Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Shines Brightly
Along the Chao Phraya River, the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a luxury five-star hotel in one of the world’s most exciting cities. The hotel enjoys a reputation for style, service, excellence and rich history.
In the middle of the 19th century, when Thailand was still known as Siam, a rest house for foreign seafarers was established on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It was to become one of the world’s greatest hotels: The Oriental. For more than 140 years travelers have followed the Chao Phraya River to stay at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
In 2015, the hotel commenced a comprehensive renovation of the Authors’ and Garden Wings, designed to significantly enhance the facilities and services of this award-winning hotel and to restore the historic heart of the property to its original splendor.
The project comprised a significant reconfiguration of the guest rooms in the Garden Wing with the creation of twelve brand new spacious suites with balconies. The highly acclaimed Le Normandie restaurant on the top floor of the Garden Wing has also been gently rejuvenated.
Tea Service and Lounges: Authors’ Lounge
The Authors’ Lounge must surely rate as one of Bangkok’s, if not Thailand’s, most photographed locations. Originally an open roofed garden featuring a pond, the Authors' Lounge has since 1976, featured a glass roof and is the place to enjoy afternoon tea. In keeping with the great literary heritage of the hotel, the newly restored Authors’ Lounge features a brand new collection of photographs of the many famous writers who have stayed at the hotel over the last three centuries. In addition, the ‘Heritage Authors, Noël Coward, James Michener, Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad are now immortalised in four new private lounges.
Michelin starred Dining: Le Normandie
Famed for introducing Michelin starred chefs to Thailand in the mid-1970s, Bangkok’s premier gourmet destination is continuing the tradition with commemorative collaborations at the highly acclaimed Le Normandie French fine dining restaurant by two-star Michelin Chef Alain Solivérès from; three-star Michelin Chef Sébastian Bras, and at Lord Jim's, two-star Michelin Chef José Avillez followed by three-star Michelin Chef Diego.
Mandarin Oriental MIlestones:
The legendary hotel marks its 140th anniversary. The hotel’s longest serving employee is Ms. Ankana Kalantananda, who joined the property in 1947. She recalled, “In those days a room cost approximately 100 Baht [about $2.85 US] per night, and The Oriental, as it was then known, was considered a luxury hotel because it had electric fans in the rooms.”
