[top photo: View of the Bangkok skyline from The Peninsula Bangkok.]
By Joyce Lim
HOLIDAYING in Bangkok has become my favourite routine.
So, last month I decided to break away from the 'norm' and rediscover the charms of Bangkok which is often voted as one of Asia's hottest travel destinations.
After all, it was my 25th voyage to the Thai capital city.
For years, my friends and I would book ourselves on the cheapest flight and check into a hotel right smack in the middle of the shopping district.
We would spend all our time shopping and slurping up as many bowls of tom yum goong as we possibly could over the weekend. And not forgetting the cheap Thai masssage for under 200baht ($8).
It was time for something different.
First, I decided to pick someone who has never been to Bangkok as a travel companion.
We paid less than $300 each for a return flight on Thai Airways.
Second, since we decided to break out of a routine Bangkok holiday, we decided to check into the finest hotel that we both know - The Peninsula Bangkok.
For about $400 a night, we got a deluxe room which included daily buffet breakfast for two, free Internet access in the room, a complimentary fruit basket which was replenished every day and the best part - 3,500 baht in hotel credit, which could be used to pay for spa treatments or dining in the hotels' restaurants and bars.
One of my worries about staying in a hotel away from the shopping district was transport.
But my fears turned out to be unfounded. Rather, we were pleasantly surprised when the complimentary transport service from the hotel to the shopping district turned out to be a boat.
It was efficient and faster to take the boat and sky train than it was for us to take the taxi, fighting the infamous Bangkok traffic jams.
It was definitely a unique experience going via the Chao Phraya River - some tourists pay good money to enjoy such a ride.
My friend and I agreed that the room was not too impressive, apart from the floor to ceiling window view of the Chao Phraya River.
Quiet corner
But the spa experience at the hotel was the highlight of our stay.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the hotel compound are 18 treatment rooms.
If you want even more privacy, you can pay $275 more for a private spa suite which comes with a private jacuzzi tub, steam room, changing room, shower and toilet.
The therapists will create a treatment programme specifically for you, depending on how you want to feel. One hour and 50 minutes later, I felt refreshed. It was the best massage that I have ever had.
If you still have spare Thai baht, book the hotel's limousine service to take you to the airport to end your holiday in style. Hotel staff will help with your luggage and check-in, and see you off at the departure gate.
It is certainly a memorable way to end off a luxuriously different trip to Bangkok.
A five-minute ride on the hotel boat takes you to the Saphan Taksin station of the Bangkok Sky Train.
