Last updated on September 16th, 2025
For those of you that have been following my blog since the beginning, you’ll know that the roots of my blog started at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. My first day there was just about two years ago. It was such a wonderful experience that I often compare other reviews to this hotel. The Bangkok property definitely holds a spot on my list for my favorite hotels of all time. This year I’ve decided to return and pay them another visit. This time around, I visited a different type of room and had a completely different experience than the first time.
Click HERE to check out the Mandarin Oriental!
After meeting the staff upon arrival, I went to visit my room in the Garden Wing. When I opened the door, my jaw dropped. The design on this side of the Mandarin Oriental hotel is completely different to the other, where I stayed first. In the Garden Wing, they use lots of light colors with beautiful artwork. All aspects of the design were very cohesive.
They had a little kitchen area which included a refrigerator with beverages and a tub of ice cream. The non-alcoholic beverages and ice cream were included in the room. We were also treated to a lemongrass welcome juice drink which is one of my personal favorites. The memories are just flowing back!
The room was absolutely phenomenal but after exploring it for a bit, I went to check out the rest of the property. This time around, I added a few extra experiences to the stay including a dinner at their Sala Rim Naam restaurant that you can read about in a separate article.
I need to preface this so I don’t sound crazy. First and foremost, I love afternoon tea. There are some that are better than others and one that I have been looking forward to for years, is in the Author’s Lounge. It was finally time to experience this legendary afternoon tea!
When it comes to Bangkok, the afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental is one of the best. You can order a western or Thai set menu. Instead of making a very difficult decision, we decided to order both. This was very much a pro move. You’re welcome.
I must say that I enjoyed the treats immensely. However, for my personal preference, I would have to say the western set was my favorite! There is a long list of tea including one that is only picked two days out of the year! Of course we had to try!
The next addition to this experience would be the exciting dinner at Sala Rim Naam. This, of course, is their authentic Thai restaurant that serves great food as well as a Thai dance show. You can read about it in a separate article! Enjoy!
The restaurant, spa, fitness and relaxation areas are located across the river but very easily accessible with their shuttle boats. The river already feels very relaxed but on that side of the river, it’s 10 times more relaxing and it feels like you’re far away from the bustling city!
The Mandarin Oriental fitness center comes equipped with one of my favorite relaxation and locker rooms in the city. It all opens up to the outdoors but is still private and you have a choice of a hot tub, sauna or steam room.
When I got back from afternoon tea, the staff brought up some extra treats. Including this amazing chocolate elephant!
The next morning, we went for breakfast on the riverside. The extensive Mandarin Oriental breakfast buffet is always impressive! It is large but not overwhelming and focuses on very high-quality ingredients. Lately, I’ve been really into dim sum for breakfast. It was so good.
I’m always sad to leave this legendary hotel in Bangkok. The property will forever be a magical place for me and always provides a wonderful experience. The service is at a much higher level than almost all luxury hotels that I’ve visited. For example, while I was out, the housekeeping came in to our room and polished my shoes. When I returned, they were left waiting for me in a plastic bag. So fresh and so clean.
Another example is on the checkout day. We requested a late checkout and while we were out, they came into clean the room even though it was the last day. When you walk around the premise, people will address you by name. It really blows my mind that they can remember my name!
All in all, the service is just over-the-top and I love it. This is a magical property that truly can’t be beaten. They really excel in offering some of the best service in the world. The design, facilities and food also contribute to making this an extraordinary property. This is all why I can confidently say that you will have an amazing time on your stay at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok, Thailand! A must visit!
The Nitty Gritty
Taste - 9
Value - 9.2
Feng Shui - 9.6
Convenience - 9.3
Service - 10
9.4
Must go!
Hotel
48 Oriental Ave, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 659 9000
Best Travel Tips
Book Your Flight
Find the cheapest flight by using Skyscanner. For over a decade I've found it to nearly always offer the best deals.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hotel or guesthouse with Agoda as it consistently has the best rates.
Always Use Travel Insurance
Travel insurance safeguards you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations, providing peace of mind if anything goes wrong. My top pick for excellent service and value is SquareMouth (best for all age groups.)
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
- Economy to Mid-Range
- TripAdvisor
- Go With Guide Mid-Range to Luxury
- TRAFALGAR
Stay Connected While Traveling
Cheapest Way to Transfer Money
I’ve been using XE for all my international money transfers, and it’s been a game changer. The fees are super low, and I get the real exchange rate which saves a lot. The normal fee is usually just a couple dollars per transaction.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Take a look at my resource page for top travel companies and tips. I’ve listed all my personal favorites that I've used over years of full-time travel, each best in class, so you can’t plan your trip wrong!
