragon and the Kempinski are linked, then I guess I could just take the skytrain to Siam and then walk through Paragon to Kempinski? I don't know what floor they connect on though. Maybe there are signs in the skytrain station. I really never paid much attention to it before.
Just get me on the plane! Only a few more days to go. Now back to packing.
Happy Travels!
Dec 21st, 2015, 05:47 PM
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, get off the skytrain, walk through Siam Paragon. I think the skybridge to Siam Kempinski is on the main floor (but check the directory.) Once you are on the right floor, look at the overhead signs for directions to Siam Kempinski.
Sorry for the interruption to your thread, Carol, but perhaps these directions will be helpful to you as well. And I highly recommend the brunch at Europa in Siam Kempinski.
Sorry for the interruption to your thread, Carol, but perhaps these directions will be helpful to you as well. And I highly recommend the brunch at Europa in Siam Kempinski.
Dec 21st, 2015, 10:39 PM
#37
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carol: OK, that might work out. Let's play it by ear and see how our schedules go, but I do hope our paths cross this time. Lunch would really be best for me as Thai friends work and we go out in the evenings.
Just e-mail me and I'll send over the phone number to the apartment if you need it. I hope I still have your e-mail address as some months ago, I accidentally deleted a whole lot of old messages. But, it should pop up in the automatic address book of one of my e-mail addresses. I have 5, e-mail addresses. LOL! If it pops up, then I can e-mail you the phone number to the apartment as there's a landline.
Happy Travels!
Just e-mail me and I'll send over the phone number to the apartment if you need it. I hope I still have your e-mail address as some months ago, I accidentally deleted a whole lot of old messages. But, it should pop up in the automatic address book of one of my e-mail addresses. I have 5, e-mail addresses. LOL! If it pops up, then I can e-mail you the phone number to the apartment as there's a landline.
Happy Travels!
Dec 22nd, 2015, 03:29 PM
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looking forward to touching base. It has been too long!
If you are in Bangkok and have a craving for nachos, try them at the Australian Pub on Sukhumvit soi 11. They were quite delicious last night.
I had to pay a visit to the Agoda office at Central World yesterday. Interesting. You check in at the information desk on 3rd floor and trade your passport for a lanyard with a pass card that operates the elevator. When you get to your designated floor, you stop and trade your elevator lanyard for a visitor's pass, but it doesn't open any doors or security gates. The floor guard has to let you in. Anyway, after passing through all security checks, I finally accomplished my goal (which COULD HAVE BEEN accomplished with a phone call...but THEY NEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE). I will not be using Agoda in the future.
If you are in Bangkok and have a craving for nachos, try them at the Australian Pub on Sukhumvit soi 11. They were quite delicious last night.
I had to pay a visit to the Agoda office at Central World yesterday. Interesting. You check in at the information desk on 3rd floor and trade your passport for a lanyard with a pass card that operates the elevator. When you get to your designated floor, you stop and trade your elevator lanyard for a visitor's pass, but it doesn't open any doors or security gates. The floor guard has to let you in. Anyway, after passing through all security checks, I finally accomplished my goal (which COULD HAVE BEEN accomplished with a phone call...but THEY NEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE). I will not be using Agoda in the future.
