MOBKK limo transfer

We arranged to be picked up from Chiva Som , Hua Hin , in MOBKK ‘ s BMW 7 L series . This is not our normal practice , usually airport round trips , but it may become the norm ;)

The MOBKK chauffeurs are all very skilled for Bangkok traffic / Thai roads ( other AMANjunkies & MO fans share similar views with me ) .

The Chiva Som to MOBKK transfer this time took about 3 smooth hours and in a comfortable vehicle model we are accustomed to . Cool AC about 16 C :) .

 It took longer 14 years ago when the expressways were not ready .

Check In

What we see as we exit the elevators / lifts & ..

.. Our suite at the end to the right above 

Other direction , our suite entrance - not in view - to the left of the orchids 

We were warmly welcomed on arrival & brought to our suite immediately for check in . It was swift & explanations given about the suite . 

With rather a number of things to recall , we forgot about the TV , but the floor butler soon came to the rescue .

Room

Very pleased with our corner river front suite .

Entry / foyer

Refreshments nook with Nespresso , etcetera . Our walk in closet behind 

Upstream view at sunrise from our balcony

And downstream 

To the side

The French Ambassador ’ s Residence ( & embassy - the modern white structure behind ) has also had some refurbishments through the years .

Beyond , the even more dilapidated no more potential AMAN BKK :(

The newly opened Siam Icon , huge shopping mall with 2 yet to be completed towering residential towers

Outdoor photos taken from our balcony 

Lovely thick carpets / rugs on wood flooring 

Voila ! Le TV

Night view upstream 

Across to the MOBKK spa , Baan Rim Pla , culinary school and with a sliver of the crescent moon above The Peninsula 

Bathroom & dressing / walk in wardrobe

‘We had views from the walk in & bathroom , 2 windows ! Thankfully with  louvred wood blinds .

Fair size but the shower area was smaller than MOHK .

Shelves in the walk in , enough for all our hand carry / shopping .. plus generous area opposite where we could hang our clothes Note the window 

Pool

“ Swimmable “ .

Morning swim

Fruits including bananas , passionfruit and sugarless iced tea is provided near one of the pre swim showers before the upper tier lounge areas 

The children ‘ s pool away from the adult ( deep / overhead ) pool

Spa

The boat ride across to / fro the spa is as enjoyable as always . Spa treatment rooms seem the same , we changed double rooms . First with garden views , from floor to spa beds with double jacuzzi bathtub without a view . 

The therapists were not as good as before & had some language issues . Perhaps changing rooms floored them ?

The 6 therapists we had at Chiva Som were better .

View of MOBKK from spa side

Oops , this was taken from Icon

This from the promenade where we wait for our boat while browsing the rather comprehensive Sala Rim Naam menus .

It is always enjoyable on these boat rides to & fro . How the skipper manoeuvres the even busier river traffic nowadays !

Dining

Well , with quite a number of options it is often difficult to decide . Being rather unseashot for this time of the year , we decided to dine in .

Our suite came with breakfasts . After the extremely healthy meals at Chiva Som , hmm , we were glad we could indulge again .

We had ours indoors , the Verandah , the heat & humidity outdoors was too much to bear for us especially if one was going to enjoy the meal . It was also buffet outside .

Our breakfasts were still somewhat healthy & was a mix of “ usual “ - scrambled eggs with smoked Tasmanian salmon , warm lemon crepes with .. - & Thai .

2 dinners at Lord Jim ‘ s ! The restaurant is being revamped so we thought we had better have our fill just in case we do not return in February . Who knows what the menu will be like .

Thinking about starting a petition not to remove the iconic aquarium . Our View has been made known to the management & owner :)

Then Le Normandie 

Superb meal  .. with a view

These 2 photos are to show how long it took me me get these shots with minimal river traffic .. and view of some of the corner state room / executive suite balconies currently the“ 12 “ series 

Management Cocktail Reception

On Wednesday evening , the usual hour long cocktail party was hosted by management for select guests at the Authors ‘ Lounge . Decent cocktails & accompaniments were proffered befitting of MOBKK .

We made an appearance a tad late but thankfully some victuals were still available . Having skipped lunch , considering the amount consumed for breakfast , we were glad to have something to eat . They were surprised when I declined the cocktails / drinks and asked for Evian with ice ( by the way , nothing to do with imbibing Chiva Som ways ) . 

Met the GM Greg L then , & some others of his team . We saw them on various occasions throughout our stay & chatted though not quite in our AMAN “ familial “ familiarity ( though close for a perhaps couple of long serving team ) . 

It was quite a crowd . We sat near the library where it was quieter as a library ought to be .

A pity we missed FTer larkin then , we should have coordinated a bit better ( update the “ Where are you going next? “ thread )

Oh yes , there was a photographer on hand to take our photos .

The library near where we were seated . Many milling around but as you can see the library was quiet . ( The photos are cropped so the folks in them are not quite seen . )

Khun Ankana , who did not make this reception , is now 97 / 98 & doing well ..

Concierge

Decided to give the efficient concierge team a break .

However , they did help me make a call early yesterday / Friday morning to one of their limousines .

Service

Attention to detail and warm but not quite flawless .

Enjoyed the string quartet in the evenings by the lobby entrance , welcoming warmly or fond farewell 

CHRISTmas decorations taken down . Ready for the Chinese / Lunar New Year - welcoming the Pig

All the staff tried to please .

Our ‘ floater ‘ floor butler was more experienced than the regular butler . He seemed a trifle timid or perhaps very strong “ Thai “ nature ? / language ? or newer on the job . Took a few times of persuasive approach on our part to communicate what was needed .

Khun Mayuree L , Director of Guest Relations , was wonderful . A real long time gem & her role suits her to the ‘ T ‘ . 

From brief observations , this current management team is a strong one , arguably more so than MOHK ‘ s :)

Location

Always like being by the river , FWIW any river like at Huka Lodge ( preferably where it is more tranquil ) ;) .

But this is the Chao Phraya !

And on the correct / right bank , of course .

Convenient for us when on vacation . And when not , our friends , others  will come and / or likely be chauffeured by them or their staff to wherever we need to be ..

.. Or maybe more expedient by river ..

Odds & Ends

Some changes in the shops & layout in the Authors ‘ Wing for the better . 

The shops across the driveway are about the same .

The rather small cake counter ( no more a shop in the Authors ‘ Wing - how can one miss it but .. ) is now in the lobby area towards the lift bank .

The pool area is also part of the renovations .

The many photos are to have on record what it looks like now  . Perhaps will do a comparison at year end post renovations .

MOBKK is immensely popular with the locals .

For instance , late Thursday night , preparations began for a wedding on Friday . The event started with the bridal party arriving about 8 am with a band playing to welcome them . This could be heard from the pool area , think only 3 guests present then .

Could resist showing this to you ;)  

Marzipan model of The Oriental , currently in the lobby pastry counter 

not only the outside but the intricate insides too !

Overall

What more can I say .. ?

Thus ends another wonderful stay ..

.. Shall I return in a week for the post SIN DO ;) ( as of now , none seem to be staying here ) ?