Globalista

Bangkok is where Buddhism meets Blade Runner, with a healthy dose of hard work and cheerful kitsch thrown in: if it ain’t brightly coloured, the Thais aren’t interested. This explains their penchant for neon-coloured jelly puddings and green Fanta over boring old brown Coca-Cola. But there is nothing anyone can teach the Thais about selling: there is a market for virtually everything, and street hawkers at every corner. The city seems to spend its entire day grazing (there are food vendors anywhere there is a pavement), selling or shopping. Bangkok epitomises the East in a hurry, and while some find it enervating and others elevating, it’s worth spending a couple of days in the city before you head up north or to the beach.

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The Oriental is one of the most famous hotels in Asia with 358 rooms, 35 suites and a fantastic location on the Chao Phraya River. The service, spa and restaurants are wonderful, although some may feel the hotel to be too big, over-renovated and brand-heavy. By contrast, The Sukhothai is refreshingly low-rise and has raised the benchmark in every category, from its legendary restaurants (see Best Brunch, below) to its exquisite rooms arranged around calming ponds and its flawless service. This is probably our favourite hotel at this level. You could also try The Peninsula, Bangkok for its river views, lovely pool with salas and superb Chinese restaurant, Mei Jiang. Or if you’d rather be in town than by the river, head for the vast Four Seasons, Bangkok (formerly the Regent) with its stunning lobby, painted silk murals in the rooms, trademark enormous beds and a legendary concierge.

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Globalista’s Pick of the Press

20 May 2009- The Telegraph - Malcolm Pryce's Bangkok: My Kind of Town
7 Februrary 2009- The Telegraph - Kurt Wachtveitl's Bangkok: My Kind of Town
1 February 2009 - The Independent - City Slicker: What to see and do in Bangkok
26 November 2008 - The Times - 24 hours in Bangkok
22 November 2008 - The Financial Times - Restaurant review: Baan Klang Nam