My latest travel adventure took me to Bangkok. A long way to go for a week, but due to work commitments that’s all the time I had to spend over our Easter holiday.
My choice of a hotel this time around was very different. I opted to stay at Oriental Residence Bangkok, luxury serviced flats in the heart of the city. I usually don’t get to stay and enjoy the hotels much, but this time I was on holiday mode.
My one-bedroom suite with a city view had everything need for a week-long stay; a fully working kitchen, together with a full-size fridge-freezer, coffee and tea making facilities complete with tea bags and Illy coffee, a fully stocked mini-bar and a washer-dryer which I used once before it stopped working! Not sure what happened there.
The living room, the dining area and the office area all have views over Bangkok. The flat also has an LED television, a DVD player, a separate comfortable bedroom with plenty of wardrobes and drawers, it has all the amenities of a 5-star property. It also came equipped with an iron and ironing board, bathrobes and more.
And did I mention the fantastic bathroom? It was massive! There’s plenty of room in the rain shower, a huge bath, a vanity unit, hair-dryer and plenty of complimentary toiletries.
It’s the perfect home away from home in the City of Angels. The location is very central, on Wireless Road, surrounded by Embassies, a plethora of fantastic high-end shops and the evergreen Lumphini park, an oasis within the city.
The hotel is conveniently located, next to Phloen Chit and Chit Lom BTS (Skytrain) Station, a 5 and 10 minute walk away, respectively. The Skytrain is a great way to get around, as Bangkok is well known for its traffic jams which seem to be everywhere you turn! A ten minute drive can take up to one hour! The BTS (Skytrain) is the perfect alternative. There are, however, plenty of cabs, just do your best to avoid rush hour.
This sleek skyscraper is a chic clutter of apartment-style suites; private residents are also part of the building. It has a couple of restaurants, a quiet bar on the second floor and a fourth-floor swimming pool with a very welcoming bar that screams luxury living. The pool has both a covered area and an open area catering for all sunbathing needs.
There is also a park view gym, small but perfectly formed. The gym is also used by the residents.
The imposing, classic and yet understated elegance of the reception together with the all smiles of the doormen make this a very welcome indeed!
Eating and drinking at Oriental Residence Bangkok
Opposite the reception is Cafe Claire, a first-rate stylish eatery with a modern feel, serving fresh, quality, locally sourced ingredients, when possible. The Cafe is headed by Chef Eric Weidmann, from Bangkok Iron Chef fame. He brings some French flair to the menu.
There’s an extensive breakfast menu with both Continental and Asian choices, a light and refreshing lunch menu, a Parisian themed Afternoon tea – Voyage à Paris and dinner.
I had a delicious lunch; Chef Eric’s signature tuna tartare was delectable, and I also had a comprehensive breakfast at Cafe Claire. For breakfast, I opted for the Asian buffet, but there’s an option to order a la carte or too.
Cafe Claire opening Hours: Breakfast: 06:00 to 10:30 – Lunch: 11:30 to 14:30 – Afternoon Tea: -14:30 to 17:00 – Dinner: 18:00 to 23:00
Oriental bar is located on the second floor, it’s a casual-smart venue serving cocktails, wines and some bar food. Oriental bar opening hours: 17:00 to 23:00, last order at 22:30
The Play Deck Bar is just next to the fabulous pool, it’s a place to relax, where they offer exciting cocktails and serve bar snacks and food. I just loved the pool – Yup, you guessed it! I took full advantage of that too. This bar is open from 10am till 20:00.
Like everything else, it all boils down to service. I was very impressed by the team at the Oriental Residence Bangkok. The service was swift and seamless, from the daily maid, who made sure the room was impeccably clean and all toiletries fully replenished, to the fast room service.
In the land of smiles, the reception, concierge service and doormen were attentive and very helpful. A special mention to Victor who helped me get around Bangkok.
I definitely recommend staying at The Oriental Residence Bangkok. What a joy!
Oriental Residence Bangkok
a: 110 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
t: +66 2125 9000
Disclosure: I visited Bangkok on a personal Easter holiday in 2019. I paid for my stay and bills at Oriental Residence Bangkok, but I was upgraded on arrival. All views are my own.
