It was a fast ride to The Siam Hotel. As we touched down on a Sunday afternoon, the Bangkok streets were free of the usual traffic scene. More so, the police escort that we had, as part of our MICE lane experience for this familiarization trip by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), made our trip quicker than ever. We passed some government offices at the historic Dusit district. Before I knew it, our van pulled over to a driveway and elegantly clad hotel staff greeted us.
Climbing the few steps of the entrance and adjusting my hand-carried bags, I was still trying to catch my breath until the small, lush courtyard came into view. A fountain at the center added a relaxing feel to the place. Art and antique pieces were everywhere. The subdued neutral colors highlighted the greens and the art pieces.
Welcome to The Siam Hotel, our home in Bangkok during our stay for this fam trip. A staff toured us around. As we crossed a tiny bridge that connects to the next building, I was even more astounded by the scene in front of me. Right in the middle of the building was a verdant greenery sitting on a pool of water. It was like a greenhouse placed inside a hotel. I knew then that my stay would be a pleasant one.
Heritage
The Han Dynasty vases, other Chinese artifacts, old books, art paintings — they sat on every corner of the hotel premises. Despite the presence of antique pieces, the airy and modern vibe of the hotel did not emit an eerie feeling that many museums exude. The old blended well with the new.
Ancient dentist chairs were found just outside our room. The library displayed so many important historical stuff, including books that spoke volumes (no pun intended) on the history of Asia and of the world. I later found out that the hotel owner, the Sukosol family, is fond of collecting antique items. Now, they are giving guests staying at The Siam Hotel the opportunity to marvel at these collections.
Rooms
There are only 39 rooms in The Siam. There are suites, villas and a cottage. My room had an elegant receiving area, a spacious bedroom, and a great bathroom with a view. It is decorated with period pieces while maintaining the modern ambiance of the room.
Amenities included a free Wi-Fi access, a working table, flat TV screens, built-in entertainment (cable TV, movies, music), safety box, free-standing bathtub, separate shower room & toilet, wardrobe closet, and a whole lot more.
My soft king size bed at the center of the bedroom made me feel like a pampered royalty. What made it even more special was the pleasant welcome token from TCEB, specially handpicked by its organizers, that was laid out on my bed. With the desk just behind my headboard, I could work on my articles and blog with the full view of the TV in front of me.
Facilities & Venues
The library is a repository of valuable information pertaining to history and culture. It is open to guests, who can enjoy the materials available in the library. It is also used as a viewing room if you want to get that cinematic but intimate feel while watching movies. The Siam also has meeting rooms for business and official functions. We held our small press conference in its meeting room.
The hotel also has a gym, which has a Muay Thai boxing ring. It also has a billiards table in a common area. Below is the Opium Spa where guests can relax and have a massage.
Those who prefer the outdoors can take their laps at the swimming pool that has a view of the Chao Praya River and Krung Thon bridge.
Dining
The Deco Bar & Bistro is an air-conditioned restaurant that has beautiful art pieces, delectable food, and jazzy ambiance. From below, one can see the second level and the many trombones hanging from the ceiling.
Right outside is the Chon Thai Restaurant that has a cluster of three century-old teakwood houses. The open space below provides a relaxed atmosphere while the houses above provide an intimate and homey feel.
The pier also has a dining area that is a great place at night to enjoy your favorite cocktail under the moon and stars while lighted boats ply the Chao Praya River.
Activities
One of the activities that The Siam offers is its cooking classes. Our first activity as a group, which bonded the eight of us media and bloggers, as well as the organizers and our hosts from TCEB, was to cook fried spring rolls and Pad Thai. It was a fun activity that broke the ice and made our stay a memorable one.
Did I mention that the elevator has a vintage look, with a cushioned wall and small space for sitting? And did I also mention that it has a private pier?
See my photos of the hotel, our stay, and our activities at http://facebook.com/firsttimetravel.
For more info:
http://www.thesiamhotel.com/
http://www.facebook.com/TheSiam
http://twitter.com/thesiam
Thanks for posting nice views.