Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Peninsula or Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok?

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Peninsula or Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok?

Any guidance on which of these two would be the most memorable? Thanks!

Again what are you looking for?
We REALLY want to help you but your questions are a little to vague i'm afraid. I have stayed at both they were memorable for different reasons

I missed this eternal question. I was getting bored with the mind/body conundrium and long for lengthy tributes to these two hotels. The long and short of it is that both have their devoted fans. Some always stay at the Pen and others at the Oriental. In all the posts (see Dogster's threads), there are rarely any complaints about either. My advice is to read the threads, make a choice and put the decision behind you. You can agonize all you want, but really can't go wrong with either. Or, you can examine every minute detail and try to acheive perfection. Your choice.

Sorry . . . I didn't realize this question was such a hot button, and I'm certain not trying to "agonize" over a decision. I just thought this was a travel forum and people might have some recent information about one of the other that would prove enlightening. My bad for not knowing the history of the discussion or burdening anyone with responding!

Its not a burden for us and we don't expect you to know history of threads BUT how do we know what are your preferences. Just try to give a bit more info and we are always delighted to help but as i said your questions are too vague. My idea of memorable may be different to yours (as per my answer on your Langkawi question) No need to get the hump ,we are more than happy to help if we can.

So, what do you LIKE and look for in a hotel? (i have stayed at both so i may be able to help)

Sorry travelgirl4. Nothing wrong with your question. Unfortunately, it is just a version of the old "mac vs PC", "cats vs dogs" or "toilet paper to the front vs rolled to the back"

Dogster has put all the links, and Gpanda isn't being mean. He has just summarized the whole thing. Many, many of us have debated the two hotels, and though I've stayed at both, I really couldn't tell you which is best.

I prefer the Pen. Better views, bigger rooms, lobby feels less crowded. We found the staff at the Oriental a bit full of themselves, and we didn't care for the weird window into the bathroom. I do love the buffet at Lord Jim restaurant in the Oriental.

Oriental has a few nice shops outside their front door, but the ferry boats from the Pen run every few minutes and you can be at the Oriental dock the Taksin skytrain station within 2 minutes. Rooms at the Pen definitely win out if you will be there on a holiday that includes fireworks on the river.

Choose the one with the best rates for room with a real river view.

Have to say for me Lcuy has totally summed it up BUT both would be a great choice.

I have stayed at both as well - Lcuy's post says it all. Just for the record, I prefer the Penn - in addition to the great views, etc., the Penn's buffet breakfast by the river can't be beat...

>>>I just thought this was a travel forum and people might have some recent information about one of the other that would prove enlightening. My bad for not knowing the history of the discussion or burdening anyone with responding!<<<

('No worries', very early and warm morning greetings and thanks for your opening post.)

This Bangkok business traveller loves both hotels and respective management and staff in equal measure (not always the case), and as for recent info: as of ~ 5 days back, my 'usual' lower category room at the Oriental had a spanking new 'hi-tech' television! (Not that I watch much of the 'idiot box' - and deepest apologies for not revealing 'my' cherished Oriental work room number.) Must keep up - and occasionally ahead - of that fierce BKK hotel competition.

(And would suggest posting over on that precious 'luxury' hotel board on flyertalk, and yes, SQTalk. Much smaller community with the latter, but some of the kindest and most knowledgeable fliers/lodgers to be 'found'.)

Hard to go wrong with either hotel. (Must confess, so looking forward to the Peninsula's Valentine's Day celebration next month.) As for long term info and changes: such a refreshing change in the Oriental's pre-Peninsula 'visitor policy'. (Or so rumour has it, and one current business associate is rather appreciative - and will 'leave it at that'.)

Wherever you stay, savour your riverside times. (And, perhaps: SQ, business class, into BKK from sweet SIN. Enjoy.)

macintosh (robert)

... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Don't worry about asking an old question. It happens lots. I was just attempting to summarize. My impression of reading these countless threads is that a larger number of posters seem to prefer the Pen. The truth is that you can't go wrong with either.

Plus, here's some unasked for advice, "Never apologize on Fodors". Never. Just plow forward.

Groundhog Day.

Of course, travelgirl4 you'll need a guide in Bangkok to go with your choice of hotel. Why not pop another post in asking for recommendations? I've heard there is someone good called Tong.

now now Dog.. stop being a naughty puppy!

no one has mentioned the brown water at the oriental....

has anyone seen gloria

What a lovely dilemma you have before you. I don’t think you would be unhappy with either. Both have very good service, very comfortable rooms and good spas. (I give the edge to the Aryvedic treatments at the Oriental spa which are as good if not better than treatments I have had in India.)

But your specific question is which would be more “memorable”. In my opinion, that would mean the Oriental, which has been in operation for more than 125 years, and has a history you can feel and see by walking various parts of the hotel. If you want to experience the same view –and even the building – which Somerset Maugham or Joseph Conrad did when they were in Bangkok (much changed of course but the river is in many ways timeless), then the Oriental will be the place to stay.

I would note in passing that breakfast on the riverfront at the Oriental aint slummin’ either.