Showing posts with label Travel - Bangkok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel - Bangkok. Show all posts

Monday, March 8, 2010

Vertigo or Sirocco?

There are two open air rooftop bars in Bangkok, namely Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar at The Banyan Tree and Sirocco Dome at State Tower. A question many would ask, so which one is better? Well, that was the same question I asked myself repeatedly before the trip, so after a bit of research here and there Sirocco was decided for Christmas Eve last year.

IMG_0345IMG_0348

Indeed, Sirocco was quite spectacular. It’s located on top of the tallest building in Bangkok(at 64th storey high) not only will you get to enjoy its breathtaking river view, their service at The Dome was excellent too, armed with attentive and friendly staff. But the only flaw to me was to have missed out the sunset that day. (yours truly took too long to get ready and sunset, just like time, never awaits :S)    

So on the last day, since there was a bit of time to kill I also went to check out Vertigo Moon Bar! And this time, I was determined not to miss out sunset so I got changed in 30 seconds and reached there right on time!!
IMG_1423 

Vertigo Moon Bar. It was already packed with tourists and early birds at 5pm.

Check out the stunning silky sky!

IMG_1379

Jaw was dropped while watching the orange sheet hovering the sky with the fireball hanging in the middle…

I was overwhelmed.

Hypnotized

IMG_1463 

Then it changed to pink when dusk slowly set in...

IMG_1527 

Vertigo Moon Bar at night with all skyscrapers illuminated from below as if they’ve just woken up from sleep

IMG_1543

Vertigo Grill Restaurant

IMG_1467

Drinks is about 5 – 10% more expensive than at Sirocco

The place is more “open”, hence you get to feel what it’s like to be “on top of the world” … so much so I even got a bit of jelly jittery knees! :P However, the service there has nothing to shout about, we didn’t get served and I had to go around looking for bar tenders to take drinks order. As Grum would put it, even though this place is more expensive and supposed to be more “high class” for it being linked to a 5 star hotel, it seemed like a chaotic market from heaven.
But if you ask me to choose one, it would be difficult. Both places offer different kind of experience and also different views. If you want a more intimate and exclusive ambience and not having to fight seats with others, go for Sirocco. But Vertigo is also very unique in its own sense – it sets you into a different world. The combination of the view, the music, the wind and the futuristic decor makes me wonder if this is how heaven would look like… HAHA!

Didn’t go there for their food since they only serve western and fusion cuisine. I want thai foooooood!

Both places are highly recommended if you are planning to drop by the city for leisure or business. Go even if you don’t drink, you can always order a mocktail or the sort. Trust me on this one, it’s really worth it.

For the rest of the pictures, check out my facebook album here.

.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Bangkok (Part 2)

This is the first hotel that I stayed in Bangkok called The Pathumwan Princess Hotel. It’s recommended by my Thai friend actually. The location is so strategic that being right smack in the middle of all the major shopping centers and a BTS makes things so much more convenient for us to plan our activities around.  It is just next to MBK Shopping Centre and about 10 minutes walk from Siam Square and Siam Paragon.

IMG_0106

Hotel entrance

IMG_0412

Their service is commendable too. Well, although it’s just a four star hotel it sure feels like five star service to me.


IMG_0079 The room *duh* very spacious


IMG_0078 Notice the hand towel is nicely folded into an elephant? Okay sorry can’t zoom in for you to see

IMG_0406  The lobby

 IMG_0181 The restaurant that serves continental breakfast in the morning

IMG01216-20091224-2350

What surprises me is this little Christmas gift that they slipped into our room when we were out for dinner on Christmas Eve.



I had a very enjoyable stay at this hotel for two nights and would definitely recommend this to all my friends and readers. Price range is about 4500 baht a night for a deluxe room.



Pathumwan Princess Hotel

444 MBK Center,
Phayathai Rd., Wangmai, Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Website: http://pprincess.com/

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Christmas in Bangkok

 Last year’s Christmas was rather privileged for me coz I get to play in Bangkok for the whole week.
IMG_0137

It was my virgin visit to Bangkok despite it being a neighboring country.
IMG_0162

 I really like this city also known as The Land of Smile. It's so vibrant & colorful, great food, friendly people and things are so cheap here!

IMG_0152

the walkway outside Siam Paragon at night
IMG_0168
IMG_0342

On Christmas Eve, firstly we went for predinner drinks at this famous rooftop bar Sirocco. Took us a while to find the place after reaching Saphan Taksin BTS. The Lebua State Tower is about 10 minutes walk and once we reached the place, we were greeted by the friendliest smiles at the elevator. Up at 64th floor(rooftop), the view completely took my breathe away…

IMG_0341

just look at the scenery!
IMG_0351The bar was so nice, the weather was breezy and it wasn’t even crowded considering it was Christmas Eve night! It was Perfect.
IMG_0400

I was so reluctant to leave Sirocco but knowing that better things were in store for us ahead, we adjourned to The Oriental Hotel for dinner.

IMG_0397

Mandarin Oriental is slightly less than 10 minutes walk from Sirocco. We were ushered through a few walkways like a maze inside Mandarin Oriental, and the hotel boat took us across the Chao Phraya River where the restaurant was located.

IMG_0371

The restaurant name is called Sala Rim Naam belongs to the Oriental Group. (google it yourself since I’m no food blogger here) It’s supposed to be one of the best thai restaurant in Bangkok, well it must be since you gotta book a table at least 2 months ahead and they only accept Amex card for reservation... it tells something right.

I could definitely attest to the whole experience was really extraordinary! Food was totally awesome from starter to dessert. Did the fish cake drop from heaven? OMG it's so good.
IMG_0388

After dinner the waiter has politely asked us to stay for a moment and we were pleasantly surprised. Flashes of lights from the fireworks so was so near us I wanna catch ‘em with my bare hands. That magical moment that lasted for two minutes and with an ugly truth, tops the year.

IMG_0389

And on top of everything, wish I could show you that grinning face after opening my Christmas pressie and saw a 16GB iPod Nano inside. That was how my memorable Christmas 2009 went by.