SHANGRI-LA in Bangkok - Hotel Review with Photos

SD › Thailand › Bangkok › Hotels › Shangri-La Review
Updated: September 23, 2021
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, in a lane opposite Lebua Hotel.
• Hotel website: shangri-la.com
• Hotel phone: +66 2 236 7777
• Check prices on Booking.com

The massive and opulent Shangri-La hotel is spread across 2 huge wings by the river.

Shangri-La – Huge luxury hotel with sumptuous rooms, world-class facilities, and magnificent river views.

Massive five-star hotel spread across two large wings in downtown. The luxurious rooms feature sitting areas by the window, King beds, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. The posh and spacious suites are even better with separate living rooms and lounge privileges. There is a huge selection of dining options serving all cuisines possible, most with river views. The hotel is in a vibrant downtown riverfront location close to the expressway, BTS sky train station, and the ferry pier.

Shangri-La – Location

Area: The hotel is located by the river in Bangrak and is surrounded by some of Bangkok’s poshest hotels.
Address: 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak.
Nearest Metro Station: Saphan Taksin – BTS sky train (400m).
How to Get There: Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai station, change to Sukhumvit Line for Siam, and change again to Silom line for Saphan Taksin station. However, the most efficient way to reach the hotel is by taking a pre-paid taxi from the airport and using the expressway (35 km). Metered taxis are also the best option for guests arriving by local flights at the old Don Mueang Airport (25 km).
Handy to: King Power MahaNakhon Skywalk (2 km). Patpong night market (2 km). ICON Siam mall (down the river via free ferry).

Shangri-La – The Basics

Ages: Guests tend to be a mix of business travelers, couples on a romantic getaway, and families. All ages are welcome and cribs are available on request.
View: Most rooms offer partial or full river views. Rooms facing the river and on higher floors have the best views.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Premier and Presidential Suites feature private jacuzzis.
Laundry: Laundry and dry cleaning services available.
Parking: Free and secure valet parking.
Extras: Harmony Club Lounge access and privileges for guests in Harmony Club Rooms and Shangri-La Suites. Riverside Lounge access and privileges for guests in Krungthep Deluxe Balcony Rooms and Suites.
When to Book: Reserve 1-2 months in advance through the year, and 2-3 months in advance for December-January.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +66 2 236 7777
Email: bangkok@shangri-la.com
Website: shangri-la.com

Shangri-La – Amenities

Pool: 2 freeform swimming pools set among lush tropical greenery, with large sundecks and lots of loungers. One pool is exclusively for Krungthep Wing guests.
Spa: Full-service spa with a wide selection of massages, treatments, and therapies, as well as steam and sauna rooms and a jacuzzi.
Fitness Center: Well-equipped fitness center with an aerobics and dance studio as well as yoga.
For Disabled Guests: Almost all facilities are wheelchair-friendly.
For Families: 2 swimming pools and a tennis court.

Shangri-La – Food and Drink

Restaurants & Bars: Horizon Cruise – Dinner cruise on the river with a huge international buffet and drinks. • NEXT2 Café – Riverside al fresco dining with a local, Asian, and international menu. • Salathip – Authentic Thai dining in Thai-style teak pavilions and traditional dance performances in the evening. • Shang Palace – Authentic Cantonese cuisine with delicious dim sum, BBQ, and traditional desserts. • Chocolate Boutique – Fantastic range of chocolates and chocolate products, from white to dark. • Volti Restaurant & Bar – Modern Italian trattoria and Aperitivo Lounge serving classic Italian dishes and great cocktails. • Lobby Lounge – Beautiful lounge offering live entertainment, all-day drinks, light meals, afternoon tea, and river views. • Riverside Lounge – Exclusively for Krungthep Wing guests, this elegant riverside lounge is great for breakfast, tea, light snacks, and cocktails. • The Long Bar – Popular riverside lounge known for its cocktails, martinis, premium liqueur, and river views.
Lounge: Horizon Club’s privileges include Horizon Club Lounge access with complimentary private check-in and check-out, late check-out, pressing of 1 suit on arrival, hot beverages delivered to room in the morning, buffet breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés, snacks and beverages through the day, use of meeting room for 2 hours per day, and a dedicated concierge. Krungthep Deluxe Balcony and Suites privileges include access to the Riverside Lounge with complimentary buffet breakfast, evening cocktails and canapés, soft drinks and beverages through the day, meeting room use for 2 hours per day, and pressing of 1 garment per guest per stay.
Breakfast: Excellent buffet breakfast with live stations. Complimentary buffet breakfast for guests with Horizon Club or Riverside Lounge access.
For Families: Non-members get 50% discount on buffets for kids under 12. Golden Circle members’ kids under 6 can enjoy the buffets for free while kids aged 6-12 get 50% discount.
Room Service: 24 hours with an extensive menu.

Shangri-La – Rooms

Room Types: Deluxe Room • Deluxe River View Room • Deluxe Balcony Room • Premier Room • Horizon Club Room • Executive Suite • Executive River View Suite • Premier Suite • Specialty Suite • Presidential Suite • Krungthep River View Room • Krunghtep Deluxe Balcony Room • Krunghtep Deluxe Suite • Krunghtep Specialty Suite • Krunghtep Presidential Suite • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not allowed in any of the rooms.
Best Room: All rooms are luxuriously appointed and most feature partial or full river views. The Specialty and Presidential Suites in both the wings are incredibly opulent and feature kitchenettes as well as private jacuzzis.
For Disabled Guests: Accessible rooms available.
For Families: Premier Rooms and all suites feature separate living rooms with sofa beds and can sleep up to 4 guests. Normal rooms can sleep 3 adults and a child.

Shangri-La – Local Transport

Walking: The hotel is located in Bangrak, with an excellent choice of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops within walking distance.
Metro and Bus: The hotel is walking distance to Saphan Taksin BTS station (400m). There are bus stops on the main Charoen Krung road (200m). It’s easy to take a bus in Bangkok if you know the route and stop, but the conductors and drivers don’t speak English.
Taxis: Metered taxis are available in plenty, and the hotel staff will easily call one; or use the Grab taxi app. Tuk tuks also dot the street right outside the hotel, but they do not have meters, so bargain hard. Motorcycle taxis are available at every corner, but again, bargain hard.

Shangri-La – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

Grand Palace and Temples Tour – Private 8-hour guided tour of Rattanakosin Island, Grand Palace, Grand Temples, and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) with lunch, a boat ride through canals to the Royal Barge Museum, and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Day Trip to Ayutthaya – Shared 8-hour tour of the ancient city of Ayutthaya about 2 hours north of Bangkok, including guided tours of the Royal Palace, 2 temples, and a floating market. Tour also includes a longtail boat ride and lunch. Pick-up/drop-off is at Times Square building lobby on Sukhumvit Road. (7 km/Asok BTS station).
Pattaya Day Trip – Day trip to the famous beach destination of Pattaya by private air-conditioned chauffeured car and guide (optional) to see famous spots in the town, visit the beach, shop, and dine, with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Private and Small Group Tours – Context Travel offers great private and small group tours with certified guides covering Bangkok, its attractions, the local neighborhood, Chinatown, street food, and night markets.

Best Nearby Restaurants

Lebua at State Tower Hotel – Several world-class restaurants and bars which are also among the world’s best and highest – 50th floor and up. (400m).
Saravana Bhavan – Located right above a Starbucks outlet. Go here for good value and mouth-watering Indian vegetarian dishes. (800m).
Silom Village – Popular restaurant and bar serving authentic and modern Thai cuisine. Happy hours every day; live Thai music and dance on some nights. (1 km).
Plenty of hawkers on the streets around the hotel selling all kinds of food, from freshly-cut fruits to Thai noodle soups and barbecued meats and fish. Sit on the tiny plastic stools on the sidewalk or have them pack it for you.

Best Nearby Cafes

Starbucks – Famous American brand known for its hot and cold coffee, frappes, and snacks. Free Wi-Fi. Under Lebua Hotel, and another outlet 400m east.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

Robinson – Large shopping center housing outlets of international brands, several local stalls and shops, cafes, and restaurants, including a McDonald’s. On the main road in front of the hotel. (300m).
Boots – Famous British brand selling beauty, health, and pharmaceutical products. Next to Robinson.
Several boutiques along Silom offering custom suits at terrific prices. Measurements and delivery both can be arranged at the hotel.

Nearby Attractions

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple – Also known as Wat Khaek, this over 140-year-old Hindu temple is worth a visit. The area around the temple is filled with shops and stalls selling souvenirs, flowers, Indian food, and Indian music and movies. (1 km).
King Power MahaNakhon Skywalk – Observation deck on the 78th floor with a glass floor, not for the faint of heart. Indoor observation deck on the 74th floor, and virtual reality paragliding ride on the 1st floor. Look for the tall building with cutting-edge architecture that looks like it was left incomplete. (2 km).
Patpong Night Market – Comes alive after sunset. Sleazy in some parts, but plenty to keep everyone interested. Lots of stalls selling souvenirs, clothes, and even copies of branded bags and watches. (2.5 km/Sala Daeng BTS station).
Lumpini Park – Bangkok’s answer to New York city’s Central Park, this 140-acre green lung has something for everyone. From boating to yoga classes, picnic spots, jogging and cycling tracks, food stalls, and weekend food markets. (3 km/Sala Daeng BTS station).

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

Silom Vegetable Market – An entire lane (Soi 20) of stalls and shops selling food, fruits, flowers, and vegetables. A lot of fun to walk through. (1 km).
Several 24-hour 7-Eleven outlets around the hotel.

Shangri-La – The Hotel

The hotel is spread across 2 wings. The Shangri-La wing has 25 floors.

The huge lobby features a high ceiling and plenty of sitting options.

Part of the lobby houses the Lobby Lounge which features afternoon tea, drinks, light meals, and live entertainment.

The hotel reception is bathed in red and gold with a huge crystal chandelier.

This Laughing Buddha statue welcomes patrons at the entrance of Shang Palace Cantonese restaurant.

The crystal chandelier inside the restaurant has to be seen to be believed.

The twin-level Volti is a modern Italian restaurant and Aperitivo bar.

Salathip is located within traditional teak pavilions and serves authentic Thai cuisine.

It also offers outdoor seating by the riverfront.

The Long Bar is renowned for its premium liqueurs and river views.

Riverside Lounge is exclusively for the Krungthep Wing guests and offers breakfast and light snacks.

The full-service spa offers a great selection of treatments and massages as well as a shop selling spa items.

The hotel has a large outdoor resort-style pool with attached jacuzzis.

Next to the pool is the pool bar with lots of resort-style seats.

Guests can even get massages at the special poolside massage patio.

There are several riverfront decks with tables and chairs to enjoy sunset cocktails.

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Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.

Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

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