If you’re trying to pick where to stay in Bangkok and you’re looking for a central location, incredible service and beautiful, luxurious rooms, this all-suite hotel in Lumphini ticks the boxes.
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Bangkok is one of the most visited cities globally and often ranks in the top three in the world for its number of luxury hotels, so why is it always a struggle to pick accommodation in Bangkok?
If ever there were a better example of the paradox of choice!
However, our recent stay in the Oriental Residence, right in the heart of Lumphini, seems to have solved this particular conundrum.
Check out our video walkthrough of the Oriental Residence here:
Located in the embassy and diplomatic district of Lumphini, a stone’s throw from Bangkok’s biggest public park and a host of shopping and restaurant options, this all-suite five-star hotel offers not only a central location, but also a wonderful level of comfort and luxury to your stay.
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First Impressions
As our car pulls up to the Oriental Residence — yes, the name’s a little awkward and I’m not that comfortable with it either — we’re struck by how hidden the front of this fairly substantial building is.
As much as innocuous minivans have replaced the ostentation of stretched limos, this kind of secreted compound entrance seems to be much more the fashion these days. The idea of low-key luxury is very much in.
But once inside the confines of the main gate, the fountain, the grand stone and glass frontage and the two permanent doormen let you know you’ve arrived. In fact, it feels a little like the entrance to an embassy, which works considering the hotel’s location.
Next door is the enormous, sprawling US embassy, on the other side is the Embassy of Ireland, across the street are the NZ, South Africa, Italy, UAE and Ukraine embassies too, and tucked away behind the Oriental Residence is the Netherlands’ ambassador’s house.
Inside the hotel, the lobby is fairly simple though clearly high end. Panelled walls and lofted ceilings propped up by enormous pillars, lead you to reception. Instead of a big long imposing desk, check in happens at a low table. Intimate, friendly, personal.
The Room
The 145 residences – as in ‘rooms’ – at the Oriental Residence are spread out between junior, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. We’re in a junior suite, which is kind of like a regular room rather than having a separate bedroom and lounge like a conventional suite, but quite a bit bigger.
Even at this entry-level room type, there’s still plenty of luxurious touches.
Aside from the generous bed, classical fittings and lots of power outlet options at the bedside, the room also has a long sofa and ottoman coffee table, which acts as the lounge area.
There’s also a dining table big enough for two. The table’s set with some lovely dainties: a trio of petit fours and a plentiful fruit bowl.
Off to one side is the kitchen, fitted with everything you’d expect in a self-contained apartment-suite. There’s a stovetop, convection microwave, coffee machine, and Smeg brand toaster and kettle.
There’s a well-stocked bar fridge and minibar, and lots of complimentary bottles of water.
Initially, I’m confused why the cutlery drawer only has spoons of different sizes, until Christina realises the knives and forks are part of the dining room table setting.
The bathroom is impressive. Through the cloakroom/walk-in wardrobe, clad in warm travertine, the the bathroom houses a good-sized shower and a bath deep enough to completely submerge — an issue I often have with baths.
Amenities are from luxury Bangkok wellness, skincare and fragrance brand Panpuri.
Breakfast
Served in the hotel’s restaurant Cafe Claire, breakfast at the Oriental Residence is a replete affair featuring an enormous buffet that takes up one entire side of the room and even spills out into the anteroom.
As well as all kinds of fruit and make-your-own salad options, and Thai and European hot options, there’s also wealth of baked goods to choose from. There are several types of croissant including the curious ‘flat croissants’ that are crusted in large-crystal sugar or even dipped in chocolate.
As well as the buffet, there are a la carte options too like cooked breakfasts, eggs Benedict and a host of SE Asian choices; tom yum soup, har gaw dumplings, babimbap.
Christina tries the dumplings, but they’re sadly not the best. My beetroot salmon toast, however, is excellent. Served on one of the flat croissants (though this one’s not sweet), is beetroot-marinated salmon, spinach and house-pickled vegetables on a cream cheese base. It’s truly excellent.
Around the room are some amusing quotes about food, though one that catches our eye leaves us feeling a little bemused: “A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.”
Well played, James Beard. You’ve put me off my croissant!
Rooftop Pool and Bar
Up on the fourth floor rooftop (the building carries on for another 28 levels) is the pool and Play Deck Bar. This open-air bar and pool look out over the city with views down to the Dutch Ambassador’s gardens below and Lumphini Park further off.
Come up here for a dip, drink or bar-style snacks between 10am and 8pm.
Oriental Bar & Executive Lounge
For guests staying in Prestige Club Rooms, there’s complimentary access to the Executive Lounge on level two.
This luxurious lounge is open all day until 6.30pm and has afternoon tea between 1pm-3pm. But at 4.30, you can enjoy complimentary cocktails and a delicious selection of canapés. There are all sorts of snacks you can have here, but the best of them is easily the Chalomjai camembert-style cheese made locally by Hungry Wolf Artisan Foods So creamy! So tasty!
Up here is also the Oriental Bar, a slick evening venue with a few elevated food offerings and well-made cocktails.
We stayed at the Oriental Residence as media guests of Tourism Authority of Thailand, but our experiences and opinions remain our own.
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