Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

257/1–3 Charoennakorn Rd., Bangkok, 10600, Thailand
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Why We Like It

This family style resort has everything you could want. A big pool, lots of dining and drinking options, a spa, tennis courts, and more. The hotel prides itself on service and will cater to every need. Really great for families, the hotel arranges activities for kids and adults throughout the week. The biggest drawback is the location, but you know that coming here and the hotel does what it can to shuttle you around by boat.

Fodor's Expert Review

The Anantara Riverside is a resort hotel that allows guests to have a complete Bangkok stay without ever leaving the property. Whether this is good or bad is up to you, but inside this massive space are a half-dozen dining and drinking establishments, an excellent spa, giant resort pool, and more. Great for families, the hotel has a number of amenities aimed directly at kids, and plenty for adults when their kids are busy playing.

You Should Know While the hotel is great in many ways, one big drawback is its location. It’s a minimum 12-15-minute shuttle boat ride to get to the nearest Skytrain station.

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Room

There are a wide range of room types, but standard fare has hardwood floors, Thai alphabet designs on the walls, and epic views of the river (if you ask for this). All rooms have balconies--a rare treat in Bangkok--and include breakfast, bottled water, coffee, and tea.

Tip Each room also comes equipped with an in-room smart phone that allows you to have free Wi-Fi anywhere in Bangkok and gives you the ability to call home for free!

Bathroom

Bathrooms have marble sinks, giant mirrors, and separate sunken tubs and rain showers. The hotel uses its own brand of bath products.

Lobby

There are two different floors to the lobby and all throughout are comfy couches and sitting areas that are perfect for lounging or business meetings. A number of retail outlets are spread around the lobby including a Jim Thompson silk store.

Pool

The pool is great for kids and big enough to do laps or just float away the day. Green deck chairs line the edges and the Loy Nam Bar provides bar snacks and cold beverages throughout the day.

Tip A little hidden away, there’s a ping-pong table at the back end of the pool.

Spa

Anantara Spa is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., has 9 treatment rooms, a steam room, and uses Elemis products. Additionally, there’s a salon for any hair and nail needs.

Gym

The resort prides itself on its many wellness programs and facilities. In addition to the large gym, there are tennis courts, fitness classes, and wellness activities and seminars.

Tip The hotel has a kid’s club where you can drop off your little ones for Thai dance lessons, soccer matches, and ping-pong.

Dining

10 bars and restaurants are spread out through the property and include classics like Benihana and Trader Vic’s in addition to an Italian restaurant, deli and bakery, and international buffet.

Tip The hotel has its own cooking school called Spice Spoons. Learn the art of Thai cooking by shopping in the markets for ingredients and preparing a feast!

Drinking

Off the lobby is the Elephant Bar--an elephant themed bar with rattan chairs, rich leather couches, deep red carpets, and a pool table--all to evoke a sense of a Colonial age. A second bar is dubbed Longtail and sits riverside with great cocktails and glorious sunset views.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

If you want to venture into the city from here, you only have two real choices. You can take the hotel’s shuttle boat to the Taksin Pier, where from there you can catch water taxis, get on the Skytrain, or catch a regular taxi. Otherwise, you may want to rent a car--but be mindful of Bangkok’s heavy traffic.

Restaurants

There’s not a lot in the area, but next door at the hotel’s sister property Avani Riverside is Skyline (2-minute walk), an international restaurant with views of the river. For a wide variety of options, take the boat shuttle across the river to Asiatique The Riverfront Bazaar (4-minute shuttle) where they have dozens of boutiques, a giant Ferris wheel, and every type of food imaginable.

Bars

Similar to the restaurant options, there’s not a lot around here. But if you head next door to Avani Riverside, their rooftop bar Attitude (2-minute walk) has insane views as well as live music or DJs every night. Additionally, Asiatique (4-minute shuttle) has tons of outdoor bars and cafes for cold drinks by the river. They also have the Calypso Cabaret, known to be one of the best ladyboy shows in town.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 02-476–0022