Carrie Coolidge is a Pursuitist contributor based in Manhattan. From…
Gone are the days when Bangkok was merely a transit point for travelers rushing to their final destinations. The Four Seasons Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, which made its grand debut in December 2020 on the historic Charoenkrung Road, has transformed into the ultimate destination for those seeking more than just a typical beach getaway.
Today, globetrotters from around the world are choosing this luxurious five-star resort as their gateway to Bangkok’s rich tapestry of culture, historic landmarks, Michelin-starred dining, craft cocktail gems, and a vibrant contemporary art. Nestled within this nine-acre urban oasis is 200 meters of prime riverfront real estate, all within the heart of the city’s bustling creative district. “Guests can get the island feel here with one less flight,” says Dan Schacter, its Regional Director of Public Relations and Communications. “They can get the best of both worlds in Bangkok.”
Experience The City Like Never Before
Designed by world-renowned hotel and resort designers Jean-Michel Gathy, this expansive architectural marvel offers spectacular views at every turn. Each of its 299 guest rooms and suites offers a beautiful view of a garden or the Chao Phraya river. The property is surprisingly quiet, given its location in the heart of the bustling city. Indeed, while the sprawling compound is centrally located, it is so peaceful and quiet, it is hard to believe it is located within a city that boasts a population of 11 million. “Just outside the property you have the sounds and smells of a city but as soon as you walk in to this hotel, you are in your own world, away from that,” says Four Seasons Bangkok Regional Vice President and General Manager Lubosh Barta.
The property offers its guests an immersive experience with its impressive water features and striking architecture described by Barta as Instagramable moments. “Bangkok is known as the Venice of the East as it is full of canals that are all connected to the river,” Barta explains. “There is so much water flowing through the property because we wanted to create to our own extension of the river. So when you walk into the hotel, you immediately see water that continues all the way to the river.”
The Four Seasons Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River has much to offer. The resort provides a variety of dining options at different price ranges, an arts center, and a picturesque riverside promenade that is open for the enjoyment of both hotel guests and the general public. The recently opened Urban Wellness Center is also a draw, as the 26,900 square foot facility offers a multitude of wellness programs.
“The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is not a cookie cutter resort,” says Betty Chan, its Director of Marketing. “Our guests understand and appreciate that.”
It is not surprising the hotel is also attracting locals as clients. “We have a lot of staycation guests because it really is an urban resort,” adds Schacter.
A Hotel That Celebrates Thailand’s Contemporary Art Scene
The Four Seasons features a well-curated collection of contemporary art found throughout the property, created by both up-and-coming and notable Thai artists.
In addition, an effort has been made to actively engage with and participate in the local art scene. Indeed, The Four Seasons has designated a dedicated section of its property to serve as an art gallery. This gallery provides guests with a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the local creative landscape right on-site.
Exhibited artworks change regularly, ensuring that both Bangkok residents and returning Four Seasons guests can enjoy new collections multiple times throughout the year. Through a partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok (MOCA), the hotel’s art space hosts quarterly exhibitions featuring works by local artists. The art space is an extension of the museum and offers all visitors the chance to appreciate fine art in an inspiring atmosphere. Each exhibition is thoughtfully curated, follows a specific theme, and is professionally installed by MOCA’s experts.
World-Class Authentic Dining
The Four Seasons’ food and beverage offerings are renowned for their world-class quality. To appeal to local customers, as 70% of its restaurant clientele are residents of Bangkok, the Four Seasons decided to provide a diverse selection of international dining options.
The chef and manager at each of its dining venues are from the same country as the cuisine that is featured and the food is authentic, not fusion. “It is the same kind of food you would have if you were in the country that it represents,” says Barta.
The restaurants span a variety of cuisines, including Italian, French, and Cantonese. Riva del Fiume Ristorante showcases modern Italian cuisine with a show kitchen integrated into the dining space. Yu Ting Yuan, a lavishly decorated contemporary restaurant adorned with art, specializes in Cantonese delicacies and holds a prestigious Michelin Star.
Brasserie Palmier, with its French tropics theme and a picturesque riverfront location, serves an array of French classics. For those looking for a taste of French pastries, desserts and coffee drinks at affordable prices, Café Madeleine, a local favorite, can be found on the promenade. The Bangkok Social Club, featuring an Argentinian theme, presents custom craft cocktails and small plates as well as a separate cigar bar. This year the venue earned numerous accolades, ranking 13th on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 List.
Outside the hotel, Bangkok offers thirty Michelin-starred restaurants while even the street food is of a high quality. “It is the best food city I have ever experienced because the food offerings are so good,” says Schacter. “The quality and variety of cuisines you can get here are exceptional, especially for the price.”
A World-Class Wellness Center
The hotel’s recently opened 26,900 square foot Urban Wellness Center offers expansive wellness for the Body (spa), Mind (spirituality), and Work (fitness). Expert instructors, coaches, yogis and therapists are available to help guests achieve their wellbeing goals. There is a full menu of spa treatments that include massages, wraps, scrubs and facials, all of which use organic skincare products. Treatments are given in nine treatment rooms, one of which is an expansive spa suite with its own private bath and indoor garden. There are also several relaxation lounges.
The spa also offers spiritual practices offered by a dedicated team of in-house practitioners and visiting masters. For example, there are opportunities for guests to partake in guided meditation led by a Buddhist monk, reiki and pranic healing, as well as Ayurveda and acupuncture with visiting masters.
Its fitness center has a wide array of classes from yoga to spinning, silks and paddleboard yoga and a Muay Thai ring. A state-of-the-art gym offers Technogym cardiovascular and weight training equipment and a mind and body studio offers regular open and private classes. There is a 115-foot-long dedicated lap pool in addition to the hotel’s two riverfront infinity pools.
Stunning And Expansive Guest Suites and Rooms
The hotel boasts a total of 261 guest rooms and 38 suites, each thoughtfully designed with a contemporary and stylish aesthetic. These interiors embody a sophisticated simplicity and a cozy residential feel, enriched with modern Thai influences that enhance the overall ambiance.
The layouts of these rooms strike a perfect balance between functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. Guests can choose from a range of accommodations, starting with the 538-square-foot deluxe guest rooms and extending to 689-square-foot rooms featuring private balconies. Among the suites, there are six distinct options, each offering unique perspectives with views of either the river or the lush garden surroundings. Suite sizes range from 829 square feet, with the signature suites featuring spacious private terraces.
The most expansive option is the 4,844-square-foot Presidential Suite known as “The Riverfront Penthouse Suite,” that accommodates up to nine guests, including three children. This suite encompasses three generous bedrooms and a grand great room with living and dining areas beneath a soaring double-height ceiling. Additionally, it includes a well-appointed catering kitchen, an oversized primary bathroom with a dressing suite. Not to be missed, the suite’s rooftop terrace treats guests to panoramic river views and even includes a private plunge pool.
Special Offers At Four Seasons Bangkok
The Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is offering a Wellness package that includes daily breakfast and yoga lessons, two 90-minute signature spa treatments (one per guest, per stay) at its Urban Wellness Center, one 60-minute Muay Thai boxing lesson for two and one 60-minute personal training session for two. Valid between November 1 and December 22 and from January 2, 2024 until December 20th, this package requires a minimum three night stay and is for two guests.
The hotel is also offering a package that enables its guests to discover the city with an itinerary created by its professional concierge team. Everything will be pre-arranged including roundtrip airport transfers, a one-hour private Muay Thai kick-boxing training session (for two guests once per stay), a one-hour massage treatment at our Urban Wellness Centre (for two guests once per stay) and daily breakfast for two. Additionally, there will also be customizable-guided tours of Bangkok including a two-hour private street food tour in Chinatown to taste authentic Thai delicacies, a two-hour long-tail boat tour along the Chao Phraya River and its khlongs and a two-hour walking tour of the Creative District neighborhood. Each of these guided tours are for two guests and take place once per stay. The package is valid between November 1 and December 22 and from January 2, 2024 until December 20th, this package requires a minimum four night stay and is for two guests. The hotel booking must be made at least 7 days in advance of arrival. If more than two guests are staying in one room, inclusions for additional guests are available for an additional charge.
Interested in seeing another part of the country? The Four Seasons is offering guests the ability to experience two of its Thai properties in one trip. The offer includes a three-night minimum stay at any two of the following Four Seasons destinations (six nights total): Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Golden Triangle. During their stay at each of the two properties selected, guests will receive a $100 credit that can be used for either food and beverages or toward a spa treatment. Contact the Four Seasons Bangkok directly to book this package by calling 66 (02) 032-0887.
Rates are for two guests, per room, per night, vary by arrival date and/or length of stay, and may or may not include applicable mandatory property fees such as resort fees or service charges, gratuities or government-imposed taxes, service charges, levies or surcharges. Early departure fees may apply.
For more information about these offers and others, visit the Four Seasons Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River website at https://www.fourseasons.com/bangkok/offers.
Carrie Coolidge is a Pursuitist contributor based in Manhattan. From 2009 to 2011, Carrie served as Co-Editor of Luxist, the luxury lifestyle website at AOL where she ran the Luxist Awards, a program that honored the very best in fine living. From 1996 to 2009, Carrie was a Staff Writer at Forbes magazine, where she covered real estate, personal finance and the insurance industry, among other areas. Carrie is also the author of six books, including "The Business of America is Business". Follow her on Twitter: @carriecoolidge