Back in 2014, I had the opportunity to stay at and write about the Dusit Thani Bangkok upon the hosting of its general manager Khun Sukanya Janchoo, who is considered a legend in the Thai hospitality industry. I since had fond memories of the place—especially of that signature floral scent that lingered in its rooms.
Fast forward last year, I read the news that the Dusit Thani Bangkok—the grande dame that towers over Lumphini Park—would be shuttering its doors for a total redevelopment of the hotel. Saddened and frankly surprised, I looked for an opportunity to stay in the hotel for the last time.
Here are excerpts from my 2014 review:
The Dusit Thani Bangkok has seen dignitaries and celebrities walk along its halls and stay in its rooms, for it is indeed among the Thai capital’s most prestigious and most recognized establishments. The iconic hotel is almost 45 years old, yet over the years, it has retained its glory while adjusting to modern times to rank among the city’s best.
Dusit Thani, literally ‘town in heaven’ in Thai, was the utopian vision of King Rama VI. The monarch, in 1918, established an experimental city that exemplified frameworks of democracy, whilst adapting a mixture of Western and Thai influences. Recognized as the flagship property of Dusit International, the hotel derived not only its name but also its style and essence—a stately, classy amalgamation of local and foreign evidenced in its architecture, interiors, rooms, and overall feel.
The hotel lies centrally in the intersection of Rama IV and Silom Roads, two of the city’s major thoroughfares. As such, there’s much to see and do within the area, like Patpong Night Market and Lumpini Park. The Sala Daeng BTS and Silom MRT stations are a minute’s walk from the hotel, making the entire city accessible.
Like my previous stay, I was billeted in a Dusit Club Room, which was splendid as usual. As I wrote about the room in 2014:
Elements of Thai and contemporary design were apparent down to the finest details of the decor and interiors, resulting in a tasteful, opulent motif. A scent of lemongrass oil lingered and created a spa-like ambiance—soothing and relaxing after days out.
The room was laid out across a generous 60 square meters, which is equivalent to two regular hotel rooms. Clearly, the room was conceptualized with business travelers in mind with the dedicated workstation, opposite to which the sitting area was set.
A king sized bed, fitted with quality sheets, lay regally in the center of the bedroom, as did a pair of fluffy pillows that can be changed from a menu. Ambient side lamps provided a restful atmosphere, enhanced by daylight streaming from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The bathroom was indubitably spacious, and it was supplied with a set of deluxe HARNN toiletries. Meanwhile, the room came with a host of amenities, such as an in-room safe, a mini bar, and coffee making facility. An assortment of Thai fruits was also sent to our room.
Since I was staying in a club room again, I had access to the Dusit Club, which offers breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. The food and beverage selection, as well as the service, was always excellent that I would easily rank the Dusit Club among the best club lounges in Bangkok.
I also went for breakfast at The Pavilion, the hotel’s famous all-day dining restaurant. On offer was a smorgasbord of Thai, Asian, and Western dishes.
And since I didn’t have a tight schedule in Bangkok, I had the chance to check out once again the hotel’s facilities like its swimming pool and its fitness center.
All in all, it was a great experience and a fitting tribute to one of the city’s best known landmarks. The Dusit Thani Bangkok shall be missed.
Note: The Dusit Thani Bangkok will close its doors on January 5, 2019 to make way for its redevelopment. On its last month of operations, the hotel is giving out discounts on stays, as well as offers on dining. For more information, check out www.dusit.com/dusitthani/bangkok.
DUSIT THANI BANGKOK
Rama IV Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 0 2200 9000
Email: dtbk@dusit.com
Website: www.dusit.com/dusitthani/bangkok
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
