The overall design of the Kempinski Bangkok is meant to form an oasis within the busy city. The two guest wings wrap around a large central courtyard, which is planted with some already lush foliage, and dotted with four salt water swimming pools. All of the corridors are single-loaded on the exterior of the buildings, so every room faces the courtyard. This design effectively shuts out the noise of the city and gives the courtyard a true resort feel.

The guest rooms exude a comfortable opulence, with huge bathrooms, large beds and state of the art flat screen televisions. A panel in the credenza next to the televisions gives you access to ports that will allow you to plug in just about any device you may travel with. The bathrooms feature a large free-standing bathtub and separate shower stall. As seems to be ‘standard’ in hotels these days, there’s a glass wall between the bathtub and the bedroom. The walls are covered in a padded Thai silk, with accent panels depicting scenes of village life. There are several different panels, so you may see different scenes if you visit different rooms. In fact, Thai art decorates the hotel throughout. Built on Crown Property, with investment from the Crown Property Bureau, the Siam Kempinski aims to display the best of Thai arts and culture, and plans to rotate the works on display on a regular basis.

All rooms include free Internet access and breakfast. The hotel’s Brasserie Europa main restaurant has an open kitchen and outdoor poolside seating. Just off the lobby is the hotel bar, with a large wall of wines and spirits as well as an outdoor area that serves as a cigar lounge. Down an amazing grand hallway is the "T Room" a plush place to relax in the afternoon for a high tea, although there’s also a bar. Nearby is the hotel’s Thai restaurant Sra Bua, which won’t be done in time for the opening this week. Overseen by a Michelin-starred Thai chef, Sra Bua will serve contemporary Thai cuisine in a setting that already looks spectacular. Other hotel facilities include a spa and fitness center, as well as the usual complement of ballrooms and meeting rooms. The residence wing also has its own restaurants, although residence guests will also be able to use the hotel’s facilities.

Rates for the Siam Kempinski seem to be competitive with the other top end Bangkok hotels. You can get some special rates and even free nights by booking through the Siam Kempinski Hotel web site before 1 August 2010, or you can check this page for additional booking sites.

The Executive Travel package, for 6,250 per night, gives you access to the Executive Lounge with the following benefits:

• Daily Buffet breakfast
• In-room 24-hour Internet usage
• Upgrade to Deluxe View guest room
• Guaranteed early check-in or late check-out till 1800 hours
• Unlimited garment pressing
• 25% on a single spa treatment at MSpa
• Welcome tea upon arrival
• Coffee/tea service with wake-up call
• Canapés in the evening from 05:30 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.
• Snacks and beverages available 24 hours a day
• Complimentary use of Private meeting room for an hour per stay
• Unlimited local phone calls and no surcharge for credit card access calls
• 24-hour Business Centre
• Exclusive room registration in Executive Club
• Express check-out

Add 1,500 Baht to the above rate for a second person.

For just 4,000 Baht per night, the Ultimate Value package provides the following:

• In-room 24-hour Internet usage
• Guaranteed early check-in or late check-out till 1800 hours
• Mini Bar credit up to THB 500 per stay
• 25% discount on a single spa treatment at MSpa
• Welcome Jasmine tea & fresh fruits
• Coffee/Tea in room service during wake-up call
• Complimentary use of our Health Club including steam room and Jacuzzi with fresh fruits, tea, coffee, espresso, cappuccino and fruit juices. Health Club is accessible 24 hours as required.

These rates are subject to the usual tax and service charges, and are valid until 31 October 2010.

These rates do not currently appear on the hotel’s web site, so you may wish to contact your local reservations center or the hotel directly.

The Sukhothai’s offer is 4,900 Baht ++ for a superior room, 5,900++ for an Executive Deluxe Room and 6,900++ for a Deluxe Suite. All of these rates include breakfast, free Internet access, free mini-bar use and a free one-way airport transfer (for Executive Deluxe and Deluxe Suite only). These rates exclude tax and service charges.

These rates are good for stays until 31 August 2010, although the hotel reserves the right to withdraw the program or change the rates at any time, so you better book now! See the Sukhothai Hotel web site for details.

Those of you that are truly part of the jet set now have a posh new place to park your ride. Bangkok’s first dedicated terminal for private aircraft has been opened at the city’s old Don Muang airport. The new privately operated facility features two hangars, a luxurious lounge and a full range of services.

See the Bangkok Post for full story, or the Mjets web site for more details.

Bangkok Banyan Tree Introduces New Club Rooms

The Banyan Tree in Bangkok has just put the finishing touches on 46 new "club" rooms. To celebrate, they’re offering special perks on every stay from 17 March to 30 June 2010.

Starting at THB6,480++ (approximately US$195++) per night, with savings up to 50%, the exclusive Perks promotion includes accommodation in a Banyan Tree Club Room, daily breakfast for two, as well as a choice of one of the five following experiences:

• One-way limousine transfer to Bangkok International Airport, valued at THB2,700 (approximately US$82)
• A 90-minute massage session worth THB3,200 (approximately US$96) at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, including choice of Balinese, Asian Blend, Lomi Lomi, and more
• A THB2,300 (approximately US$70) Banyan Tree Gallery gift voucher for retail purchases, such as a Banyan Tree oil burner and essential oil, spa and toiletries gift sets, and handmade village crafts
• A glass of cognac and cigar, valued at THB1,760 (approximately US$53) to enjoy at the open-air, 61st storey Moon Bar lounge for a truly priceless experience as one takes in the panoramic bird’s eye view of the city
• One of four Movie Packages worth THB1,804 (approximately US$55) for in-room theater entertainment

Make your booking at the Banyan Tree web site. Book fast and you may also get a free night at Banyan Tree’s soon to open Samui property.

Phuket Banyan Tree Introduces New Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villas

Award-winning Banyan Tree Phuket is poised to launch its new Deluxe Two Bedroom Pool Villas, a long-awaited category of its signature villas geared towards providing an escape for the family. Available from 1 March 2010, the cluster of 22 Deluxe Two Bedroom Pool Villas will provide an ideal setting for quality bonding and relaxation for grandparents, parents, and children. In tandem with the new villa categories, a new program dubbed Banyan Tree Rangers has been introduced for children aged five to ten, to immerse them in the five senses of the natural world.

Starting 1 March 2010, guests can book the Family Occasions summer package, where for every three consecutive nights’ of stay, the cost of menu lunches and dinners for guests’ children under 12 years old will be waived, while the adults enjoy a US$100 food credit per villa per night. Valid for stays from 15 April to 31 October 2010, accommodation will be in the new Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villa, starting from THB 29,500+++ (approximately US$894+++) per night for up to six people, inclusive daily breakfast.

Mr. Francois Huet, General Manager of Banyan Tree Phuket as well as a Vice President with the Banyan Tree Group, welcomes the trend of soft family adventures. Mr. Huet explains, "Couples who have enjoyed various types of holidays prior to starting their families have more options than ever to continue their adventures as their children grow up. Shared experiences become more enriching as families choose discerning, activity-enriched destinations such as Banyan Tree Phuket. It’s a win-win situation as parents do not have to sacrifice their comfort and style for kid-friendly facilities, and children of all ages do not have to sacrifice their play time and exploration in an adult-friendly environment."

Make your booking at the Banyan Tree web site.

"Some restrictions apply". See the Conrad Bangkok web site for more details.

The Sukhothai hotel in Bangkok has joined with the Rayavadee Resort in Krabi to offer what sounds like the perfect honeymoon combination: a two-night stay at the Sukhothai followed by three nights in a deluxe pavilion at the Rayavadee. The stay at the Sukhothai includes complementary limousine transfers to and from the airport, breakfast, a candle-lit dinner and discount shopping vouchers at Siam Paragon. The Rayavadee stay includes airport transfers, daily breakfast and afternoon tea, a barbecue dinner, and your choice of either a sunset cruise or a one-hour spa treatment.

The total price for the whole package is 86,900 Baht, and the offer is good until 31 October 2009. For more information, contact reservations at the Sukhothai.