Bangkok Luxury Hotels

Earlier this year, Kurt Wachtveitl, the General Manager at Bangkok's famed Oriental hotel for over forty years, announced his retirement. Since Thailand is such a life-changing experience for many a tourist, it's common for people to come home with plenty of tales. But have you ever wondered about hotel staff, and how many stories they have of the daring, the interesting, and the just plain strange? After over four decades of work transforming the riverside hotel into one of the best in Bangkok—he still hasn't had enough of the excitement! Even though Wachtveitl said he was planning on traveling in South America, he hasn't written off going back to the industry after he's finished his extended vacation. With people like this working in the hospitality industry, you can be sure that your stay in Bangkok--and many other locations all over the world--will be unforgettable.

The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a breathtaking location for tourists looking for a restful, modern spot, and its legendary reputation and location are virtually unparalleled—except by the Four Seasons Bangkok and Peninsula Bangkok, that is. Combining traditional Thai architecture with wonderfully advanced tech additions and amenities, you won't miss home for a second at the Four Seasons Bangkok. Enjoy gracious hospitality and beautiful indoor furnishings that will make you want to stay in your hotel (if there wasn't so much to do outside, that is). With seven different places to enjoy international cuisine, it's impossible that you'll feel unfulfilled when you stay at this Four Seasons location, especially because it offers Exclusive Complimentary Perks through WhataHotel.com. Don't forget to make a stop at the fitness center and check out the lotus ponds and waterfall.

The Peninsula Bangkok has a reputation as one of Bangkok's best hotels, and it has scooped up awards from the best of the best in the travel world, including Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast. Located near plenty of tourist attractions, as well as the business area of Bangkok, it's a good place to grab a panoramic view while being close to transportation hubs. Take your pick, but no matter what you select, you simply can't be disappointed.

While the hotels might be out-of-this-world, Thailand is a great place to examine for cultural attractions, colorful sights, and fun shopping excursions. Wondering where you should go when you are in Thailand? Here are some of the top spots.

Phra Nakorn
Brave the crowds to visit one of the most popular spots in Bangkok. This old city, located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, houses historical architecture like the Golden Mount and Wat Pho, as well as specialty spots like the Museum of the Department of Forensic Medicine, right across the river. Sanam Luang is a great green spot in the city for a lush break, and one of the only in this area.

Banglampoo and Thewet
Pick up affordable trinkets near Khao San Road and find plenty of restaurants serving up what can only be considered hot 'n' cheap food. Of course, if you'll be around at night, this spot delivers hot nightspots and bars for the night owls among us.

Thonburi
Many of the functional canals in Bangkok are located in this area, which is found west of the Chao Praya River. You can easily book a tour to explore these "klongs," or canals, and the tours usually swing by museums and other sites.

With so much to do in Thailand, drawing people from everywhere, you might just need to make more than one trip to Bangkok--and beyond!