I am not sure what more I can say - Perfection

The rooms, the restaurant, the food, the views, the service - Perfection

Love the local fruit in the rooms each day.

....That is all that needs to be said and I am a seasoned traveller!

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has to be one of Asia's finest hotels....anywhere. Not just location, decor, service....but the place simply oozes charm, culture and refinement. Even though its been owned by MO for donkeys, its still The Oriental to me, and always will be.

Well these days I have to watch the purse strings a bit more so I can't afford to actually stay at The Oriental, but still a weekend in Bangkok would be incomplete without even a visit. And one of the best options is dinner at the Riverside Terrace.

Years ago, the Terrace was of course riverside, but the river walls were so high that you could not actually see the Chao Praya, although you could hear the unsilenced four stroke engines of all the river traffic loud and clear thats for sure. Magically now, MO have lowered the walls so that all diners have a wonderful riverside view. It must have cost a few bob, and also caused them a few worries in last year's floods, but if any investment was ever going to wash its face, its this one.

Service was impeccable, although when I insisted on an actual riverside table, the waitress became momentarily unhelpful and officious. But MO training came through and all was arranged, with faultless smiles and grace. As we left later, we spotted that our original table was directly in front of the band. Obviously the band was not the Foo Fighters, and were actually strumming out very mellow tunes, but band-front had not been our objective of the evening, so I felt justified in digging my heels in earlier, even as my fellow diners looked excruciatingly on.

The buffet dinner is western, but its top class. The full monty. We partook somewhat sparingly, but luxuriated in the quality of the starters, mains, and desserts. I can't summarize what's on offer, but I don't think anybody could possibly be disappointed (unless of course they wanted a green curry) and its all presented in MO pomp & finery.

Overall a marvellous dinner for five of us, with a bottle of red and a couple of glasses of white, it came to about THB 3500 each = USD 110. Agreed its not cheap, especially for Bangkok - but in my opinion excellent good value, and without hesitation I will take my family, friends and clients back on any occasion.

This was my second stay and once again The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is perfection. From the moment you enter the lobby and you are given an elegant wai by the doorman and are presented with flowers, you have entered a place that will coddle you and attend to your every need. Each staff member amazingly remembered my name and was always available to help. The butler on my floor arrived within minutes of my stepping into my room to offer to help me unpack my bags.Rooms are very handsome and have every amenity. And of course the view over the Chao Praya River is magnificent, particularly in the evenings when glittering boats float by.