Looking for luxury in Bangkok? It’s not hard to find; all you need to do is look up. The capital is full of city-defining skyscrapers, many of which are home to luxury hotels. These perfectly cosmopolitan lodgings offer guests a world of indulgence, complete with panoramic views where patrons can soak up the city below, all with the rarified air of feeling like you’re floating dozens of floors above street level.
Sky-high hotels know how to make their guests feel on top of the world and use their dizzy heights to add that extra wow factor. Unless you suffer from vertigo, elevator-inspired claustrophobia or are simply don’t enjoy being high, there’s little reason not to stay in a skyscraper hotel in Thailand’s capital.
There is one reason not to – to feel pure, actual escapism from – whilst in – the city. Although we love staying in the heart of Bangkok, which is where these skyscraper hotels can usually be found, sometimes it’s nice to lay your hat somewhere that isn’t in the midst of traffic and towering buildings. A peaceful place that’s elegant and warm. Somewhere open and airy, that’s equally as impressive as a gravity-defying skyscraper, yet quieter and perhaps a little more unique.
Enter Anantara Riverside Resort. Bangkok’s only low-rise 5-star hotel in a sea of skyscrapers, the resort stands out. If you’re looking for a beautiful hotel in an idyllic location that’s low slung, laid back but luxury nonetheless, then the Anantara is a good bet. Sitting pretty on the Thonburi side of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river, Anantara’s location feels accessible yet lovingly isolated from the rest of the city.
Don’t be put off by the hotel’s location “across the other side of the river”. In fact, this position is very much a plus point in the Anatara’s favour, perfectly poised for guests to experience the city by boat – which is the ideal way to get around Bangkok and see the sights in quintessential fashion. What’s not to love?
Read on for our full hotel review of the Anatara Riverside in Bangkok….
Location
Situated on the west shore of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, on the edge of Bangkok’s business district, the Anatara’s position differentiates the hotel from others in the Sathorn area, and it’s all the better for it. The quiet location is a welcome escape from the madness of the city, but close enough to the bustle and excitement of attractions (like Asiatique opposite and the monumental Wat Arun a little further up the river) that you still feel part of it.
Although there is no skytrain stop within easy walking distance of the hotel, getting to and from the Anantara is easy. For public transport, the nearest BTS Skytrain station is Charoennakorn Station (ICONSIAM) which can be reached by taxi within 7 minutes. There’s also a free shuttle boat which runs from the hotel to the central hub BTS stop of Saphan Taksin, from 8am to 11.15pm. From here you can hop on a Chao Phraya tourist boat and glide on up the river to a whole host of Bangkok’s main attractions. Honestly, a ride up the river is a tourist attraction in itself, taking in all of those sites at a cerebral, almost celestial pace.
Alternatively, you can catch the skytain at Saphan Taksin to take yourself further into the heart of modern Bangkok, Sukhumvit, putting a firm end to any perceived obstacle of being on the “the other side”.
Indeed, the Anantara doesn’t take its riverside location for granted, and it’s good to know that the hotel sends a small boat out everyday to clean rubbish from the river.
In terms of immediate amenities, there’s a little Riverside Plaza adjacent to the hotel. Home to a 7/11 (stock up on a bottle of Pocari Sweat if you’re exploring all day – it’s the ultimate rehydrater and rejunivator) and a pharmacy, it’s a good place to have near. Several restaurants occupy this little plaza too, though most are a little uninspiring, especially when you consider the Anantara’s proximity to a different shopping mall, the absolute juggernaut ICONSIAM, which real Bangkok-heads know serves up some of the best food in the city. Here you’ll find gorgeous bowls of khao soi from famed Chiang Mai institution Khao Soi Lamduan and som tam from Jae Dang Sam Yan. For a sit-down meal, much talked about Bann Ice is one of the finest purveyors of Southern Thai food in the city.
Charoen Nakhon Road itself is lined with small shophouses. Before you get to ICONSIAM, you’ll find Khao Soi Ni Kala serving up excellent food from Northern Thailand, and Je Ju Noodle which serves up some of the best yen ta fo noodles (the much-loved, pink-hued noodle soup) in the city. Lovely stuff.
The Welcome
On first impressions, the sprawling lobby has a slight shopping mall feel to it. But look past this and you’ll begin to notice that the hotel has an elegant, old-world charm. Breathe in and there’s the wonderful aroma of exotic flowers. A beautiful water feature creates a peaceful atmosphere both visually and aurally, and, in a nod to Thai sunak, sculptures of Thai elephants frolic in a central water feature that’s made to look like a lily pond. We can almost imagine Moo Deng in here, having a wonderfully frivolous time.
Intricate teakwood carvings abound and marble floors gleam. The warm, jasmine-scented welcome and the sight of the tropical garden just beyond the lobby’s expansive windows all set the tone for a stay that promises both relaxation and luxury.
Character & Style
The hotel peacefully sits amidst 11 acres of lush tropical gardens, offering a refreshing escape from the frenetic pace of Thailand’s capital. The whole resort is imbued with classic Thai aesthetics, from the giant mural of traditional Thai life close to the entrance and huge antique urns that stand tall and proud in the lobby, all the way to the charming elephant sculptures scattered throughout the property. These touches of Thai culture give the resort a distinctly local feel.
The guest rooms are spread across three low-rise buildings with traditional sloped Thai roofs. The grounds themselves are stunning with an abundance of tropical plants and gorgeous palm trees. The sprawling lagoon-style pool, surrounded by this verdant foliage and swaying palms, is a focal point for relaxation. At night the paths are illuminated and when coupled with the twinkling city lights across the river, it makes for one breathtaking view.
Those sweeping views of the river give discerning travellers good reason to choose the Anantara – breathtaking and so easy to get lost, watching all the boats go by. You just can’t beat the sunset here. Witnessing day become night from the edge of the Anantara’s pier is something that will stay with you forever, with an almost irresistible pull from the wider city beckoning you into a balmy night in Bangkok.
Rooms
The resort boasts 281 guestrooms and 95 suites, each meticulously designed to reflect a harmonious blend of contemporary comfort and Thai heritage.
Our deluxe river view room was dreamy. Full of deep colours, rich textures and dark wooden furnishings, distinctively Thai elements reminded you exactly where you were, from the pictures of Thai temples behind the bed and the rare, reddish makha wooden flooring, all the way to the etched inscriptions around the window.
The bed, fitted out with sumptuously soft Thai silk linen, was supremely comfortable, and the room’s private balcony offered a sweeping vista of the Chao Phraya, where the gentle hum of riverboats added a rhythmic charm to the serene setting – it was enough to rock you to sleep, quite frankly. Waking up to the already active Chao Phraya and starting the day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee is – was, will be – a moment to cherish.
Each room comes with a ‘Handy’; a free smartphone device that allows guests to make unlimited local and international calls – a nice touch. However, dare we say, the most impressive thing about the room may be the elephant towel art, courtesy of the talented cleaning team. Just how do they get those trunks so erect?
Facilities
Let’s talk about the little things that really sing ‘luxury’ here. You won’t want for refreshments; the pool has a swim-up bar and the sunbeds are blessed with a call-for-service button where you can order drinks and snacks right to your lounger. Need we say more?
For those seeking rejuvenation, the Anantara Spa offers a range of treatments that blend ancient Thai techniques with modern wellness practices. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the well-equipped gym and the array of on-site activities, from Muay Thai boxing classes to yoga sessions by the river.
You can even join the imitable Khun Waiyawit (better known as the Klong Guru) on a leisurely tour of the city’s canals via longtail boat, directly from outside the Anatara. Khun Waiyawit grew up around the city’s waterways and knows the intricate maze of canals like the back of his hand. Exploring this side of the city and seeing the traditional stilt house communities is to experience an older, more traditional side of Bangkok. The hotel also has a string of so-called Streetwise Gurus that are ready to take you to some of the best street food joints in the capital.
One of the best things we did at the Anantara was join the organised dinner cruise along the historic river. Whilst the sun set and night fell on the city, we dined on a five course-menu curated by executive chef Phongthorn, all to be enjoyed as you pass famous landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. If you’re a morning person, there’s also the Dawn Voyage available every weekend. Starting at 8am, it sheds yet another different light on this most captivating of cities.
Food & Drink
The buffet breakfast at Anantara’s ‘Market’ is wonderful. Here you can begin your day overlooking the river, enjoying the gorgeous view. The breakfast mango smoothies are particularly addictive during mango season (from late March to July). Filter coffee is available, of course, but if you want a really good coffee, often lacking at buffet breakfasts, then head to Mocha and Muffins inside the resort complex.
Bangkok is home to some of the best restaurants and street-food stalls in the world, so there’s every reason to venture beyond the hotel for your meals. However, if you’re too exhausted to go out after a day of sightseeing, the hotel offers a diverse range of dining options (about as many you can count on two hands) to cater for all tastes.
If the craving for Western food hits, Italian Brio serves a great menu of pizza and pasta – though it should be said, as an aside, that Bangkok is home to some of the best pizzerias in Asia. There’s Trader Vics here too, offering ‘Pacific Rim Cuisine’ and home to Bangkok’s only Chinese wood fired oven. We must say that the signature Trader Vic’s Mai Tai cocktail isn’t half bad. Also on site, the Japanese Teppanyaki house Benihana is every bit as theatrical as it is culinarily impressive.
There’s also the Riverside Terrace, where guests can indulge in a torch-lit seafood barbecue buffet while enjoying traditional Thai dance performances, all against the backdrop of the river.
The standout place for us, though, is the Longtail cocktail bar – it’s a great alfresco spot serving up Thai craft beer and cocktails that use local ingredients to great effect. Our favourite thing to drink here was the ‘Chao Phraya’ (no, we were not taking sips out of the river), where rum is mixed with fermented rice puree and cha-pu syrup made of herbs that grow along the river. It’s all served in a bamboo vessel – a traditional way of transporting liquids in Thai culture. They also serve up some great Thai drinking snacks like the sticky, fermented pork sausage, sai grok, and the beloved Thai minced meat salad, laab.
Why Stay?
Known as the ‘River of Kings’, the Chao Phraya is a vital artery of Bangkok, and staying at the Anantara Riverside places guests right at the heart of it. When it’s time to replenish and relax in the midst of this juggernaut of a city, you can rely on the Anantara Riverside to help. Everything about the hotel seems to have been designed with relaxation in mind. As cliched as it sounds, the phrase ‘urban oasis’ springs to mind.
Website: anantara.com
Address: 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road Samrae Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
IDEAL Magazine stayed as a guest of the hotel