Review: The Peninsula Bangkok – Grand Deluxe Suite

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A suite return to the Peninsula Bangkok

Peninsula hotels expose even the most savvy of traveler to what happens when service is not a duty, but a devotion.  I didn’t realize it until I returned, but I believe the seed of this was blog was planted somewhere in the Peninsula Suite of the Peninsula Bangkok 6 years ago.  The way the staff curated an experience: the care in every detail, the laughs, smiles, and the feeling that it was a pleasure to serve. Yes, the aesthetic of most 5 star hotels is luxurious, but the luxury that Peninsula hotels distinctly creates is felt from within. It’s special and something that my girlfriend and I experienced in Beijing when we stayed at the Peninsula Beijing, and I wanted to share with her on our return to Bangkok.

Peninsula Bangkok Stay Details:

• When: August 2018
• Where: Bangkok
• Rate: 8500 THB ($260)
• Program: Virtuoso – Josh King
• Virtuoso Amenities
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (does not apply to Grand Deluxe categories)
  • Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
  • Afternoon Tea for 2 on one day during your stay
  • Thai Baht 800 SPA gift certificate per person per stay for any treatment at The Peninsula Spa
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Upgrade: Superior to Grand Deluxe Suite

Arrival at the Peninsula Bangkok:

We’d just completed two nights during the soft opening of the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and hopped in a taxi to the Peninsula. Surprisingly, when we arrived, the taxi doors opened and we were welcomed by name. I’ll say it again…arrived in a taxi, and welcomed by name. That’s just impressive.

We were then lead through the lobby to the elevators for an in-room check-in.

Check-in at the Peninsula Bangkok

We had booked via Virtuoso into an entry level, superior room, and boy did they upgrade us: hello Grand Deluxe River View Suite. A gorgeous welcome amenity was sitting on the living room dining table and even a note from our friend Anna at the Peninsula Beijing.

The suite is drop dead gorgeous; however, judging by the standard set in Beijing with their newly renovated rooms, it isn’t at the same level as their newly renovated sister property. Still…it exudes a regal sophistication.

It featured a small entry way which also served as a separate work space with its own half bath.

The living room is sun soaked with a dining table, sitting area, flat screen tv, and floor to ceiling windows dressed with full electronic treatments.

Past the living room is the bedroom, bathroom, and closet area.  While the bathroom is still in great condition, the presence of an old CRT tv over the bathtub illustrates the difference between this and its sister in Beijing.

The Peninsula touch: Personalized, take-home, monogramed pillowcases. Seriously…who does this?

The day we checked out, the pillowcases had been cleaned and packaged for us to take home. In addition, Miles got a new friend – a Peninsula Page Bear.  Can we say OB-sessed with “Penny.” And we got a small package of Peninsula page bear figurines.

Dining – Breakfast at the River Cafe:

Breakfast is served buffet style at the River Café. It features culinary delights from all around the world and is up to par with what you’d find in most any 5 star hotel within Asia. As Virtuoso guests we were entitled to a free buffet breakfast each morning we were there.

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A cool aspect of dining at the River Cafe is overlooking the Peninsula boats that take guests back and forth across the river.

Afternoon Tea:

We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon tea set in the Lobby the day of our departure – free of charge, compliments of booking via Virtuoso. I’ll write a complete separate review of this experience, but the hotel is so finely tuned that they were aware of our departure time, and without asking, catered the timing of the meal to those needs.

Spa/Fitness Center and Pool

We made use of the fitness center early one morning, but we ran out of time before we could utilize the Peninsula’s own spa which is known to be fantastic.

The spa overlooks a beautiful cascading and tiered pool overlooking the river.

Departure:

Not only did they give us a small prize to take home ( Penny ), but because it was rainy season, when we came back from a canal tour they stopped us and advised that we depart for our flight a bit sooner than we’d scheduled. In addition, they recommended that we depart from the opposite side of the river. It was excellent advice – we spent roughly 1h45min in the car to the airport.

Overall:

Peninsula knocks it out of the park again. While the hotel doesn’t have some of the technological marvels of its sister in Beijing, the standard of service is consistent and second to none. Words can’t really describe the feeling you get as a guest when a hotel provides anticipatory service. Having your needs met before you even recognize them is what sets Peninsula apart. While I’m sure I’ll be back to Bangkok again, and my job is to review various properties, I’ll always have a special affinity for this property.

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#WeekendWarrior to Bangkok and Back for 600 Bucks

• Los Angeles International Lounge
• Hong Kong Airlines Business Class A350 Los Angeles to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Airlines business class lounge – Club Autus
• American Express Centurion Lounge – Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Airlines A330 Business Class Hong Kong to Bangkok
• Waldorf Astoria Bangkok during its soft opening
• What it’s like eating in Asia’s #1 Restaurant – Gaggan
• Bangkok’s floating markets – Dumnoen
• Diora Spa – Thai massage and Ayurvedic treatments
• Peninsula Bangkok – Grand Deluxe Suite with River View
• Smalls Bar – the hidden Sathorn IT bar
• Miracle Lounge Bangkok BKK
• Sky City Marriott Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Airlines Business Class A350 Hong Kong to Los Angeles