Checking in to the newly renovated Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park
by Federico Brandi
After two years of renovation, the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park (952 Rama IV Bangkok, 02 632 9000, www.crowneplazabkk.com) is even better than before, and ready to spoil you.
Ideally located next to Lumpini Park, in the heart of the city and walking distance from Sala Daeng BTS station and Silom MRT station, Crowne Plaza offers easy access to the metropolis and to Silom’s vibrant nightlife.
Crowne Plaza hosts mostly business travelers, especially Japanese, and features an extensive list of services and amenities that allow for a pleasant and relaxing stay.
The hotel has more than 240 rooms, both smoking and non-smoking, and all of them offer panoramic views of the city’s skyline thanks to their location on the 24th to 32nd floors. There are six different types of rooms—Superior, Deluxe, Club, Club Deluxe, Junior Suite, and Executive suite—to adapt to all needs.
Imagine you come back after a long day around burning Bangkok, step into your room, and insert your key card, and your favorite music starts playing automatically. I just loved the classy touch of the iPod player in the room.
Many are the facilities, including the club lounge, a fitness center—accessible to non-guests, too—a wellness spa and health club, sauna, three massage rooms, a stylish outdoor pool with a city view, a 24-hour lounge, and Petal, a florist service. There are also plenty of options for MICE guests, such as 12 function rooms, a business center, and the White Room, which adapts both to social occasions and weddings.
But what I found particularly amazing was the variety of the food choices. Panorama restaurant on the 23rd floor offers a stunning view of the city’s skyline and a menu ranging from international to Japanese and Thai cuisine. If you prefer a more intimate venue, private rooms are available, which are perfect to book a cooking class with the skillful kitchen staff. On the right side of Panorama is the Finishing Post, a hideaway bar and cigar club with a wide selection of whisky and wines.
On the 22nd floor is the award-wining Xin Tian Di, an innovative Chinese restaurant with a large menu of mouth-watering dishes. It is ideal for families and large groups thanks to its seven private rooms. I highly recommend the delightful combination of wasabi prawns, and the homemade bean curd pan-fried with spinach in X.O. sauce. For lunch, a dim sum set is available.
On the ground floor, the Short Cuts Deli, a small bakery, is the perfect choice for sweets lovers. And the Short Cuts Deck, on the outdoor terrace of the hotel’s main entrance, is a good choice for a drink after work in an urban environment.
The staff is friendly, they will welcome you with a warm smile, and they will pay attention to details. The service is personalized and attentive, leaving you with less to worry about and much to enjoy during your stay.
