Hospitality
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong is a full-service, five-star hotel centrally located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, roughly half-way between the Thai capital’s two airports. Facilities include seven food and beverage outlets, a swimming pool, and a spa.
I was invited on a press trip to Bangkok, Thailand, by Country Group Development PCL (CGD) for a briefing on the Thai-based real estate developer's master plans for a massive development on the shores of the Chao Phraya River, which meanders through the heart of downtown Bangkok.
The 32-million baht development will comprise a towering residential tower flanked by two luxurious low-rise hotels. The residential tower will be the first Four Seasons private residence to be located along the waterfront in Asia.
While in Bangkok, I was housed at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong, a five-star hotel located close to CGD's headquarters.
My first-hand review of the hotel follows. I will reveal more details of the CGD's masterplans for Chao Phraya Estate in a future post.
Accommodation
The hotel has 322 rooms and suites. Rooms have 42-inch flat screen televisions. Bathrooms are glass-enclosed, with blinds that can be lowered for privacy. They have rain showers
Deluxe twin guest rooms and R Discoveries measure 38 square metres or 409 square feet. They have one king size bed or two double beds.
Executive Club rooms are similar except they are located on higher floors and offer club lounge access.
Studio suites are corner rooms with one king size bed. They measure 46 to 53 square metres or 495 to 570 square feet. Club studio suites are similar except they offer club lounge access.
Renaissance Suites measure 62 square metres or 667 square feet. They have one king size bed and club lounge access.
Executive suites measure 72 square metres or 775square feet. They have one king size bed and club lounge access.
The Ratchaphruek Suite has three bedrooms. Measuring 62 square metres or 667 square feet, they have a separate living area and club lounge access.
I stayed in room 1519, a deluxe twin guest room with a king size bed. The interior décor was beige with chocolate brown and burgundy accents.
My room had a spacious work station with all of the necessary outlets. There was ample light, which is important for a travel blogger like me, who spends a considerable amount of time at my computer when staying at hotels.
There was also ample counter space put things on as well as to make coffee and other beverages. There was a bench at the end of the bed.
The bathroom was fitted in what appeared to be Italian marble. There was a large oval shaped bathtub and a separate rain shower, with a ledge to sit on or prop your feet on.
The room overlooked a parking garage, a tennis court, and what appeared to be other hotels.
Food + Beverage
The hotel has seven food and beverage outlets, each one with a different vibe and a different menu (except for the poolside bar, which can serve dishes from other food and beverage outlets).
Flavors – an all-day dining restaurant serving mouth-watering buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu ranges from local to international favourites. This is where I had breakfast on both mornings of my two-night stay at the hotel.
Fei Ya – a Chinese restaurant serving Northern Chinese cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner.
La Tavola and Wine Bar – an Italian restaurant serving seasonal dishes. Open for lunch and dinner.
The One By Renaissance – serves coffee, sandwiches, and other snacks. Located in the lobby, it has the feel of a pop-up rather than a permanent food and beverage outlet. Open for breakfast and lunch.
H20 – a poolside bar with stunning city views. Serves signature cocktails and dishes from the restaurant menu. Open for lunch and dinner.
The One Beer Garden – an outdoor beer garden serving craft beers and light bites. Located on the street away from the rest of the hotel, it attracts a more local crowd. Open for dinner.
R Bar – a stylish lobby bar serving afternoon tea sets and yummy tapas and signature cocktails with a DJ spinning the discs after dark. There is a large flat screen TV screening CNN News. Open and lunch and dinner.
I was particularly fond of the 5 Spice Mojito.
Room Service – we were supposed to have lunch at one of the hotel's food and beverage outlets upon arrival. Since we were running behind schedule, our greeter suggested she have room service delivery something to us in our rooms.
Her suggestion was Phad Thai, fried rice noodles, scrambled eggs, and prawns served with bean sprouts, ground peanuts, spring onions, and condiments.
Phad Thai is one of Thailand's most popular dishes. Some would call it Thailand's national dish. It is served at roadside stalls, fine-dining restaurants, and everything in between.
The hotel's version of Phad Thai was yummy and beautifully presented, making a perfect first meal on my trip to the Big Mango.
Facilities
Because I was on a press trip with a fully packed schedule, I didn’t have time to make use of any of the hotel’s facilities, which included a spa, a fitness room, an indoor swimming pool, and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
Unique Selling Proposition
All else being equal, I would have to say that the hotel’s central location would be its key unique selling proposition.
I particularly liked RBar, with its fabulous cocktails. If I don't stay at this hotel on my next trip to Bangkok, I will definitely stop at RBar for one of those amazing 5 Spice Mojitos.
Location, Location, Location
Erawan Shrine Bangkok – one of Bangkok’s most popular Buddhist shrines – is located across the street from the hotel.
The upscale Gaysorn Village shopping mall is equally close. The hotel is within walking distance of the Chitlom Skytrain station.
The hotel is 16 miles northwest of Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport – BKK and 14.7 miles southwest of Don Mueang International Airport – DMK.
BKK is used mostly for international flights. DMK is used mostly for domestic flights. Most budget airlines also use DMK.
The hotel doesn’t offer a shuttle to either airport. Hotel limousines or vans can be arranged. A taxi to or from DMG would run roughly 200 Baht. A taxi to or from BKK would run roughly twice that.
Recommended: World's Best Mojito, will a Bangkok cocktail lounge share it's secret recipe?>>
Where
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, 518/8 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, Thailand. Telephone: +66-2-1255000.
Check room rates and hotel guest reviews on your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor – Hotels.com
My stay at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel was sponsored by Country Group Development.