moremiles

This is my first time back since a quick visit some 20yrs ago and the city has changed dramatically. We really haven't done much sightseeing since we did visit the Grand Palace and other sites on our first visit. Our time here has been spent at Bumrungrad the first day for a couple of appointments and then getting our spa treatments that were included in our pkg at the Pen. Hotel. The 2nd day my husband showed me around all the new shopping areas, mostly Siam Paragon and MBK where we bargained for another suitcase and a few scarves-both malls are fun but quite different. The third day was spent at the Jim Thompson house then we took the train to On Nut and walked to the JT Outlet-the weather has cooperated and been quite comfortable-not what I was expecting! We ended up buying quite a few things at the outlet then walking back to On Nut and going back to Siam Paragon to the food court. The Pen has been lovely and we got upgraded from a deluxe room to a balcony room which is rather small but it was nice on this first trip back to have the balcony. When we come back in Jan. I will ask not to be upgraded to a balcony room though-we need the extra sq. footage in the grand deluxe. Unfortunately, we have not had any wonderful Thai food-we ate at Thiptara the first night which was mediocre but a wonderful setting and lovely traditional music. Then 2nd night we went to a gallery/restaurant that the concierge recommended called something like Baan Kranitha(?) and again, it was mediocre. Last night we ate at Jester's and it was downright terrible and expensive! I included my comments on the guest survey form. That's it for now-am in the Thai lounge headed to Chiang Rai for the rest of my trip which will be solo since my husband has to stay in BKK. SGA cancelled all flts between CR and CM so now will be driving between the two which I hope will be good-am worried about all the "twists and turns" which is why I booked the flt in the first place!

Katie_H

Hi moremiles--- your post accidentally posted to another forum so I have reposted it here.

Thanks for sharing your observations; sorry that you didn't have the best dining experiences in Bangkok.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences traveling solo in Chiang Rai.

AskOksana

If the food was terrible at JESTER'S you should have said something WHILE you were eating it... paying a lot of $ for food that is 'terrible' then complaining afterwards is not the way to deal with it.

If food is terrible, cold, too salty, call the waiter over & send it back... if the next dish is bad, ask for the maitre'd or manager & most places will take the charge off the bill.

The Pen is 5* hotel & Fish2 loved the food at Jester's (we plan to eat there in March), if the chef is having a bad day (or needs to be replaced) the management needs to know.

My husband worked his way though college as a waiter & waiters respect customers who won't accept bad or poorly cooked food. You are paying for it, you deserve to get what you paid for.

glorialf

I ate at Jesters a couple of years and thought it was awful for a 5 star restaurant. It was also empty and it was during peak tourist season. I would never return.

KimJapan

We've never eaten at Jesters (children under 12 are not allowed) but we did very much enjoy the food and atmosphere at Thipthara in August.

Craig

The menu at Jesters is ridiculously overpriced for Bangkok. We considered it on our last stay and took a pass. We were underwhelmed with the food at Triptara two stays ago although the atmosphere was wonderful.

Kathie

I love hearing about your return to Bangkok after 20 years. I was first in Bangkok 20+ years ago. I have been back many times since, so I don't have the contrast effect you have. Nonetheless, when I read my accounts from back then and reflect on what it was like I am amazed. I was first there (as I expect you were) before the expressway from Don Muang and before the Skytrain. Traffic was much worse then!

Enjoy your time in northern Thaialnd. I know you are staying at wonderful places!

rhkkmk

i am so disappointed, as i am sure your are, with your penn eating experiences....

we have had nothing but wonderful food at jesters....we love the "modern" look and the settings on the tables...yes it is very expensive but so are many other bkk restaurants with a western flair...

baan knanitha is liked by many but some feel it is only so so....i prefer the one on soi 23, sukhumvit...

i'm also amazed that you consider the hotel room to be small....every room i have ever been in at the penn has been more than ample....some quite large...

hope the trip improves...

CFW

Would love to hear more details about the contrasts you've observed between BKK then & now.

We also didn't care for Baan Kanitha. Pretty place, but agree that the food was mediocre.

moremiles

Just posted a long reply but having trouble with wi-fi here at the Anantara. Didn't mean to sound so negative-really enjoyed our time at the Pen but I think the regular rooms are larger than the balcony rooms? I wrote to the manager re: Jester's which I've found to be the best course of action with a poor dining experience. I will post more later when I'm having better luck with the internet. Thanks for reading!

Hanuman

Just had lunch at a Thai restaurant call "Secret Garden" on Sathorn Road. Food was not bad and the decoration was like an English or French summer home. Menu has pictures too and price is not expensive. IMO it's a good place for lunch.

rhkkmk

where on sathorn is this rest.?? is it a free standing building??

thanks pook

Hanuman

Bob it's between Sathon soi 3 and 5, or in another word, near the Sukhothai and Banyan Tree hotel. It's an old renovated stand alone house with a nice garden. Let me know if you want the stree address and phone number.

simpsonc510

more

I would agree with you that the balcony rooms are smaller than the regular rooms. I've stayed in both. I also like the view from the regular room better, since the balcony rooms are in the center of the building and the two sides jutting out tend to block a little bit of the spacious view!!

(hello from Lausanne Switzerland)

Carol

rhkkmk

pook...that's fine...thanks

moremiles

I am now at the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai after a long drive from Chiang Rai. This hotel is absolutely decadent and a shame to be here alone! Stopped at a very different kind of temple outside of CR called Wat Rong Khun-completely white and silver like a wedding cake and it shimmered in the sunlight.

A note about Jester's-already have received a long email from the F & B manager apologizing for our experience and telling us he will personally oversee a future meal there-didn't specify if it would be complimentary or not though.

Head off to see Doi Suthep tomorrow then shopping and spa-ing until it's time to head to SR and La Residence then back to BKK for one night at the Hyatt.