naxos
Aug 24, 00, 8:08 am
I promised that I would report on the Pen in Bangkok and I have been remiss. Now that I have returned, I will fulfill the promise. We spent a total of 8 nights at the hotel during our 3 weeks in Thailand and I give the hotel my highset recommendation. From the service to the food to the decor and artwork in the rooms and suites- it is the hotel bargain of the century. We had a suite and a connecting twin room. The views are fantastic and although the higher floors are technically the most desirable rooms, I prefer floor 6 where the views of the working river are more upclose and personnel. We stayed on floor 5, 6 and 27.
(Plus I was traumatized by Towering Inferno as a teenager) The rooms are so high tech that an engineering degree may be needed to operate all the gadgets. The suites are equipped with dvd players, laser disc players, 3 tvs and more phones than is almost possible for a room. There are 2 lines, a fax machine in each room, a phone and master control panel on each side of the bed, 2 phones in the bathroom- a handsfree set in the tub as well as a tv and a phone in the separate john. Mood lighting and art lighting and newspapers delivered several times a day from the Bangkok Post to the WSJ to the Tribune to the NAtion. Twin sinks and lots of marble in the bathroom. Electronic curtains operated from the bedside and other locations in the suite. Yummy fruits replenised daily as well as great housemade chocolate chip cookies each day. The girls especially liked those. The room service menu was an unbelievable bargain adn food was served quickly and beautifully with orchids, of course. The views are fantastic, especially at night. While the skyline does not rival NY or Hong Kong, it is still very impressive. Frankly, the views from this side of the river are much superior to those of the other side. The river shuttle service is efficient and friendly and all the staff go out of their way to be helpful- remembering names and food orders and always smiling. A frequent business traveller we met in the piano bar, which, by the way, has a great pianist, suggested that these intro rates be kept a secret.The included breakfast was the terrific, It made it difficult to stay any place else in Thailand. From tropical fruits to dim sum to Thai breakfast to a baker whose croissants rivaled those found only in France to smoked salmon to muesli to house made yogurt- all the elements of anyone"s breakfast fantasy or needs were met. The kids wanted to move in, a la Eloise at the Plaza. Probably the first hotel experience that we felt was better than home. The pool was lovely, set at river level and the fitnesds center was well outfitted and not crowded. The hotel is still very new and the furnishings look unworn. The flowers in the public spaces and rooms were lovely and the beds were great- down or that wonderful down substitute comforters and pillows . I could go on, bit I will stop- Still jet lagged- only home a day. Any questions? email me.
(Plus I was traumatized by Towering Inferno as a teenager) The rooms are so high tech that an engineering degree may be needed to operate all the gadgets. The suites are equipped with dvd players, laser disc players, 3 tvs and more phones than is almost possible for a room. There are 2 lines, a fax machine in each room, a phone and master control panel on each side of the bed, 2 phones in the bathroom- a handsfree set in the tub as well as a tv and a phone in the separate john. Mood lighting and art lighting and newspapers delivered several times a day from the Bangkok Post to the WSJ to the Tribune to the NAtion. Twin sinks and lots of marble in the bathroom. Electronic curtains operated from the bedside and other locations in the suite. Yummy fruits replenised daily as well as great housemade chocolate chip cookies each day. The girls especially liked those. The room service menu was an unbelievable bargain adn food was served quickly and beautifully with orchids, of course. The views are fantastic, especially at night. While the skyline does not rival NY or Hong Kong, it is still very impressive. Frankly, the views from this side of the river are much superior to those of the other side. The river shuttle service is efficient and friendly and all the staff go out of their way to be helpful- remembering names and food orders and always smiling. A frequent business traveller we met in the piano bar, which, by the way, has a great pianist, suggested that these intro rates be kept a secret.The included breakfast was the terrific, It made it difficult to stay any place else in Thailand. From tropical fruits to dim sum to Thai breakfast to a baker whose croissants rivaled those found only in France to smoked salmon to muesli to house made yogurt- all the elements of anyone"s breakfast fantasy or needs were met. The kids wanted to move in, a la Eloise at the Plaza. Probably the first hotel experience that we felt was better than home. The pool was lovely, set at river level and the fitnesds center was well outfitted and not crowded. The hotel is still very new and the furnishings look unworn. The flowers in the public spaces and rooms were lovely and the beds were great- down or that wonderful down substitute comforters and pillows . I could go on, bit I will stop- Still jet lagged- only home a day. Any questions? email me.