Bangkok Hotels in

The Conrad Bangkok will open have it's soft open on Saturday 11th January, although it has already taken some guests who arrived by word of mouth. Located in the Embassy district it forms a part of the prestigious All Seasons Place, which is comprised of offices, up-market retail space and a condominium on Wireless Road.

It's within walking distance of major embassies, commercial centers and the fast and efficient Bangkok Transit System (BTS). If the thought of the walk to the Skytrain sounds too tiring, there is a shuttle bus from the hotel to Ploenchit station every 10 minutes.

For the soft opening all of it's 220 Classic rooms are available offering a minimum of 40 square metres room space. They furnished in a contemporary Thai style with silks and wood featuring one king or 2 twin beds, chair with couch, large work desk, 3 phones, each with 2 lines, data port with high speed internet access and voicemail, mini bar with full range of beverages, snacks and personal amenities, coffee maker, iron and ironing board. Bathrooms include a unique feature of a complete glass wall separating it from the bedroom. If privacy is required at the touch of a switch, a curtain will close electronically. The bathroom also has a freestanding bathtub and separate shower stall with both handheld and rain shower. Elsewhere in the world you may well expect a rubber duck beside the bath, but as this is Thailand it's a yellow rubber elephant.

Although the hotel's postal address is Wireless Road, for those arriving by car access is much easier from Soi Ruam Rudee, the road that run's parallel to the west of the hotel.

The de'cor is soft shades of coffee and caramel. It's smart and efficient and a sophisticated feel one would more likely associate with Hong Kong and Singapore more the Bangkok. This is a hotel with a difference, ideal for the business traveler.

Currently the only food outlet open is Cafe @ 2 which is regarded as the coffee shop but in fact offers a superior product. The first thing that caught my eye is that it dares to be different and successfully gets away with it. A model of true smart casual dinning. Rather than the rigid square place setting the fine balance knives and forks, designed to balance on their edge are set at 45 degrees. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner they offer an a la carte menu of International and Thai cuisine and an extensive buffet. I tried the Pumpkin Cappuccino, a delightfully light soup. To follow a very tasty lamb loin. My companion tried the buffet that was found to be very fresh and tempting. Interestingly the selection is changed every three days so there is always something different to tempt the palate. But always remember to leave enough space for the wicked selection of dessert, its almost suicide by chocolate, but what a way to go.

Its nice to see a hotel that still has a bar. It's the only outlet where under the current no smoking laws guests can eat, as it doesn't serve food. The official opening is set for Tuesday 14th January.

Over the next couple of weeks Liu, the neo classic Chinese restaurant; Drinking Tea Eating Rice the Japanese restaurant and; "87" what's being described as a Cuisine Lounge Studio with open. The official Grand Opening has been set for 15th March 2003.

Some may question does Bangkok need another Five Star hotel? But then the Conrad is more than just another hotel; it's a lifestyle experience.