The Oriental at night
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With a plethora of hotels in the ‘City of Angels’ it can sometimes be tough to separate the wheat from the chaff and make the best accommodation decision. That’s where we come in. Part of the added value that Smiling Albino brings to our guests is that we have personally visited every hotel we recommend, have sat on the bed, felt the sheets, tried the lights and snooped around for all the small details that come together to ensure a total-quality experience, regardless of budget.
Following some recent hotel inspections and numerous inquiries from our guests, we thought it would be fun to rank some of our favorites based on a variety of categories. Here are our ideal picks.
Smiling Albino is happy to book any of the aforementioned hotels at competitive rates. We know all the best rooms...
5-star Glamorous - $300US++/night
1) Mandarin Oriental
In terms of fine details and deep history, there are few places on earth that match the splendor of the Oriental. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, treat yourself to a legendary stay at least once in your life - it invigorates the senses. The location and access to everything can't be beat.
2) Sukhothai
A very Thai experience in a very cosmopolitan city. The Sukhothai inspires the idea that all things Thai go hand-in-hand with luxury and class. The hotel features great artwork throughout the property and some of the finest suites in town. Not an ideal location if you're into walking out the front door an immersing yourself in Bangkok, but ideal for business travelers or those being picked up and shuttled about by handlers.
3) Shangri-La
Always considered the younger sister to the Oriental, the Shangri-La arguably has equally stunning rooms, service and ambiance. The purposeful layout of the hotel and the expanse of the lobby area make it an incredible place to dream away an afternoon.
4) Conrad
A luxury hotel with a fun, sassy edge. Outstanding room design and creative use of wood, silk and glass compliment generous open spaces. An SA team member stayed the night and commented that the ambiance of the room was extraordinary, the service divine and food sublime.
5) Four Seasons
The Suites and Premiere rooms are the way to go here for sure. Certainly the classic finish that comes along with everything the Four Seasons does is reason enough to stay, at least once. As a downtown hotel, you’re as close to the action as it gets, be it the Skytrain, shopping malls or open markets.
Living large at Majestic Grande
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Value for Money – about $100US or less
1) Majestic Grande
Chic, well appointed rooms in an ideal location make this hotel the best value for money in Bangkok. Noted for outstanding service, they have a variety of room classes covering the full gambit. The Majestic Grande Suite ($600US) is worthy of an award for all time greatest bachelor party rooms.
2) Somerset Suan Park View
Another ideal location for down-towners. Generous room size, top-notch facilities, and a warm sense of at-home comfort, score high at Sommerset Suan Park. It has more of an executive apartment feel than a hotel, which is exactly why it gets so many repeat visitors.
3) Reno Hotel
A budget gem tucked inside a little street near Jim Thompson's House, the Reno is sort of an art-deco, upscale guesthouse. Excellent access to the streets, Skytrain, canals, make this is a winner. Rooms are comfortable yet simple, but tough to beat the price-point and still have a nice swimming pool with helpful staff.
4) Ibrik
The Ibrik is so tiny that we can't really call it a hotel. It’s more of a micro-boutique house on the river with unbeatable views, surrounded by palaces and temples.
You'll never have a cozier room and better view in a wild location.
5) Pathumwan Princess
Located in the heart of the city, Pathumwan has the largest fitness room and largest pool of any hotel in Thailand. Located in MBK Shopping Center, next to Siam Square, it has the best access to boutique shopping in the city too.
The cool Eugenia
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Insider's Exclusive Experience
1) Chakrabongse Villa
In a class of its own, Chakrabongse gets our vote for simply the coolest place to stay - regardless of budget and needs. An early 20th century Thai prince made this house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, now it’s a gorgeous private luxury hideaway nestled amongst the most regal real estate in Asia. With only three main rooms this is also our vote for the best place to stay with a significant other.
2) Arun Residence
We love evening drinks at the upstairs bar at night with incredible views of Wat Arun across the river – a huge feature here. A cool, funky, great little hideaway, go for the Arun Suite to get a more reasonable room size with private balcony. Earthly cool and close to the ground, Arun is hidden at the end of a charming side-street near Wat Pho.
3) Eugenia
Not exactly a Thai experience, we’re taking creative license on the category breakdown here anyway. An English colonial-style mansion erected in the Sukhumvit retail district of Bangkok, Eugenia is outstanding for private events and a neat ‘colonial-feeling’ stay. Gorgeous artwork and English/Chinese/Indian antiques are scattered throughout. Be sure to request one of their vintage cars to pick you up at the airport. Great for a big family or two to rent out entirely.
4) River View Guesthouse
If you can actually find it through the serpentine maze of streets through Chinatown you deserve an award. The rooms are simple, beds average, but very few places in town can compete with River View's character. It has arguably the nicest unobstructed view of the river from the rooftop too. This place attracts an eclectic clientele including budget travelers, long-termers, and even movie producers.
5) Atlanta Hotel
One of the coolest and strangest places in town. Over half a century old, it’s a Bangkok institution. Inspired by 1930’s theatre sets, The Atlanta is an art-deco hotel owned by the family who built it – and it features the first hotel swimming pool in Thailand! Their clean tourism mantra is impossible to misinterpret and the period-furniture, fixtures and purposeful feel of this hotel is something all 'Inside' visitors should experience. The rooms are not luxurious by any stretch, but good vibes of The Atlanta make most of their guests repeat ones, decade after decade.
We are happy to arrange your stay at any of these properties and more at competitive rates.
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