Peninsula hotel, Bangkok : The friendly nerds of the riverside
I stayed at the Peninsula at the very end of the trip. I was very much out of energy and motivation at this time. That’s the main reason why I am not satisfied with my video here. The Four Seasons, Sukhothai and Dusit Thani I did earlier and the results are therefore better. After coming back from Pattaya I didn’t do anything of good quality anymore. Well, I try it again next time with more insights and hopefully with a better camcorder someday as well.
For the welcome you get some Peninsula chocolate you see in the picture above and the little charming details you find in the room make you feel very comfortable instantly. The staff you will meet is the most spectacular about the hotel. They are mostly all very nerdy and extremely friendly. I have never seen a hotel in Thailand with so many nerdy people, even the guests seem to be in majority nerds. It is so much different than the Oriental where a lot show/prestige guys hang out.
Everyone I met was very open-minded and helpful. I chatted a bit with their F&B director, Mr. Behrens, who just recently came to Bangkok from Peninsula Beijing. Before, he worked a couple of years in Phnom Penh at Raffles hotel. Totally hardcore that German guy: for working a few years in Cambodia you must be really tough. His job in Beijing must have felt like vacation in comparison afterwards. He is not only very capable but also extremely friendly. He totally fits into the Peninsula culture. The Peninsula people somehow remind me of the Boston consulting group culture. I think that’s a very fitting comparison. I didn’t videotape the chat because it didn’t feel appropriate at that moment. I might ask him a different time if possible.
I once saw a cleaning person in my room. That guy was super-small but so very big with his smiles. It’s incredible, how do some Thai people do that ? You cannot train them like that and money can’t change people like that as well. It’s their culture and the buddhistic way they grow up : that’s why they are so friendly and in harmony with themselves. That’s also why in Europe, the USA, Arabian countries you can pay more for your hotel stay and in some categories they can beat Thailand, but the service will never be as good as there. The Thais simply do it best in hospitality and the reason is their culture.
The Peninsula spa is totally outstanding, it is the very best hotel spa of Bangkok, even knocking out Devarana spa, Spa Botanica and Oriental spa. The design is the most beautiful spa next to Potalai. I consider it very much worth it only coming to the hotel for the spa or for eating at Thiptara restaurant. The pool is not that large but stylish and unique with the different levels. Shown room is a grand suite, 19th flor if I remember correctly for THB 18k plus Tax+VAT that season. I will be back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-TKPBcPR1w
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