THAI PARADISE
NEW IDEA’S MATT MACKAY EXPERIENCES THE BEST IN BANGKOK AND CHIANG RAI
Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to visit Bangkok will know it’s an exciting city. Befitting of a world city, it is a hub of traffic and general busyness, so it’s handy to have a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle to relax after a day of exploring. Situated overlooking the Chao Phraya river, the Anantara Riverside Resort offers a seriously serene stay in Bangkok.
Rooms are located in three different wings, providing natural light and beautiful walks through manicured gardens and pools. Each guest room has all the luxuries one could possibly desire, including a ‘handy’ phone allowing you to call or message anyone back home for free. You can even take the phone out of the hotel to help you navigate the sometimes overwhelming city.
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
Onsite, a spectacular array of restaurants and bars cater to all needs, from buffet breakfasts filled with delicacies from around the world, to some of Bangkok’s best restaurants.
There are also cocktail bars, perfect for having pre-drinks before you venture out into the heart of the city.
Anantara also offer a cooking class, which includes a visit to the local markets to stock up on the freshest ingredients. At the purpose-built Spice Spoons cooking school you can learn how to perfectly balance the four flavours of Thai cuisine: sweet, sour, spicy, and pungent, and then feast on your creations, with wine to match.
SUBLIME SERVICE
The hotel staff make it easy for you to plan your itinerary when in Bangkok. Avoiding the infamous Bangkok traffic is a breeze when you have a shuttle boat dedicated only to guests.
The boat leaves every 15 minutes from the hotel and takes you into the heart of Bangkok without any of the chaos and noise of the city’s roads. Pick up and drop off points are easy to find and accommodate to the most popular parts of the city.
It helps make your visit to Bangkok a pure delight. GO FOR A CRUISE The bespoke Manohra Cruise is a highlight. Stepping aboard a restored, antique rice barge, only a few steps from the hotel, guests cruise the infamous River of Kings.
Each night the cruise embarks on a two-hour trip, showcasing the best of Bangkok’s city of lights. The ticket includes a three-course meal, local beer, wine and a tour guide, who will give guests snippets of Bangkok’s amazing history along the way.