Restaurants and Attractions

Chef Man (Sathon)

Hong Kong-born chef Man Wai Yi has earned a reputation in town for his Cantonese cuisine and consistently good quality dim sum. The Peking duck is legendary, but you'll need to call and order one day in advance; other standout dishes include the Chef Man-style Wagyu short ribs. Location: 33/1 Sathon Tai Road, Yannawa, Bangkok, 10120; Price: $$; 7-minute walk from the hotel.

Mickey’s Diner BKK

This classic diner (offering breakfast all day) will take you on a trip to the United States, in all its no-fuss, greasy breakfast glory. Location: 1/F, Portico, Soi Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330; $$ 8-minute walk from the hotel.

Sarnies Roastery

In support of local producers and manufacturers, the roastery provides a wide range of local blends and single origins coffee beans. The café also offers a selection of brunch food and pastries. Location: 34 1 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330; $; 8-minute walk from the hotel.

Midtown – At this restaurant, enjoy delicious and authentic Thai cuisine. Location: 417, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330; Price: $$; 14-minute walk from the hotel.

Moonshine Pub and Restaurant – A warm, casual restaurant serving pub food. Location: 97 Sukhumvit 7 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110; Price: $; 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Beirut – Offering a unique and tasty dining experience, with Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes prepared daily. Location: 2 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110; Price: $$; 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Caribbean Roti – This special restaurant offers you a taste of Caribbean Soul Food which is rarely seen in Asia. Location: 49 Nana Square Shopping Mall - 3rd Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 3, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110; Price: $$; 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Amritsr – With 20 years of experience in the finest restaurants, Amritsr’s chefs are excited to present Indian delicacies to all their guests. Location: 26/13 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Watthana, Bangkok 10110; Price: $; 30-minute walk from the hotel.

Cali-Mex Bar & Grill – 50% Mexican food, 50% Californian food = 100% delicious! They offer your typical classics: burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, and saladas. Location: 26, 8 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Klongtoey Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110; Price: $$; 30-minute walk from the hotel.

Charley Brown’s Mexicana – Located in mid-Sukhumvit, Charley Brown’s creates enviable standards of Mexican food in Bangkok. Location: 19, 9-10 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110; Price: S$; 30-minute walk from the hotel.

The Grand Palace – If you only visit one major historical tourist attraction in Bangkok, this should be the one. The royal compound lives up to its name, with spectacular structures that would put the most decadent modern monarchs to shame. It's also the home of Wat Phra Kaeo, which houses the Jade (or Emerald) Buddha. Built in 1782, the grand palace was the royal residence for generations and is still used for important ceremonies and accommodating heads of state. Dress modestly when visiting the Grand Palace, which basically means covering your arms and legs and avoiding any sloppy attire. Location: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200; 17-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:30 am-3:30 pm

Wat Pho – Located immediately south of the Grand Palace precinct, the temple was built by King Rama I and is the oldest in Bangkok. It has long been considered a place of healing and was famous centuries ago for its pharmacy and as Thailand's first "university"–both established by King Rama III. Today Wat Pho is best known for the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, where you'll find a statue so big (45 meters long and 15 meters high), it cannot be viewed in its entirety but appreciated in sections. The soles of the feet, inlaid with a myriad of precious stones, are particularly beautiful. Look also for the long earlobes signifying noble birth, and the lotus-bud configuration of the hand to symbolize purity and beauty. Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200; X-minute walk from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Wat Arun – Wat Arun is something of a triumphant complex, dating back to the time of ancient battles between the former Siam and Burma. Having fallen to the Burmese, Ayutthaya was reduced to rubble and ashes, but General Taksin and the remaining survivors vowed to march "until the sun rose again" and build a temple. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, was that temple. It is where the new king later built his royal palace and a private chapel. If you climb to the top of the prang just before sunset, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view as the sun sinks over the Chao Praya River. Location: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600; 20-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Wat Traimit, Temple of the Golden Buddha – Sheer luck (or lack thereof) makes this attraction special. During the 1950s, the East Asiatic Company purchased the land around the temple. A condition of the sale was the removal of a plaster statue of Buddha, but the statue proved too heavy for the crane being used. The cable parted and the figure was dropped, being left overnight where it fell. It happened to be in the rainy season, and when some monks walked past the next morning, they noticed a glint of gold shining through the plaster. The coating was removed, revealing a 3.5-meter Buddha cast from 5.5 tons of solid gold. All attempts to trace the origin of this priceless statue have so far failed, but it is assumed to date from the Sukhothai period when marauding invaders threatened the country and its treasures, and it became common practice to conceal valuable Buddha figures beneath a coating of plaster. No one knows how it came to Bangkok, but here it stands, available for the admiration of visitors from all over the world. Location: 661 Tri Mit Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100; 12-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Great Swing – In the center of the busy square in front of Wat Suthat stands one of Bangkok's most eye-catching sights: the 27-meter-high teak frame of the so-called Giant Swing. Built in the 1700s to be used as part of traditional Brahmin (Hinduist) ceremonies, the swing was later damaged by lightning and became decorative. This used to be the focus of a religious ceremony held every year in December after the rice harvest. Teams of three took turns to balance on a dangerously narrow board and be swung 25 meters or more off the ground "up to Heaven," at which point they would attempt to catch a bag of silver coins in their teeth. King Rama VII banned the contest in 1932, following a number of fatal accidents. Location: 239 Dinso Rd, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200; 15-minute drive from the hotel

Wat Suthat – Wat Suthat, adjacent to the Great Swing, is one of the oldest and most beautiful of Bangkok's Buddhist temples. Three kings had a hand in its construction: it was begun soon after the coronation of Rama I (founder of the Chakri dynasty) in 1782, continued by Rama II, and completed 10 years later by Rama III. Apart from its delightful architecture, the temple boasts some exceptionally interesting wall paintings. Wat Suthat is less popular than some of the other temple complexes in the city, so you'll enjoy a more peaceful and intimate experience here. Location: 146 Bamrung Mueang Rd, Wat Ratchabophit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200; 15-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm

National Museum and Wang Na Palace – History buffs will want to devote at least half a sightseeing day to the national museum. Until the mid-1970s, this was Thailand's only museum, which explains why its collection is so big and diverse. Fortunately, just about every exhibit is labeled in Thai and English and guided tours are also offered in English, so you won't miss out on any of the country's fascinating ancient and contemporary history. King Rama I's Wang Na Palace, located within the grounds of the museum, remains essentially as it was, and stands as a testament to Thai history. Visitors can see regalia, religious and ceremonial artifacts, ceramics, games, weaponry, musical instruments, and the Viceroy's throne, as well as an impressive collection of Buddha figures arranged according to period. Location: Na Phra That Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200; 18-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Chatuchak Market – This sprawling semi-outdoor weekend market is the largest in the world and one of the top things to do when visiting Bangkok. Shoppers can find everything from jewelry and religious icons to pet supplies, paper lamps, and delicious street food here. Chatuchak Market is home to over 15,000 stalls offering just about anything you can dream up–even better, any souvenir you might want is probably available here at a much cheaper price than anywhere else in Bangkok. Location: 39 1 Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900; 18-minute drive from the hotel; Hours: Wednesday: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Thursday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Jim Thompson House – The historic home of a "self-made American entrepreneur" who disappeared while traveling in Malaysia now stands as a relic of an older time in Bangkok. Jim Thompson settled in Thailand after spending time there as a serviceman around the end of WWII and quickly became a well-known name in the Thai silk industry. Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, an important honor given to foreigners who have made significant contributions to Thailand. Thompson's home has been turned into a museum offering insights into his life and business, as well as the history of the city and the Thai silk industry. Location: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330; 30-minute walk from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Lumpini Park – Lumpini Park provides visitors with a green oasis amid the traffic and chaos of Bangkok. Hang out on one of several lawn areas, enjoy the shade of a Chinese pagoda, or take a boat out on the lake. Lumpini Park is a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the contrast of the tranquil park with the skyscrapers rising all around it. Note that the park has been the site of protests that have occasionally turned violent in the past, so be sure to check on the current political situation before visiting. Keep an eye out for the massive Asian water monitors as well–they can often be found taking a stroll around the lake. Location: 192 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330; 14-minute walk from the hotel; Hours: Monday-Sunday: 5:00 am – 9:00 pm