Hotel Review: Anantara Riverside Hotel, Bangkok TH

It was our first international trip after the pandemic and now booking for a family of 3! I have and still been having mixed emotions on going on trips (especially if via plane) with the virus still out there but as most people say, we just have to live with it. So yes, we took the leap and booked tickets to one of our favorite destinations in Asia - hello and we've missed you Bangkok!

Our previous trips to Asia's City of Angels usually involve around shopping, Thai massage, and food trips but with a toddler in tow, it has now evolved into visiting a zoo and other activities fit to our princess. Its still as tiring (maybe even more) as walking around Chatuchak Weekend Market on a hot afternoon so coming home to a comfortable hotel room is a must! Good thing we received an irresistible credit card offer for a 4 days and 3 nights stay plus other perks like free breakfast and airport transfers at Anantara Riverside Hotel so it became a no-brainer to look elsewhere.

Our 46sqm deluxe junior suite is a luxurious space with traditional Thai decors that was very homey and welcoming. Other room features include:

• A bed fit for a king with plenty of soft pillows
• Writing desk and sofa
• LCD television with English channels
  
• His and hers vanity basins
• Separate bath tub and rain shower 
• Free high-speed internet
• Balcony with a view of the gardens
  

Pros: World-class Thai hospitality, superb location along Chao Phraya River, well-kept hotel facilities, beautiful lush gardens, and delicious breakfast.

Cons: Our suite did not have the garden view but a view of the hotel rooftop which was a disappointment and the Kid's Club being non-operational during our stay.

 

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Anantara Riverside Hotel

257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road, Thonburi

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel.: (662) 476-0022

Website: www.anantara.com/en/riverside-bangkok

My Weekend in Photos: A Toddler in Bangkok

The Family: Bangkok's Best Affordable Restaurant

I've always wanted to go and try one of Tripadvisor's highly recommended local restaurant in Bangkok named The Family. I remember planning to dine there thrice (on separate trips) but ended up cancelling mainly due to its limited operating hours. Last November 2019, I made sure to allot a particular day when we can finally visit and see what the rave is all about. We took a Grab car from Anantara Siam Hotel and travelled about 20 minutes just in time before they close for the day. In fact, we were the last customers that they accepted for dine in so lucky us!

What we ordered

Thai Iced Tea - THB40.00 (Php60.00)

Too sweet for our liking but it was a welcome treat on a humid day. 

Green Curry (Chicken) - THB90.00 (Php140.00)

We've always been fans of green chicken curry so whenever there's one on the menu, we just can't resist not trying it out. This particular version had the most ingredients we've ever seen thus making it appetizingly beautiful and with amazing marriage of flavors to boot. A must-try!

Tom Yum Soup (Seafood) - THB140.00 (Php262.00)

Not the best idea to order a hot and spicy soup on a sunny day but hey, it's the home of the best tasting Tom Yum in the city so we'll just have to endure the heat for the sake of a great meal. Their Tom Yum Seafood was another good-looking and generously-served dish to inspire tourists to head down to The Family because everything we ordered were excellent and pretty cheap too!

Mango Sticky Rice - THB

How can you go wrong with mango sticky rice, right? I thought all versions will taste the same anywhere you buy/order one but then again, The Family took this famous dessert a notch higher with its pandan-based sticky rice where you can control how much coconut milk you want in it. Order one per person because this one's too good to share with anyone!

A variety of local ice creams are also available for sale as protected with their in-house guard cat.

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The Family

1/6 Prachathipatai Road

Khwaeng Ban Phan Thom

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel.: (6697) 173-3954

Hotel Review: Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok TH

I love traveling to new and old destinations but I miss Bangkok the most!

Hello! Hello! It's been 5 months since my last post because I've been too busy dealing with everyday life with a newborn. Yes! Our bundle of joy arrived last August and I can't wait to share the world with her. I've been thinking on where to bring her first (after the pandemic, of course) - Japan or Thailand? We love both countries so it's hard to choose as it will be a milestone for our growing family and we want her first to be as memorable as it can be. 

Looking back on 2019, I was lucky to have travelled several times abroad just before the outbreak of COVID-19 happened. In fact, I have been to Bangkok twice last November - one for work and the other with my husband where we stayed in the city for 4 nights and ate our hearts out with Thailand's delicious cuisine which is our second favorite! While we usually stay in Novotel Platinum in Pratunam, we welcomed the idea of checking-in at Anantara Siam when we were offered a great deal of 3+1 (you get 1 free night when you book for 3). 

Known for its hand-painted silk murals and high-chandeliered ceilings, Anantara Siam is one of the many hotels of the Anantara group scattered all over the world. We chose this particular location as we wanted to be close to Central World and Platinum Fashion Mall - my favorite shopping and dining spots in the city. Checking-in was a breeze and we were lucky that our room was already available even before the standard 2PM check-in time.

There are a total of 354 suites and guest rooms in the hotel and this deluxe room was the cheapest and smallest in Anantara Siam. Looks extravagant still, right?

The room is about 42sqm wide and can accommodate up to 3 adults comfortably. Its classic Thai style is depicted in its royal tones interior and furniture with a few modern furnishings for the guests' convenience. In detail, each deluxe room is equipped with either a king-sized or 2 double beds, oversized windows with a cityscape view, a sitting area, a writing desk, an LED television with English channels, complimentary WiFi, marble bathroom with separate tub and rain shower, free coffee and tea, and luxurious bathroom amenities.

Breakfast is served at The Terrace from 0700H to 1030H everyday. As with most 5-star hotel buffets, it was a treat of international cuisine but with highlights of their local dishes. Eating Pad Thai for breakfast each day was not a bad idea pala after all.

Pros: Central location with easy access to BTS skytrain, luxurious and well-kept accommodations, excellent customer service with the world-famous Thai hospitality, delicious breakfast, and fabulous lobby to welcome incoming guests (great for picture taking).

Cons: Pricey room rates if there's no on-going promo.

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Anantara Siam Hotel

155 Rajadamri Road

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel.: (662) 126-8866

Website: www.anantara.com/en/siam-bangkok