Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

I stayed at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok for a few nights and really enjoyed it. The hotel feels classic but still very comfortable. The riverside location is beautiful, especially in the morning and evening. Service was excellent but not over the top - staff were friendly, helpful, and made everything easy. The room was spacious, clean, and quiet. I also liked the boat shuttle, it’s a nice way to get around and adds to the experience. Breakfast by the river was probably my favorite part. Very relaxing and a good selection of food. It’s definitely on the expensive side, but if you want a special stay in Bangkok, it’s worth it.

Supidcha and Sarunrat are having very nice smiles, attentive and polite. The guitarist also talented making the ambience more calming and relaxing. The restroom are clean by the lady wearing Thai traditional dress. All staff at the lounge are friendly.

Having stayed at the MO several years ago, we decided to return for my birthday weekend. We had a lovely 3 nights in a mandarin room which was spacious with great river and city views. Unfortunately, we were disappointed on our first morning when we went for breakfast. The MO were hosting a large Chinese company event for a month which resulted in an overcrowded, chaotic breakfast area. This had a significant impact each morning of our stay. There were a lot of people at all the stations (no queueing, but a lot of pushing), at times the staff struggled to replenish food such as the roast meat counter. I asked if they had any more and was told it had all gone. Considering the MO has a reputation for having the best buffet breakfast in the city, based on our experience, we would not agree with that. Furthermore, one morning I asked for freshly squeezed orange juice I was told it would be brought to our table. What arrived was the concentrate off the buffet, which was very disappointing. I asked staff what the best time would be to arrive for breakfast, I was informed ‘after 10.00.’ Considering it closes at 10.30, it would leave little time, and I doubt there would be much selection of food left by then. Breakfast aside, we never had a crowd problem at the other dining options. We had dinner at Terrace Rim Naam, which was a lovely way to spend the evening. We had drinks in the Bamboo Bar on two nights, which was good. Although, the dress code is not enforced which was unfortunate; people were wearing jeans, sports clothes etc. We also had lunch at Verandah, which was good. Of note, we also dined at Le Normandie which I have reviewed separately (very disappointing experience). Service was good in all eateries and generally throughout our stay. We booked the Evening for the Senses tour which was excellent; we will do this again if we return to the MO. Our guide was Or, she was very good. We also booked the limousine pick up service from the airport, which was a nice and convenient way to begin our holiday. On the whole, we had a mixed experience at the MO. In future, if we decide to return, I would check with the hotel if they were hosting large events in advance of our stay so that I could make alternative plans if needed.

There’s something about this place it slows you down softens everything, and makes you notice the little moments. Mornings by the river became my favourite ritual, just sitting there with a coffee, watching the city gently wake up the team remembers you, not just your room number, and that warmth stays with you throughout nothing feels rushed, nothing feels forced it all just flows so naturally.

Sorry for the late review. The arrival route by car is perhaps slightly odd as you feel you are going down some Bangkok back streets but then turn in to the hotel with a welcome by people in uniform and pith helmets together with other staff, great. On arrival check-in was efficient and information. They also booked a table for our evening meal. We booked a Chao Phraya Suite. This was an excellent room with a view over the pool, gardens and the river. There is a small balcony to view the outside from and large windows to do the same if you want to say in the Air Con. Almost more than you really need for one night. The bed was comfortable and a good night’s sleep. Tea and Coffee plus a mini bar which was not over priced compared with some hotels and the price of drinks in their bars/restaurants. In the evening we were at The Verandah Restaurant. There were thunder storms when we arrived early afternoon but by evening these had cleared and we were given a table right by the river. Most tables in this restaurant have a river review to some extent. But that may not be important to all. I think it helps take in the atmosphere, lots of lights and the dinner dance cruise boats going up and down. The food was good as was the service and attentiveness. There is a wide choice of food and given I am not a fan of over spicy/hot food it shows they had a good selection. The next morning, we had an early start, check out was efficient and they provided Breakfast Boxes were provided and there was more than enough in them, in fact we shared them both with our guide and driver.