12 January, 2016
Thailand’s
vibrant capital, Bangkok is a feast for all senses.
With so much to see and do but never enough time squeeze it all in,
SUITCASE picked the brains of Mr Surchai Thong-on, Chief Concierge
of Banyan Tree Bangkok, on the best way to spend
24 hours there.
How would you describe Bangkok in three words?
Amazing, stunning, vibrant.
8:30AM Go for a local breakfast around Silom
Road. Here you will find a variety of traditional breakfast foods
such as rice porridge, boiled rice soup and BBQ Pork with sticky
rice.
10AM Walk off breakfast at Lumpini Park – the
large open green space in the centre of the city. Here, both locals
and visitors enjoy swan-boat rides around the park. There are also
lots of peaceful areas perfect for a picnic. I personally love
spending time here jogging and doing aerobics.
11AM If you’re hungry again then Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market is your answer. This large and popular floating
market is about 100km southwest of Bangkok in the Ratchaburi
province. You can buy various kinds of locally farmed fresh produce
and delicious street food such as noodle soup and som tum. Give
yourself between one and two hours to travel from Bangkok.
Or
If you want to escape the crowds, I suggest you to take a
long-tail boat to travel along Chao Phraya River. You should also
take a canal tour – you will get special insight into Bangkok which
can only be obtained by seeing it from the water.
1PM If you want something quick for lunch, then
there are many options in Chinatown like dim sum, rice noodles with
roasted pork and of course pad Thai. Top it all off with a Thai
dessert and traditional Thai ice tea.
2:30PM Get brownie points from loved ones by
bringing them home presents from The Platinum Fashion Mall. It is
one of Thailand’s largest shopping malls, and here you can buy
clothes and handicrafts galore. It was designed with a wholesale
shopping concept which means that it supports many services for
fashion traders, retailers and traders.
Or
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Saturday or Sunday,
Chatuchak Weekend Market (locals call it JJ market) is home to more
than 8,000 market stalls where you can find almost anything.
Or
If your jet-lag starts kicking in, Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok features a total of
16 well-appointed treatment rooms on the 19th and 20th floors, and
is an ideal escape for day spa seekers as well as in-house
guests.
First-time visitors to Banyan Tree Spa are encouraged to
experience the signature Royal Banyan and Rejuvenation packages.
The Royal Banyan features the exclusive Banyan Massage, which
combines the best of East and West massage techniques and uses a
harmony of intricate and rhythmic strokes to ease away tension and
work its magic on the senses.
For urban dwellers, the two-hour Rejuvenation package is a firm
favourite for its flexible alternatives in the form of a body scrub
and body massage, or a longer body massage of guests’ choice.
5:30PM Watch the sunset from the relaxed
setting of Moon Bar at Banyan Tree Bangkok 61 floors above the
city. Order the classic Vertigo Sunset cocktail, a mix of
pineapple, cranberry and lime juices blended with just the right
amount of Malibu.
8PM I recommend Saffron, Banyan Tree Bangkok‘s Thai Cuisine
restaurant. Showcasing authentic Thai flavours with an innovative
twist, Saffron is inspired by the art of traditional Thai cuisine
in all its splendour.
Traditional cooking methods reminiscent of the techniques passed
down from generation to generation are evident in Saffron’s
culinary presentation. The menu features a variety of delicacies
originating from the historical Thai royal courts, dishes popular
amongst countryside villagers to all-time favourite home
recipes.
The signature dishes at the restaurant is yum hua plee (spicy
banana blossom salad) and khao phad saffron (wok-tossed saffron
rice, seafood, crispy dried shrimp and vegetables).
If you want to get out of the hotel and are after a more local
experience, I recommend Baan Khanitha restaurant, which is located
in the heart of the city. The food is extremely tasty.
10PM Now’s the perfect time to slink downstairs
to the newly opened and very chic, Vertigo Too for a digestif
followed by dancing the night away.
Enjoy a twin-centre holiday to Thailand with Abercrombie and Kent.
Discover the hustle of Bangkok followed by the tranquillity of
Phuket.
Seven nights start from £1,575pp*, including two nights at
Banyan Tree Bangkok and five nights at Banyan Tree Phuket.
*For bookings made with Abercrombie & Kent before 31st
March 2016. Price includes accommodation, daily breakfast,
international flights, airport transfers and a complimentary villa
upgrade in Phuket. Valid for new bookings, subject to availability
for stays made before 31st December 2016. Terms and conditions
apply.
For enquiries and bookings contact Abercrombie and Kent on 01242
547 704.
Book your next Banyan Tree resort holiday with Abercrombie & Kent and you could win two
pairs of beautiful Taylor Morris sunglasses, chosen by
co-founder Hugo Taylor. Terms & conditions apply.
This article was published in collaboration with Abercrombie
& Kent and Banyan Tree