(eTN) – Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in Thailand on April 1, 2011. No, this was not an April Fools joke, it was a much anticipated event for the city itself.
In a city were luxury hotels abound and service levels are high, Starwood entered the market with yet another luxury brand, the St. Regis brand, synonymous with luxury at the highest level.
Would there be room for more luxury branded hotels in Bangkok? The answer is a unqualified yes! Yes, given that the St. Regis neighbors are a little tired and old and the location of the Oriental and the Peninsula is far from the center. The St.Regis has positioned itself as one of the leading luxury brands with a perfect location, opposite the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and adjacent to Lumpini Park. The hotel offers an unobstructed view of greenery in an urban jungle. The front of the hotel overlooks the horse racing track of the sports club, and some guests have even been known to check in to a high floor to watch the races.
The hotel’s location, conveniently located to Rajadamri station, will afford it a connecting bridge to Bangkok’s skytrain, which at times is the most convenient way to get around the city without battling its notorious traffic jams. It is a one stop ride on the train to the high-end shopping at Paragon mall. The train also offers a direct route to the river station, one of the most popular attractions in the city.
At first glance, the hotel seems a bit austere and could be any office block, but when entering the hotel through carved timber and nicely-framed glass doors, then a feeling of warmth exudes, and the lobby, stylishly done, prepares one for the awaiting experience. This is where the dilemma arrives as there is just so much to do on property that it would be quite easy for a guest to spend a long weekend on property with going anywhere, forgetting that they are in one of Asia’s most exciting cities.
An efficient and unobtrusive butler service is available around the clock and starts with an offer of a welcoming tea on check-in. No request is too hard and packing and unpacking is par for the course.
According to the hotel’s general manager Andreas Oberoi: “The St. Regis Bangkok will cater to both the discerning business traveler, as well the leisure traveler, seeking a home away from home in one of the world’s best cities and the tourism capital of Asia.”
From the simple, yet elegant Viu restaurant located on the 12th floor, to the funkier Italian trattoria, Jo Jo, on the ground level, one’s gastronomic needs would be attended to. The hotel will also feature the first Zuma restaurant to open in Thailand, emulating the original London restaurant with a lounge bar and sushi counter.
The Elemis Spa is on property and is the first in Southeast Asia and only one of 4 worldwide.
An international trend to sipping fine wines is an on-going feature of St. Regis Hotels, and the Decanter wine bar offers a gentleman’s club-like setting and an extensive cellar from the world’s most exclusive vineyards.
There is so much to do within the walls of the St. Regis that it requires a dedicated and determined person to leave such a cosseted environment and explore the steamy and exotic streets of Bangkok.
