Last Updated on September 17, 2025
Luxury hotel on Chao Phraya River
Taxi drivers in any city are often a great source of wisdom. As we sat stationary in Bangkok’s notorious traffic on our way to The Peninsula, a renowned luxury hotel, our driver exclaimed several times, ‘Six-star hotel, best in Bangkok’. He was right, a 5-star rating does not begin to do justice to what is on offer here.
An iconic landmark on the western bank of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula Hotel boasts an enviable location. It has 37 floors with a total of 367 rooms, each of which has a river view. From our 28th-floor room, the view was sensational. Seated at the sizable desk positioned in the window, I realised that I would never get a stitch of work done as I spent my time watching the constant stream of river traffic. Not only is the river fascinating, but the view over to the eastern shore provides a truly panoramic view over Bangkok for as far as the eye can see. The view is an essential part of the hotel’s décor and can be enjoyed from not only the rooms but every space, from the lobby lounge to the restaurants and the pool. Whether watching the view as dawn broke, to daytime or sunset and beyond, there was an ever-changing sense of the city.
Many people stop off in Bangkok for just a few days before going on to explore further afield in Thailand. Doing so myself, I had to contend not only with jetlag but also with adjusting to the heat and humidity. I find when these conditions co-exist, the choice of hotel in which I begin my journey is particularly important. It is a time when I most need a soft landing and cosseting. The Peninsula is an outstanding hotel in this regard, having superbly trained staff, luxurious facilities, and excellent restaurants. When you succeed in tearing yourself away from all the pampering, the hotel shuttle boat – a restored rice barge – whisks you across the water to the river boat pier or the Skytrain that moves people around the city, avoiding the traffic. You can book one of the hotel’s Rolls Royce limousines or the staff will arrange a taxi which, on certain days we did as the heat was exhausting. There is a helipad on the roof should you require it, and one morning, we were excited to see a helicopter land to deliver guests to the hotel.
Our Grand Deluxe Room exuded timeless luxury with wood panelling and classic, comfy furnishings. It had floor-to-ceiling windows and a luxuriously large bed from which one could watch the view. Lying in bed at night with Bangkok twinkling outside was a tremendous treat. I even got up at dawn to see the light change over the river and the city, a moving montage that changed constantly from day to night. In addition to a comfortable sitting room area and a large desk, the room also included a dressing room area with lots of storage space. There was a fully stocked mini bar and a Nespresso machine. The large bathroom was very classic and finished in cream and jade marble. There were basins on either side of the bathroom and a generously sized bath with a small inset TV above. A sizeable walk-in shower and a toilet cubicle completed this well-designed bathroom.
The Peninsula is clearly a hotel with a loyal following and had a diverse range of guests from elderly couples to young families. As one expects in a luxury hotel like The Peninsula, the staff were warm, friendly, helpful, well-informed and always welcoming. We loved returning in the afternoons to the lobby lounge, which is a relaxing space with an oversized water droplets chandelier, potted palm trees and fresh flowers – orchids, hydrangeas, roses and tulips. Arriving back in the heat of the day, my favourite drink was a very cold coconut, which is possibly the most refreshing beverage I’ve ever had. Afternoon Tea is served accompanied by a classical pianist seated at the grand piano. One evening, we ordered some light bites to eat in the lounge while entertained by a three-piece band and a jazz singer.
The Peninsula hosts a daily menu of Wellness activities designed to rejuvenate both body and mind. These include early morning meditation, breathing and yoga on the lawn, Aqua Fit, Muay Thai, Pilates, sourdough or green curry or beverage classes, plant potting, or a tour of the surrounding neighbourhood. I began my first morning at 7 am with one of these Wellness activities – Tak Bart Alms Giving. Monks from a neighbouring temple arrive each morning to receive alms, and guests can participate in this ceremony in which food is given and a blessing received.
The Peninsula is perfectly located for those who enjoy retail therapy. Bangkok has an enviable number of shopping malls, and one of the most popular is ICONSIAM, a mini city of luxury stores and restaurants as well as an indoor Thai food market. It is a mere five-minute ride on the hotel boat that ferries guests there and back at half-hour intervals throughout the day and into the night.
Bangkok is an enormous city, but many first-time tourists head for several key sites, most of which, located along the river, are in easy reach of The Peninsula. Thus, we were easily able to access the magnificent sights of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, as well as a visit to the National Museum of Thailand.
Each day, we returned to the hotel by early afternoon when the heat made being out and about challenging. Our afternoons were spent on loungers next to the fabulous pool, but one could also keep busy indoors at the Spa or engage in one of the Wellness activities. The Peninsula Spa is located in a beautiful tropical garden, housed in a three-storied Thai colonial-style building where guests can spend an hour or a day engaging in a wide range of treatments incorporating European, Oriental and Ayurvedic philosophies. The three-tiered hotel pool with palm trees all along its length runs from the Spa down to the river.
Elbows leaning on the edge of the heated pool, I was mesmerised by the view over the river. The Chao Phraya is a working river and was an endless source of fascination. Colourful tug boats, massive barges, cheeky longboats zipping along at speed, hotel shuttle boats ferrying their guests to and fro. The pool deck is great spot from which to watch the sunset as it blazes on the glass windows of the tall buildings across the river. Alongside is a pool bar, plenty of loungers and curtained cabanas to provide privacy and respite from the sun.
Breakfast was served at the River Café and Terrace, where we sat overlooking the river, an early morning breeze cooling the air. A capacious, international spread was on offer across several stations. There was a large air-conditioned indoor section that contained the Western Breakfast – charcuterie, cheese, yoghurt, cereals, fresh tropical and dried fruits, quinoa with almond milk, a salad bar, and pastries. Outdoors, there were sections for Chinese breakfast (including steamed buns, noodles, soups, steamed fish and stir fries), an Indian Breakfast with a wide range of dishes and the Full English with the addition of hot roast pork. My husband chose the Eggs Benedict station, which offered a choice of three muffins, one of which was seaweed. I enjoyed a Chinese breakfast of congee with sausage, steamed sausage bun and stir-fried noodles. There were fresh fruit juices – I loved the guava, especially – as well as power fruit drinks and smoothies. Tea was served in an elegant silver teapot along with charming mint green crockery. I sipped my tea and nibbled on a matcha madeleine while admiring the fuschia pink orchids in a vase on the table. One could spend all morning enjoying this vast breakfast, and the ambience is so relaxing that it is tempting to do so. However, Bangkok beckons with its palaces and temples.
While the River Café and Terrace is open for lunch and dinner too, The Peninsula is home to two further restaurants, Thiptara Thai Restaurant which offers Thai Cuisine (I review this separately) and Mei Jiang which specialises in classic Cantonese cuisine. You can also order food at the pool or in the lobby lounge.
While relaxation is the theme of The Peninsula, the signature colour of this hotel is green, from the dark green awnings and striped umbrellas to the mint green uniforms of the restaurant staff. The lush green gardens, a multitude of exotic trees and countless orchids immediately tell you that this is the tropics. The hotel has beautiful artwork in the lobby lounge, passageways and on every floor,r where there are Thai ceramics and furniture. This is a hotel that exudes tastefulness and style in every corner.
While we only had two days at The Peninsula, I recommend a longer stay. There is simply so much to do within the hotel itself, from Spa experiences to classes, eating in the wonderful restaurants and relaxing at the pool. Add in some sightseeing, shopping and exploring the dynamic food scene in this city, and the days fly by in a whirl of pampering and luxurious experiences. Regular visitors to the hotel refer to it affectionately as The Pen, and, having had the privilege of staying here, it feels like the only place I want to be in Bangkok.
The Peninsula Bangkok
333 Charoennakorn Road,
Klongsan,
Bangkok 10600
Thailand
T: +66 2020 2888 pbk@peninsula.com
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