By: iamAldonLopez | July 20, 2019

I always had a great time staying in Shangri-La, Bangkok Hotel. This is indeed one of the luxurious hotels around the metropolitan area. If you have high expectations and checklists when choosing a hotel. This hotel can definitely fulfill all your expectations. Shangri-La is situated in 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand and it only takes approximately 35-minutes away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. There numerous ways to reach this hotel from the Airport. You can either choose to use the Airport Rail Link on the Basement floor and interchange at Phayathai station to BTS and take off at Saphan Taksin station, take a taxi, or arrange an airport pick up.

Shangri-La, Bangkok view from 25th Floor.

During my first stay here in Shangri-La, I already fell in love not only because of the warm smile, hotel staff’s hospitality but because of the coruscating and fascinating view of the Chao Phraya River. This is one of the reasons why my and I friend kept on coming back here. The hotel itself offers a mix of traditional Thai design and modern ease which you can see from the lobby to their luxurious rooms and restaurants. One thing, I like to do hereafter breakfast is to lay down and watch the sunrise at the outdoor swimming pool just in front of Chao Phraya River. Aside from that, I also enjoyed their international buffet from the Club horizon and other Thai dishes at the hotel’s Salathip Restaurant facing the river at night.

Shangri-La Pool Area
Beside Pool Area
View from 25th Floor
Room
From the Club Horizons
Club horizon
Club Horizon
reception at the 25th floor
toilet

I’m always looking forward to creating such an indelible ‘home away from home’ experience in this hotel.

As I always mentioned in my other blogs, it’s already fulfilling even if you are not going to any tourist attractions if you are staying in such a luxurious hotel. But in my case, I always make the most of it when traveling. Here are the places I been into during my first stay here in Shangri-La, Bangkok.

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Ayutthaya, Thailand

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is also known as Ayutthaya is an ancient capital and modern city in the Central Plains of Thailand. This place is about 64-km away from Bangkok and located in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. Ayutthaya was named after the City of Ayodhya in India. Si means the Thai honorific Sri or Si; it was from the Indian term of veneration. King U-Thong was the one who found Ayutthaya in 1351, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom. Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Ayutthaya was once known as “Venice of the East’”.

In 1767, the city was destroyed by the Burmese Army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. From then, it was preserved, and the ruins became the Ayutthaya historical park and were recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins were characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and huge monasteries. The modern Ayutthaya was refounded a few kilometers to the east.

Ayutthaya has three seasons which are the hot-season (March-May), Rainy season (June-October), and Cool-season (November-February). I highly recommend you go here during hot and cool-season so; you could enjoy the historical park. Ayuthaya has 9 notable cultural sites:

Wat Chai Watthanaram
Wat Mahathat
Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Lokaya Sutharam
Wat Phra Ram
Wat Phutthaisawan
Wat Thammikarat

This place is accessible by car, trail, air, and bus. I went there by car. From Bangkok, take highway 1 (Phahon Yothin) via Pratu Nam Phra In and turn into Hwy 32, then turn left to Hwy 309 to Ayutthaya. You can also take the cheapest and most scenic way of reaching Ayutthaya by train. It regularly departs from Bangkok Hualamphong Train Station and stops in Ayutthaya. There are many activities that you can do in Ayutthaya aside from historical sightseeing. You can also do the boat riding, watch live traditional performances, indulge in delicious Thai food, and explore and take pictures of interesting corners and stores. I don’t recommend you ride an elephant. Please don’t! Also, if you visit some historical places and temples, please makes sure to wear long pants/skirts. No revealing blouses or sleeveless. You must respect the Buddha images same as you do in the rest of Thailand.

I went there by car. From Bangkok, take highway 1 (*Phahon Yothin*) via *Pratu Nam Phra* In and turn into Hwy 32, then turn left to Hwy 309 to Ayutthaya.

Chao Phraya River

This is a major river in Thailand. It flows through Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. This scenic river, flowing through the heart of Bangkok, offers convenient boat transportation and sightseeing cruises since many of the major city attractions are easily accessible from various points along this waterway. I recommend you try the river tourist boats if you are planning to visit from one temple to another. This way, you can escape traffic.

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Thank you for reading! If you want to see more photos and videos about my Ayutthaya trip you can visit on my Facebook account and YouTube account. See you in my next article!