Originally Posted by Pickles

His retirement is bound to make many people I know happy, they never warmed up to Kurt (and viceversa).

Originally Posted by luxury

In my books, The Oriental joins The Plaza Athenee and Le Bristol in Paris, and the Dorchester and Savoy in London which have/had stellar reputations but were very disappointing stays for me.

After my stay, I sent Mr. Wachveitl an e-mail with feedback and all I got back was a form letter in effect telling me too-bad-so-sad.

Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle

I, too, have had frightful stays at The Oriental, Plaza Athenee, Le Bristol, The Dorchester, The Savoy London, Burj al Arab, Carlyle NY, Bel-Air LA, La Mamounia and numerous other hotels that are famous for being famous.

Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle

But what do you think about the fact that you get a special silk robe (varying colours according to the accommodation) if you stay in a suite? I always feel slightly self conscious wearing one of these down to the pools. But then, The Oriental has a thing about status, maybe because GM Kurt Wachtveitl is married to a Thai Royal. It is all very proper.

Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle

When the legendary Mr Wachtveitl finally retires I think you will find that dress codes will relax a tad.

Originally Posted by Pickles

Once a good friend of mine got married there to a well-connected Thai woman, and he blocked off the entire Author's Wing for the weekend festivities, including the rooms and the common areas. We'd stay up all hours of the night on the verandah drinking and smoking cigars, catered hand and foot by an army of staffers. I truly felt like a colonial invader, great fun. No great fun, however, for all the remaining guests (and perhaps even non-guests!) who wanted to have tea or even visit the Author's Lounge, the whole building was off-limits to non-revelers. Tough!