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
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
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.
Take a look at the room.
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
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
I then turned around and got this view of my home for the next few days.
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 Bathtub
Shangri-La Bangkok – Bathroom Shower
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 Floor
Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom Headboard
Shangri-La Bangkok Bedroom MiniBar
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
The view from the Lounge is spectacular day or night.
Shangri-La Bangkok – Horizon Club Lounge View
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
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
I had breakfast one last time, checked out smoothly, then headed out to the SkyTrain.
Overall Impression
Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
Have you stayed at this hotel? What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.
Comments 28
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
Author
It is indeed @Abdul.
You just have to ask nicely @Abdul and have something to trade in kind or cash :-).
Thank you for your comments and support.
Kerwin
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
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
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.
Author
Good hear that it’s kept its charm all these years Judy.
The staff is really good and took care of my every needs and of course the property.
Well when you get back check the interline rates and see if they are available.
Kerwin.
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
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.
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.
Author
Thank you Paula.
Yes, the view is just simply incredible. I loved to watch the boats as they go up and down the river. Can’t help think how much commerce goes on there and where the heck the boats are going as well.
Thanks for the tuk-tuk comment; its just classic Bangkok :-).
I hope you get to visit soon.
Kerwin.
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
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.
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!
Author
Agreed Anna,
The service is crazy good. I wanted nothing and everything was presented for me. I had to mail a package and they took care of that expeditiously.
It’s my first stay at one of them and I’m well pleased. And of course I love the room!
Thanks for stopping by.
Kerwin
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Author
Hi Doreen,
Thank you for your comment.
You hit the nail right on the head. I’d agree wholeheartedly.
Kerwin
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
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
Hi Doreen,
Thank you for your comment.
You hit the nail right on the head. I’d agree wholeheartedly.
Kerwin
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider