Baan Phraya: Thai Fine Dining at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

There are hotels one visits, and there are hotels that become part of the mythology of a city. The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok belongs to that rare category of hotels that are destinations in their own right.

For nearly 150 years, the hotel has occupied one of Bangkok’s most storied positions on the Chao Phraya River. It has welcomed writers, royalty, diplomats and generations of travelers.

Through all this, food has always been part of that history. For decades, one of the quintessential experiences of staying here has involved crossing the river for dinner at Sala Rim Naam, the hotel’s celebrated Thai restaurant.

Now the Mandarin Oriental offers another reason to make that crossing. Baan Phraya, an intimate fine-dining restaurant housed in a century-old riverside residence, presents a distinctly different expression of Thai cuisine. Rather than competing with Sala Rim Naam, the hotel’s longstanding showcase of traditional Thai cuisine, music and dance, Baan Phraya looks to Thailand’s culinary heritage and gives a contemporary chef the freedom to interpret it for today.

We saved Baan Phraya for our final evening, after spending a week at the Mandarin Oriental. It turned out to be one of the most memorable dinners of our stay — and a wonderful way to say goodbye to Bangkok.

One Night in Bangkok

Our evening began before we even crossed the river. The hotel management had invited a small group of guests for cocktails in the historic Authors’ Lounge, one of the Mandarin Oriental’s loveliest spaces. Pale rattan furniture, tropical flowers and the building’s graceful architecture give the room a natural elegance.

It also has a rare authenticity. Walking through the lounge, one feels as though little has changed even as Bangkok has transformed around it.

The kitchen sent out a succession of excellent canapés with the drinks, and they were so generous that I joked we could quite happily have made dinner of them. Fortunately, we didn’t. Baan Phraya awaited across the Chao Phraya.

A House with a History

Baan Phraya occupies a Thai riverside residence dating from 1897, once home to Phraya Mahai Savan and his wife, Khunying Luean Mahai Savan. The couple regularly entertained here, and Khunying Luean was known for her cooking. Almost a century later, in 1986, the Oriental Hotel established its Thai Cooking School in the house. Today, guests have returned to the residence for much the same reason they did more than a century ago: to eat well.

The restoration respects that history without turning the house into a museum. We walked through a narrow passage lined with beautiful botanical wallpaper before entering the main dining room. In the latter, shades of green and white, handsome ceramics and warm brass details create a sophisticated but restful setting. The room feels contemporary, yet there is no mistaking that you are inside a traditional Thai house.

An open kitchen brings another dimension to the space. From the dining room, we could watch the chefs working beneath handsome brass lamps. This added a sense of intimacy to what might otherwise have been another rather formal tasting-menu experience.

Cocktails on the Terrace

Weather permitting, dinner begins outdoors on the terrace, where guests settle into wicker chairs surrounded by flowers and tropical greenery for the first appetizers and a pre-dinner drink.

The cocktail menu alone is worth studying. Familiar drinks acquire a distinctly regional accent: a Ylang Ylang Gin Tonic with som saa, a Vietnamese Coriander Mojito, a Coconut Prakaan Old Fashioned with Thai whisky, coconut and chocolate bitters, and a Curry Leaf Grasshopper with kaffir lime and fresh coconut milk.

Many of the herbs used by the bar and kitchen come from Baan Phraya’s own organic garden.

I chose the Rose Kombucha, made with umeshu, Amaro Montenegro, rose kombucha and verjus. Deep pink and finished with a tiny rose, it was aromatic and gently tart rather than sweet — an excellent beginning to a long dinner.

The First Bites

The tasting menu began on the terrace with three small bites: a crisp pineapple wafer with peanut and tamarind; a Thai honeycomb biscuit with herbs and an eggplant-custard infusion; and savory ice-vine leaves with roasted rice and coriander.

They were intricate without being fussy. Sweetness, acidity, herbs, heat and texture appeared in carefully judged proportions, and although the forms belonged unmistakably to a contemporary fine-dining kitchen, the flavors remained firmly rooted in Thailand.

With those first tastes behind us, we moved inside for the rest of dinner.

About Chef Pom of Baan Phraya

At the center of Baan Phraya is Chef Phatchara “Pom” Pirapak, who grew up in Yasothon in northeastern Thailand and traces much of her early interest in food to her grandmother’s cooking. She draws on regional traditions, old recipes and traditional techniques, but does not treat them as something that must be preserved unchanged.

The restaurant describes her approach as “refined home cooking,” and as dinner progressed, the phrase began to make sense. There was considerable technique behind the meal, but it rarely overwhelmed the ingredients. Tamarind, chilli, galangal, coconut, jasmine, pandan and an extraordinary variety of fresh herbs remained at the heart of the cooking.

Her menu also reaches well beyond Bangkok. Ours drew ingredients and inspiration from the Gulf of Siam, Isan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Pathom, Surat Thani, Khao Yai and Chainat. Yet the meal never announced itself as a culinary tour of Thailand. The geography emerged naturally through what we ate.

The Ingredients Come First

One of the most interesting aspects of dinner was the way the team introduced many of the courses. Rather than simply placing a finished dish before us and listing its components, they often began with the ingredients.

Fresh herbs, roots, lemongrass and other produce appeared in generous arrangements while the staff explained what we were about to eat. At other moments, we saw the cooking vessel or the main ingredient before the finished dish reached the table.

This added context without turning dinner into a lesson. It also made us look more closely at the building blocks of Thai cooking before seeing how Chef Pom had put them together.

Jewels of the Ocean

Seafood produced some of the most memorable dishes of the evening. A Gulf of Siam banana-prawn tartare came with Isan herbs and roasted rice, followed by squid from Prachuap Khiri Khan in a coconut broth fragrant with galangal, aromatic herbs and pink peppercorns.

Then a coconut shell arrived nestled in a profusion of fresh Thai herbs. The lid lifted to reveal marinated bamboo fish, which had been grilled in the coconut shell itself and was served with house-made pickled papaya. This was one of my favorite presentations of the night.

The coconut did more than provide spectacle. It showed us how the fish had been prepared, while the surrounding herbs added fragrance as the shell opened. The presentation enhanced our understanding of the dish instead of distracting from it.

The Surat Thani River Prawn

By this point in our trip, I had developed a serious fondness for Thai river prawns. We had just spent several days traveling between Bangkok and Ayutthaya aboard Loy Dream, a restored teak rice barge, where enormous river prawns had been among my favorite things to eat.

So I was delighted when another appeared at Baan Phraya. This one came not from Ayutthaya but from Surat Thani in southern Thailand. Chef Pom grilled it and served it with its rich tomalley, young tamarind and chilli paste.

The preparation was more refined than the river prawns we had eaten during our journey, but the kitchen resisted the temptation to do too much. The sweetness of the prawn, the richness of its tomalley and the sharpness of tamarind and chilli carried the dish. It was one of my favorites of the evening.

Rice from the Clay Pot

Amid the intricacy of the tasting menu came one of its simplest pleasures. Rice arrived in a generous earthenware pot and was spooned onto our plates at the table.

I loved this detail. Surrounded by beautiful ceramics, elaborate presentations and precise plating, a clay pot of warm rice brought an appealing note of domesticity to dinner. For a moment, the experience connected with the familiar rhythm of a Thai meal.

Often, these are the details I remember longest. Luxury is at its most convincing when it stops calling attention to itself and simply becomes hospitality.

The Perfect Roast Duck, Thai Style

The main course was refreshingly simple and impeccably executed. Before carving it, the team brought a whole roasted free-range Khao Yai duck to the table, its burnished skin beautifully scored and the bird surrounded by fresh herbs.

It returned as perfectly pink slices of breast accompanied by sour grape and heart of palm, with fragrant green-curry sauce poured at the table. After some of the more elaborate courses that preceded it, I particularly enjoyed the restraint.

The duck was beautifully cooked, the curry had depth without overwhelming the meat, and nothing on the plate felt unnecessary. The kitchen had done the hard work; the finished dish did not need to advertise it.

Sweet Charm of Siam

Dessert remained firmly in Thailand. Mulberry-honey granita from Chainat came with organic jasmine flower, bitter orange and talipot palm, a refreshing combination of floral, citrus and gently bitter notes.

Next came roasted silver banana with pandan ice cream, crispy baby rice and coconut emulsion. The banana arrived deeply caramelized and almost whole, turning one of Southeast Asia’s most familiar fruits into an elegant dessert without losing its essential character. What a delightful twist on some very basic Southeast Asian food and ingredients.

A final selection of petit fours extended dinner for a few delicious minutes longer.

Back Across the Chao Phraya

Bangkok hardly lacks ambitious restaurants, and its contemporary Thai dining scene has become one of the most exciting in Asia. Baan Phraya, however, possesses something no kitchen can create through technique alone: a genuine sense of place.

We had eaten Thai food in a century-old Thai home beside the Chao Phraya, in a house where guests once gathered for meals and where generations later visitors learned to cook Thai food. Today, Chef Pom and her team are writing the next chapter of that story.

After dinner, we stepped back into the warm Bangkok night and boarded the boat for the short journey to the Mandarin Oriental. The hotel lights shimmered across the water ahead of us.

A Fitting Farewell to Bangkok

Only a few hours earlier, our evening had begun with cocktails and canapés in the Authors’ Lounge. It ended across the river in a century-old house, after a dinner that managed to look forward without losing sight of where it came from.

Travel is often remembered through monuments and grand views, but the moments that stay with me tend to be smaller and more sensory: crossing a river for dinner, the scent released when a coconut shell is opened, warm rice spooned from a clay pot, or the sight of a perfectly roasted duck carried through the dining room before it is carved.

After a week at one of Bangkok’s legendary hotels, Baan Phraya gave us one last memory to take home. It was difficult to imagine a more fitting way to say goodbye to the city.

FROM BANGKOK TO GRANADA

If you love places with a story…

Part of the pleasure of dining at Baan Phraya at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the experience beyond the plate. History, architecture and a strong sense of place become part of the evening.

In southern Spain, La Esperanza Granada offers a very different expression of the same idea: a private Andalusian hacienda surrounded by olive and citrus groves, created for destination weddings, private stays and intimate retreats near Granada.

IF YOU GO

Baan Phraya
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Baan Phraya is located in a restored historic Thai residence on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, near The Oriental Thai Cooking School and The Oriental Spa. Guests staying at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok can reach the restaurant aboard the hotel’s complimentary river boat — a short crossing that is very much part of the experience.

Dinner begins with drinks and appetizers on the terrace, weather permitting, before continuing inside the house with Chef Phatchara “Pom” Pirapak’s contemporary Thai tasting menu. Reservations are essential.

Dinner: Friday to Tuesday, from 6:00 PM
Pre-dinner drinks: From 5:00 PM
Tasting menu: THB 3,800++ per person
Wine pairing: THB 2,800++
Non-alcoholic pairing: THB 1,400++

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN BANGKOK AND IN THAILAND IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

The post A Good Reason to Cross the Chao Praya in Bangkok appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

We recently embarked on a private voyage aboard the Loy Dream of Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Over four days, we sailed down the Chao Praya River from a pier in the city center towards the Gulf of Thailand before turning north for Bang Pa-In Palace and Thailand’s ancient capital on a restored century-old Thai rice barge.

Most travelers fly to Thailand for a beach holiday, a cultural excursion in Chiang Mai, or a food trip in Bangkok. We decided to make the trip across Asia to re-discover a very short stretch of Thailand in the most unusual way: by retracing the journey taken by the first foreign dignitaries to set foot in Thailand, sailing from the Gulf of Siam to Ayutthaya to pay respects to the King.

Taking the red-eye from Tokyo to Bangkok, we arrived early enough to beat Bangkok’s infamous traffic and drove directly to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Here, moored at riverside, the Loy Dream, a restored rice barge with two staterooms, making it the perfect private charter for families, was waiting for us.

We were early for our 8 a.m. departure, so tropical fruit and fresh coconut juice appeared while we waited. Before long, two stewards, one dressed in the cruise uniform and the other in more formal Thai dress, approached us.

“Welcome to Bangkok,” one of them said. “We will be taking care of you for your cruise.”

They led us down to the river, where we saw Loy Dream for the first time. I’d seen photos of it when booking. However, meeting it in person for the first time gave it depth and life.

Meet the Loy Dream, a Century-Old Thai Rice Barge

I had wanted to charter a boat somewhere in Asia this summer, but I had been quite specific about what I did not want. Modern yachts, however luxurious, were out. There are plenty of them in Asia and the Mediterranean, and after a while — like many cruise ships in a certain category — they begin to look the same. It’s just the wallpaper and the color scheme that differs.

I wanted something that spoke to me specifically of Thailand.

The Loy Dream was exactly what I had hoped for. At 18 metres, she was long and low on the water. She still had the broad wooden hull of the rice barge she once was and a covered upper deck that looked almost as though a small Thai house had been placed on top. Round portholes punctuated the hull; dark timber, carved panels and ornate railings replaced the chrome and glass of a modern yacht.

Approximately a century old and restored for private luxury cruising, Loy Dream has just two staterooms and accommodates a maximum of four passengers. Against the high-rises of Bangkok, she looked wonderfully out of place. For the next four days, the entire boat belonged to us.

Within minutes of boarding, I knew I had made the right decision. In my mind at least, Bangkok had become Old Siam.

Inside Loy Dream

Within minutes of going onboard, I was already taking photos of everything. The main deck, with its traditional Thai accents, was so picturesque, and the observation deck was especially inviting.

I was about to sit down and relax when our steward invited me to further explore the boat.

“Perhaps you would like to see your stateroom first and prepare for the voyage?” our steward suggested. It was true. I was still wearing my sleeping travel wear from Tokyo, which was not quite vacation mode, and I needed to unpack to get the frenetic Tokyo vibe out of my system.

I followed him down a staircase and through a narrow hallway to a room at the end. This was to be my room, and I immediately liked it.

It was unconventional and slightly challenging considering the number of steps to navigate in one room. However, Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela had done what they could with the basic boat, since it had after all began life as a workhorse of a boat rather than a floating hotel.

The stateroom was deep rather than conventionally wide and arranged over several levels to fit the proportions of the original barge.

The walls were washed in pale celadon green, with polished timber underfoot, carved Thai screens, and a round porthole looking directly onto the river. Several steps above the entrance, the bed occupied its own raised wooden platform, almost like a room within the room, dressed in white linen and Thai textiles.

Down a few steps was a dressing area with an elaborate mirror. Beyond it came the surprise: a generously sized bathroom with a proper glass-enclosed shower and plenty of room to move around.

Loy Dream may have begun life carrying rice, but nobody was asking us to live like cargo. This is a luxury barge for travelers seeking a different way to travel. I had imagined spending hours on this raised bed with a book, watching the river through the porthole. In fact, I think I sat there exactly once.

Almost all our waking hours were spent upstairs because it was truly special.

Life Aboard Loy Dream

The covered upper deck ran almost the length of the boat, with polished floorboards, black woven chairs, Thai furniture, flowers, a dining table and broad openings on either side. At the bow, ornate railings framed the river ahead.

My favorite place was a green daybed piled with Thai silk cushions. From there, I could put my feet up and watch live alone the river. Perfect, especially with some fresh coconut juice.

We had barely unpacked when the first activities began. The Anantara Hotels and Loy Pela Voyages do not just offer you a boat. When you book with them, you get an entire experience curated just for you.

My daughter had a yoga session, while a practitioner from Anantara’s spa turned part of the upper deck into a treatment room for my gua sha facial, using a jade scraper and roller. My husband had a traditional Thai massage nearby.

Meanwhile, Bangkok continued as usual outside.

Lunch on the Chao Phraya

By noon, our private chef had made an appearance and discussed with us the extensive line-up of food he had in mind for our journey. Prior, I had sent over dietary preferences and requests (pad Thai!), which were duly noted.

“You wanted fresh coconut juice with every meal,” he said. “Just to let you know that we have thirty coconuts onboard.”

Meals aboard were generally served as multi-course menus rather than family-style spreads, and the table was set with the most beautiful Benjarong tableware.

Having dined in the best restaurants in the world, there was nothing to fault — especially when one realizes the tiny kitchen the chef has to work with on an 18-meter boat, and the high standards guests expect the team onboard to uphold. This is not the world’s most expensive four-day cruise; but neither was it the cheapest in the luxury category.

Our first lunch began with a composed salad, followed by prawns and crisp pastry, and finished with ripe mango, purple sticky rice and coconut cream. The dishes were extremely good.

“This is much better than I expected,” I said to my husband, who had always been skeptical of any kind of cruise from the start. But this one one him over from the start.

From the River to Muay Thai

The voyage was to be four days of learning about the traditions and culture of Thailand in a most personal way. That afternoon we began our discovery with a destination hardly on the bucket list of most travelers to Bangkok: the great green expanse contained within a bend of the Chao Phraya and commonly known as Bangkok’s “green lung.”

Our guide was waiting with bicycles and tricycles. Our first stop was a Muay Thai school set among greenery and ponds, run by a former boxing champion who had retired from competition and was now teaching local children.

“Muay Thai is tough on the body,” he told us. “I spent my life hitting my body intentionally to make it tougher in every way. Even my bones are larger due to trauma.”

Today he passes on his same winning technique to school children who come to practice after school.

FROM THE CHAO PHRAYA TO GRANADA

From a private teak barge on Thailand’s Chao Phraya to a one of the most romantic hacienda in southern Spain, some of the best journeys are about having an extraordinary place almost entirely to yourself.

Discover La Esperanza Granada — a private luxury villa near Granada for exclusive stays, weddings and celebrations in Andalusia.

Only a few hours earlier, I had been lying on the upper deck having my face worked over with a gua sha stone. Now I was standing beside a rice field watching children learn how to box.

We ended the excursion at a Hindu temple, where there were few foreign visitors and plenty of local worshippers going about their devotions. These were relatively simple stops, but that was part of their appeal. They offered glimpses of life beyond the Bangkok most visitors encounter.

After this visit, we returned to Loy Dream and continued south.

Cocktails on the Gulf of Siam

By early evening, cocktails appeared on the bow.

Flowers had been tied to Loy Dream’s ornate railings, and cocktails and a tray of Thai appetizers were set out as the light began to fade. Beyond our glasses were freighters, working ships and the lights of the industrial waterfront.

It was an unusual setting for welcome cocktails on a cruise in Thailand, and far more interesting than the conventional sunset panorama I had expected.

“Would you like another drink?” our steward asked. Of course we did. Every reasonable wish was possible on this boat.

Dinner for Three

Dinner was served beneath the curved wooden roof of the upper deck, where the table had been laid with flowers, wine glasses and exquisite Benjarong tableware.

Our chef had planned the welcome dinner as a Thai interpretation of surf and turf. A procession of small appetizers was followed by an impressive lobster served on a plate with garnishing.

“I thought we were having a pomelo salad,” I remarked to the butler, scrutinizing that evening’s menu.

“That is our chef’s version of pomelo salad, Madame,” he replied, with a smile.

I looked more closely at my food. Indeed, the garnish next to the lobster was a ball of pomelo and pickles that were to be eaten with the lobster.

“This is the most decadent pomelo salad I’ve ever had,” I said. It was also among the most delicious too.

We ended our first day with drinks on deck overlooking the ships, docks and factories of the Gulf. It had been a remarkably full day—yoga, spa treatments, lunch, cycling, Muay Thai, a temple visit, cocktails and dinner—but it had never felt as though we were being marched through a programme.

From Bangkok to Ayutthaya by River

The following morning, Loy Dream turned around and began travelling north.

We passed through Bangkok again, watching the city assemble itself from the river: luxury hotels and residential towers, old palaces, Buddhist temples, working piers and riverside houses, with boats continually cutting between them.

Then Bangkok began to fall away.

The buildings became fewer and lower. The factories disappeared. Concrete gave way to vegetation, and traditional Thai river houses began appearing along the banks. Some were modest; others were substantial wooden homes that made us wonder who had once lived there—perhaps an aristocratic family or a prosperous merchant.

Eventually even the houses too became scarce.

Into the Greenery of the Chao Phraya

There were stretches of river where almost nothing appeared to be happening at all. Ahead was broad water; along the banks were dense vegetation and great patches of aquatic plants. Occasionally another boat appeared, or a temple, or a wooden house. Then there would be nothing again for quite a while.

This was where the bow came into its own. Two woven chairs faced forward on the polished wooden deck, with nothing between us and the view except Loy Dream’s ornate railing.

This part of the voyage was particularly enjoyable because there was nothing specific we were supposed to be looking at. We could read, listen to music, have a massage or simply sit at the bow and see what appeared around the next bend.

Sometimes nothing did, and that was perfectly fine.

Arriving in Ayutthaya by River

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya served as the capital of Siam for more than four centuries, until its destruction by a Burmese army in 1767. At its height it was one of Asia’s great centres of commerce and diplomacy, with connections extending to China, Japan, India, Persia and Europe.

Its geography explains much of its success. Ayutthaya developed on an island surrounded by three rivers connected to the sea. Foreign merchants established communities there, while the Siamese court conducted diplomacy with governments thousands of miles away.

Arriving by river put that history into context. Instead of appearing as an isolated collection of ruins reached after a drive from Bangkok, Ayutthaya became the destination of the waterways that had helped create its wealth and importance.

The boat charter included a private guide for the duration of the cruise, as well as local guides where needed. With our guide, we spent several hours exploring Ayutthaya Historical Park and other temples, walking among red-brick monasteries, weathered prangs, large Buddha images and enormous old trees that had grown around the remains.

Afterwards, it was back to the Loy Dream for a light lunch of salads and sandwiches.

At Your Service

The rest of our days followed a similar pattern, expertly arranged by Loy Pela and Anantara Hotels, but with enough flexibility to ensure that the itinerary never became an obligation.

We learned to make traditional Thai sweets from mung beans, visited temples and historical sites, and also enjoyed long periods for reading, listening to music or simply doing very little on deck.

At one point in Ayutthaya, after walking around in the heat, we decided to change our planned day..

“Can we have another Thai massage?” I asked.

A few telephone calls later, it was arranged.

The Famous River Prawns of Ayutthaya

The chef outdid himself on this cruise, and every meal was wonderful. This was definitely not the usual catered food on a cruise. However, the highlight was the Ayutthaya river prawn, which is enormous and so tender when caught fresh.

We were fortunate enough to have these twice.

Our chef simply grilled them, leaving the flesh firm without becoming tough and allowing their natural sweetness to come through. The Thai seasoning he used paired perfectly.

One Last Temple

Before our first meal on our last day, we went ashore to a local temple to give thanks for our safe and happy journey. The crew had purchased baskets of food for each of us in advance to present as offerings.

We joined local worshippers, conspicuous as the foreigners in the group, presented our baskets and received a blessing from a monk, accompanied by a sprinkling of holy water from a ceremonial brush.

Then we returned to the boat for the chef’s version of a farewell brunch.

Caviar on a Century-Old Rice Barge

Calling it brunch hardly did it justice.

A large seafood platter occupied the centre of the table, piled with crab legs, prawns and mussels. Beside it sat a large tin of caviar with blinis and the usual accompaniments, along with salads and several other dishes that might reasonably have constituted lunch on their own.

Caviar had not been on my list of things I expected to eat aboard a converted Thai rice barge.

Halfway through the meal, our steward approached.

“Are you still hungry?”

“Not really,” I said. “But it will be a crime to say no to more of his delicious food.”

“Our chef would be delighted to prepare his specialties for you.”

Since this was our final meal aboard, refusing seemed unnecessarily sensible.

There were eggs Benedict and other Western breakfast dishes. I asked for Thai noodle soup and pad Thai.

Naturally, we ordered them.

Back to Bangkok

And so our final approach to Bangkok was made over an increasingly improbable brunch of seafood, caviar and blinis, followed by eggs Benedict, noodle soup and pad Thai.

It was far too much.

We ate it anyway.

Outside, Bangkok gradually returned. The banks became more densely built, and houses were followed by temples, hotels and high-rises.

Four days earlier, we had left the same city aboard an old wooden rice barge, travelling south through factories and freighters towards the Gulf of Siam. Then we had made a U-turn and travelled north through a completely different landscape of traditional river houses, vegetation, temples, royal palaces and the ruins of Ayutthaya.

That, ultimately, was what made the voyage interesting. We had seen the Chao Phraya not simply as a backdrop to Bangkok but as a working river, a transportation route, a link to Thailand’s history and, for four days, the view from our own front deck.

Driving from Bangkok to Ayutthaya would have been considerably faster. Three hours to be exact. But this was precisely the point. We were not seeking to check attractions off a sightseeing list, but to experience a part of Thailand in the most unusual way.

The Loy Dream antique rice barge had been on my bucket list and now I was happy to cross it off. For travelers seeking authenticity, this cruise falls into the same category as the Orient Express train journeys although it is not as seamlessly luxurious.

The price points are also different. Chartering this boat may not be cheap, but it is also not expensive for travelers seeking the unique.

My four days onboard were relaxing and happy. Although I did disembark the Loy Dream with one very specific problem: I had developed a taste for freshly caught Ayutthaya river prawns, and I was going home to Tokyo.

FACTS ABOUT VOYAGES WITH LOY PELA / ANANTARA

What is Loy Dream?
Loy Dream is an 18-metre restored Thai rice barge operated by Loy Pela Voyages by Anantara. The private vessel has two air-conditioned ensuite staterooms and accommodates up to four guests.

What is the itinerary?
Our four-day, three-night private voyage departed from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and travelled south along the Chao Phraya towards the Gulf of Thailand, historically known as the Gulf of Siam. Loy Dream then turned north, travelling through Bangkok towards Bang Pa-In Palace and Ayutthaya before returning to the city.

What is life aboard like?
Most of the day is spent on the large covered upper deck, which contains the dining area, seating and daybeds, with open views of the river. The two split-level staterooms below have air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms.

What about food?
A private chef prepares meals aboard. Our menus included multi-course Thai lunches and dinners, lobster, Ayutthaya river prawns and a final seafood-and-caviar brunch. Meals were served on Benjarong tableware.

What can you do along the way?
Excursions vary with the itinerary and can include temples, Bang Pa-In Palace, Ayutthaya Historical Park and local experiences. Our voyage also included yoga, spa treatments, Muay Thai, a Thai dessert-making lesson and additional massages arranged along the way.

How flexible is it?
Because Loy Dream is privately chartered, there is considerably more flexibility than on a conventional cruise. Activities can be adjusted and additional experiences arranged where possible.

Who is it best for?
Couples, families or two couples looking for a private alternative to a conventional river cruise or modern yacht charter, particularly travellers interested in Thai history, food and life along the Chao Phraya.

Information and reservations:
Loy Pela Voyages by Anantara. Current itineraries, prices, inclusions and availability should be confirmed directly at the time of booking.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST CRUISES IN THE WORLD IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

The post The Long Way to Ayutthaya appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

The first thing you notice is the quiet. It’s a particular hush that takes hold the moment you step through the entrance of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Ceiling fans turn overhead. The marble stays cool even in the heat. Outside, motorbikes. In here, something that feels borrowed from a different century.
Which is fitting, because a different century is more or less what you’re standing in.

Graham Greene stayed in this building in 1951, working as a correspondent for Paris Match. He wrote The Quiet American here. Somerset Maugham came in 1923 and finished The Gentleman in the Parlour in the parlor — the room, the book title; it was that kind of era.

Charlie Chaplin honeymooned here in 1936 with Paulette Goddard, after they married in Shanghai. The hotel named suites after all three of them. The concierge at the Bamboo Bar will make you a Graham Greene martini, and it’s worth having one just to sit with the absurdity of that for a moment.

From Historic Hotel in Hanoi to Luxury Hacienda and Wedding Venue in Spain

Inspired by the timeless elegance of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi? Continue your journey at La Esperanza Granada, an award-winning romantic hacienda surrounded by olive groves and mountain views in southern Spain.

The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi: One of Asia’s Most Historic Hotels

The Metropole opened in 1901, built by two French entrepreneurs — Gustave-Émile Dumoutier and André Ducamp — just as Hanoi was becoming the capital of French Indochina. Six dollars a night got you a room, three meals, and the run of what was immediately the finest hotel in the city.

Within a few years it was also the first place in Indochina to screen motion pictures.

For the next several decades, the hotel served as the social center of colonial Hanoi — the place diplomats ate, writers worked, and anyone passing through with money or influence made a point of stopping. The guest list was not subtle: Ho Chi Minh hosted political meetings here. Fidel Castro stayed. Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Trump all came through at various points in history.

In February 2019, the hotel hosted a two-day nuclear summit between the United States and North Korea; Kim Jong Un took an entire floor.

That breadth — colonial French society to Cold War summits to 21st-century diplomacy — is what makes the Metropole unusual. Most historic hotels claim heritage. This one has receipts.

The Bunker Beneath the Bamboo Bar

The war years left a more physical mark. During the American bombing campaigns of 1972 and 1973, the hotel sheltered journalists, diplomats, Joan Baez, and Jane Fonda in an underground bunker below the building.

When the war ended, the bunker was sealed and eventually forgotten entirely. It was only rediscovered in 2011, when engineers renovating the Bamboo Bar jack-hammered through 280 millimetres of reinforced concrete and found a network of flooded corridors and chambers. Baez apparently sang one night while sheltering down there. The hotel has a partial recording. The bunker is now part of the daily Path of History tour.

From Government Guesthouse to Luxury Landmark

After independence, the hotel was renamed Thong Nhat — “Reunification Hotel” — and operated as a government guesthouse. By the 1980s the building had deteriorated badly. Its revival came through an unlikely figure: a French hotelier named Jacques Herbert, who happened to have married the daughter of Ho Chi Minh’s first finance minister. He negotiated what became Vietnam’s first successful joint venture between a foreign company and a local partner.

The Metropole reopened in 1992 under the Pullman name, later passing to Sofitel. In 2009 it became the world’s first Sofitel Legend property.

Two Wings, Two Eras — Heritage vs. Opera Wing

The hotel now has 358 rooms across two buildings that share a courtyard but not much else in atmosphere.

The Heritage Wing — the 1901 original — has dark hardwood floors, louvred shutters, vintage illustrations on the walls, and art-deco marble bathrooms. Meanwhile, the Opera Wing, added in 1996, is neoclassical and considerably quieter, with higher ceilings and larger rooms. Families and people on work trips tend to end up there. People who want to feel like they’re somewhere specific book the Heritage Wing.

About the Coffee a Bartender Invented During Wartime

Le Spa du Metropole was named Vietnam’s Best Hotel Spa at the 2026 Tatler awards. The signature treatment is a Kansu bowl massage, and French skincare lines SOTHYS and Anne Semonin cover the facial menu. There is a heated outdoor pool in the garden courtyard.

The six restaurants and bars include Le Beaulieu, which boasts of serious French cooking, and La Terrasse. The latter is a pavement café where the thing to order is Vietnamese egg coffee.

The Vietnamese egg coffee has its own Metropole origin story. In 1946, with milk impossible to find during wartime rationing, a hotel bartender named Mr. Giang started using whipped egg yolk instead. The result — thick, sweet, served over strong Robusta — is now one of Hanoi’s most copied drinks. You can still get it where it was invented.

What the Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown Actually Means

This year, Condé Nast Traveler gave the Metropole what it calls the “Triple Crown” — a simultaneous listing on the Hot List, the Gold List, and the Readers’ Choice Awards. Only 396 hotels in the world have achieved all three.

Travel + Leisure has had it on the 500 Best Hotels list for six years running. Neither publication gives those distinctions out lightly, and neither readership is easily impressed.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST HOTELS IN THE WORLD IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

The post The Hotel That Has Seen Everything: Inside Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

For decades, luxury travel was defined by scale and spectacle. Grand hotels rose above city skylines. Beachfront resorts stretched across private coves. Marble lobbies, infinity pools and Michelin-starred restaurants became the universal language of luxury.

Yet among today’s most experienced travelers, a subtle shift is taking place.

Increasingly, the question is no longer how luxurious a property is, but how it makes guests feel.

Privacy has become more valuable than prestige. Authenticity often outweighs extravagance. Experiences are prized above amenities. In a world that feels increasingly connected, many travelers are seeking something surprisingly rare: a genuine connection with nature.

LUXURY GLAMPING: THE NEW FRONTIER IN TRAVEL

This desire has fueled the rise of one of the most compelling sectors in contemporary travel—luxury glamping.

Far removed from traditional camping, today’s luxury outdoor accommodations blend immersive natural settings with the comforts and service standards of world-class hospitality. Across Asia, visionary hoteliers are creating extraordinary retreats hidden within rainforests, perched above river valleys, overlooking rice terraces and nestled beside remote beaches.

Guests may find themselves sleeping in architect-designed treehouses suspended among tropical canopies, elegant safari-style tents furnished with handcrafted textiles, or secluded villas where the soundtrack is birdsong rather than traffic.

The appeal extends well beyond novelty.

Luxury glamping offers something increasingly difficult to find in conventional hospitality: a sense of discovery. The environment is not simply the view from the room—it is an integral part of the experience itself.

THE ANSWER TO SUSTAINABILITY AND COMFORT

According to the Asia-Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association, demand for premium outdoor accommodations continues to grow as travelers seek experiences that combine comfort, wellness, sustainability and meaningful engagement with the natural world.

As we move through the remainder of 2026, luxury glamping is emerging as one of Asia’s most influential travel movements—not because it offers less luxury, but because it redefines what luxury means.

GLAMPING BASICS

What Exactly Is Glamping?

The word glamping combines “glamorous” and “camping,” though today’s luxury outdoor accommodations bear little resemblance to traditional camping.

Modern glamping properties may offer:

• Private plunge pools

• Air conditioning and climate control

• Fine dining experiences

• Spa and wellness facilities

• Butler or concierge service

• Architect-designed accommodations

• Exceptional environmental integration

At its best, glamping combines the emotional rewards of nature with the comforts of a luxury hotel.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A Different Kind of Luxury

Do not expect marble lobbies or grand ballrooms.

Instead, expect sunrise through a forest canopy, outdoor bathtubs overlooking mountain valleys, evenings around a fire pit and accommodation designed to immerse you in the surrounding landscape.

Privacy

Many glamping retreats offer more seclusion than traditional resorts, making them particularly appealing for couples, honeymooners and wellness travelers.

Sustainability

Many leading operators place sustainability at the centre of the guest experience through low-impact construction, local sourcing and conservation initiatives.

Connection

Luxury glamping encourages guests to engage with nature, local communities and slower rhythms of travel.

THREE REMARKABLE GLAMPING EXPERIENCES IN ASIA

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, Bali, Indonesia

Set in the lush highlands north of Ubud, Buahan has become one of Asia’s most celebrated luxury retreats. Its philosophy of “no walls, no doors” creates an extraordinary sense of immersion, allowing guests to experience Bali’s forests, rivers and mountains in a uniquely intimate way.

The adults-only retreat has attracted international recognition for its sustainability initiatives, wellness programming and thoughtful design. Increasingly, it is also being chosen for exclusive private retreats and celebrations by travelers seeking complete privacy in a remarkable natural setting.

Travelife Take: One of Asia’s most influential examples of how luxury, sustainability and nature can coexist.

Visama Explorer Nan, Thailand

Northern Thailand remains one of Southeast Asia’s most underappreciated destinations, and Visama Explorer Nan provides a compelling reason to visit.

Located among the hills of Nan Province, the retreat combines safari-style accommodations with opportunities to experience the region’s rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. Outdoor film screenings, campfire evenings and access to traditional Thai Lue communities help create a deeper connection to the destination.

For travelers seeking a quieter, more authentic side of Thailand, Nan offers a refreshing alternative to the country’s more familiar tourism circuits.

Travelife Take: Ideal for travelers who value cultural discovery as much as luxury.

Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket, Thailand

Not all glamping experiences require a remote jungle location. Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket demonstrates how luxury outdoor lodging can thrive within one of Asia’s most established resort destinations.

Inspired by classic safari camps, the adults-only retreat combines canvas accommodations, lagoon and beachfront settings, private plunge pools and access to Phuket’s celebrated dining and lifestyle scene.

The result is a glamping experience that feels adventurous yet approachable, making it an ideal introduction to the category.

Travelife Take: Perfect for travelers curious about glamping but unwilling to sacrifice the comforts of a luxury beach holiday.

WHY GLAMPING IS RESONATING WITH TRAVELERS

Luxury glamping succeeds because it delivers something many traditional hotels struggle to provide: a meaningful sense of place.

A guest may forget the dimensions of a suite or the size of a lobby. They are far less likely to forget the sound of rain on canvas, a sunrise over mist-covered hills, or an evening spent beneath a canopy of stars.

For a growing number of travelers, these moments have become the new definition of luxury.

The finest glamping properties understand that luxury is no longer measured solely by amenities. It is measured by experience, connection and memory.

Whether hidden within the jungles of Bali, nestled among the mountains of northern Thailand or overlooking the shores of Phuket, Asia’s leading glamping retreats are proving that the future of luxury travel may not be found in the city skyline, but beneath the open sky.

READ MORE ABOUT LUXURY GLAMPING IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

The post Luxury Glamping in Asia: Why Nature Has Become Luxury Travel’s New Frontier appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

FIRST IMPRESSION OF MILLEN PENANG

When I got out of the car, the hotel’s gold-toned façade drew my gaze. I also noticed a water fountain at the front entrance that looked slightly out of place.

I found myself captivated by the fountain and inquired with the hotel staff about its unique structure. They revealed that this striking fountain is known as “The Mark,” a signature anchor symbolizing the hotel’s artistic identity.

In every property under the Autograph Collection, guests will find a hallmark guest experience unique to each hotel. The staff explained that the purpose of “The Mark” is meant to kickstart conversations (which it did in my case)!

Designed by Malaysian artist Pamela Tan, the Peranakan-inspired ironwork honours the ornamental fountains once found in front of the mansions along the street during Penang’s gilded past.

THE GRAND LOBBY

Stepping into the Grand Lobby feels less like a hotel check-in and more like an immersive entry into a “living gallery“. As an Autograph Collection property by Marriott, it has a distinctive style. -a modern reinterpretation that reflects the neighbourhood’s old-world affluence.

PENANG’S MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

To fully appreciate The Millen, it helps to begin with its setting. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the road on which the hotel stands was the epicentre of wealth in Southeast Asia. Lined with seaside mansions owned by European traders and Chinese tycoons, it was where fortunes were made, deals concluded, and influence flowed across the Straits. Today, this storied stretch—Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah—is still fondly known as Penang’s Millionaire’s Row.

ART AND STORYTELLING THAT INSPIRES

At The Millen Penang, a refined “Colonial contemporary” aesthetic is established with quiet confidence. Black-and-white geometric marble floors and sleek black steel-framed mirrors are used to reference the island’s colonial past. Yet, the overall design is anchored firmly in the present, creating an interior narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Quirky and playful artworks fill the hotel, thoughtfully curated to spark joy. Rather than offering static, museum-like halls, The Millen Penang serves as a living gallery of wit. Guests discover art in passing, ultimately transforming their stay into a memorable, scavenger-hunt-like journey.

Near the entrance, a horse sculpture – Forged in Motion by Aboud Fares stands as a quiet tribute to Penang’s equestrian heritage of the 1800s. Crafted from interwoven iron strands, the horse seems alive in mid-stride, infusing the past with a sense of movement and modernity.

Large-scale paintings punctuate corridors and public areas, creating moments of contemplation. At the lift lobby, Loh Chee Peng’s “The Pixelated Captain“ portrays Penang’s founder Francis Light, A clever interplay of perspective serves as a visual metaphor for the island’s evolving spirit.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

In guest rooms, smaller works are carefully placed to draw attention to subtle textures, colours, and lines, reinforcing the theme of thoughtful, experiential design.

In keeping with the hotel’s “Colonial contemporary” theme, the guest rooms at The Millen Penang feature a beverage cabinet designed to look like a vintage luggage trunk.

This “luggage bar” anchors the room’s storytelling. It evokes the golden age of travel, when merchants arrived on Penang’s shores with lives packed into sturdy, leather-bound trunks. The piece offers a warm, organic contrast to sharp white marble and dark wood floors, reinforcing the “traveller’s sanctuary” feel.

This clever design choice turns a standard hotel amenity into a piece of functional art. Despite its old-world appearance, it is a high-tech “mini bar” housing:

• A Nespresso Vertuo machine for premium coffee.
• A selection of Whittard of Chelsea teas, honouring the hotel’s British-Malayan heritage.
• A temperature-controlled kettle and a built-in refrigerated drawer for cold refreshments.

Inside the “luggage bar,” a pair of whimsical bird sculptures sit beside wine glasses, adding curated charm. These monochromatic, dotted forms contrast beautifully with the room’s sharp industrial lines.

Furthermore, the guest rooms reflect the grandeur of heritage mansions through their generous scale. Ranging from 42 to 142 square meters, these spaces feel remarkably expansive. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the layout, while offering sweeping views of the city or sea.

BATHROOM AESTHETICS AT THE MILLEN PENANG

Marble flooring transforms the bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary featuring a deep, freestanding bathtub and dual vanities. Furthermore, oversized rain showers with premium brass hardware drive the hotel’s vintage-meets-modern dialogue. These expansive layouts feel exceptionally indulgent, especially within the massive 142-square-meter suites.

ROOFTOP OASIS AT THE MILLEN PENANG

Level 9 serves as the hotel’s dedicated wellness floor, where the state-of-the-art gym, infinity-edge swimming pool and in-house spa are located. The swimming pool is a masterclass in urban escapism. Perched above the bustling streets of George Town, the saltwater-treated pool offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Guests looking to dip or sip can order cool brews, artisanal beers, and light snacks from the Pool Kiosk.

Nut&Meg Wellness Spa honours Penang’s history as a global spice hub. Specifically, therapists incorporate local ingredients like nutmeg and pandan into every treatment. Furthermore, private ensuite suites and rhythmic rituals provide guests with a restorative sensory escape.

Meanwhile, at Blacklinen, skilled chefs transform dry-aged meats and coastal seafood into smoky masterpieces on a charcoal grill. Additionally, a curated wine cellar complements the menu. Together, these elements create a destination where rustic fire meets high-end elegance.

GASTRONOMIC FLAVOURS

Lili on Level 2 offers a refreshing take on modern Malaysian cuisine. This all-day dining restaurant specialises in upscale comfort food. Furthermore, the menu embraces the tradition of shared dining to create a vibrant communal experience.

Mornings at Lili are refreshing with hydroponic greens and premium à-la-carte selections. In particular, the Millionaire Row’s omelette is the undisputed star. This decadent river prawn and crab dish is topped with rich lobster bisque.

This ground-floor lobby lounge Good Society is characterized by high ceilings and delicate botanical accents. A diverse menu of tempting refreshments or signature cocktails is available from 11am onwards.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED STAY

The Millen Penang turns the act of staying into an experience—one that inspires reflection, creativity, and a deeper connection to place. A stay at the hotel will appeal to you if you appreciate design, clever interiors, and the vibrancy of camaraderie. Just a five-minute drive from the famed Gurney Drive, the hotel offers both cultural immersion and effortless access to Penang’s vibrant heart.

The artwork ‘Hotel Exploration’ by Malaysian watercolour artist Penny Tan encapsulates our experience quite succinctly.

“As guests arrive and settle in, they are drawn into the hotel’s many offerings—elegant dining, serene spa rituals, and the timeless allure of its refined interiors. With each moment, the hotel reveals a different facet of experience: from the grandeur of the staircase to the quiet elegance of window views, every space invites discovery, layering the guest journey with curiosity and charm.“

Address: The Millen Penang, 55 Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Website: themillenhotel.com

Images by The Millen Penang. Additional photos by Florence Ang (taken with an HONOR Magic 7 Pro smartphone)

The post The Millen Penang on Millionaire’s Row appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

What makes these gardens worth spotlighting is not simply their foliage. It’s the way space, light, and climate come together to create something emotionally resonant. A ginger forest that hums with tropical life. A courtyard that carries the scent of imperial history. A palm grove that frames the turquoise sea. A vertical green wall that softens a skyline.

In a region where megacities race upward and resorts multiply each year, these hotel gardens offer a rare counterbalance — places where travelers can slow down, walk barefoot on soft earth, and reconnect with a more contemplative rhythm of living. Thus, these make interesting stay options for travelers headed to Asia.

Below are some of Asia’s loveliest hotel gardens, and the hotels that nurture them.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam : A Ginger Forest by the Sea

Set along the unspoiled shores of Vietnam’s south-central coast, about 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Azerai Ke Ga Bay sits in a peaceful seaside enclave far removed from Vietnam’s busier beach towns. The area is known for its wide, empty beaches, local fishing villages, and the historic Ke Ga Lighthouse — the oldest in the country. This is where travelers come for space, calm, and a gentler rhythm of tropical life.

At the heart of the resort lies the remarkable Ginger Forest, an 1,800-square-meter garden woven with hundreds of ginger species collected from across Asia. The landscape feels almost primeval. Tall, leafy plants rise from deep green undergrowth, releasing a warm, faintly spicy fragrance that drifts through the air. Sunlight filters through the glossy leaves in shifting patterns, creating shadows that dance slowly across the forest floor.

Narrow pathways wind through the foliage, offering guests quiet corners for reflection, photography, or simple wandering. The resort hosts yoga sessions and guided meditation here — moments that blend naturally into the garden’s atmosphere and make the Ginger Forest feel not just ornamental, but spiritual. Positioned between the spa, pool, and the beach, it has become a sanctuary within a sanctuary, grounding guests before they continue their day.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay is an all-villa hideaway designed with luxurious simplicity — clean lines, natural materials, and an aesthetic that lets the landscape speak. The Ginger Forest is its soft, meditative heart.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

Azerai Ke Ga Bay is a serene all-villa resort set along a quiet stretch of coastline — perfect for travelers seeking space, silence, and refined simplicity.

• For beach lovers: The long, soft-sand beach is ideal for sunrise walks.
• Nearby experience: Ke Ga Lighthouse — the oldest in Vietnam — is a short boat ride away.
• For wellness travelers: The spa is one of the best on this coast, offering detox programs, massages, and slow-living rituals.

Discover One of Spain’s Most Beautiful Hacienda Gardens

If hotel gardens inspire you, discover Spain’s most exquisite hacienda garden retreat at La Esperanza Granada.

Set on a private hilltop estate with panoramic views, the hacienda features formal Moorish-inspired courtyards, Mediterranean terraces, vibrant floral gardens, and quiet walking paths framed by olive and citrus trees.

It is one of Spain’s most unique garden hotels, blending Andalusian architecture with serene landscape design.

Click here to explore La Esperanza Granada — your next garden escape in Europe.

TIA Wellness Resort, Vietnam : A Garden Charged With Energy

Located on the serene beachfront of Da Nang, along Vietnam’s central coast, TIA Wellness Resort is known as one of the country’s pioneering wellness retreats. Set between the Marble Mountains and the East Sea, the area blends spiritual landscapes with a long, sweeping beach lined with casuarina trees. Travelers come here for sunrise rituals, spa immersion, and a style of hospitality shaped around mindfulness rather than opulence.

At the heart of the resort lies the Wellness Garden, a space that feels not just planted, but alive. Rosewood trees cast soft, dappled shade over winding stone paths. Mangroves, tall ferns, and dragon trees rise above a lush botanical floor, creating a canopy that rustles gently whenever ocean breezes blow inland.

Parakeet flowers, with their bright tropical flare, cluster near the waterfall pool. The sound of falling water becomes a constant, soothing rhythm — a natural soundtrack to the day’s slow, healing pace. The air is lightly perfumed with jasmine from pinwheel flowers, a scent that drifts through the garden in delicate waves.

Guests settle into shaded cabanas with books and herbal teas, or pause here between the resort’s signature breathwork, meditation, and spa therapies. The garden is not a decorative feature — it is an extension of TIA’s philosophy that transformation begins with nature, silence, and gentle sensory awareness.

TIA Wellness Resort’s aesthetic is modern, serene, and deeply holistic. And the Wellness Garden is its vibrant, breathing core — a place where travelers exhale the moment they arrive.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

TIA Wellness Resort is celebrated for its all-inclusive wellness concept that integrates spa treatments, breathwork, meditation, and nutrition.

• For wellness travelers: Daily massages and mindfulness sessions are included.
• Local exploration: The resort is minutes from the Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach.
• For creatives: TIA is known for hosting retreats on breathwork, artistic expression, and healing.

Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan : Front Row Seat to the Imperial Palace Gardens

In a city defined by neon, high-speed trains, and endless motion, Palace Hotel Tokyo occupies one of the most astonishingly serene addresses in the Japanese capital. Located in the prestigious Marunouchi district — Tokyo’s business and luxury heart — the hotel sits directly across the moat from the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, one of the city’s most historic and cherished green spaces.

This rare location gives the hotel a perspective few visitors ever experience: Tokyo not as a futuristic metropolis, but as a place shaped by centuries of royalty, artistry, and quiet seasonal beauty.

Step outside, cross the stone bridge spanning the palace moat, and the shift is immediate. The pace slows. Sound softens. And the dense cityscape dissolves into a vast sweep of green. The East Gardens unfold in layers — ancient stone ramparts, plum orchards, winding gravel paths, tranquil ponds, and the atmospheric remains of Edo Castle, once the largest fortification of its time.

The seasons shape the experience like a living calendar:

• Spring brings clouds of cherry blossoms along the castle walls.
• Summer is lush with iris gardens and shaded walkways.
• Autumn glows with fiery red and amber foliage that seems to ignite the garden.
• Winter reveals its minimal, architectural beauty — stone, water, silence.

For guests of Palace Hotel Tokyo, many rooms and suites offer balconies overlooking the Imperial Gardens — an extraordinary luxury in a city where private outdoor space is rare. Mornings begin with mist rising from the moat; evenings end with lantern-lit reflections on the water. The hotel’s understated elegance, fine dining, and impeccable service blend perfectly with this view, creating a stay that feels refined, contemplative, and unmistakably Japanese.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

Palace Hotel Tokyo is one of Japan’s most elegant urban hotels.

• Room tip: Many suites feature balconies overlooking the Imperial Gardens — a rarity in Tokyo.
• Nearby: Marunouchi’s luxury boutiques, art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants are within walking distance.
• For culture travelers: The Imperial Palace cycling route on weekends is unforgettable.

While in Tokyo, Try Japan’s Most Exquisite Dining Experience

If your travels bring you to Tokyo, you may wish to explore one of Japan’s finest gastronomic experiences. Nagatacho Ōhka offers an extraordinary, invitation-only culinary journey crafted by master chefs and rooted in Japanese seasonality and precision.

Read more about Nagatacho Ōhka Private Restaurant

The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam : A Kingdom of Palms

The Anam Cam Ranh sits on 12 hectares of tropical waterfront, anchored by almost 3,000 palm trees swaying rhythmically in the coastal wind. These palms, along with frangipani, banyan, hibiscus, and bougainvillea, create a backdrop that feels cinematic — lush, warm, and perpetually sunlit.

Meticulous early planning ensured the gardens grew exactly as envisioned. Today, the property feels like a botanical sanctuary with light filtering through fronds and pathways lined with flowers in full, jubilant bloom.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A luxurious oceanfront resort with a nostalgic Indochine aesthetic.

• For beach lovers: Long Beach is one of Vietnam’s most pristine stretches.
• Nearby: The fishing villages of Cam Ranh offer local markets and seafood dining.
• For families: The resort offers kids’ clubs, multiple pools, and vast outdoor spaces.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Cambodia : Heritage on the Lawn

The iconic Raffles Lawn is framed by mature tropical trees and old-world architecture — a serene green that mirrors the elegance of nearby Angkor temples. Lanterns glow softly at dusk, the air warms, and the garden becomes one of Siem Reap’s most atmospheric outdoor spaces.

The gardens feel deeply connected to the hotel’s 93-year story, evoking an era when explorers and scholars passed through on their way to the temples.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A landmark hotel with historic gravitas and classic hospitality.

• Nearby: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm are all within short driving distance.
• For culture lovers: The hotel hosts curated experiences, including temple tours and Khmer cultural evenings.
• For slow travelers: The pool — one of the largest in Cambodia — is a peaceful place to unwind after temple visits.

Alma Cam Ranh, Vietnam : A Riot of Tropical Color

At Alma Cam Ranh, flowers rule. Red Button Ginger blooms across the resort in brilliant scarlet, attracting butterflies and bees. Purple Showers, Yellow Bells, plumeria, and cherry blossoms fill the walkways with color and scent.

Coconut, banana, and mango trees offer shade and visual abundance. The experience is joyful, vibrant, and deeply tied to Vietnam’s tropical botany.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A lively beachfront resort ideal for families and groups.

• For ocean lovers: Water sports, beach walks, and snorkeling are all available nearby.
• Nearby: The Cam Ranh coastline offers viewpoints, local eateries, and scenic drives.
• For families: Multiple pools, a cinema, and onsite activities keep everyone entertained.

Maia Resort Quy Nhon, Vietnam : Sculpted Calm by the Coast

Maia Resort’s gardens are defined by the Storm Tree, a resilient coastal species that forms a natural green frame around each villa. Pathways lined with tall palms and tropical foliage give the resort a peaceful flow, aided by a 37-person landscaping team that tends every detail daily.

The effect is a garden that feels curated but not forced — natural, soft, and deeply connected to the coastline.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A stylish beachfront retreat in one of Vietnam’s emerging coastal destinations.

• Nearby: Ky Co Beach and Eo Gio cliffs offer dramatic landscapes.
• For food lovers: The resort is known for its strong culinary program and local seafood.
• For explorers: Quy Nhon has Champa towers, fishing villages, and hiking trails.

The Hari Hong Kong : A Vertical Garden Above the Streets

In a city where green space is rare, The Hari’s three-story vertical garden rises along its façade like a piece of living art. The greenery cools the building, softens the neighborhood’s energy, and creates a calming arrival experience.

At night, the illuminated wall becomes an urban landmark — a gentle reminder that nature can thrive even among skyscrapers.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A chic boutique hotel perfectly placed in Wan Chai.

• Nearby: Star Street’s cafés, boutiques, and galleries are steps away.
• For design lovers: Interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners give the hotel a refined, residential feel.
• For explorers: Victoria Harbour and the tram to The Peak are close by.

A Green Reprieve in a Busy City

Zentis Osaka, Japan

Zentis Osaka surprises guests with an arrival through a verdant urban garden of Japanese maple, cherry trees, laurel, and pepper vine. A double-sided fireplace links the indoor lounge with the outdoor terrace — creating a rare, cozy oasis in downtown Osaka.

The plants soften the modern architecture, creating a sense of retreat despite the hotel’s central location.

Why Stay Here & What Else to Explore

A design-forward hotel with a calm, understated luxury.

• Nearby: Kita’s shopping districts, galleries, and restaurants are within walking distance.
• For culture lovers: Osaka Castle is a short ride away.
• For foodies: The city’s famed street food neighborhoods, like Dōtonbori, are easy to reach.

Beautiful Gardens in Every Form

These gardens — whether vertical, coastal, historic, or tropical — remind us that beauty thrives in many forms across Asia. They offer not only tranquility, but also deeper insight into local culture, geography, and design. And for travelers, they become part of the journey itself — the pauses between adventures that linger longest in memory.

READ MORE ABOUT BEAUTIFUL HOTEL GARDENS IN TRAVELIFE MAGAZINE

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When I think of Phnom Penh, I remember the Royal Palace and the Raffles Hotel. it is not just another Asian capital on a map for me, but a city etched into my personal history. It is threaded through with family ties, and bound to my memories of youth. My father was the first Philippine ambassador to Cambodia after diplomatic ties were reestablished in the early 1990s. I was still a teenager then, and our days in sleepy Phnom Penh felt like stepping into another time.

Phnom Penh Then and Now

There were scarcely any hotels in Cambodia in those days. Siem Reap was little more than a forgotten outpost, without proper accommodations or even a restaurant to speak of. The Grand Hotel d’Angkor — now the magnificent Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and sister property to Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh — still stood under scaffolding, awaiting its rebirth.

In Phnom Penh, however, the newly renovated and reopened Raffles Hotel Le Royal was already welcoming guests. It was the city’s only true luxury hotel, and it quickly became not just our residence, but our refuge and gateway into the heart of Cambodia.

Three decades on, Phnom Penh is almost unrecognizable. The quiet town my family once knew has grown into a crowded, fast-moving capital. Yet amid the city’s transformation, Raffles has not changed. The hotel retains the grace of another era, and its enduring elegance still makes it the city’s defining address — a place that connects past and present without ever feeling dated.

La Esperanza Granada — exclusive-use hacienda wedding venue for intimate celebrations

(The celebration is all yours. The rest of the world stays outside the hacienda gates.)

Returning to the Past

Stepping into Le Royal is like entering a living storybook. Designed in the 1920s by Ernest Hébrard, the visionary French urbanist who helped shape Phnom Penh’s identity, the hotel has welcomed kings, queens, statesmen, and icons. When it opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in Phnom Penh, inaugurated by King Sisowath Monivong himself. The royal link remains today, not just in the crest gifted by the royal family or the art that adorns the ceilings, but in the atmosphere — a gentle reminder that you are a guest in a place steeped in history.

For me, staying here is always a homecoming of sorts. The high-ceilinged suites, the echo of French colonial lines softened by Khmer motifs, the shaded verandas where time seems to pause — all of these evoke memories of my early visits, when Cambodia was only beginning to reopen itself to the world. Yet the hotel is never static. It has grown into its role as the cultural heart of Phnom Penh.

We also loved having Sunday brunch or Sunday dinner at the Raffles Hotel, and it was always the highlight of our week. It was where conversations lingered, time stretched, and family life intersected with the grandeur of the hotel’s history.

Stay in a Suite at the Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh

Arrive on a Friday evening and check into one of the Personality Suites, named after illustrious former guests like Jacqueline Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle, or Somerset Maugham. These suites are more than rooms — they are portals, lined with antiques and personal artifacts that connect you to the city’s storied past.

What sets them apart is the sense of character each carries: the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite is filled with photographs and mementos from her celebrated 1967 visit, a reminder of Phnom Penh’s brief moment in the international spotlight.

Meanwhile, the Somerset Maugham Suite recalls the writer’s long fascination with Southeast Asia, its desk and library inviting you to linger with a notebook. On the other hand, the Charles de Gaulle Suite pays homage to Cambodia’s deep historical ties with France. High ceilings, vintage furnishings, and polished teak floors add to the atmosphere, creating spaces that feel lived in rather than staged.

For me, the appeal lies in this layering of memory — you aren’t just staying in a hotel, you’re stepping into a chapter of Phnom Penh’s history.

Explore the Royal Palace

The next morning should begin at the Royal Palace of Cambodia, only minutes away. Its gilded spires rise above the city, a reminder of Phnom Penh’s royal heritage. Within the grounds, the Silver Pagoda is striking, with more than 5,000 silver tiles laid across its floor and a collection of treasures that includes a golden Maitreya Buddha studded with diamonds and a small but luminous Emerald Buddha.

The Throne Hall, with its painted ceiling panels and ceremonial throne, conveys the formality of Cambodia’s monarchy, while the surrounding gardens, shaded and meticulously kept, offer a quieter counterpoint to the palace’s grandeur.

Visit the National Museum of Cambodia

Nearby is the National Museum of Cambodia, a must for any Phnom Penh itinerary. Its deep red terracotta pavilions and quiet courtyards shelter one of the world’s greatest collections of Khmer art, spanning nine centuries of sculpture, bronzes, and ceramics.

What draws me back most are the pieces that seem to carry entire worlds within them: the serene sandstone statue of Jayavarman VII, seated in meditation with eyes lowered, radiates a stillness that feels almost timeless; the monumental bronze Vishnu dredged from the Mekong has a presence so powerful you sense the river still clings to it.

I love pausing in the Angkor galleries, where apsaras carved in delicate relief dance across lintels and door frames, each curve of stone holding centuries of devotion. And yet, beyond the masterpieces, I’m just as fond of the museum’s open-air courtyards shaded by frangipani, where the perfume of fallen blossoms mingles with the sense of history all around. For me, this is where Phnom Penh’s noise falls away, and you can feel Cambodia’s past breathing quietly in the present.

Afternoon Tea and Royal Connections

Back at Raffles, guests booking certain VIP stays may even have the privilege of sharing afternoon tea with Her Highness Princess Chansita Norodom, daughter of the legendary prima ballerina Princess Buppha Devi, who championed the Apsara dance and secured its place on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

I never had tea with her myself, but I recall how my father counted Prince Norodom Ranariddh as a good friend, while my mother often lunched with Queen Monique. These were everyday realities of our diplomatic life — a reminder that in Cambodia, the royal family brought a sense of mystique, glamour, and elegance that infused every aspect of diplomatic life.

A Culinary Journey with Chef Nak

On Sunday, dedicate a day to Cambodian cuisine. Join Chef Nak, one of Cambodia’s leading culinary voices, for a market visit and private cooking session in a traditional wooden house by the Mekong. Her book Saoy – Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine has been recognized as one of the best in the world, and her cooking links you directly to the heart of Cambodian tradition.

Phnom Penh Then and Now

Phnom Penh offers countless layers to explore. I often went to the Central Market in the 1990s, drawn as much by its Art Deco dome as by the treasures hidden within its stalls. In those early years, the market was full of exquisitely carved silverware, and I brought home silver bags, trays, and even a little silver elephant or two. The prices were astonishingly different then. Today the market has changed, but it remains equally fascinating, blending history with modern-day commerce.

Alongside the market, Wat Phnom, colonial boulevards, and a new wave of trendy cafés give Phnom Penh its evolving rhythm. Yet at night, I still feel the pull of Raffles Hotel Le Royal — timeless, elegant, and irreplaceable.

Dining the Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh

The weekend culminates with a five-course dinner at Restaurant Le Royal, the hotel’s jewel. Beneath a painted ceiling, each course is a dialogue between Khmer royal cuisine and modern culinary artistry, paired with wines selected by your butler.

Beyond the hotel, Phnom Penh’s culinary life is equally memorable. I recall the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, which in the 1990s was the gathering point of expatriates and served some of the best food in the city. Across the river were humble local restaurants — far from glamorous, but unforgettable. One dish in particular stays with me: beef in a local sauce. I never discovered exactly what went into it, but it was the kind of dish you could not stop eating, as vivid in memory as any palace or museum.

Why Raffles Is Still the Only Place to Stay

As I step out into the warm Phnom Penh evening, I realize that one thing has never changed: to experience Cambodia’s capital in its fullest grace and dignity, you must begin — and end — at Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh: The Pearl of Asia

Often called the “Pearl of Asia,” Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital and cultural heart. Founded in the 14th century and restored as the royal capital in 1865, the city lies where the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers meet. It blends French colonial boulevards, Art Deco landmarks, and New Khmer architecture with a dynamic modern energy.

Today, Phnom Penh is home to more than two million people and is the country’s political, cultural, and economic center. Its riverside neighborhoods mix cafés and street markets with gilded pagodas and historic palaces. From the hilltop serenity of Wat Phnom to the grandeur of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh remains both a living museum of Cambodia’s past and a vibrant gateway to its future.

About the Writer

Christine Cunanan is the publisher of Travelife Magazine, now a digital publication curating extraordinary trips and experiences for discerning readers worldwide. She is also the director of Nagatacho Ohka in Tokyo, a private fine-dining restaurant often described as one of Japan’s most exclusive culinary experiences.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she purchased a property in Spain sight unseen and transformed it into La Esperanza Granada, a luxury hacienda in Andalusia that now hosts destination weddings, milestone celebrations, and family retreats. In 2025, La Esperanza Granada was honored with the Tripadvisor Best of the Best award, placing it among the top 1% of lodgings worldwide.

The post Where to go and what to do in Phnom Penh appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

This thoughtfully designed heritage hotel in Singapore masterfully intertwines modern luxury with the vibrant essence of Katong’s Peranakan culture. From its colorful interiors to its rich storytelling, every detail created an experience that felt like stepping directly into her cherished childhood memories.

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TIME CAPSULE OF PERANKAN CULTURE

Even before we arrived, Mom was reminiscing as we passed Katong’s colourful shophouses “This was where we used to come on weekends!”

It was a sweet prelude, but nothing compared to the sheer delight that lit up her face the moment we stepped into the hotel lobby.

Each Hotel Indigo is designed to reflect its neighbourhood. And that truly is the case in Katong, as it seems like they’ve bottled the very essence of my mother’s childhood. The hotel is like a modern-day Peranakan museum, seamlessly blending Singapore’s rich heritage with contemporary design. It’s a place where old memories come alive and new ones are beautifully made.

Mom’s eyes, wide with wonder, immediately darted to that magnificent circular mural of floral tiles. I could almost hear her silent appreciation for its intricate beauty, a direct echo of the classic Peranakan ceramics she loves.

Then, as we moved towards the lifts, her gaze followed the stack of blue-and-white porcelain jars and luminous lamps. I watched as her lips curved into a soft smile, as if she found a playful joy in how a simple corridor had been transformed into something so enchanting.

OUR PERANAKAN SANCTUARY IN KATONG

Our Peranakan Heritage Room delivered a masterclass in cultural storytelling. Mom loved how the room’s layout mirrored traditional shophouse architecture. This elongated layout is a nod to the past — a throwback to how shophouses were built with narrow frontages to avoid colonial-era taxes.

Our 30 sq m space truly felt like a time capsule, enhanced by carefully chosen old-school fixtures and traditional items. They subtly but powerfully immerse guests in the rich Peranakan culture of Singapore.

The ingenious elongated layout—a clever nod to how shophouses were built narrow to avoid colonial-era taxes. This made our 30 sq m room feel like a time capsule enhanced by the old-school fixtures and traditional items subtly incorporated to enhance the Peranakan theme.

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PERANAKAN DESIGN ELEMENTS

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong designs its rooms to emulate the deep, linear layout of a traditional shophouse. Upon entering, guests first see the toilet area, then step into a cozy living space before reaching the main bedroom. The bathroom sits at the very back, completing the shophouse-inspired flow.

Additionally, each room features a mural by local artist Don Low. His black-and-white artwork vividly captures Singaporean life.

Moreover, vibrant cushions in red, pink, and batik patterns decorate the beds. Similarly, the carved headboard enhances the Peranakan-inspired design.

The seating areas merge comfort and design with a clever twist. Instead of a standard coffee table, designers opted to use a carrom board as the centerpiece—playful yet functional.

Even the bathroom shows meticulous detail. The vanity sits atop a repurposed Singer sewing machine base, mixing nostalgia with function. Even the waste bin—a converted spittoon—adds a whimsical, heritage-inspired touch.

Decorative pieces like the once-ubiquitous red clogs also make an appearance, adding a touch of nostalgic charm.

The room’s design seamlessly blends artistic flair with cultural heritage, creating a vibrant, comfortable, and uniquely Singaporean experience for guests

SOPHISTICATED PERANAKAN FLAVOURS

For dinner, Baba Chews masterfully navigates ‘both ways’ with its dinner menu. For example, their Barramundi with Laksa Sauce combines Mediterranean flavours with Singaporean noodles and spices. We also tried the Octopus Squid Ink Pasta. This has a medley of flavours when served with yogurt mint sauce.

The absolute standout for us was the Kueh Pie Tee. These delicate, crispy “top hats”—filled with cocktail prawn, kombu slaw, and topped with tobiko—delivered an umami burst of flavour with every bite.

We also tried the restaurant’s signature dish—the Beef Cheek Rendang served with blue pea rice. The tender beef was not too spicy, reflecting an effort to appeal to an international palate.

The Mango Sago dessert served with a scoop of Mango sorbet and topped with fresh pomelo provided a refreshing, tropical finish to our meal.

Rooftop views of Katong and beyond

For those seeking an elevated dining and cocktail experience, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong offers Rooftop 88. Located on the 16th floor of the hotel, the rooftop bar offers stunning views of the culturally rich Katong district. Drinks are creatively designed to represent neighbourhood flavours with names like “Nyonya Margarita” and “Pink Coco Loco”, a coconut rum-based cocktail.

With food coming from the Baba Chews’ kitchen, Rooftop 88 features both bar bites and mains from the all-day restaurant, including their signature 18-hour braised Beef Cheek Rendang and their yummy Rojak Chicken Bites, Crispy Chicken Cubes coated in Tangy Rojak Sauce.

PERANAKAN MUSEUM IN KATONG

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is making it incredibly easy to dive deeper into Singapore’s vibrant Peranakan culture.

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong is making it incredibly easy to dive deep into Singapore’s vibrant Peranakan culture with a thoughtfully curated package designed for two. It’s more than just a stay; it’s an invitation to experience living history.

The ‘Peranakan Escape’ room package includes daily breakfast for two at Baba Chews, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant. Named after Chew Joo Chiat, the visionary Chinese immigrant who transformed the seaside town in the East of Singapore into an area popular with affluent families in the 1920s, Baba Chews offers a delightful blend of local and international flavours, setting the perfect tone for your heritage exploration.

The true highlight, however, unfolds at the Peranakan Mansion, where an exclusive experience awaits. During our private guided tour of Peranakan Mansion, we learnt about the rich traditions of the Babas and Nonyas. There were so many symbolic rituals that reflected how many cultures had an influence. Each room, artifact, and story offered a window into the vibrant, multicultural heritage of the Peranakans.

IMMERSIVE EXPLORATION OF PERANAKAN CULTURE

Begin your journey with a private guided tour as you and your companion delve into the vibrant world of Peranakan culture. Along the way, uncover fascinating living traditions, visual storytelling, and intricate artefacts that bring this unique heritage to life. This intimate, personalized experience sets the stage for a deeper cultural appreciation.

Next, step into the elegance of tradition with a Nyonya kebaya rental. Dress in exquisite Peranakan attire and enjoy exclusive access to both indoor and outdoor spaces for a private photoshoot. This curated photography session allows you to capture stunning moments in the mansion’s beautifully preserved surroundings—perfect for keepsakes or social sharing.

Finally, complete your cultural journey with a traditional kueh and tea set for two. Served in the charming ambiance of the heritage mansion, this delightful pairing offers a sweet and authentic taste of Peranakan hospitality—an ideal way to relax and reflect on your immersive experience.

To appeal to Singaporeans and local residents considering a staycation, the package also includes one complimentary carpark coupon.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The highlight of our visit to the Peranakan Mansion by Straits Enclave was undoubtedly the opportunity to don the traditional Nyonya kebaya for a photoshoot. It was a truly transformative moment for both my mom and me as I felt myself embody the elegance and grace of the matriarchs who came before.

I was imbued with a quiet sense of pride in the beauty of the culture and a deep satisfaction in capturing the special moment on camera.

Ultimately, the entire experience felt like a tender rediscovery of my own cultural identity. It wrapped me in warmth, memory, and a renewed appreciation for family. Therefore, for anyone looking to connect more deeply with Singapore’s Peranakan soul, I wholeheartedly recommend this experience.

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Its prime location in Thonglor provides easy access to trendy cafés, boutique shops, nightlife, and cultural attractions, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travelers seeking an authentic Bangkok experience.

ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN FOR INTERCONTINENTAL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT

When we arrived, we were brought up directly to the lounge for check-in. As we were booked to stay in a Premium room, we had access to the Club InterContinental Lounge on the 31st floor,

The check-in process for premium room guests at the Club InterContinental Lounge was basically an opportunity for us to taste the hotel’s signature welcome drink – the ‘Thonglor Secret’.

This special non-alcoholic mocktail with a pineapple base. What was interesting was its “origin” story.

A QR code accompanying the mocktail piqued my curiosity, and of course, I had to discover the story behind the drink, which unveils where the pineapples come from, and the drink’s meaningful connection to local culture.

SKY-HIGH SANCTUARY ABOVE THE STREETS OF BANGKOK

Our room offered a serene escape from Bangkok’s bustling streets. Spacious and elegantly furnished, it featured modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, a smart entertainment system, and luxurious bedding. Large windows provided a view of Thonglor’s trendy streets below, perfectly balancing the energy of the city with the calm of our private retreat.

I highly recommend opting for the Premium guestrooms if possible. In addition to club lounge access, rooms are larger at 42 square sqm and come with a freestanding bath, whereas classic rooms are between 34 – 38 sqm with twin bed options.

INTERCONTINENTAL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT CLUB LOUNGE

The Club InterContinental Lounge is open for suite and premium room guests. Located on the 31st floor, guests with access can utilise its meeting spaces and enjoy all-day refreshments,

CURATED CULINARY TREATS AT THE CLUB LOUNGE

Open daily from 6am to 10pm, Club InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit offers a sanctuary of exclusivity in the heart of Thonglor, one of Bangkok’s trendiest neighborhoods. This premium lounge elevates the hotel experience with a suite of privileges designed for discerning travelers. Mornings start with a sumptuous breakfast, featuring a buffet spread of freshly baked bread, pastries, cold cuts, and seasonal salads. Guests can also choose from an a-la-carte menu that combines authentic Thai breakfast dishes with international favorites, all while enjoying spectacular city views.

In addition to daily breakfast, there is complimentary afternoon tea, and evening cocktails with canapes, ensuring a well-rounded foodie experience for guests staying in premium rooms or suite rooms.

FROM SHAKSHUKA TO MEXICAN HUEVOS FOR BREAKFAST

The breakfast at Club InterContinental Lounge is a global culinary journey, reflecting the international heritage of the InterContinental® brand, founded by Pan American Airways’ visionary, Juan Trippe.

Guests can enjoy a wide array of egg preparations, each inspired by a different part of the world. While hotel lounges often serve smaller portions than main restaurants, the selection here is impressively diverse and expertly executed.

From the rich, buttery Rührei (German-style scrambled eggs) to the bold Mexican huevos rancheros with salsa and black beans, the breakfast menu spans flavors from across the globe. Guests can also enjoy an Italian Frittata with asparagus, a hearty Spanish Tortilla with potatoes, Middle Eastern Shakshuka in spiced tomato sauce, or the classic Benedict Royale, served on an English muffin with house-cured Scottish smoked salmon.

For those seeking authentic Thai flavors, the lounge serves traditional options like Thai green curry with rice, comforting rice noodle soup with pork or beef, and the iconic Mango Sticky Rice. International favorites such as pancakes, French toast, and smashed avocado on toast ensure every guest finds a morning indulgence to suit their taste. Health-conscious travelers can enjoy Thai herbal drinks, including pandanus, lemongrass, ginger lemonade, and aloe vera, each rooted in centuries-old Thai wellness traditions.

THEMED AFTERNOON TEA

Afternoon tea at the lounge is another global culinary tour = presenting flavours from international cities across four seasons. Starting at 2.30pm, afternoon tea is served on a three-tiered “bird-cage” silver stand. The Spring menu takes inspiration from London and Tokyo, Summer presents a tasty Pina colada chia seed pudding reminiscent of Miami, Autumn is a Bangkok-favourite: Tapioca pudding and Winter is savoury mini Cuban sandwiches.

Additionally, available daily from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at AVA Brasserie and THE LOBBY, non-hotel guests can also discover the enduring spirit of InterContinental’s heritage which pays tribute to the luxurious hospitality that Trippe envisioned for travelers around the globe. There is an Aviation afternoon tea experience that embodies IHG’s legacy, introducing first-class journey through flavors and sophistication. Taste the hotel’s signature coffee and tea blends, a unique blend in partnership with Thai artisans, Each sip is more than just a moment of refreshment; it’s a journey into the heart of luxury.

The hotel’s blended coffee is by Sarnies consisting of beans from Honduras Whiskey Barrel-aged, Thailand, and Myanmar. For tea, guests can also try the special Thonglor Tea Blend by Char Flower Tea, a local flower tea brand based in Thailand.

COCKTAIL & CANAPES WITH SUNSET VIEWS 

Throughout the day, the lounge offers all-day premium teas, coffees, and juices, providing the perfect spot to unwind or catch up on work in a serene setting. The staff are always on hand to assist with any needs, whether it is to make restaurant reservations or booking a Japanese-Thai inspired spa treatment at THE SPA by HARNN., the hotel’s in-house spa.

Guests with access to the lounge can also enjoy sundowners and canapes from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. There are complimentary cocktails (and mocktails), and a wide variety of spirits and wine.

There is a variety of pastries available, and they also serve up a hot plate of savoury finger food, which pairs well with the drinks. For those wanting something lighter, or seeking vegetarian options, there is also a good variety of salads and fruits

THOUGHTFUL AMENITIES

Additional benefits include complimentary pressing of clothes. We also loved the thoughtful motion sensors for lights in all the rooms, as this helps ensure convenience and energy efficiency. The sensors automatically illuminate the space as you enter, reducing unnecessary energy consumption when the room is unoccupied. It is these small, considerate details that enhance the overall guest experience.

INTENTIONAL FLEXIBILITY

To provide guests with restful stays, each room features an iHome PowerClock Glow, which utilizes a combination of light and sound therapy to create a calming environment, helping guests drift off with ease.  Additionally, there is a unique Sleep Well Program curated to induce relaxation and promote sound sleep which also offers guests a pillow and pillow spray menu,

Envisioned to transform the InterContinental guest experience, there are some ‘Intentional Flexibility’ initiatives to help travellers adjust to different sleep times while on the move. We had complimentary access to the Timeshifter app, which helps mitigate the effects of jetlag based on circadian science. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned scientists, Timeshifter provides tailored recommendations based on algorithms to provide suggestions to app users to follow pre and post-trip to help reduce the disruption to the body’s internal 24-hour circadian clock, which in turn regulates how the body rests and adjusts to changing time zones and improves overall wellness.

Additionally, guests can enjoy a menu of wellness cuisine specifically designed to counter the body’s natural response to travel, offering a holistic approach to combating travel fatigue.

InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit is a sanctuary for the discerning modern traveller, offering a sophisticated blend of traditional Thai craftsmanship and modern international influences. And what’s not to love about the convenience of the hotel location, just a short 5 min walk to the Thong Lo BTS station, and to some of Bangkok’s most outstanding eateries.

With 241 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, the hotel effortlessly weaves cultural richness into a contemporary setting, making it a perfect destination for those seeking luxury intertwined with authentic local experiences.

The hotel is located within walking distance to the Thonglor BTS station,

5 Things to Do in Thonglor, Bangkok

1. Explore Trendy Cafés and Coffee Spots – Sip specialty coffee in chic cafés tucked along Thonglor’s bustling streets.
2. Dine at Gourmet Restaurants – Enjoy Thai fusion and international cuisine at some of Bangkok’s most celebrated eateries.
3. Discover Bangkok’s Nightlife – From rooftop bars to hidden speakeasies, Thonglor offers a vibrant evening scene.
4. Shop at Boutique Stores – Browse local fashion, design shops, and artisanal boutiques for unique finds.
5. Experience Local Culture and Art – Visit galleries, pop-up exhibitions, and cultural hubs showcasing Bangkok’s creative energy.

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Kenninji Temple was founded in 1202 and is said to be where Zen (which originated from China) was first taught in Japan. Inside the temple grounds, there are several shrines and sub-temples, and is the perfect shortcut for guests staying at the hotel to walk to the main shopping street (Shijo-dori (四条通).

Entry to Kenninji Temple grounds is free, and it actually feels like a private extension of the hote due to its proximity from the hotel main entrance. The ambiance of the neighbourhood’s peacefulness is great for anyone keen to escape the adjoining crowded Hanamikoji street, known for its well-restored traditional wooden merchant houses and tea houses where Geishas perform.

Attention to detail

The hotel rooms are cleverly designed to create a meditative setting and the first thing one will see upon entering the room is the teapot set. The rooms are spacious, and the wet and dry areas of the bathroom are separate,

Around the hotel, tea is a central theme – and there are two guest rooms named “Tea Room” that can be booked for a stay –  whereby guests will enjoy a private matcha experience by Ippodo, Kyoto’s most known Japanese tea specialty store.

AFTERNOON TEA IN KYOTO

The Celestine has a gallery-like guest lounge – an afternoon tea room which transforms into a bar at night from 7pm onwards. In the day, hotel guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments like coffee and tea, along with some Japanese snacks, while enjoying a quiet break in between sightseeing. I noticed the curated collection of Kyoto books and magazines, and enjoyed browsing them one of the afternoons when we came back early.

I stayed at the hotel with my mom in July (during the Gion Matsuri Festival, also known as the midsummer festival. Again, the tiny touch to include information in the lobby about the festival for guests was something i appreciated.

I also loved how easy it was to walk over to the main shrine of the festival – Yasaka Shrine

Dining at Yasaka Endo

We enjoyed our breakfast at the hotel which probably serves the best Tempura for breakfast in Kyoto, mainly because they use a traditional copper hooded fryer. The breakfast area is connected to the world reknowned Yasaka Endo restaurant that seats only 16 guests in the main dining area and we found out the traditional sukiya-style wooden building was once an ochaya (teahouse) for geisha parties,

Of course we had to try lunch and we were seated at the counter and had a choice of one of two set menus. which either a 6-course or 8-course menu. With a history of over 100 years,- it was founded in Gion in 1885, and as I watched the chefs delicately preparing each dish, I came to appreciate the success and longevity of the restraunt.

Each dish was so beautiful, it was almost like I was eating an artwork!

Spatial Healing

Mom and I found our hideaway space in the public bath of The Celestine hotel. Open from 15:00 to 10:00 the next day, we were able to find some time where we had the place all to ourselves. The peacefulness from spending time in the public bath was such a pleasure that we found ourselves waking up early one morning, so we could enjoy more of the private time.

I like that the hotel’s design cleverly ensures that there are pockets of spaces that ensure that not one place feels crowded.

I’m definitely looking forward to my next trip back to Kyoto, and for anyone looking to spend time with their parent, the intimacy of the hotel helps foster closer bonds.

For easy accesibiliy, the hotel arranges shuttle tranfers to and from Kyoto station. I definitely recommend a stay at The Celestine Kyoto Gion because they have thought of everything a hotel guest would need, and devliered above and beyond.

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