Bangkok, once more with feeling
Recently, my siblings Jaqui, Michelle, Yvonne, my niece Sam Dayrit and our creative consultant Mike Mina gifted me with this special trip to Bangkok, the Land of Smiles. Together, our rambunctious group explored further our favorite destination.
Upon entering the luxurious lobby of Amari Watergate Bangkok, we were whisked off to the Voyager Lounge and served ice-cold passion fruit juice as we gleefully trooped to our suite. Assorted Thai desserts in local baskets were graciously laid out on the tables with flowers and welcome greetings colorfully scribbled on the full-length mirror.
We retreated to slumberland and awoke for a lavish breakfast at Amaya Food Gallery, an all-day dining venue done in contemporary hawker-style live show kitchens whipping up culinary delights inspired by exotic street food of Asia, with a separate international section.
The unforgettable Sailor’s Seafood Dinner Buffet is a must-try when staying in Amari. It features an extensive international all-you-can-eat menu with the freshest catch of Canadian lobsters, crabs, river prawns cooked to your delight, as well as Irish and French oysters.
For those with a sweet tooth, its dessert pavilion offers the largest selection of shaved ice and traditional Thai treats, seasonal fruits, and a wide selection of cakes and pastries.
Club guests can opt to dine in Club Siraa located on the seventh floor. The exclusive lounge has an excellent selection of food and beverages for breakfast. Guests can also relax here in the evenings with specially concocted happy-hour drinks by expert mixologists.
Prego Italian Restaurant, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, is perhaps one of the most authentic and delicious in its category, helmed by chef Marco Boscaini. A must-try is his signature Risotto Alla Montanara, listed as one of the “100 Best Risottos” in a book showcasing the best risottos all over the world. Chef Marco’s risotto is the only entry from Thailand.
While in Amari, we also had the pleasure of meeting dashing general manager Sukamal Mondal, who shared the new developments in the hotel. Since he joined Amari Watergate Bangkok, amazing efforts have taken place. GM Mondal formally announced their sustainability movement under the “Sustainably Conscious” campaign. Having initiated that early last year, they believe in living a healthy life without causing harm to the environment or overusing resources.
Guests will experience an eco-friendly yet comfortable and luxurious stay in an environmentally friendly setup. It’s worthy to note that all poultry and vegetables are purchased from organic farms around Thailand.
As if that wasn’t enough, Bangkok is full of exciting activities and attractions. One must-visit destination is Icon Siam, a world-class shopping paradise that merges Thai and international flavors. For a while, I thought I was transported to a movie set of a Thai film in IconSiam. My favorite feature here is its amazing indoor floating market, where you embark on a surreal encounter with the splendors and flavors of Thailand’s traditional floating markets. One will be thrilled by the numerous selections in eclectic stalls selling everything from handmade crafts and garments to mouthwatering regional specialties. Our dear friends from Bangkok Annabelle Daokaew, husband Cherdsak, and daughter Joone introduced IconSiam to us and left no stone unturned in taking such loving care of us.
If you’re looking for more shopping and dining options, the Platinum Mall is another must-visit destination, located just across Amari.
One of the most enchanting experiences at the Amari Watergate is the Breeze Spa. With its serene atmosphere and luxurious amenities, the Breeze Spa is the perfect place to unwind. They have created signature Mood Massages that spoils one for choice. Since the main ingredient of Thai food is turmeric, they have created an exotic Turmeric Body scrub that will surely ease your tensions away.
We wholeheartedly agreed with GM Mondal, who shared that “it’s the people who make you feel at home, not only the hotel’s physical structure that really matters.” Our visit was made even more magical by the warm smiles and hospitality of our Amari family, who made us feel like royalty.
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For more information about holidays in Thailand, contact All Around Holidays through their Facebook and Instagram accounts All Around Holidays, or send an email to annabelle@allaroundholidays.com.
For Amari Watergate Bangkok reservations, visit www.amari.com/watergate, or call +66 2 653 9000.
Cebu Pacific flies to Bangkok daily login to www.cebupacificair.com for more information.
Email the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
