For this last step of our Asian summer trip, we booked three nights at the Peninsula, a mythical hotel in the Thai capital.
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
Booking
Initially, I had booked in a Marriott property, namely the Athenee, a property I already knew for having stayed there almost 10 years ago, when the hotel, before complete renovation, was still a Royal Meridien.
But since I was already reclassified as an Ambassador at Marriott for 2023, I suggested to my wife that she return to a hotel she already knew from 20 years ago, the Peninsula.
And we took advantage of a great promotion with American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, as the third night was free!
So a month before our arrival, I booked a Deluxe Suite for just under £250 a night.
And with the FHR benefits that go with it.
Arrival
We arrive in the middle of the afternoon at Suvarnabhumi airport. I had, before our stay, contacted the hotel to arrange a return transfer.
Two hosts with a Peninsula sign were waiting for us at the domestic arrivals.
After a warm welcome, our luggage was taken care of and our Mercedes S Class arrived and drove us to the hotel in a little more than 1h15.
On our arrival, we are greeted by our Butler as soon as we get out of the car, a real royal welcome!
Our luggage is obviously taken care of by the staff and our Butler leads us to our suite.
We will make the formalities directly in the latter, where a welcome service has been arranged for our attention.
During the process, our passports and my bank card are referenced, and the FHR benefits are presented.
We were upgraded one category to a Grand Deluxe suite, which is one of the highest floors in the hotel.
The FHR benefits are then presented to us: a lunch or a dinner for two offered, the late-check-out until 4pm guaranteed and which will be extended for us until 6pm, which will allow us to enjoy Bangkok quietly until our departure for Suvarnabhumi, perfect!
Suite
Our suite was located on the 32nd floor of the property, almost at the top.
The entrance leads to a small vestibule, nicely decorated, which opens onto the large lounge.
A large desk equipped with all the connectivity and even a printer is installed at the entrance, just behind the toilets for the guests. In this space, there is the minibar and the espresso machine. Strangely, there is no kettle and the order of a tea in room service will be charged.
Then comes the lounge itself, with a dining table, on which is arranged a large welcome service, a sofa and two armchairs and a large coffee table in front of which is installed a television. But the highlight of the show is obviously the superb view of the Bangkok skyline, impressive by day and by night.
Each evening, the service will be renewed by a small complementary sweetness.
The night space consists of a large vestibule integrating a large dressing room partially separated, and leads to the bathroom.
For a suite, the latter is quite compact: two washbasins face each other, next to a bathtub which, to top it off, allows you to watch TV.
Near the door, the toilets separated by a glass partition, and the shower of rather reduced size.
The toiletries are obviously branded Peninsula, like just about everything else in the suite, and will be of nice quality. Although the chain has not yet switched to large format containers, the individual containers are made of metal which allows them to be recycled.
Finally, the large room and its king size bed, facing a television and, again, a superb view.
I am impressed by the attention to detail: quality hi-fi system, branded products, perfect maintenance of carpets and fabrics, in short, it is indeed a palace in which we are!
Finally, the video tour:
Hotel facilities
Like most resorts in Asia, the hotel has many facilities: outdoor pool, spa, fitness room. We will not have the opportunity to test the spa or the fitness room.
River shuttles
Like most hotels along the Chao Praya River, the Peninsula has a river shuttle service that connects the hotel to the nearby BTS station, but also to the new Siam Paragon Shopping Center next door. Note that if needed, the shuttle can also take you to one of the neighboring hotels as it was the case for us when we dined in one of the restaurants of the nearby Mandarin Oriental.
Pool
The Peninsula pool is located outside the hotel on the first floor. At our arrival, we are taken in charge by a beach attendant, who installs our mattresses under a gazebo.
Two pools are available, one near the river, and the other a little further away.
What shocks us is the dirtiness of the pool and jacuzzi. I won’t spend much time in either of them, and the weather will eventually get us going.
Spa
We did not use the spa this time. Its entrance was close to the access to the pool.
Catering
The restaurant offer at the Peninsula is substantial, but some restaurants were closed when we visited.
Lobby Bar
The night we arrived, we had a drink with my brother-in-law at the lobby bar.
At the time of our visit, a band and a singer were performing classical songs.
The service was a little slow and some elements were missing to prepare cocktails although they were on the menu.
The snacks brought were of average quality. A great disappointment then.
Dinner Service – River Café
Also on the evening of our arrival, we dined at the River Café, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, which offers buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
So it is at the dinner buffet that we will enjoy our FHR advantage. The latter will be excellent, with high quality proposals and some items served at the table, such as beef filet or seared foie gras. A wide selection of seafood is offered, such as mussels and oysters.
Breakfast Service – River Café
Like the dinner, the breakfast will also be very qualitative. Having breakfast by the Chao Phraya river is a great pleasure and unfortunately, we are not the only ones to think so since all the customers take their time to have breakfast, generating long queues.
The buffet will also be of great quality and we will enjoy it every morning.
Room service
For our last night at the hotel, we ordered room service. Very effective, and very well presented.
Service
What sets the Peninsula apart from other 5-star hotels is the high level of service, which begins at the airport with a warm welcome from the Peninsula staff and the ultra-comfortable Mercedes S Class.
Then, it is the arrival in the hotel with the doormen with white hat and gloves who welcome you.
Then, the ultra-personalized check-in in the suite, the flexibility of the check-out time, then all the very professional interactions afterwards.
I stay almost 150 nights a year at the hotel but I am impressed.
Departure
The departure formalities will be simple, and our transfer to the airport will be waiting for us. The bill will obviously be correct.
Bottom line
A high quality stay at the Peninsula, which will not fail to live up to its reputation. However, would I return ? With a great rate, maybe… But not at full price. I definitely prefer the Kimpton, more “modern” in its decoration and service.
Small surprise for the end: an impressive timelapse from our suite.
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