The first time I visited Bangkok was ten years ago, in my early twenties. Now, a decade later, the city has changed tenfold (and I'm happy to report, so have I). At that time, I only visited a few countries. Thai culture, food and hospitality was completely new to me, and it wasn't hard to fall in love with this country. So coming back ten years later, I was eager to see how Bangkok had changed and how I had too. For this stay I checked into the Four Seasons Bangkok, a newly opened five star hotel located on the Chao Phraya River.
An Oasis in Bangkok
I'll start by stating the obvious: the Chao Phraya Four Seasons river is a complete oasis hiding behind steep walls, where you will feel a world away from the bustling Bangkok. So if you're like me and prefer the idea of the city to the hustle and bustle itself (especially after the last few years), this is the perfect hotel to position yourself for a few days of relaxation.
When planning our trip to Thailand, I realized I was looking forward to more remote resorts in the countryside or sitting by the pool in our private villa on Koh Samui. But at the end of our trip, I fell in love with Bangkok all over again, with Four Seasons Bangkok being the main reason for renewing this love affair.
This hotel is conveniently located on the Chao Phraya river, which flows through the heart of Bangkok. This gave us all the more reasons to enjoy the river and use it as a way of transportation, rather than getting stuck in traffic jams on busy streets (although a ride or two of the obligatory tuktuk is certainly enjoyed!)
Around the Resort: My Highlights
As many of you already know, I have stayed in a fair amount of hotels over the years. As someone who has made a career of staying in (and reviewing) five star hotels, I can honestly say this hotel is at the forefront of where I believe luxury hotels are going in the near future. Simply put, the Chao Phraya Four Seasons River is a complete oasis. There are lots of hidden nooks to explore, lots of green spaces, and lots of perks at your fingertips. During our stay we enjoyed the daily buffet breakfast, Thai boxing classes, flying yoga and a string of European restaurants with award winning chefs.
Dine at Four Seasons Bangkok
As is usually the case in Bangkok, this hotel has an abundance of world-class restaurants. Food is the main focus of the hotel, with more than enough choices to keep you from leaving the hotel! Of course there are lots of great restaurants and bars to explore outside the hotel, but if you're looking to stay overnight this is my top pick onsite.
Riverside – My top choice for hotel dining, especially for the standout breakfast buffet! I'm not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best breakfast buffets I've ever had in my life.
Palm Tree Brewery – Great dinner option for fine French fare. The cocktails are also great.
BKK Social Club – Award-winning bar with a stunning cocktail menu. The bar snack menu is also great, so be sure to arrive hungry.
Madeline Cafe – Beautiful patisserie located by the river. Visit before opening time in the morning for a full selection (some of their cakes are so popular they sell out every day!)
Details
Guest rooms range from deluxe rooms to riverside suites, with views of the Chao Phraya river. I stayed in the Premiere luxury river view room, which I would recommend to couples looking for something special.
Book your stay with The Four Seasons of Bangkok direct for the best price.
Disclaimer: I stayed at this property as a Four Seasons guest. All opinions and photos are mine and I really can't recommend this hotel enough! So far, this is my favorite hotel stay in Bangkok.