Peninsula hotel in Bangkok

For anyone who has never been to Bangkok and is looking for a great place to stay which is very affordable. I cannot recommend anything better than Peninsula hotel. This majestic hotel located in Bangkok, is A plus. The peninsula is a 39 story majestic hotel and offers some of the best scenery of Bangkok skyline. Located on the Chao Praya river, there is a ferry service which can take you across to downtown Bangkok. This Ferry ride is soothing, and provides a unique view of Bangkok- and it beats the car traffic.

Services provided for guests include superb fitness room, large swimming pool., spa, business office, helicopter service, baby sitting and even a private ferry to take you across the river. Every morning you can a great buffet breakfast and even an English newspaper. Each room has the fanciest electronic gadgets. All rooms have the usual amenities of TV, DVD players but it is the size of the rooms that are impressive. The rooms all smell soft, romantic and are very inviting. The computer technology in each room allows the guests independent control of temperature, lighting, telephones, and audio visual systems – all done with a simple touch of the button.

Many rooms even have electronic curtains. However, the highlight of Peninsula hotel are the marble bathrooms. Every type of personal care product is made available for free. The bathroom also incorporates a television which has steam free screens, and a very convenient remote control panel that allows you to watch your favorite program as you soak. The sound system is so advanced that it filters the sound of water and allows you to listen to the TV. Everything is immaculate. If you fall sick, the hotel has 24 hour health care staff on call. The hotel caters to guests 24 hours a day.

After a hard day's shopping, the hotel even offers afternoon tea with some of the best desserts in Asia. And then there is the traditional Thai massage which will take your breath away.

However, two things of note. The food in the restaurant is very pricey but delicious. For those who can afford it, eating Thai sea food in the hotel verandah is highly recommended.

The second thing that people have to know is that the hotel is located on the opposite side of downtown- meaning that you either have to cross the river or take a taxi to the other side. For those who prefer a taxi- forget it. This 10 minute trip in Bangkok can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. There is a constant gridlock on the streets everyday and at all times. The hotel does offer a free boat shuttle. For those who want to walk, sure it is possible. However, what is worse than the heavy traffic in Bangkok is Thailand’s wet season (Nov- Jan). When it pours, it floods everything up to your knees.

Asides from this minor fault, Peninsula is worth every cent. This is a no hassles hotel, here there are never any line ups or waiting periods. The staff cater to everything. It is the rare guest who will complain about the Peninsula hotel. These guests would be better served with a Prozac pill than traveling.

The cost of staying at the peninsula is variable at the moment because of the political turmoil (but still very safe for westerners). On average expect to pay between $90- $150 for a night. However, the hotel does offer great discounts and at the moment one can stay at the peninsula for $ 85. With the current global recession, there are plenty of discounts for longer stays.