City Centre Resort Retreat

City Centre Resort Retreat

Whether you are seeking a city centre staycation, a special celebration or just fancy a couple of nights of blissful relaxation, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, the luxury city centre resort retreat, has everything you could ever wish for. In fact, everybody should experience a night at Siam Kempinski at least once in their life.

 

I’ve been dreaming of taking a much-needed staycation for many months as the agony of Covid-19 lockdowns, restrictions and daily updates continues to wreak havoc. Now that Bangkok has been upgraded to a more friendly Blue Zone that allows people to go about an almost normal lifestyle, more and more hotels are kick-starting their operations with wonderful packages.

 

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s main shopping district, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok sits majestically on the site of a former royal palace and is surrounded by lush vegetation, mature trees and manicured lawns. The unique layout of the hotel ensures that all 19 types of guest rooms have garden facing views while the ground floor Garden Suites, Cabana and Duplex Cabana rooms have private balconies that lead directly to the swimming pool. Our accommodation for two luxurious days of bliss would be the latter, the impressive Duplex Cabana.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
The lobby at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is an Instagrammer’s delight.

 

The Duplex Cabanas are always in high demand because they provide guests with two floors of outstanding space and have easy access to the pool. Sporting a resort-style ambience, the Duplex Cabana Rooms are located on the ground floor of the Garden Wing and measure a whopping 75-square-metres. On entering the Duplex Cabana, guests have a bathroom, shower and toilet to the left, lots of storage space, a mini bar and coffee machine to the right and a large workstation desk with comfortable office chair.

 

A large, relaxing living area is made even more inviting with a contemporary wicker sofa and adjoining coffee table that face the LED TV. It was from here that we spent many hours gazing out of the floor to ceiling windows and listening to the numerous birds chirping outside.

 

Tastefully decorated with muted pastel tones, wooden floors and a lush giant, foot-warming rug, the Duplex Cabana is so homey it’s hard to leave, even for breakfast. A pinewood staircase leads up to the main bedroom and a second, larger bathroom with rain shower, standalone bathtub and toilet. Our king bed was so snuggly and the blackout curtains kept the room so dark that one morning we didn’t wake up until almost 10am. But, that’s what staycations are all about; having the time to have a lie in and not worry too much about doing anything.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
There are four saltwater pools in the gardens at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

 

A wonderful selling point of the hotel is how it caters to young children, which obviously then gives some much needed quiet time for parents. The Kempinski Kids Club provides a safe and entertaining indoor playground to keep its younger guests occupied and amused. Children can select from a wide variety of complimentary activities that include, but are not limited to, interactive games, arts and crafts.

 

And if the children’s swimming pool and kids club isn’t enough to keep the little ones entertained then how about a relaxing weekend in one of the seven animal-themed family rooms? There are six two-bedroom themed family suites that include ‘Kingo’ the Monkey; ‘Katty’ the Tiger; ‘Kao Kao’ the Panda; ‘Kquincy’ the Hare; ‘Ko Ko’ the singing Bird; and ‘Kitsu’ the Fox, while the one-bedroom themed family suite features ‘Kaja’ the Elephant.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
The Two-Bedroom Family Suite has a tiger-themed children’s bedroom.

 

Outside each animal-themed family room door is a child-high post box where staff will leave treats for children as well as entertaining letters and other goodies. Stepping inside is like entering a child’s paradise with colourful decorations sporting all the walls and just about everything a child could imagine and then some. The adorable child-size bathroom is brimming with fun kiddy toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, while the bedroom features bunkbeds, video games, a special ‘secret door’, a drawing board, animal-themed wallpaper and cuddly toys. Kids will surely never want to leave the room.

 

The outstanding family suites feature unique designs and illustrations by Max Studio, a Bangkok-based international company that specialises in hospitality design, and hand-drawn illustrations by Suthipa Kamyam – a very talented Thai artist who has used her creative skills in the diverse storytelling to blend imagination with reality. As a result, younger guests are able to identify with the theme of their suite and learn more about each animal’s habitat in Thailand.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
The family suites are perfect for short city staycations.

 

“Inside each suite exists a sensory experience, where kids are invited to explore and create their unique ‘den’ which they can call their own while staying with us. We have created an environment in which children return to more conventional, interactive playtime experiences using drawing materials, board games and books,” says hotel Managing Director Richard Schestak.

 

“Guests staying in the elephant suite, for example, will learn much more about the lives of elephants in Thailand and why the elephant is a treasured and sacred beast in Thai culture. A crafted journey with several elements has been designed to surprise and delight our little guests. Every family that books an animal-themed suite also enjoys additional benefits at the hotel’s partner stores and entertainment venues,” he added.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
The family suites also feature a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area.

 

A splendid day relaxing at the five-star resort-style property finished with a couple of glasses of red wine in the Executive Lounge as we watched the sun set over the rooftops. We then retired to our room to discover the housekeeping team had been busy little bees while we were away. At the foot of the sofa in the bedroom, we found a very welcoming foot-bath with warm, scented water, while in the dark-marbled bathroom, a hot bath had been pulled and infused with bath salts. My wife grabbed a copy of the hotel’s in-house magazine, Travelling In Style, put on some relaxing music and gently dipped her toes in the foot-bath, whilst I opted for a soothing hot bath.

 

The following morning, after rising from our slumber, we took a casual walk through the hotel admiring the many works of art on display. From our Duplex Cabana in the Garden Wing to Additions restaurant where breakfast is served, is quite a walk. There is a short cut that takes you through the gardens, around the swimming pool, under the palm trees and through the poolside bar Rotunda if you’re in a hurry.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
What a colourful start to the day – Breakfast welcome fruit platter.

 

As we’re living in the new normal due to Covid-19, all guests are required to wear masks in public areas. This is neither a hindrance nor an inconvenience. At breakfast, every member of staff wore a mask as well as gloves while taking our order and serving us. When the guests next to us left, the table was thoroughly cleaned with sanitiser. A few cups of freshly brewed coffee, three power-shots, a wonderful fruit platter and several amazing dishes later, we were ready to hit the sun loungers.

 

You really get the impression you’re at an island resort or a country retreat sitting in the gardens at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and not in the centre of one of Asia’s mega-cities. There’s hardly a sound from outside as the four saltwater swimming pools are enveloped on all sides by the hotel. What we did hear was birds singing, a few children laughing in the kids pool and that was it. Total bliss and serenity in a city of over ten million people.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok pays homage to its rich history at every corner.

 

The lotus-inspired designs found throughout Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok are a fitting tribute to the amazing historical significance of Sra Pathum Palace. Even the rich, green gardens play their part in the narrative linking the royal palace and hotel as European flair is harmonised with local culture and traditions. I’m pretty sure happy spirits from another era walk the hotel at night, relishing their new home as guests from around the world sleep tightly in their beds.

 

Guests should make a point of sitting down and having a chat with the hotel’s Lady in Red as she is a local expert who knows everything there is to know about the hotel and Bangkok as a destination. She will talk you through many of the artworks, give you tips on where to go and what to do and if you have an anniversary, celebration or surprise, she’s there to ensure you and your loved ones have the holiday of a lifetime. These oracles have a profound enthusiasm for craftsmanship, gastronomy and local culture, and will go that extra mile to ensure guests are given unforgettable memories every time they visit.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
The Ladies & Gent in Red are always on hand to make your stay amazing!

 

There are some 2,000 works of art at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok from gigantic paintings measuring over 6.7 metres in length to a trio of stainless steel and bronze chickens. Adorning two walls opposite the main entrance to the hotel, are a pair of stunning Thai paintings called The Abiding Faith 1 and 2 by Thai artist Alongkorn Lauwatthana, which explore our connection with faith, the inner mind and birth and death. Take a moment to delve into this amazing painting.

 

Just in front of these masterpieces is a water installation entitled Kochakorn No. 3 by Jiraparnn Tokeeree, which represents the lotus flower and lotus ponds that once surrounded the former Sra Prathum Palace. Take a walk around the hotel and see how many of these amazing works of art you can find. To make it a little easier, the hotel has provided a website that lists most of main art works, to explore and learn more about the artworks, click here.

 

Of course, any hotel worth its salt has several Instagram locations where guests and visitors come to have their photograph taken and Siam Kempinski is no different. From the spiral staircase to the immaculate gardens, you’ll find a photo opportunity at almost every turn.

 

City Centre Resort Retreat
A multi-colour flower decoration adorns the lobby.

 

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s premier shopping and entertainment district, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is easy accessible by car and BTS Skytrain, the most convenient public transportation in the city. Take the elevator to the second floor where you’ll find a sky bridge to Siam Paragon Shopping Centre that’s open from 10am until late.

 

If you’re looking to get out and about and experience some cultural attractions during your stay at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, you may be interested in the legendary silk trader Jim Thompson and his Thai House & Museum, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and Pathum Wanaram Temple, all of which are within walking distance.

 

Meanwhile, those seeking a little retail therapy are spoilt for choice with Siam Paragon Shopping Centre, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery, Siam Square One, MBK Centre, CentralWorld, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza and Central Chidlom all close by and easily accessible from the hotel.

 

As one might expect from a city centre luxury hotel, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok warmly welcomes all members of the family, including your furry friends. There are a number of conditions on taking your cat or dog, so please check with the hotel in advance.

 

For international guests arriving who want to arrive in comfort, the hotel operates an airport limousine service that’s available all day with an additional fee. Advance reservation is required by sending an email to: concierge.siambangkok@kempinski.com.

 

For more information and reservations, call Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok at +66 (0) 2162-9000, email: info.siambangkok@kempinski.com, or click here.

 

Source: Punch Media Digital.

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