Family Travel Forum Staff

Bangkok, Thailand can be a chaotic place, though a very culturally enriching one. The best way to experience this city of temples, traffic jams, and tons of great shopping is to station your family in a luxurious, family-friendly hotel. And luxurious doesn't always mean expensive, especially in Thailand, where tourists come in droves and are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodations. Choose a hotel that's central, but attentive to family needs. At the end of the day, when you settle down to a Thai massage while the kids are off playing, you'll be glad you made that decision.

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok 
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu
New Road, Bangrak
Bangkok 10500
66/2 236 7777
$$

Boasting river views, a lush garden and a world-class spa, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok offers a tropical retreat from a bustling city. A 2005 make-over has added two Horizon Club floors, a premium-priced concierge level with extra business services, a club lounge, complimentary snacks and other perks. Guest rooms are decorated in a clean, contemporary style with rich silk accents and Asian art, and many have views of Wat Arun and the noisy longboats and lyrical rice barges which ply the Chao Phraya River.

In April 2007, Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok re-introduced its luxury Krungthep wing. All rooms have private balconies that face the river, and guests of this wing are served by a private butler. One child can share the room, and those under 12 are not charged for a rollaway.

Families will appreciate that this urban resort has enclosed gardens for playing, a large outdoor pool and a great location near the river’s water taxi system. The hotel is also a 30-second walk to the Skytrain public transit system. On Sundays, Shangri-La offers a family brunch; dinner cruises are also a fantastic option.

An added treat is the hotel's garden restaurant whose very style is sure to help children understand what's in store as they tour around the country and the rest of Southeast Asia. The Next2Cafe & Terrace has a 126-seat dining room and 328-seat terrace on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Open 24/7 in this city where some people do sleep, it serves a wide variety of international and Asian cuisines to jet-lag victims, hungry kids and night owls alike.  Guests make food selections from six open kitchens (dedicated to seafood, salads, Japanese cuisine, noodles, grill and continental specialties - including a new Mongolian grill, and dessert) managed by a team of 30 chefs. Children from 6-12 years pay half price.

Hotel rates vary by season.

 

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