Bangkok Elite Guide to Bangkok
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DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES BANGKOK ELITE GUIDE TO BANGKOK HIGHLIGHTS OF bANGKOK 3 ONLY ELITE 4 The most exclusive VIP experiences, hand-selected by Elite Traveler CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 5 DINING ON THE ROCKS, SIX SENSES SAMUI Bangkok’s top concierges share their personal suggestions for the perfect day and weekend WHERE TO ➤ STAY 7 ➤ DINE 13 ➤ BE PAMPEREd 16 BALLROOM TErrACE, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOK WHAT TO DO ➤ DURING THE DAY 18 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 20 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 22 ROYAL SUITE, SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL ➤ SHOPPING 23 NEED TO KNOW ➤ PRIVATE JET TERMINALS 26 ➤ EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT 27 ➤ USEFUL INFORMATION 27 AdVANCE AVIATION DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BANGKOK www.elitetraveler.com 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF BANGKOK Don’t miss out on Bangkok’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences alled Bangkok by tourists and referred gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand a traditional long-tail boat and visit the C to as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (City palace, the divine shelter and living place city’s energetic food markets. Home to of Angels) by Thais, the city’s official name of the reincarnated spirits. the Wat Pho School of Massage, Bangkok is actually an impressive 64 syllables long is renowned for its expert therapists and and roughly translates as follows: great city As this lengthy title suggests Bangkok opulent spas. Enjoy an aperitif at one of angels, the supreme repository of divine offers a wealth of culture, from the of Bangkok’s chic rooftop bars before jewels, the great land unconquerable, the breathtaking architecture of the Grand dining on authentic Thai cuisine at one grand and prominent realm, the royal and Palace to inspiring Buddhist shrines. of the city’s sumptuously decorated fine delightful capital city full of nine noble Tour Bangkok’s labyrinth of canals on dining restaurants. Q Bar THAI COUNTRY Club Q BAR THAI COUNTRY CLUB VIP contact: Travelin Matt, Marketing and PR Director VIP contact: TW Hughes, General Manager Phone: +66 89 965 9173 Phone: +66 3857 0234 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Address: 34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klongtoey, 10110 Address: 88 Moo 1, Bangna-Trad, Tambon Pimpa, Bangpakong District, Website: www.qbarbangkok.com Chachoengsao, 24180 Q Bar boasts the largest collection of spirits and cocktails in Bangkok and has a Website: www.thaicountryclub.com dedicated vodka freezer that keeps 75 types of vodka at a cool -19°C. The bar also Managed by The Peninsula Hotels group the Thai Country Club opened in has 20 tequilas and more than 50 good quality whiskeys. For something sweet try 1996 as a private members’ golf club; however, select overseas visitors the edible chocolate shot glass filled with Bailey’s Irish Cream, vodka and Kahlua. are also welcome to play on this 18-hole, par-72 golf course. Thai Country The bar hosts top international DJs and has regular jub chai (mixed soup) nights. Club has hosted a number of prestigious golf tournaments and some of the The bar’s upstairs lounge, Q UP, has a spacious outdoor terrace and offers a wide greatest professional golfers have played here. The course has received a range of shisha and fine Cuban Perdomo cigars. Matt Dillon, Colin Farrell and number of awards and has been declared the best course in Thailand and Owen Wilson have all visited Q Bar. the best clubhouse in the Asia Pacific by Asian Golf Monthly Magazine. BO.LAN BO.LAN VIP contacts: Duangporn (Bo) Songvisava and Dylan Jones, Chefs Phone: +66 2260 2962 Email: [email protected] Address: 42 Soi Pichai Ronarong, Songkram, Sukhumvit 26, 10110 Website: www.bolan.co.th Cuisine: Thai Style/Ambiance: Learn to cook authentic Thai cuisine with chefs Dylan Jones and Thai-born Bo Songvisava at a private lesson for up to ten people in the Bo.lan restaurant’s kitchens. Dylan and Bo trained under David Thompson at the Michelin-starred Nahm restaurant in London and produce traditional Thai dishes with contemporary twists. Like its cuisine, Bo.lan’s interior opts for authenticity and rejects clichéd Thai design. Located in an antique residential house Bo.lan showcases carefully selected traditional Thai items including kra-dongs (woven shallow baskets). Bo.lan has one private room for 15-20 people or the entire restaurant can be hired exclusively. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BANGKOK www.elitetraveler.com 3 ONLY ELITE Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences INFiniTY Pool, SIX SENSES SAMUI SIX SENSES SAMUI VIP contact: David Ashworth, General Manager Phone: +66 7724 5678 Email: [email protected] Address: 9/10 Moo 5, Baan Plai Laem, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320 Website: www.sixsenses.com/sixsensessamui Set amid 20 acres of lush gardens with awe-inspiring views of deserted tropical islands, Six Senses Samui is the perfect place to wind down. Indulge in a soothing Senses 4 Hands massage at the Six Senses Spa; prepare to relax as two therapists gently manipulate your muscles easing all tension from the body. To book an appointment contact wellness and spa manager Keerana Sripongpunkul by phone +66 77 245 678 or at [email protected]. In the evening sample delectable new Asian cuisine at the award-winning Dining on the Rocks. Sit out on one of the restaurant’s terraced decks and enjoy panoramic vistas of the sparkling Gulf of Thailand. TOP SUITE THE RETREAT . Square footage: 1,991 . Nightly rate: $4,900 per villa per night Why we love it: The master bedroom, guest bedroom and living room are each located in their own separate villas. The master bedroom has a secluded outdoor garden bathroom where you can sink into the deep bathtub and take in the breathtaking views of the glistening Gulf of Thailand and the nearby Phangan Island. Dine in a traditional salas beside the stunning private infinity pool and star gaze on the 4,450 square foot balcony. THE RETREAT ISLAND HOPPING WITH EXPLORIENT TRAVEL SERVICES VIP contact: Kervin Yu, Exeuctive Vice President Phone: +1 800 785 1233 Email: [email protected] Address: Three Landmark Square, Suite 110, Stamford, CT06901 Website: www.explorient.com Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok‘s city center and tour the serene islands of the Gulf of Thailand. Explorient Travel Services can create a tailored itinerary and is able to arrange luxury transport by private jet, yacht and exclusive chauffeured cars. Fly first to the tranquil island of Koh Samui and unwind at the opulent Six Senses Samui spa hotel. The nearby Ang Thong National Marine Park consists of a number of pristine and petite deserted islands including the Sleeping Cow Island and the Three Pillars Island. Explore tropical forests, hidden lagoons and extraordinary caves or lounge on white sand beaches and snorkel over colorful coral gardens. Ko Paluay is the only inhabited island and has a wide variety of fascinating wildlife, from crab-eating monkeys to hawksbill turtles and silver-haired bats. For outstanding diving head to Koh Tao where the currents are mild and the bays are frequented by black-tipped reef sharks. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BANGKOK www.elitetraveler.com 4 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS We asked Bangkok’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for a perfect day in the city LAMB AND YUDHADANAI VESARACH BROAD BEANS, CHIEF CONCIERGE, THE PENINSULA BANGKOK EAT ME Phone: +66 2626 1828 Email: [email protected] Website: www.peninsula.com/bangkok BEST RESTAURANTS Gaggan Cuisine: Progressive Indian Address: 68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Phathumwan, 10330 Visit Gaggan for deconstructivist Indian gastronomy. Chef Gaggan Anand studied under the renowned Ferran Adrià and El Bulli in Spain and uses avant-garde techniques such as spherification, foaming and sous-vide. Gaggan is located in a beautifully restored traditional Thai house with NAPHAT TRONGPRASIT high-ceilings and intimate dining spaces. ASSISTANT GUEST SERVICE MANAGER, METROPOLITAN HOTEL BANGKOK Gianni Ristorante Cuisine: Mediterranean Phone: +66 2625 3322 Address: 34/1 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road, 10330 Email: [email protected] Gianni Ristorante uses high quality fresh ingredients that are shipped twice Website: www.metropolitan.bangkok.como.bz a week directly from Italy. Chef Gianni Favro combines traditional Italian cusine with modern cooking techniques, favoring deeply flavored extra- “A recommended itinerary would combine Bangkok’s wonderful virgin olive oil over dripping and butter. landmarks, such as the Grand Palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, with a tour in a private long-tailed boat to learn about life Koi along the canal and river. To absorb the culture and life of this city visit Cuisine: Japanese with a Californian twist Bangkok’s contemporary art galleries, such as the recently-opened Address: 26, Sukhumvit 20, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toey, 1011 BKK Art House or the two-floor H Gallery that is located in a converted Boasting an elegant lounge bar and a 200-seat fine dining restaurant, wooden school building. Shopping in Bangkok is a unique experience. Koi is a chic destination for modern Japanese cuisine served with a Wander through Bangkok’s luxury malls or soak in the atmosphere of the Californian twist. Try the rock shrimp served on a fruit salad with sweet busy street markets. JJ Weekend Market offers everything from hill tribe cream and a vibrant orange chili sauce. attire to vintage garments and modern accessories.” BEST TO DO BEST RESTAURANTS Wat Arun Ratchawararam – The Temple of Dawn Nahm Address: 34, Arun Amarin Road, Kwang Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai, 10600 Cuisine: Thai Wat Arun, which means the Temple of Dawn, is best visited at daybreak Address: Metropolitan Hotel Bangkok, 27 South Sathorn Road, when the temple is bathed in orange and gold. Wat Arun is located on the Tungmahamek, Sathorn, 10120 west bank of the Chao Phraya River; for the most picturesque view hire a Head chef David Thompson is an expert on Thai cuisine and serves long-tail boat and enjoy a champagne breakfast as you sail past the temple dishes that were once eaten in the royal courts of Thailand.