Heaving a sigh of relief, we set our feet up and comfortably sipped on our cold drinks. We ruminated on Myanmar, where we came from just a few hours ago, spending a week or so along its arid lands—chasing temples and stupas with our bicycles.

We’ve had enough of roughing it out. Right now, the only thing we really wanted was to simply sit back and relax before the next leg of our two-month ASEAN Summer Loop trip starts again. And there’s nowhere else we’d rather be right then than at Bangkok’s Novotel Platinum deck, overlooking the glittering lights of the city.

NOVOTEL’S GROUND FLOOR LOBBY

Wanting to save a bit of cash for our nightly Khao San Road escapade, we decided to commute to the hotel instead of flagging a cab. It was easy enough, if not for the paralyzing Bangkok heat.

From the Don Mueang Airport, we rode a bus, alighted at the Mo Chit Station, took the BTS train to Siam and walked the last remaining stretch to Novotel Platinum Bangkok. The cool blast of the hotel’s air-conditioning was all the welcome we needed.

► BOOK TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM BANGKOK

LOUNGE AND BAR AT THE MAIN LOBBY

From the ground floor lobby, we were directed to the 6th floor, where apparently, the real lobby is located. Judging from its slick, high-ceilinged interiors, we knew we would be relaxing in luxury for the next three days.

WHAT ELEPHANT?!

OUR ROOM FOR THREE DAYS

We passed a white elephant balancing on its trunk beside the elevator doors and headed to our quarters. Booked on an Executive Room, we marveled at how spacious our home would be for the coming days. The massive double-bed looked real comfy and there’s a work desk too—perfect for catching up with blog backlogs.

► CHECK DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES

UHMMM. WHERE’S THE WALL?

I checked the toilet and bath and saw that the only thing dividing it from the bedroom area was a thick transparent glass. Quite sexy; but for those uncomfortable with such arrangements, opaque blinds can readily be pulled down. Tee hee.

FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOW LOOKING OUT INTO A GARDEN OF GREENS

It has all the amenities we’d come to expect from a luxury hotel, including a free and fast Wi-Fi connection. The only thing missing, really, was the view. While our room has a floor to ceiling window, it opens up to a roof garden instead of the city.

You won’t hear me complaining about it though, I liked our room mighty fine.

LOUNGE TIME AT NOVOTEL’S BAR9

After a quick unpacking session, we immediately headed to the open pool area located at the 9th floor of Novotel Platinum Bangkok. A local duo was serenading guests lounging at the bar near the pool; we sat down and drank it all in.

THE BUSY SHOPPING DISTRICT OF PRATUNAM

Comfortably seated, we watched as Bangkok’s busy Pratunam Shopping District transform from the late afternoon to early twilight. The buildings around the metro started to illuminate the dark electric sky, the steady stream of cars complementing it with their zipping headlights.

► BOOK A DISCOUNTED BANGKOK TOUR

SUNSET AT THE INFINITY POOL

We were totally transfixed with the lights of the city that we completely forgot about swimming. It took us one whole day before we finally took a dip at Novotel’s infinity pool; soaking everything up while watching the sun lower itself across Bangkok’s jagged skyline the next day.

► SEE: BANGKOK GRAND PALACE

MEATY STUFF

One thing we were really looking forward to at Novotel Platinum Bangkok was the food. We’re all for local dishes and such, but after a week in Myanmar, we were so ready for something more familiar, like perhaps, bacon.

THE SQUARE’S YUMMY INTERIORS

The hotel’s in-house restaurant, dubbed as The Square, looked promising; its very chic and stylish interior alone looks good enough to eat. But design aside, we wondered how it would fare with our very parched palate. Call us tourists, we don’t really care. We were craving for Western dishes!

NOW WE’RE TALKIN’!

The restaurant serves International, Thai, and Asian cuisines. Perfect.

For two mornings, we’d head there for our complimentary breakfast, dreaming lustily of crispy bacons, sumptuous pad thai, and fresh sushi. And it totally did not disappoint. Novotel Platinum Bangkok has one of the best breakfast buffets we’ve tried during our whole two-month trip across South East Asia.

A SELECTION OF MEAT FOR LUNCH

THE BEST THINGS ARE RESERVED FOR THE LAST BITES

We’re so enamored with their food that we were quite tempted to try out their lunch buffet. Right after a breakfast buffet.

Weak creatures that we were, we gave in without even a fight. And boy we were glad we did, their crispy pork liempo almost felt like home. It was worth it, even for that alone.

Novotel Platinum Bangkok ► ROOM RATES
Address: 220 Petchaburi Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok, Thailand
Contact Number: (+66) 2160-7100 | (+66) 2209-1700
E-mail: H7272@accor.com | Facebook
GPS Coordinates Map: 13.749707, 100.540695