Bangkok's First Luxury Hotel Is Still One of the City's Most Prestigious Stays — With Michelin-starred Dining, an Award-winning Spa, and Riverfront Views

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok's historic allure is preserved alongside modern updates.

Shortly after walking through the doors of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, my grandmother exhaled an audible sigh of relief. Smiling ear to ear, she turned to me and said, “The best. There’s no competition.”

It was here, at the age of 20, that my grandmother had her first job: an intern at the hotel, which was then called The Oriental. During our nearly 24-hour journey to Bangkok, she regaled me with stories of the hotel's splendor — the food, the guests, the impeccable service, everything about it. Her excitement alone was enough to forge an image in my mind of a hotel so incredible that it was surely impossible for the real-life Mandarin Oriental to be able to live up to those standards. But, despite multiple renovations and updates to the property, even 50 years later, the hotel still gleamed with the same elegance that defines this historic landmark, according to my grandmother.

Related: 22 Best Things to Do in Bangkok, Rooftop Bars and Ancient Temples Included

Sitting alongside the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the city's first and oldest luxury hotel. Reflecting the region's resilience against and adaptation to Western influence over the past few centuries, the hotel is intertwined with the city's history in a way that deeply resonates with Thailand's people, culture, and culture today.

The blend of contemporary and historical architecture at the hotel traces back to its Western roots, despite Thailand (formerly known as the Kingdom of Siam) having never been formally colonized by European or American forces. However, during the reign of King Rama IV (from 1851 to 1868), the Kingdom was still significantly influenced by Western culture. King Rama IV actively sought to adopt Western customs and technologies, as this kind of modernization was viewed as a strategic safeguard against colonization, thereby preserving the region’s independence and sovereignty.

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok began its iconic journey as The Oriental in 1876, preceding Thailand's renaming from the Kingdom of Siam. Designed by the Italian architecture firm Messrs Cardu and Rossi, the hotel represents a physical link between the Kingdom of Siam and the Western world. Beyond being the city’s inaugural luxury property, it boasts several other pioneering achievements: Bangkok’s first fine dining restaurant, elevator, jazz bar, and even an official spa.

The Mandarin Oriental has a history of hosting esteemed guests, including royalty such as the King of Siam and the Prince of Wales, as well as famous figures like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlon Brando. Even W. Somerset Maugham famously found inspiration on his veranda while recovering from malaria nearly a century ago.

The hotel is spread across two exquisite properties on each side of the Chao Phraya, accessible by complimentary shuttle boat services. While it would be wrong not to explore Bangkok during your stay, the hotel itself has everything you could ever want: Michelin-starred restaurants, a stunning pool, a state-of-the-art gym, riverfront views, a spa, and so much more.

Read on for our full review of one of Bangkok's most stupendous hotels.

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

• As Bangkok's first luxury hotel, it has undergone multiple renovations that preserve the property’s historic allure with modern updates.

• The hotel's prime riverside location offers easy access to popular attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and the vibrant ICONSIAM mall — a complimentary shuttle boat ride away.

• Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking river views.

• Between the on-site amenities, restaurants, and activities, there is so much to do between the two properties that you may not want to leave the hotel during your stay.

The Rooms

With 331 rooms, the heritage hotel has seen a handful of renovations over its nearly century-long history. Rooms are spread across the River Wing and the original Oriental Hotel building, called the Garden Wing. For my stay, I checked into the deluxe one-bedroom suite in the River Wing, which boasted gold-hue decor and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the Chao Phraya River.

Beyond the aesthetics and views, I thoroughly enjoyed thoughtful extras that added to the experience: fresh fruit, silk kimonos, smart TVs, a walk-in wardrobe, an in-room bathtub, and a luxuriously soft king-sized bed. Its sheer size and cozy feel made it easy to settle in and perfect for stays of any length. Despite my grandmother’s excitement about being back in Bangkok (and our firmly packed itinerary), she still cherished downtime because of the exceptional comfort of the room.

Food and Drink

The hotel offers a wide range of dining and drinking options on both sides of the river, each with its own seasonal specialties (and openings).

Guests can enjoy food and drink in either the River Wing or the Garden Wing, which includes the Michelin-starred French restaurant Le Normandie by Alain Roux; Chef Takagi Kazuo’s Kinu by Takagi that offers artful Kyoto-style cuisine; The Bamboo Bar, which plays live jazz music and serves handcrafted drinks; and the enchanting Author’s Lounge, famous for its Western and Thai-style afternoon teas that are just as impressive as the building itself.

Impressively, the hotel is home to three Thai restaurants — Baan Phraya, Sala Rim Naam, and The Verandah — that showcase Thailand’s historical, contemporary, and ever-evolving cuisine. My grandmother, a seasoned Thai chef, relished the opportunity to experience Thai food at its best. At Baan Phraya, we savored redefined interpretations of Thai cuisine by the incredibly talented Chef Pom Phatchara, making the spot a must-book. At the Sala Rim Naam, we enjoyed traditional Thai curries and desserts while watching cultural dances such as the Hanuman Chasing Benyakai dance and Nora-Chatri, which brought my grandmother back to celebrations from her youth.

Perhaps most importantly, the complimentary breakfast buffet was one of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen. I woke up extra early to secure a seat by the river, where I indulged in tropical fruit, congee, made-to-order omelets, daily-changing pastries, and so much more.

Activities and Amenities

Guests can enjoy various cultural activities and amenities across the two properties. Whether you prefer lounging by the extravagant 80-foot pool, which offers private cabanas, on-demand SPF, and poolside refreshments all day, participating in hands-on cooking classes, or trying your hand at muay Thai combat at the gym, there’s something to suit every interest.

Guests are also encouraged to participate in cultural activities such as the morning ritual of giving alms through offering food and flowers to local Buddhist monks on the river or taking advantage of complimentary boat and city tours.

The Spa

Nestled in an exclusive restored teakwood building across the river, the Oriental Spa is a distinguished, award-winning 14-room luxury spa that is second to none for its inventive treatments, tranquil ambiance, and expert therapists.

Upon arrival, guests are invited to schedule a private consultation, which allows therapists to customize treatments that combine traditional Thai techniques with contemporary approaches to tailor to individual needs for both body and facial treatments. From the world-class therapists to the ambiance, there’s truly nothing like it.

Family-friendly Offerings

The hotel provides both suites and the option for connecting rooms, ensuring seamless and comfortable family travel. The hotel also has a kids club available Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers activities such as yoga classes designated exclusively for kids. Beyond family accommodations, the hotel also features a dedicated children’s pool and an extensive menu selection to cater to all guests' needs.

And because pets can be family too, the hotel allows small dogs and cats under 7 pounds.

Accessibility and Sustainability

After multiple reconstruction projects, the hotel has both wheelchair-accessible hotel rooms and hotel facilities (including all of the restaurants and bars). If you have additional requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property before your stay. In addition to the elimination of single-use plastics, the hotel also responsibly (and locally) sources its ingredients as much as possible.

Location

The hotel is 30 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). It is also a short Saphan Taksin BTS station and just a few miles from popular attractions like The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Phra Chetuphon. Thanks to the riverfront location, guests are also a short complimentary shuttle boat ride away to the vibrant ICONSIAM mall, which offers eight floors of shopping and dining.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

To get the most out of your stay, consider booking your stay during Bangkok’s down season between May through October. This time of the year is regarded as the region's rainy season, meaning fewer tourists and better deals on hotels and airfare.

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