Trip review of Bangkok: Back at full speed

This trip was completed in July 2023.

Spending close to an hour before getting through customs at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport was a bittersweet experience as we were heartened to see tourism regain a semblance of its pre-2020 glory.

We decided to try the Airport Rail Link, which connects the Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city center via stations like Makkasan and Phaya Thai. Frequency of trains is good with intervals below ten minutes in our experience. It takes about an hour for us to get into the city.

Below are our reviews of notable parts of our trip.

Accommodation: Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

Rating 8.5/10

The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Centralworld, also passing by the famous Erawan Shrine along the way. Upon entering the luxurious compound, one would be greeted by a grand lobby that pays homage to Thai heritage. The same decor follows through into the rooms, with opulent finishings and painted murals giving off a rich historic feel.

Service was impeccable and rooms were spacious. Rates are about 7,000THB/night and rooms may come with a view of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club's fields. The hotel is well-equipped with a spa, gym and even a squash court with racquets provided.

We especially enjoyed the luscious greenery that was weaved into the hotel, bestowing travelers with the sensation of taking a respite in the heart of this bustling city. Breakfast buffet was a good balance of both hot and cold dishes. Do reach early for a table facing the picturesque courtyard area, against a backdrop of trees and streams.

Accommodation: Millennium Hilton Bangkok

Rating 8.0/10

For visitors who enjoy the riverfront and want to base themselves around ICONSIAM mall, Millennium Hilton Bangkok is a good choice. There is a complimentary shuttle boat to link guests across the Chao Praya River to the nearby Saphan Taksin station on the Silom Line (to get back to the city central district).

The hotel lobby is furnished with a modern touch, with ample lounge seating for guests for a quick rest. ICONSIAM is a 3-minute walk from the lobby but unfortunately, there is no direct access from the hotel so a portion of the walk will be unsheltered.

Room rates are about 5,000THB/night and certain rooms can get a great river view. The basic room spans about 34 square meters, and comes equipped with the essentials and standard amenities as expected of major hotel chains.

The breakfast buffet at Millennium Hilton Bangkok has a good spread, with selection ranging from Western options to local Thai cuisine. Food quality was also high but do expect a crowd during the peak breakfast timing.

Dining: Mott 32 Bangkok

Rating 8.1/10

Located on the second floor of The Standard Bangkok hotel, Mott 32 is a rather new Chinese restaurant which only opened its doors in 2022. Right beside the iconic King Power Mahanakhon building with its Skywalk, this is a good dining option before or after visiting the highest observation deck in Thailand.

The entire restaurant ambience was elevated by the dark tones of the decor. The food was intricate, even for smaller dishes like dimsum. A reminder that the Peking Duck has to be reserved in advance, so do remember to place an order before the actual dining day!

Dining: Mo-Mo-Paradise Gold (Centralworld)

Rating 7.5/10

This is a Japanese hotpot restaurant on the highest floor of Centralworld, with both an a la carte and a buffet option to choose from. The buffet option is more popular and the queuing time can go up to 30 minutes.

It was affordably priced at about 900THB/person. The buffet offers free flow of meat like beef, pork, chicken and prawn that you could order from the staff, as well as vegetables and beverages that you could help yourself to at the respective stations.

There were 4 soup bases to choose from and we went for the classical Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki bases. Both did not disappoint but some may find the soup bases slightly salty. What was unexpectedly palatable and complementary to the meal was the green chili and chopped garlic condiment that gave the traditional Japanese hotpot experience a touch of Thai.

Dining: ThreeSixty Jazz Lounge & Rooftop Bar

Rating 7.9/10

Situated at the top of Millennium Hilton Bangkok, this is a great bar overlooking the city. As its name suggests, the bar with a circular perimeter provides nearly a 360 degrees view. One can also expect to be treated to live jazz performances at around 9pm on some nights, complete with a wide selection of cocktails and bar bites. There is also an outdoor venue with lounge chairs for customers beside an open-air bar that should not be confused with the indoor jazz lounge. Both venues share the same lift lobby.

Activity: Let's Relax Spa (Centralworld)

Rating 7.8/10

We spent the bulk of our time between Centralworld and ICONSIAM shopping malls. Both malls have relatively nice cinemas and a good blend of both international and local brands for shopping. However, we frequent Let's Relax Spa at Centralworld for its massage packages.

The place may be challenging to locate as it is at a quiet corner of the mall. It is recommended to make this a first stop in Bangkok to check out the timings available at the outlet. It may be easier to book a slot physically there over the counter rather than reserving online.

Massage packages are reasonably-priced and service standard is up to mark. The actual massage experience will vary depending on the masseuse but it has been pretty consistent for us since 2022. The mango sticky rice provided at the end of the massage is also definitely a nice finishing touch!

Without question, Bangkok is a thriving tourism city. As such, there is a large concentration of accommodations surrounding the central shopping district. There is absolutely no lack of dining and shopping options across the price spectrum. While the weather can be a hit or miss given the swings from hot and humid to rainy (and the occasional haze), this is a city that deserves multiple short trips for visitors to fully appreciate the many facets it has to offer.