Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

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Published: January 22nd 2012Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok
January 22nd 2012

The cab driver said it should be pronounced "Orienten". And he corrected us , not too gently . In fact he looked so frustrated that we kept giving him the "wrong" directions.

A trip to Bangkok is always made more pleasurable with a visit to Oriental Hotel by the banks of the lovely Chao Phraya River. I have not stayed in this hotel even for a night, but I have definitely visited it , dined in it, enjoyed quite a few high teas many times in the past. There are 2 spots in this hotel which I so love. The Authors' Lounge in the Authors' Wing, the original part of this century-old hotel. And the Riverside Terrace.

But it has been years since my last visit. And I do remember being driven there by my friend in the past. This time around, we hailed a cab and asked to be taken to Oriental Hotel. The taxi driver asked us many times, and each time felt frustrated failing to understand exactly where we want to be brought. When we showed him a city map and pointed to Mandarin Oriental Hotel, he exclaimed "Orienten, naaaah Oriental Oriental"! And so, it was Orienten for us from now on.

Authors' Lounge

The white rattan furniture is as Asian as can be. The white and green motif goes so

Authors' Lounge @Oriental Hotel
White rattan furniture, blooms and plants all around. Be prepared to get transported in time.
well with the plants and flowers adorning the corners of this lounge. At the time we visited, they couldn't serve high tea in the lounge as they were preparing the lounge for some affair. Not to be denied the chance, we asked permission to just look around the lounge before claiming our seats at the Riverside Terrace. In fact , we did more than that. Armed with our cams, we took many shots of the Lounge, the Trophy Room and the Library. We also browsed through the many old photographs hanging on the white walls of the Authors' Lounge.

Imagine the likes of Joseph Conrad and Barbara Cartland crossing the white expanse of this lounge. Surrounded by old photographs, many of the royal family, one is gently transported back in time. I never grew tired looking at those old photographs. This is most certainly a destination every traveler visiting Bangkok should visit at least once. Even if you don't take your afternoon tea here, just go! And do bring your camera and "get busy'. Of course, the Trophy Room and the Library will tempt you to linger and waste an entire afternoon there. But that

View From the Riverside Terrace
Nice to spend a lazy afternoon here, just sipping your drink or chatting the time away with friends.
is another story.

Riverside Terrace

After the Lounge, relax and chill at the Riverside Terrace. It is open air here but the big fans and misters render the place quite comfortable on a lazy afternoon by the lovely Chao Phraya River. The hotel has lovely barges to take visitors to the other bank of the river. But on this hot day, we were simply tempted to sit it out and view the boats and barges passing by while sipping our Thai-jito and iced teas.

After all, you can only do so many temples in Bangkok. And you can only do so many shopping malls too before you drop dead, or broke. So why not a lazy afternoon here in ORIENTEN?

You may also want to check out our dining adventures in Bangkok. Just click on this link . Or you may also want to check out what's new in Bangkok .

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liliram

Retired early, but still active. Very involved in celebrating life! I love traveling because I always come back with less cobwebs in my mind. It is as if I empty my mind of all clutter upon departure, and fill it with many happy memories upon arrival. I also like the idea that life is so focused on the present, and my senses are all playing to listen, feel , see, smell and taste everything novel or not so new. The fact that I only have to choose from a limited wardrobe, or use the same pair of shoes throughout my holiday , or work and survive on a single budget make life so much simpler. ... full info

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A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy....more info

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Blogged From

TravelBlog Awards

Mojito, Thaijito? This is the favorite drink of Pierce Brosnan, or so the beverage menu claims. Tried it. Loved it. Pierce is right to claim it as his fav drink .

That's What It Says........

I love reading menus. And this one has a story to tell. Check it out.

Mandarin Oriental Lobby

This hotel is truly world-class. Oozing with old charm yet resplendent in its classical beauty.

More of Orienten!

The Riverside Terrace is another dining outlet in Bangkok's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I remember drinking my beers here. This time though, I tried their Thaijito.

Entrance to the Authors' Lounge

Tea here can cost as much as thousand baht. Two can share the platter of tea sandwiches, scones, etc. It may cost you, but one pays for the "experience" I guess.

Authors' Lounge @Oriental Hotel

A Step Into the Past.............

The Trophy Room

Oh yes, this hotel has much to brag about.

Inside the Lounge

The Library

Imagine the likes of Joseph Conrad and Barbara Cartland spending a lazy afternoon here.

The Library

Busy Working On the Decor

The Lounge was actually closed at the time as they were preparing it for a function. These ladies were busy working on the decor..... more leaf arrangement with a sprinkling of flowers rather than the other way around. Nice!

Old Photographs

Many of the old photos are of the royal family. Some looking much like some of our national heroes! Must be the fashion at the time ;-)

More Photographs

Still Within Oriental Hotel

Comments

anonymous
non-member comment

Date: 22nd January 2012

Great photos
If we get back to Bangkok we will have to go check out that hotel.

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

Mell
Mell

Date: 22nd January 2012

:)
I love that place. We usually sit on the riverside terrace, when we are there. :)

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

Home and Away
Bob and Linda

Date: 23rd January 2012

Thanks for the memories
I have visited the Oriental since I was a child in the 1950's, and just as with you, I have only eaten there and as a teenager used their swimming pool although I wasn't a guest...I got the managers permission. The last time I ate there was in 2007 in their coffee shop. I paid 450 baht for fried rice, and I had my three kids with me so multiply that by four. I guess most of that went for the ambiance. I enjoy reading your blogs. The last time I was in the Philippines was 1959...Manila and the Dole pineapple plantation on Mindanao.

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

Mary Lyons
non-member comment

Date: 23rd January 2012

Love your photos
I visited the 'Orienten' Hotel only one time and like you, fell in love with its charm and beauty. We had drinks and wandered around, but it was at night, so my photos are not as good as yours. Thank you for sharing. Brings back memories of good times and good friends for me.

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

pinksapphire
Dashika Abhayagunasekara

Date: 24th January 2012

I\'ll be going there in this September and after seeing this photos makes me want to go pretty soon. =)

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

Vacation Rental Makati
non-member comment

Date: 13th February 2012

Nice pictures
You found a nice hotel in bangkok ! nice info for us ..

From Blog: Take Us To Orienten! Not Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

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