So here’s the thing, I wasn’t supposed to be in Thailand. When I planned my trip back in April, I had planned to be in Qatar for Thanksgiving, after a short stint Bahrain. I was supposed to have stayed within the Gulf Countries rather than backtracking halfway around the world. But, plans never go as planned, right? Right. While I was in Iceland, I received an email saying that my flights to Qatar were canceled. After weeks of trying to figure out every possible way to get to Qatar, I succumbed to the fact that there was no possible way for me to get there due to the political crisis and that I would have to find a Plan B.
Next thing I knew, I was on Skyscanner – my favorite flight search engine – and saw that the most convenient flights from Bahrain were to Bangkok. Bangkok it was then! I’d always wanted to go to Thailand, but I’d never had the opportunity. When I was then given the opportunity not only to go to Thailand, but to stay at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, I realized that this impromptu trip was clearly meant to be.
Upon setting foot in the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, I knew that I’d made the right decision. What I didn’t realize was that it was an 11-acre property, so I had quite a bit of on-site exploring to do! While checking in we were given a delicious fresh juice before being taken to our beautiful Deluxe Riverview Room overlooking the Chao Phraya River and resort below.
The room was comfortable and spacious, with the most up-to-date technologies, including your very own smartphone to use for free, a flatscreen TV, desk, and sitting area and, of course, our balcony with stunning view.
With 11 acres, Anantara Riverside Bangkok has 396 rooms and suites, a spa and tropical swimming pool with jacuzzi, meeting and wedding facilities, 7 restaurants, 3 bars, a cooking school, and a free shuttle boat to Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station and Asiatique.
Since we were relatively tight on time, we checked out the amazing pool area at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok before taking advantage of their incredibly convenient shuttle boats into the downtown area.
They couldn’t have made it any easier for us! The shuttle took us to the Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station where we hopped on a motorbike taxi to see some key sites before taking the shuttle back to our beautiful resort.
We unwinded by the pool before getting ready for our Thai-giving dinner, as it was Thanksgiving after all!
We ate on-site at Riverside Terrace, which blew me away. Typically when you think of buffets, you think of a restaurant with many options but mediocre food. Well, the Anantara Riverside Bangkok will forever change your views of a buffet restaurant! Our Thai-giving at Riverside Terrace very well may have been the best dinner I have had at a hotel. They had everything from fresh salads to seafood of every kind, sushi, noodles, rices, soups, Western & non-Western dishes, grilled meats, tempuras, and a plethora of desserts. I wish I could put into words just how incredible this meal was, and just how many options we had. The food was held to an incredibly high standard, and you could see first hand how fresh everything was as the chef behind each station cooked right in front of us. Nothing was less than perfect.
To top it off, there was a cultural show during dinner, which gave us some insight into Thai culture and provided great entertainment as well.
We topped off the night by going to Attitude, the rooftop bar of Avani, the sister hotel to Anantara located directly behind our building. The day before we arrived, Attitude was rated one of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok, and I can absolutely see why! Located on the 26th floor, Attitude offers sweeping views of Bangkok, a birds-eye view of the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, plush couches, and a beautifully lit infinity pool. Having a nightcap at Attitude was truly the perfect way to end a perfect day.
By the time we reached our room and climbed into bed, the extraordinarily comfortable beds were much welcomed. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, we saw the most remarkable sunrise off our balcony the following morning. What a way to say good morning to Bangkok!
I’m staying in Anantara and I concur hundred percent with the writer.