When the plane landed in Bangkok, we were whisked away to the Shangri-La Hotel, the perfect hotel to relax after the trip. The Shangri-La Hotel was the essence of “Thai-ness” from its paintings, wood carvings, furnishings, and even the corridor, main lobby, rooms and suites.
Rashana Pimolsindh, Director of Communications, explained, “We have many foreign guests who travel to many countries and they wake up asking, ‘Which country is this?’ When they see the Thai art, the silk, couches, and everything else, the guest knows they are in Bangkok.
The Shangri-La Hotel is the largest 5 Star hotel in Bangkok and the longest frontage on the river, one-fourth of a mile along the historic “River of Kings”, the Chao Phraya River.”
In keeping with Thai traditions, guests are greeted with hand-held flower bouquets when they arrive. The entire staff welcomes guests with their hands touching, as in prayer, saying “Sawasdee”.
Each of the hotel’s two buildings has their own receptions and Presidential Suites, so it seems as though you are staying at two hotels.
I enjoyed the NEXT 2 Restaurant’s international buffet with a spectacular river view. Guests can choose from a large selection of Indian, Mongolian, Japanese, Chinese, western, Japanese Sushi or spa health cuisine. It was fun sampling the foods of all of those countries. Named the best buffet restaurant 2009-2010 by Bangkok Dining & Entertainment Magazine, the buffet is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The monetary exchange is great with 29 Baht to $1.00 many times we can stay at a luxury hotel in Thailand for the price of a Holiday Inn in the United States. www.shangri-la.com www.tourismthailand.org/la