In Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok there are so many luxurious four and five star hotels to choose from that it’s easier to narrow the choices down if one looks at the metropolis as a series of distinct and separate regions. One of the most scenic of these regions is the Chao Phraya riverside. The majestic Chao Phraya River snakes its way along 372 km — from its point of origin at the confluence of Ping River and the Nan River, to the point where it empties into the Gulf of Thailand. The river divides the city of Bangkok almost in half, and along its banks lie numerous historic sights, as well as an array of spectacular hotel properties.

ABOUT THE BRMP
When eight of Bangkok’s most prestigious riverside hotels banded together to push forward business and marketing plans to establish the riverside as a major tourism highlight of the country, the Bangkok Riverside Marketing Partnership (BRMP) was born. With a combined total of 4,152 rooms, these eight properties hope to fortify their position in the meetings and incentives market by offering a MICE hub of sorts, where MICE planners can find everything they need, all within an easy to navigate part of town.

GETTING THERE
Located just an hour’s drive from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Chao Phraya riverfront area connects to the rest of the city by highway, road, and the BTS skytrain network. Along the river itself a fleet of ferries, longtail boats, and other ships and barges spend the day shuttling people and goods back, forth, and across the water. In addition, most of the major hotels located along the riverfront have personalized boat service for hotel guests, with the major pick up and drop off point being the pier at Saphan Taksin bridge.

MICE HOTELS

Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa

Hidden within lush tropical gardens, the 407 room Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is a respite from the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolis, and an oasis of elegant Thai traditions and Anantara’s legendary service. Whether it’s an intimate holiday, or a company-wide retreat for up to 600 people, the property offers the perfect setting for business and pleasure. There are 12 versatile, light-flooded meeting rooms and ballrooms, and the hotel’s events team is on hand to customise all manner of banquets, retreats, and other occasions. Dining options include Trader Vic’s, the hotel’s steakhouse serving Pacific Rim cuisine, and Benihana, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. Guests can toast a new deal and soak in the city’s famous riverside view aboard the private Manohra Cruise, or take a quick boat ride to the Saphan Taksin pier and venture into the city.



Chatrium Suites Bangkok

The Chatrium Suites Bangkok, a Dusit Thani Hotels Partner, is within walking distance of the BTS Saphan Taksin skytrain station, making the bustling downtown area of Silom and Sathorn easily accessible. The 36-storey property offers 396 spacious accommodations, each with balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping river and city panoramas, four-fixture bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, fully-equipped kitchens, and even dining tables. The outdoor swimming pool on the 6th floor offers sweeping river views, while the Chatrium Club Lounge on the 36th floor — available to guests on the Chatrium Club floor — has magnificent views and offers all-day refreshments and evening cocktails. The meeting, conference, and banquet spaces can be tailored to meet the requirements of any function, small or large, while the Chatrium Ballroom, which can accommodate 700 persons, is on hand for gala events.



Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

A picturesque riverside setting, located within fifteen minutes of the business and shopping district, the 135 year-old Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a true city landmark. The hotel features 393 luxuriously decorated and newly renovated rooms, including 35 opulent suites, as well as Garden Wing rooms that are set up in a unique split level layout. Over the years, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been consistently voted one of the best hotels in the world by such publications as: Travel & Leisure; Condé Nast Traveler; and Business Traveller. The Oriental Spa has also garnered many awards and is internationally considered to be one of the top spas in the world. The property also boasts nine dining outlets, including the infamous Bamboo Bar, which is one of the city’s premier jazz clubs. Meanwhile, for meetings and functions, there is a wide array of facilities, including The Royal Ballroom which can hold up to 1,000 persons.



Millennium Hilton Bangkok

With picture-perfect river views from every room, innovative restaurants, and a modern spa, it is no surprise that 533 room Millennium Hilton Bangkok has been recognized as one of Asia Pacific’s best new business hotels. The property offers guests not only first class amenities such as pool, fitness room, spa and sauna, but also 10 state-of-the art, innovative, and stylish boardrooms. Located on the 30th floor, and offering sweeping views of the stunning river and skyline beyond, this locale is the ideal venue for a business brief, day meeting, or full conference. Meanwhile, for large scale events and banquets, organizers can choose between the elegantly decorated 630 sq.m Grand Ballroom (which holds up to 700 guests), or the opulent 338 sq.m Thonburi Ballroom.



The Peninsula

Set directly on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula has an ingenious wave-shaped design that ensures river views for all rooms. There are 370 rooms and suites, and with just 10 rooms and two suites per floor, the emphasis here is on space. On-site restaurants include Mei Jiang, which serves fine Cantonese cuisine, and Thiptara, which specializes in authentic home-style Thai cooking. Then, when it’s time to relax and unwind, guests can choose between the spa, fitness centre, tennis court, or the hotel’s spectacular three-tiered swimming pool. For meetings and events the Sakuntala Ballroom can hold up to 800 guests reception style, while The Foyer can hold up to 200 guests. There are also a number of smaller function rooms, and the Peninsula even has its own helipad on the roof, just in case you really want to avoid the downtown traffic.



Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok is an international five-star hotel, located on the banks of Chao Phraya River. It offers 525 top-notch guestrooms and suites, with magnificent views of the river and the city skyline. The location offers easy access to Bangkok’s business, entertainment and shopping districts, and complimentary shuttle boat services to the Saphan Taksin pier — where guests can easily hop aboard the BTS skytrain — make it the perfect choice for both business and leisure travelers. There are a total of eight F&B outlets on the premises, as well as 22 meeting, banquet, and function rooms which can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 650 people. Meanwhile, to relax body and soul, guests are invited to try the luxurious Massira Wellness & Spa, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness center and a wide variety of massage and body treatments.



Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers is designed in a Y shape so that all 726 guestrooms and suites have magnificent views. The hotel also has its own river shuttle that plies the waterway to and from the Saphan Taksin pier and adjacent BTS skytrain station. The property’s Royal Orchid Mandara Spa features five double treatment rooms and three suites, while the hotel’s 24-hour fitness centre provides a sauna, jogging track, and even a tennis court. There are also two swimming pools, one of which is set in the garden beside the river. Restaurants include Giorgio’s, which serves Italian cuisine indoors and al fresco beside the river, and Thara Thong, where Royal Thai cuisine is served in a teakwood pavilion. For events and meetings the 22 function rooms offer a total of 4,090 sq.m of space. The Royal Orchid Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,400 guests, while the Embassy Garden, a captivating tropical poolside location, is able to cater for up to 300 persons.



Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok has a total of 802 rooms, including 72 suites, spear out over two wings. It is also the only riverside hotel that is directly adjacent to the Saphan Taksin BTS SkyTrain station. The hotel’s on-site restaurants offer an range of culinary choices, while the international buffet on board Horizon Cruise — the hotel’s private river vessel — makes for an even more unique dining experience. Leisure time amenities include a riverside swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness centre, and the award-winning CHI spa, which offers some of the largest private spa suites in Bangkok. Meanwhile, meeting and conference facilities range from small seminar rooms to large meeting rooms, fitted with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate over 1,000 guests, and boasts unobstructed views of the passing parade of river life on the Chao Phraya, while the Garden Rooms Event Suites, nestled amidst the riverside gardens of the hotel’s Shangri-La Wing, covers more than 800 sq.m, and can cater gatherings from 10 to 120 guests.