Back in the old days we used to do package trips from Hong Kong to other parts of Asia. These invariably put you up in posh hotels. Due to that we stayed here twice when it was the Marriot Riverside and we loved it. This time we stayed one night as a special treat. We don't normally fork out for expensive hotels now we book flights and hotels separately. However, now and again it is worth it.
We got to the hotel from the airport by taking the airport link train to Phraya Thai switching to the sky train - 2 stops to Siam Station, walk across platform to change line. 5 stops to Saphin Taksin. Go to pier and follow sign for hotel shuttles, wait for hotel's free boat. It runs every half hour up till midnight, leaving Saphin Taksin for the hotel at approx quarter to and quarter past the hour. Leaving the hotel for Saphin Taksin on the hour and half past the hour.
If you plan to explore bangkok from the hotel, from saphin Taksin you can board the sky train or take the Chao Phraya River boat to the historical sights.
We paid around £100 for a double room with kingsized bed, balcony, river view, late check out till 3pm next day, 25% off meals and inclusive breakfast buffet.
Our room (room 413) was beautiful. Only minor complaint was the bath was incredibly slippy, put one foot in and you slide right across the bath before you can even put your other one in. Quite dangerous. I have bruises to proove it. The bathroom came with an assortment of lovely toiletries: ginger soap and cardamon soap and beautiful smelling shampoo, hair conditioner and shower gel. Everything was very clean. The bed was very big and very comfy. There was a TV and DVD player.
The balcony was good you could see the river but it would be truer to say it faced the pool. Tea and coffee making facilities were available in the room with a huge selection of different teas. Perfect for me as I love herbal teas. There was an in room safe. Lots of storage space.
The swimming pool at the Anantara is wonderful. It is big and deep. You can even sit at the bar in the pool if you want to. There is also a lovely jacuzzi. the grounds of the hotel are beautiful. In fact the whole hotel is quite stunning. The standard of service is excellent, too. The receptionists, the boat shuttle workers, the bell boys, the towel attendant, the breakfast staff - all friendly and polite.
Of course food and drink are dear here compared to real life Bangkok. The hotel is much more like a retreat than even being in Bangkok. We ate at the pool and drank there during happy hour 4 to 6pm. There was an evening buffet with classical Thai dancing.We had a look at the dancing but did not eat at the buffet.
Breakfast buffet in the morning was fantastic. I thought I would never want to eat again by the end of it and finally a hotel that can keep food hot!! Coffee is served at the table. i had to ask for more. i prefer to just take my own as I like coffee. The freshly squeezed orange juice was heavenly. good selection of bread. thai food and western food available.
For our evening meal on the first night we went to one of the restaurants just outside the hotel on the non-river side. There are many restaurants here where you can eat much cheaper than the hotel, though the one we went to charged 17% extra on the bill just like the hotel does. This is a bit cheeky as this is not common practice in local restaurants just in the hotel, but they rely on you not knowing this or not wanting to make a scene about this. This arcade also had some shops and a Boots chemist. Nowhere to buy beer though. We took the free shuttle to Taksin Saphin and went to 7 eleven to stock up on that.
I would certainly stay here again but use it as a spa retreat rather than a base to explore Bangkok. While you can easily explore Bangkok from it, the hotel is so lovely, you won't want to leave it.
- Marriott Bangkok Resort
- Marriott Bangkok Hotel
- Marriott Bangkok
- Bangkok Marriott
