A place where even angels rest

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

Quiet days and dazzling nights, peaceful temples and bustling markets, street food and Asia's number one restaurant—Bangkok, Thailand, is a place where diverse charms coexist, making it impossible to describe it by a single word. Bangkok is known as "Krung Thep" in Thai, meaning "City of Angels"—a name that may be unfamiliar at first, but one quickly understands why it was given this name once traveling through the city. It is a place where the warmth and kindness of the Thai people, who always greet even strangers with a smile, permeate every street. Perhaps due to these charms, the number of tourists visiting Bangkok reaches 15 million annually. It is said that while there may be people who have never been to Bangkok, there are no people who have only visited once—people are so captivated by its allure that they cannot escape. I am one of those tourists myself. As befits such a popular destination, there is a wide variety of hotels with distinct characteristics. Furthermore, since prices tend to be more affordable than hotels in other major cities, many people visit Bangkok to experience "destination hotels" (where the accommodation itself becomes the purpose of the trip), a travel style that has recently gained popularity. Today, I will introduce the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (Four Seasons Bangkok), which is called the epitome of a luxury hotel staycation.

Quiet days and dazzling nights, peaceful temples and bustling markets, street food and Asia's number one restaurant—Bangkok, Thailand, is a place where diverse charms coexist, making it impossible to describe it by a single word. Bangkok is known as "Krung Thep" in Thai, meaning "City of Angels"—a name that may be unfamiliar at first, but one quickly understands why it was given this name once traveling through the city. It is a place where the warmth and kindness of the Thai people, who always greet even strangers with a smile, permeate every street. Perhaps due to these charms, the number of tourists visiting Bangkok reaches 15 million annually. It is said that while there may be people who have never been to Bangkok, there are no people who have only visited once—people are so captivated by its allure that they cannot escape. I am one of those tourists myself. As befits such a popular destination, there is a wide variety of hotels with distinct characteristics. Furthermore, since prices tend to be more affordable than hotels in other major cities, many people visit Bangkok to experience "destination hotels" (where the accommodation itself becomes the purpose of the trip), a travel style that has recently gained popularity. Today, I will introduce the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (Four Seasons Bangkok), which is called the epitome of a luxury hotel staycation.

Paradise Found in the City (Day-1)

The flight from Incheon to Bangkok, Thailand takes at least 5 hours and 35 minutes. The period from December to March is the perfect time to travel to Bangkok. Thanks to the warm sun, cool breezes, and low humidity, you can fully enjoy the summer atmosphere. Since I was going to a summer country, my body and mind felt much lighter even before the trip began, as if I had shed layers of heavy winter clothes like blankets. However, because this is peak season, it is crowded with tourists wherever you go. My plan for this trip is simple: rest. I intend to stay within the hotel and savor every moment solely by lying down and breathing. Therefore, I selected my accommodation with the goal of "getting a good rest" for this trip. The place I chose is the Four Seasons Bangkok. Normally, I would have called a taxi immediately from the airport using Grab or Bolt, but the Four Seasons Bangkok offers airport pickup. Everyone knows, right? The traffic jams in downtown Bangkok cause headaches. After exiting to the right at the airport and following the path straight ahead, I quickly found a staff member holding a hotel sign. After waiting for about five minutes, the minivan arrived. During the ride, I comfortably took in the scenery of Bangkok. Before arriving, the driver called the hotel, and as soon as I got there, the staff carried all my luggage with bright smiles and escorted me to my room. Then, to my surprise, they even helped me with the check-in process right in the room. What a comfortable check-in experience! I couldn't help but be touched by such thoughtful consideration.

The Four Seasons Bangkok has a total of 299 guest rooms, including Deluxe, Deluxe River View, and Premier River View rooms, as well as six types of suites. The room I booked is a Premier River View. The charm of the Four Seasons Bangkok is that the Chao Phraya River, known as the lifeline of Bangkok, flows right in front of the hotel. You can admire the river at a glance through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Additionally, since the room faces west, you can watch the sunset that beautifully colors Bangkok. It is said that the famous architect Jean-Michel Getty, who designed the hotel, intended it to harmonize the natural beauty of Thailand with the urban charm of the city. After spending time lost in thought admiring the scenery outside, my stomach began to rumble. Wanting to set the mood, I headed to Brasserie Palmier, a riverside French restaurant serving brasserie classics alongside a variety of seafood dishes. Located next to the swimming pool along the Chao Phraya River, it stands out with an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of Singapore. The surprise was that upon entering, it exuded a luxurious and sophisticated vibe, making it feel like a European restaurant. When making a reservation, selecting "Standard" for the Seating Type will assign you an indoor seat, while choosing "Outdoor" is recommended if you prefer an outdoor setting. I chose a terrace seat because I wanted to enjoy my meal while watching the sunset over the river. I selected two main dishes: Beef Bourguignon (stewed beef shank in red wine sauce), one of France's representative dishes, and an Oyster Platter. Since it is a French restaurant, I chose these menus to enjoy seafood alongside French cuisine. The oysters I ordered arrived. When ordering, they ask about my preferences and desired flavors in detail before recommending the oysters. They also explained the proper order to eat the oysters based on their aroma and taste, so following their instructions allowed me to appreciate the flavors with greater precision. As a tip, keep in mind that they offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal on oysters on Wednesdays. For the Beef Bourguignon, I placed the mashed potatoes on the side and topped it with the garnish. The aroma of the red wine blended perfectly with the tenderness of the beef, leaving a sweet sensation lingering in my mouth. As I enjoyed the sunset over the Chao Phraya while sipping on the recommended champagne, I wondered if this place might be paradise. Along with the sunset, the perfect first day came to an end.

Complete a Perfect Day (DAY 2)

I stretched wide and gazed out the window. Perhaps thanks to the cozy bed, I woke up feeling refreshed. At 8 a.m., I put on a light robe and headed to Riva del Fiume Ristorante for breakfast. Breakfast here is available from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. You can choose whether to dine indoors or outdoors. What impressed me most was the abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits that can only be found in Southeast Asia. Above all, as someone who is truly devoted to bread, I couldn't help but be moved by the wood-fired oven. They bake mini pizzas on the spot, and there are also moist croissants, various open sandwiches, gluten-free bread, and more. You can see the thoughtfulness put into catering to guests' preferences. Furthermore, there is a wide variety of Bangkok cuisine available, allowing me to enjoy the local flavors without having to leave the premises. The freshly prepared rice noodles, Som Tum, and Pad Thai taste just as good as those from famous restaurants. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, I decided to get a 90-minute spa treatment at the Urban Wellness Center. Since the Urban Wellness Center accepts only a limited number of guests per day, you can enjoy the spa in a private setting. As I entered, the low saturation of the lighting created a sense of calm, and the pleasant scent wafting through the air put my mind at ease. There are many types of spa treatments available, ranging from traditional Thai massage to bespoke oil massage, body scrubs, and facial massages, so you can choose whatever suits your preference. I opted for the 90-minute Bespoke Aromatherapy. As I headed to the massage room, soothing music played to complement the soft lighting, and a bed as luxurious and comfortable as a guest room was prepared. The oil was blended into four different types and provided thorough care for each area. With delicate touches, the muscles tight from travel fatigue began to loosen one by one. It was a touch that effectively relieved the tension of the journey from every corner of my body. I drifted off to sleep, and when I woke up, 90 minutes had already passed. After the massage ended, I was served ginger tea along with pineapple. Feeling refreshed, I gathered my swimsuit and a few essentials from my room and headed to the swimming pool. Bathrobes and bags for the pool are prepared in the closet at the entrance. Isn't this the perfect service for a luxury hotel? The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has two swimming pools. There is a lap pool dedicated to activities with a 30m chain.

Children under 12 are not allowed to use it. The Infinity Pool is an ocean pool located in front of the Chao Phraya River and is open to all ages. I headed to the ocean pool. Rows of palm trees stood, and parasols and sunbeds were laid out, creating a distinct resort atmosphere. The Chao Phraya River was visible through the gaps between the trees. I told the staff my room number and took a spot on a sunbed I wanted; the staff set up my towel and served me a glass of cold water. I could feel the leisure of midday throughout my body. With a cool breeze and the sun at just the right temperature, the space was wide and pleasant, making it perfect for swimming. Feeling hungry, I ordered a glass of watermelon juice and a light avocado club sandwich at the poolside bar. The luxurious taste, combined with fresh vegetables, was an excellent choice. As 5 PM approached, the sky gradually began to turn red. Before dinner, I decided to have a light cocktail at the BKK Social Club, which I had been looking forward to the most since coming to the Four Seasons Bangkok. BKK Social Club ranked 13th on The World's 50 Best Bars list in 2023, achieving the highest ranking among Asian bars. Led by the award-winning bartender Philip Bischoff, this Buenos Aires-themed bar immediately captivated visitors with its interior reminiscent of Argentina's magnificent architecture and its extensive collection of spirits. Here, you can enjoy custom cocktails that blend typical South American drinking culture with the flavors of Thailand. I ordered the Evita cocktail. A welcome cocktail was served immediately upon ordering.

They served a cocktail and potato chips, perfect as a light snack. Finally, the Evita arrived. The Evita features a pineapple rum base with a citrusy cinnamon aroma, a flavor that keeps you captivated in your mouth. For my second drink, I ordered the Hand of God. A friendly bartender explained the scene to me. He mentioned that it was inspired by the "Hand of God" controversy involving Diego Maradona during the Mexico World Cup quarterfinals, noting that a soccer ball and a hand were imprinted on the ice. It was a tequila-based Negroni style cocktail with a pomegranate scent that reached my nose. The cocktail tasted excellent. Overall, it focused on aroma and flavor while highlighting the unique character of BKK Social Club, keeping me curious about what the next flavor would be like. Since I hadn't had dinner yet, I was satisfied with two drinks, but I vowed to try a wider variety of cocktails on my next visit.

Cantonese style, the ultimate taste

Above all, the highlight of the day was having my final meal at Yu Ting Yuan, the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Bangkok that I had been eager to visit. It is famous for not only giving authentic Cantonese cuisine a modern and creative twist but also for expressing unique and luxurious flavors by incorporating Thai elements. Filled with anticipation, I chose the Chef's Tasting Menu and wine pairing. Yu Ting Yuan is the only dining venue within the hotel designed by Jean-Michel Getty. True to its name, which means "aerial garden," it embraces the hotel's gardens and ponds. While admiring the garden, the first amuse-bouche was served. With a tangy soy sauce base...

Shrimp and peanuts were served to lightly whet the appetite. Next came Cantonese-style char siu accompanied by suckling pig skin on a bun. It was crispy yet melted in my mouth. Since this is a dish that is expensive and hard to find in Korea, I tasted it with even greater delight. Just when I needed some soup, a tofu soup dish was served. The plating featured tofu shaped into flowers with meticulous knife work. With a scallop broth base, it was savory and clean. Among the dishes that left a lasting impression, there was the foie gras with black pepper sauce; perhaps because high-quality foie gras was used, it was tender and free of any unpleasant odors. Next was a steamed fish dish, an essential part of Cantonese cuisine. Garnished with shredded fried ginger and scallions, it featured pumpkin braised in soy sauce underneath, creating a harmonious blend of the three. Finally, there was stir-fried lobster in XO sauce—a combination that simply couldn't go wrong. The dishes served in succession were so harmonious that it felt like a feast was taking place in my mouth. Furthermore, pairing the dishes with wines tailored to each dish deepened the flavors. It is easy to wonder if wine pairs well with Cantonese cuisine, but I highly recommend the wine pairing as it balances the potentially rich taste. It was the true essence of Chinese cuisine that made me nod in understanding why this is the only Chinese restaurant in Bangkok to receive a Michelin star.

Happiness Lasts (DAY 3)

Leaving the lingering regrets of the last day behind, I headed to the outdoor terrace at Riva del Fiume Ristorante (Brasserie Palmiers), stocked with fresh cheeses and fruits I hadn't tasted yesterday. Accompanied by the chirping of birds, I slowly took in the scenery. Eating fruit refreshing enough to make me forget the heat, I gazed blankly at the Chao Phraya River for a long time. The emotion welling up inside me while "water-gazing" was a pure happiness I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was simply the feeling of being "happy" without a single thought. Reflecting on the time I spent relentlessly dedicating myself to work without a moment's rest, a time when I could not be truly free, I realized that this feeling is all the more precious. Meeting a loved one to share a delicious meal and conversation, admiring the beautiful scenery you love—small joys can unfold within reach. Why not take some time for your weary body and mind to rest before you burn out?