Hotel Review: Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)

Kerwin McKenzie Hotel Review 28 Comments

 

Hotel Review: Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, Thailand

I was guest of the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok June 2014. It was around my birthday, so I was super happy to stay at this five star property down by the Chao Phraya River. Plus, my room had a view of the river so I was most happy.

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Entrance

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Entrance

Location

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand

Getting Here

  • You can always arrange for the hotel’s own transportation services by private car.
  • The nearest metro station is the Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station (S6) along the Silom Line, take Exit 1 – 10 minutes walk to hotel
  • If coming by the river as the hotel is right on the river, get off at the Saphan Taksin station along the river – 12 minutes walk to hotel

The hotel is located along the river so you get to watch all the busy activities. The Chao Phraya River is very busy with passenger boats as well as a lot of commercial activity. Its a lot of fun to watch it all.

Check-in

I pulled up in a Tuk Tuk; really? This is a five star hotel, but its also Bangkok where a Tuk Tuk is the norm for transportation. I was staying at a nearby hotel so it made sense. Traffic in Bangkok is really intense, so traveling by Tuk Tuk, metro or a motorbike is the best way to go.

The bellman offered to take my luggage as I exited the Tuk Tuk. Then I headed towards the chandeliered beautifully decorated foyer.

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom - Foyer

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom – Foyer

I was greeted by an agent and was checked in expeditiously as the hotel services were explained. I then headed for the elevator and up to my room.

The Room

As I walked in the room and immediately I loved it. The view of the River at the end of the room is what captivated me immediately. The room also had a red motif and is one of the Horizon Club Rooms’ this meant I got to access the Horizon Club Lounge which we will talk about later. Plus I had complimentary WiFi, a bigger room and an incredible bathroom as well.

Ready to book as yet?

Take a look at the room.  

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Looking Towards Window

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Looking Towards Window

Growing up in rural Jamaica far away from rivers have made me love river views. I don’t want to swim in them or anything, just enjoy the view. My room provided a great view of the river in two directions.

I could also see the trains and the cars that crossed the nearby bridge. Plus it was quiet. As I made my way further into the room, I could see the hotel left me a welcome fruit basket; I was thrilled, thank you.

Shangri-La Bangkok - Welcome Room Gift

Shangri-La Bangkok – Welcome Room Gift

Then I made it to the view of the river finally for a closer look. And oh wow! I could spend countless hours here I thought.  

Shangri-La Bangkok - Room View of the Chao Phraya River

Shangri-La Bangkok – Room View of the Chao Phraya River

I then turned around and got this view of my home for the next few days.  

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Looking Towards The Door

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Looking Towards The Door

It was now time to check out the bathroom; it was huge, take a look for yourself.  

Shangri-La Bangkok - Bathroom The Sink

Shangri-La Bangkok – Bathroom The Sink

 

Shangri-La Bangkok - Bathroom Bathtub

Shangri-La Bangkok – Bathroom Bathtub

 

Shangri-La Bangkok - Bathroom Shower

Shangri-La Bangkok – Bathroom Shower

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Bathroom Toilet

Shangri-La Bangkok Bathroom Toilet

Here are some more photos of the room to whet your appetite.  

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Bathrobe

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Bathrobe

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Floor

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Floor

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Headboard

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Headboard

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom MiniBar

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom MiniBar

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom The Desk

Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom The Desk

The Horizon Club Lounge

When you stay in a Horizon Club room, you are given access to the Horizon Club Lounge. Here you can have breakfast, snacks throughout the day and happy hour in the afternoon complete with eats and drinks; alcohol included. It’s also a business center as well as a Lounge area complete with a few TVs as well as a Library area. So your place to get away from the rest of the hotel complete with a spectacular view of the Chao Phraya River.

Shangri-La Bangkok - Horizon Club Lounge

Shangri-La Bangkok – Horizon Club Lounge

The view from the Lounge is spectacular day or night.  

Shangri-La Bangkok - Horizon Club Lounge View

Shangri-La Bangkok – Horizon Club Lounge View

 

Shangri-La Bangkok Horizon Club Lounge MainRoom

Shangri-La Bangkok Horizon Club Lounge MainRoom

You can read more about the Lounge and its benefits here.          

The Restaurants

There is no shortage of places to eat at the Shangri-La. I had breakfast at the Horizon Club Lounge, but one morning I tried out the breakfast buffet at the Next2Cafe which is located right by the riverside. It was great as I could watch the river activities go by; from the long boats to barges, to shuttle boats and ferries. It was a pleasure to have breakfast here.

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Breakfast Next2Cafe

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Breakfast Next2Cafe

One night, I had diner at the only Thai restaurant on property, the salathip, complete with native Thai dancing. The atmosphere and the food was fantastic. It is a difficult to locate the entrance, so remember to ask for directions before you head there. It’s smart casual and is located right on the river close to the main pool.

Check out

I always hate this part, but alas, I had to leave the fantastic views, awesome room and service all behind and head to my next place of abode across town.

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Hallway

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Hallway

I had breakfast one last time, checked out smoothly, then headed out to the SkyTrain.

Overall Impression

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok

 
I loved this hotel for its location and beautiful rooms; not to mention the Horizon Club Lounge with its spectacular view of the river below. If you are looking for a five start property in Bangkok by the river; the Shangri-La should be one of the hotels at the top of your list.
 

   

Have you stayed at this hotel? What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.

 

Comments 28

  1. A truly lovely hotel and just curious to learn as to what I could possibly do to earn
     a complimentary stay in such a luxurious property. 
    Love your posts 

    1. Post
      Author
  2. A truly lovely hotel and just curious to learn as to what I could possibly do to earn
     a complimentary stay in such a luxurious property. 
    Love your posts 

  3. Hi,
    Thanks for the article on the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok.    I stayed there many years ago on my first trip to Thailand and again about 12 years ago.   Needless to say it is a great hotel and looks just as good today as it did back then.   Hoping to get back to Thailand in the next year or two.  
    UAL retiree. 

    1. Post
      Author
  4. Hi,
    Thanks for the article on the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok.    I stayed there many years ago on my first trip to Thailand and again about 12 years ago.   Needless to say it is a great hotel and looks just as good today as it did back then.   Hoping to get back to Thailand in the next year or two.  
    UAL retiree. 

  5. Great review. Staying near the river is a lot of fun watching everything that goes on in this amazing city. We go there regularly and being so close to the BTS, in such a frenetic city, is essential. Arriving in a tuk-tuk is just plain cool Kerwin. 

    1. Post
      Author
  6. Great review. Staying near the river is a lot of fun watching everything that goes on in this amazing city. We go there regularly and being so close to the BTS, in such a frenetic city, is essential. Arriving in a tuk-tuk is just plain cool Kerwin. 

  7. My favoured bit of the SL experience is the service – it is some of the best compared to some of its more respected competitors. We’ve stayed at a few and there is nothing ever wanting, but more pzazz in the rooms would be nice – they are very similar across the world. That said – here, the view looks outstanding and the space is great for a city room too!

    1. Post
      Author
  8. My favoured bit of the SL experience is the service – it is some of the best compared to some of its more respected competitors. We’ve stayed at a few and there is nothing ever wanting, but more pzazz in the rooms would be nice – they are very similar across the world. That said – here, the view looks outstanding and the space is great for a city room too!

  9. Kerwin-That view is to die for! Staying near the Chao Phraya River allows you to see all the action and be in the heart of all the activity taking place. It looks like you could really zen out in that lovely room after what could only be a hectic day of activity. I’m over due for another ride in a tuk-tuk. Great way to arrive.

    1. Post
      Author

      So you’re green with envy then @Alison? :-).

      Most people hate staying by the river, but I love it. Chinatown is just down the river and I can take the SkyTrain into the city in no time. There’s also a thriving market area literally five minutes walk from the property. So there’s no shortage of things to do around the place.

      Yes, get a tuk-tuk, they are great. It’s the constant buzz that I like :-D.

      Kerwin
      http://www.Passrider.com
      http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider

  10. Kerwin-That view is to die for! Staying near the Chao Phraya River allows you to see all the action and be in the heart of all the activity taking place. It looks like you could really zen out in that lovely room after what could only be a hectic day of activity. I’m over due for another ride in a tuk-tuk. Great way to arrive.

  11. Looks like you had an enjoyable stay there, Kerwin. Nice to see some local touches prevail through the room such as the headboard. Love that view also… was that a fisheye lens you used there?  Any water view will do me, be it river, lake or sea… but it sounds like you found a gem of a location here.

    1. Post
      Author

      I did Paul.
      From check-in to check out. I even go to visit the more upscale part of the property if you can believe that :-). You would have loved this part even more.

      Yeah, I’m very thankful that they kept the Thainess throughout the hotel. I definitely felt it and experienced it.

      As you enter the room, its the headboard that grabs you and then that view!

      Yeah, this is one for the top choices for an ocean view. I don’t think any other hotels on teh river gives this river view and such a clear view of the river in both directions.

      Kerwin
      http://www.Passrider.com
      wwwFacebook.com/Passrider

  12. Looks like you had an enjoyable stay there, Kerwin. Nice to see some local touches prevail through the room such as the headboard. Love that view also… was that a fisheye lens you used there?  Any water view will do me, be it river, lake or sea… but it sounds like you found a gem of a location here.

  13. Stayed in this hotel last year…the most fabulous hotel I have ever stayed in and I’ve stayed in a lot of very nice hotels.
    Almost worth going back to Bangkok for

    1. Post
      Author
  14. Stayed in this hotel last year…the most fabulous hotel I have ever stayed in and I’ve stayed in a lot of very nice hotels.
    Almost worth going back to Bangkok for

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