Is there a "dress code" required in certain areas of this hotel? I have heard that there is at the Oriental. Thx

Shorts and thongs not welcome in the main lobby and restaurants, if I remember correctly, but that's the limit. Probably those T-shirts whose name I forget which have vast gaping holes where the arms should be would not be welcome. But pretty much anything else short of looking like you've come straight from the beach is fine. The lowest level of dress is (in the horrible phrase) 'smart casual', but over afternoon tea it tends to be a little more than that. Gaddi's requires a jacket in the evenings, I believe. Try www.peninsula.com to find out whether these vague ramblings are correct or not.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Took my own advice. The page you want is:

http://fasttrack.hongkong.peninsula....staurants.html

Everywhere is 'smart casual' except the lobby, which is 'casual'.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

I assume from the reference to the Oriental that you mean the Pen in Bangkok.

I've stayed there on a number of occasions and will be there again next week. As PeterN says "smart casual" - they do actually request that men don't wear shorts in the public areas but that is obviously not taken into account by many of the guests.

Its a place where you could be very dressed up or just casual without exciting any comment. I notice a number of locals coming for a night out in the restaurants dressing beautifully but you will be just fine in ordinary clothes. Its not even necessary to wear a jacket and tie (for men of course) although you might want to in Jesters. They also request that you cover your swimwear when in the lift etc but then all hotels ask this.

Its a great hotel and very friendly - you will feel very comfortable there.

it's not if you wear shors and a t=shirt but what brand.. and anyways falangs are basically left alone in most casses when it comes too dress. ... Sanuk

During the course of the day with guest going on tours or playing tennis or whatever, they're dressed in cloths for the activity.

At Tea Time, there were some people with shorts and colored tees but mostly long pants for men and/or women.

We had dinner at their Chinese Restaurant and Celedon (their all purpose restaurant) with seating along the river - where people were in shorts during day, long pants or skirts at dinner (it is very hot out there). In the Chinese restaurant, we were in "smart casual" - some men wore sports jackets, others didn't.

Any of the very good restaurants in BKK, whether at the Oriental or others, you'd probably feel more comfortable if men had a lightweight sports jacket and women in "smart casual" - black is a favorite color.

Thanks everyone! This helps a great deal, as we only want to travel with carry on. We will avoid the "jacket required" locations.

Thanks again.

Reply to orgy7's message: Message: it's not if you wear shors and a t=shirt but what brand.. and anyways falangs are basically left alone in most casses when it comes too dress. ... Sanuk

Can you please elaborate on what you mean by the brand? I take it falangs are tourists or Americans?

As I understand it, falangs are any light skin Westerners, originally referring to the French. So it would basically be Americans and Europeans.

let me add....jackets....i never take one to the orient....you see very few people with them on....yes maybe at normandie in the evening but few other places....at the pen you see them for weddings but few in the dining areas .... any shirt with a colar, clean and pressed...no tie... and nice slacks will get the man in almost everywhere....ladies smart casual

budge....

Thai society still shows importance too class... and everyone is judged on what "LEVEL" your are and as I've read you are given the apropriete wai greeting and due respect or indifrence...
acording too how you act. dress.. spend and other things I know litle aout..

well as for the casual T- shirts Lacoste, MIZZUNO and other high end gold related brands shows that you have money.... and are thus of a higher level... which will work well in the hotel ..

but of course I bought myself a Lacoste Polo.. the other day and my thai frainds think I'm insane for haveing spent 1600 for a shirt which is about half of what most people in town (bangkok) pay for rent..
yep farang pronouced fal ong..... is like saing gringo.. but actually everyone who is not that is a farange...

orgy7:

Thanks for the feedback, very good to note these things. I guess this happens everywhere.

When I last stayed there was a sign in the lobby saying "No backpackers". However, I was travelling with a backpack and was just wearing flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt when I turned up and asked for a room.