The Peninsula Bangkok

When the hotel was built about 30 years ago, it was a splendid addition to the hotel group. The problem is that 30 years later the are few (if any) changes. It is still is tip top shape….a good comparison would be flying in a perfectly maintained 707. The hotel lobby is as it was. The lighting isn’t great and printing the menus in a light brown ink renders them hard to read. The technology hasn’t changed. The bedside panel to control the lights, the air con and to operate the curtains is the same one installed ….30 years ago. And now for some not so good tweaks. The bathroom amenities are cheaper. There is no laundry list. But the wood is in good shape, if on the dark side. The carpets are very good. But overall, a bit disappointing.

The Peninsula Bangkok might not be the most modern, affluent or instagrammalbe five star hotel in Bangkok. But for shure it’s wonderful staff delivers really outstanding and exceptional service and hospitality. This goes beyond the usual routine of delivering quality service in a luxury hotel. During our 3 nights stay every single staff member from bell desk up to the staff on the shuttle boat provided exceptional, honest and wholehearted service. The hotel, suite and all public areas are immaculate clean and tastefully decorated. Kudos to the housekeeping team for the great work. Breakfast is outstanding. Also the wonderful pool area is beyond compare. With it’s excellent location on the river, you feel more in an upscale resort than a city hotel. Personally I like The Peninsula Bangkok so much, that I preferred it over the Mandarin Oriental, even having the highest Pearl status at Fans of Mandarin Oriental. Please keep up this excellent job. We will definitely return next time.

I truly enjoy spending my vacations at luxury hotels, and Bangkok has always been one of my favorite destinations for that reason — where world-class brands meet warm Thai hospitality at a relatively reasonable price. This time, I visited Bangkok specifically to stay at The Peninsula Bangkok. Since most flights to Korea depart late at night, I always plan my last day at a great hotel so that I can fully relax and enjoy the facilities even after check-out. To be honest, my stay at The Peninsula left me with mixed feelings. I deeply trust the Forbes Travel Guide and the Michelin Key, especially when it comes to evaluating service quality. Among Bangkok’s Forbes Five-Star hotels — Mandarin Oriental, Capella, and The Peninsula — this was my first time staying at The Peninsula. Some long-serving staff members clearly embody the essence of a five-star standard — genuinely warm, attentive, and eager to create a memorable stay for guests. Their professionalism explains why this hotel has earned such recognition. However, I also felt that the overall service system lacked consistency. A few staff members appeared untrained or inattentive, which affected the overall impression. The most disappointing experience was the unfriendly service at the noodle corner of the breakfast restaurant by a staff member named Bella — something that still leaves an unpleasant memory. Although The Peninsula is a Hong Kong–based brand, I personally believe that when staying at its Bangkok property, Thai-style hospitality should naturally be part of the experience. The charm of Thai luxury hotels lies not only in their facilities but in the warmth, grace, and attentiveness that make guests feel genuinely cared for — something I unfortunately found lacking at times during my stay. As someone who is very sensitive to service quality, I chose The Peninsula with high expectations, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to them. That said, I truly appreciated the help of Duty Manager Paul, who handled several issues proactively and made sure I could still leave with a positive impression. On the day of check-out, I noticed that bellmen didn’t assist with loading luggage into the Grab car, and in general, most staff members didn’t take the initiative to approach or assist guests first. Considering the hotel stands right across from the Mandarin Oriental, I sincerely hope The Peninsula can improve its service structure — even if that means a slightly higher price — to match the standards of its peers. The hotel itself is quite old but very well maintained, especially the guest rooms, which were spotless and comfortable. I could clearly see the effort put into preserving the hotel’s classic charm despite its age. 나는 럭셔리 호텔에서 휴식하는 시간을 매우 즐기는 사람이다. 방콕은 세계적인 럭셔리 브랜드와 따뜻한 태국식 환대를 합리적인 가격에 함께 경험할 수 있는 도시이기에, 그 매력에 자주 끌린다. 이번에도 오직 페닌슐라 방콕을 경험해보기 위해 여행을 계획했다. 한국행 비행편이 대부분 밤늦게 출발하기 때문에, 마지막 날엔 늘 좋은 호텔을 선택해 체크아웃 이후에도 부대시설을 즐기며 여유롭게 머무는 편이다. 솔직히 말하자면, 이번 페닌슐라 숙박은 기대와 아쉬움이 공존했다. 나는 포브스 트래블 가이드와 미슐랭 키의 평가를 매우 신뢰하는데, 특히 서비스 부문에서는 포브스의 기준을 가장 중요하게 생각한다. 방콕의 포브스 5스타 호텔 세 곳—만다린 오리엔탈, 카펠라, 그리고 페닌슐라 중에서 이번이 처음으로 페닌슐라를 방문했다. 연륜이 느껴지는 직원분들의 세심한 응대는 확실히 ‘5스타’라는 평판에 걸맞았다. 진심 어린 친절과 투숙객을 편안하게 해주려는 태도에서 높은 수준의 전문성을 느낄 수 있었다. 하지만 전반적으로는 서비스 체계가 다소 일관되지 못하다고 느꼈다. 일부 직원의 미숙하거나 무관심한 태도는 아쉬움을 남겼다. 특히 조식당 누들 코너의 Bella 직원의 불친절한 응대는 아직도 불쾌하게 기억에 남는다. 물론 페닌슐라가 홍콩 기반의 브랜드라는 점은 알고 있지만, 나는 태국에 있는 페닌슐라를 방문한 만큼 태국식 환대가 자연스럽게 녹아 있어야 한다고 생각한다. 태국의 럭셔리 호텔이 특별한 이유는 단지 시설 때문이 아니라, 따뜻하고 세심하며 진심 어린 ‘태국식 서비스’ 덕분이다. 하지만 이번 숙박에서는 그 점이 다소 부족하게 느껴졌다. 나는 서비스에 매우 민감한 편이라 페닌슐라에 대한 기대가 높았지만, 이번 경험은 그 기대에 완전히 부합하지는 못했다. 다만 여러 상황 속에서도 적극적으로 도움을 주신 듀티 매니저 폴(Paul) 덕분에 좋은 기억으로 남을 수 있었다. 체크아웃 후 그랩 차량을 탑승할 때 벨맨이 짐을 실어주지 않았고, 대부분의 직원이 먼저 다가와 도움을 주는 태도도 부족했다. 만다린 오리엔탈 바로 맞은편에 위치한 호텔인 만큼, 조금 더 가격이 오르더라도 서비스 체계와 진심 어린 환대가 강화되길 바란다. 호텔은 전반적으로 오래되었지만, 객실 관리 상태는 매우 훌륭했다. 세월의 흔적 속에서도 객실은 깨끗하고 편안했으며, 고전적인 분위기를 잘 유지하고 있었다.

I’ve been staying at The Peninsula Bangkok for fourteen years, and I simply cannot imagine staying anywhere else in the city. Having traveled across six continents and experienced some of the world’s finest hotels, I can honestly say that this property stands apart. It’s not just one of the best hotels in Bangkok—it’s one of the best anywhere. The Peninsula delivers something that is increasingly rare in 2025: genuine, consistent, heartfelt hospitality. I first stayed here in 2012, and in all these years they haven’t missed a single beat. Every room faces the river, the views are spectacular, and the feeling of calm when you walk in is unmatched. Even if I were offered a complimentary night at the Mandarin Oriental or the Four Seasons, I know they’re fine properties, but I would still choose The Peninsula. I would simply be disappointed elsewhere, because no other property could match the Peninsula’s service. The people here set a bar that’s almost impossible for anyone else to reach. It’s the staff that make it truly special. The concierges, Ann and Landawan, are extraordinary—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely caring. The River Café & Terrace offers one of the best buffets I’ve ever had anywhere in the world, and the pool area is pure perfection. Sittichai and Mimi are great. The front office team is outstanding—Alex and his colleagues Kimi, Sorayo, Paul, and everyone else are professional, warm, and make every guest feel valued. Once you stay at The Peninsula Bangkok, there’s no going anywhere else. You’ll feel truly cared for, surrounded by kindness and grace. If you’re visiting Bangkok and want an unforgettable stay, this is the place. You’re only fooling yourself if you stay anywhere else.

The hotel itself situated at the bank of Chao Praya river. I had a deal from the Thai government for the valued price and it was my first time staying here. Facilities: Peninsula Bangkok offers a variety of complementary wellness activities for guests. This was very new for me. A thumbs-up for this. Shuttle boat: This makes travel easier along the Choa Praya. Either you go to Icon Siam or BTS or even private route. I enjoyed it so much. Peninsular Time: I think this might not be straightforward as I tried to contact them multiple times to get my request confirmed for early check-in / let check-out. Though I could stay the entire weekend. Very worth my time. Hotel design: A little bit old-fashioned, but classy and bold. Staffs: Suggested very well since check-in and friendly. Especially at the gym and lobby.