The Siam Hotel, Bangkok
Oct 13, 2015, 6:49 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
Respectively disagree re: the Thai massage remark...
I think you could get the best Thai massage in the world and still not enjoy it (which was my case at multiple locations known for 'the best' Thai massages countrywide).
To me, a Thai massage is like passive yoga. And if I'm going to be doing yoga, I want to be active, not passive.
No matter how strong/weak the masseuse is, I always find myself yawning during a Thai massage.
Give me a deep tissue (or some local speciality treatment, as I had in both Siam and Esencia recently) over Thai any day.
I think you could get the best Thai massage in the world and still not enjoy it (which was my case at multiple locations known for 'the best' Thai massages countrywide).
To me, a Thai massage is like passive yoga. And if I'm going to be doing yoga, I want to be active, not passive.
No matter how strong/weak the masseuse is, I always find myself yawning during a Thai massage.
Give me a deep tissue (or some local speciality treatment, as I had in both Siam and Esencia recently) over Thai any day.
We come from a country that couldn't do a Thai massage to save their lives. You miss what you can't have.
Oct 17, 2015, 12:02 am
#93
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 226
I would recommend booking your spa treatments in advance if you want particular times. It can book up. I had a very good aroma journey massage and some kind of scrub. My husband had the Muay Thai massage-he liked it, but if you want a traditional Thai massage just get that one. I can't stand Thai massage-I like something more relaxing.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
Last edited by cakegirl; Oct 17, 2015 at 12:09 am
Oct 17, 2015, 1:10 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
I would recommend booking your spa treatments in advance if you want particular times. It can book up. I had a very good aroma journey massage and some kind of scrub. My husband had the Muay Thai massage-he liked it, but if you want a traditional Thai massage just get that one. I can't stand Thai massage-I like something more relaxing.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
Oct 17, 2015, 5:53 am
#95
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
I would recommend booking your spa treatments in advance if you want particular times. It can book up. I had a very good aroma journey massage and some kind of scrub. My husband had the Muay Thai massage-he liked it, but if you want a traditional Thai massage just get that one. I can't stand Thai massage-I like something more relaxing.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
I did an hour long Muay Thai class and really enjoyed it. They bring in a trainer from a local place. It was a lot of fun and a pretty hard workout.
The hotel really is gorgeous and I didn't find the location inconvenient for my plans. I think we have officially defected from the MO. I loved the room and the outdoor space and sun deck we had.
Dec 26, 2015, 6:23 am
#96
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
We're here at the moment on the 3rd night of our stay, staying in a Pool Villa Courtyard. I have very little to add that has not already been said - it's truly a fantastic hotel. I won't go as far as pricesquire's love for it, as I've certainly stayed at many better hotels, but there is really not much to complain about here. Really wonderful service, fantastic rooms, spa therapists that my girlfriend wants to bring back home with us, and a really beautiful hotel. Jason was there to greet us from the car and has been thoroughly pleasant the entire time.
Dec 26, 2015, 11:58 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
I did ask to visit some of the other rooms, but the only way available was the Riverview Suite. I didn't note down the room #, but I am glad we decided on the Pool Villa Courtyard after viewing it. 1) It's closer to the pier and bar/restaurants, and I'm lazy. 2) I really did enjoy the courtyard and extra space that offered, along with the relaxing sound of the water from the plunge pool. As always, the plunge pool was not heated, so I basically put my feet in it at most, but c'est le vie. The butler mentioned that hardly anyone ever used the sunbathers on the roof and we were no different. If I stayed again I'd likely stay in the same room.
Dec 27, 2015, 1:31 pm
#99
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Thanks! We left this morning and now we're en-route to Amanjiwo. I've put some photos here of The Siam, although once again I think pricesquire has covered it very well with his: https://www.flickr.com/photos/132880...57662236740850
I did ask to visit some of the other rooms, but the only way available was the Riverview Suite. I didn't note down the room #, but I am glad we decided on the Pool Villa Courtyard after viewing it. 1) It's closer to the pier and bar/restaurants, and I'm lazy. 2) I really did enjoy the courtyard and extra space that offered, along with the relaxing sound of the water from the plunge pool. As always, the plunge pool was not heated, so I basically put my feet in it at most, but c'est le vie. The butler mentioned that hardly anyone ever used the sunbathers on the roof and we were no different. If I stayed again I'd likely stay in the same room.
I did ask to visit some of the other rooms, but the only way available was the Riverview Suite. I didn't note down the room #, but I am glad we decided on the Pool Villa Courtyard after viewing it. 1) It's closer to the pier and bar/restaurants, and I'm lazy. 2) I really did enjoy the courtyard and extra space that offered, along with the relaxing sound of the water from the plunge pool. As always, the plunge pool was not heated, so I basically put my feet in it at most, but c'est le vie. The butler mentioned that hardly anyone ever used the sunbathers on the roof and we were no different. If I stayed again I'd likely stay in the same room.
Great pictures by the way!!
Lastly, interest you enjoyed the Pool Villa Courtyard so much. I mean: I send clients here often who love it, but the feeling I hear most is something along the lines of: "yeah, the villa is gorgeous and we loved it, but we do with we were part of the main house." There is a lot of character in the main house and my wife did feel a bit torn being "out" of it. Also kind of sucked when it started raining, as we wanted to play snooker and hit the library but it was such a downpour we had to wait it out.
Anyways, happy about your stay!
(And yes, I've stayed at "better" places, but the Siam really is still my favorite. Sometimes it doesn't boil down to hard product vs. hard product, or best vs. best....but really it's: this is the one who, overall, we enjoyed the most. Something about being in crazy BKK and coming home to the Siam is so...relieving?)
Dec 27, 2015, 6:42 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Lastly, interest you enjoyed the Pool Villa Courtyard so much. I mean: I send clients here often who love it, but the feeling I hear most is something along the lines of: "yeah, the villa is gorgeous and we loved it, but we do with we were part of the main house." There is a lot of character in the main house and my wife did feel a bit torn being "out" of it. Also kind of sucked when it started raining, as we wanted to play snooker and hit the library but it was such a downpour we had to wait it out.
)
)
Jan 27, 2016, 11:44 am
#102
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
"As I enter my 5th year with The Siam and have completed my goals to build, open and operate the property to its world class positioning I am excited to announce the forming of my own company, J.M.Friedman & Co - Bespoke Hospitality Services.
It has been incredibly exciting to be involved in The Siam from its initial drawing board concept and positioning it as one of Asia’s finest and most respected hotels. I am proud of building a likeminded, committed team to ensure that at all touch points our guests receive our special brand of service that has seen the hotel recognised with many prestigious awards.
Until the appointment of my successor, The Siam’s Hotel Manager, Nawee Wattanasongsuit [email protected] and Leanne Hucker, Director of Sales & Marketing [email protected] will be at your disposal for any assistance you may require.
I look forward to sharing with you future updates in the near future."
www.jmfriedman.com
It has been incredibly exciting to be involved in The Siam from its initial drawing board concept and positioning it as one of Asia’s finest and most respected hotels. I am proud of building a likeminded, committed team to ensure that at all touch points our guests receive our special brand of service that has seen the hotel recognised with many prestigious awards.
Until the appointment of my successor, The Siam’s Hotel Manager, Nawee Wattanasongsuit [email protected] and Leanne Hucker, Director of Sales & Marketing [email protected] will be at your disposal for any assistance you may require.
I look forward to sharing with you future updates in the near future."
www.jmfriedman.com
Jan 27, 2016, 12:32 pm
#103
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
"As I enter my 5th year with The Siam and have completed my goals to build, open and operate the property to its world class positioning I am excited to announce the forming of my own company, J.M.Friedman & Co - Bespoke Hospitality Services.
It has been incredibly exciting to be involved in The Siam from its initial drawing board concept and positioning it as one of Asia’s finest and most respected hotels. I am proud of building a likeminded, committed team to ensure that at all touch points our guests receive our special brand of service that has seen the hotel recognised with many prestigious awards.
Until the appointment of my successor, The Siam’s Hotel Manager, Nawee Wattanasongsuit [email protected] and Leanne Hucker, Director of Sales & Marketing [email protected] will be at your disposal for any assistance you may require.
I look forward to sharing with you future updates in the near future."
www.jmfriedman.com
It has been incredibly exciting to be involved in The Siam from its initial drawing board concept and positioning it as one of Asia’s finest and most respected hotels. I am proud of building a likeminded, committed team to ensure that at all touch points our guests receive our special brand of service that has seen the hotel recognised with many prestigious awards.
Until the appointment of my successor, The Siam’s Hotel Manager, Nawee Wattanasongsuit [email protected] and Leanne Hucker, Director of Sales & Marketing [email protected] will be at your disposal for any assistance you may require.
I look forward to sharing with you future updates in the near future."
www.jmfriedman.com
