Like most busy folks, when we go for a holiday, we look forward to rest, relax and rejuvenate. But like most parents who travel with young kids, unless the kids are meaningfully engaged, it is often a struggle finding time for each other and to enjoy the holiday.
When we were invited to the Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok, we knew we were in for an unforgettable experience. After all, this is one of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels. However, we were also apprehensive since we are travelling with our highly inquisitive 7 year old and lively 1 year-old. How are we going to keep them occupied and still be able to enjoy all that Bangkok has to offer?
Where kids play freely…
Fortunately for us, Siam Kempinski Bangkok has recently launched a spanking new Kids’ Club housed within its premise. The sprawling Kids Club comprises of large segmented spaces offering a host of differentiated activities for the kids. Right at the entrance is a ball pit and rope wall for young kids. Further in, there is a games zone equipped with X-Box, Wii and PlayStation where Dana mingled with other kids as she indulged herself in a whole slew of the latest electronic games (it’s a holiday!). She also got to exercise some artistic creativity at the enclosed Karaoke room and the craft zone. During one of the days when we were out at Chatuchak, she even had lunch at the lunch area within the kids club (for a small fee). Buddy spent most of his waking hours happily playing around in the toddler play area designed especially for tots and younger kids to roam around safely. Parents and minders are welcomed to be in the Kids Club together with their children otherwise the warm and friendly staff would be able to watch over the kids (3-12 years old).
One of the interesting activities kids can engage in would be the baking lesson. In the cosy, cooking studio within the Kids Club, children can learn how to bake their own cookies under the careful tutelage of Siam Kempinski’s in-house Pastry chef and his team. The 2-hour long activity was very memorable for my daughter as she was able to make a whole bunch of cookies and ice it for us to bring back to Singapore.
Join us on a virtual tour of the Siam Kempinski Kids Club:
When parents roam freely…
When the kids are well-occupied and cared for, Mommies and Daddies could then have some couple time to ourselves to enjoy local sights and other services the hotel has to offer.
Walk or Ride: The Siam Kempinski is just right next to Siam Paragon – exit the side door, cross a car porch and you are there! Inside Siam Paragon, there are shops and dining establishments aplenty (Angie loves the Siam Market Place at the basement) as well as world-class attractions such as Kidzania and Siam Ocean World. Imagine all these at the doorstep of the hotel! The location is a gem.
If you choose to venture further, the hotel’s golf cart buggy can bring you to Central World Shopping Mall where you can take the BTS (the metro) from Siam Station to the rest of Bangkok. We were delighted to know (and experienced) that the buggy service is available even in the evening. We just had to call the concierge from our mobile phone (with Thai SIM card) and the buggy would fetch us from Central World back to the hotel. How thoughtful (especially knowing many hotel guests would be carrying many shopping bags)!
We took advantage of the convenience to spend nearly the entire afternoons at places like Chatuchak Market while the kids were at the Kids Club.
Where guests return to luxury…
Shopping, dining and sightseeing are synonymous with Bangkok. After a full day out at the bustling streets of Bangkok, coming back to a room such as that of the Executive Suite in Siam Kempinski is just simply divine.
The suite comprises of a large living area, a dining area and a study area. The luxury of space for a family of 4 is something we truly appreciate when we travel. Tucked in-between the main living area and the well-appointed bedroom is a large walk-in wardrobe equipped with bathrobes, bath accessories and bedroom slippers even for the kids. Daily refillable soft drinks and local beers as well as Internet access are provided complimentary for every guestroom (I’m impressed)!
The bedroom oozes with style as it is decked out in plush furnishings and high-end amenities. From Grohe showerheads and and stand-alone bath-tub, to the Molton Brown shower gels, Siam Kempinski spares no effort to pamper their guests. Step into the living room and your visual and auditory senses will be pampered by the wide range of entertainment from a HD TV complete with the BOSE sound system.
The separate dining and study area is a welcome feature. With kids in tow, having the space to enjoy a quiet in-room meal and a personal study space to do some quiet reading is a bonus. It’s a welcomed change to the usual cramped ‘deluxe’ room for families. The kids also felt welcomed at every turn.
Finally, our suite comes also with a commanding view of downtown Bangkok while overlooking the center court of the hotel – breathtaking to say the least. We almost didn’t want to leave the room.
Take a tour of the Executive Suite with us here:
Where gastronomical delights await…
Whenever we travel, we look forward to the hotel breakfast. Not only because it’s the most important meal of the day but also because we like to start our day feeling pampered and well fed before we busy ourselves with the day’s plans. Breakfast at the Siam Kempinski is offered at two restaurants – Brasserie Europa and Niche.
Both serve identical menus comprising of a generous buffet spread and ala-carte dishes as part of the buffet breakfast experience. The range of food at the buffet line is extensive and delicious while the ala-carte dishes border close to a fine-dining repertoire. However that is all there are to the similarities – both restaurants are housed at different venues in the hotel. The Brasserie Europa has a more mainstream European restaurant feel. Niche on the other hand, has an informal relaxed chic café feel surrounded by books, settees and jazz paraphernalia.
Take a virtual peek into the Brasserie Europa with us:
Step right into the Niche restaurant with us:
Where lounging around is welcomed…anytime
You can’t miss this – right in the center court of the Siam Kempinski hotel is their swimming pool – a series of large, well-landscaped connecting pools. You can swim around in it the whole day or simply lounge by the pool side and catch up with a good book. Though we were right in the middle of Bangkok city, sounds of traffic are barely audible and the effects of the harsh sunrays are effectively blocked away by the swaying palms and fine manicured hedges. In short, it’s a resort oasis in downtown Bangkok.
As night falls, we were immediately swathed by the feeling of relaxation and ease as we stepped into the hotel’s lobby. Live Jazz music and a warm reception in the grand, opulent ambience that is the Siam Kempinski welcomes you with its signature elegant, unobtrusive hospitality.
Take a relaxing stroll with us around the poolside and the hotel lobby:
The Siam Kempinski, Bangkok is a top-notch hotel in Bangkok with charming Thai elements and hospitality. For us, as discerning family travellers, what truly impresses us over and above the luxurious amenities is its complete solution for busy parents to recharge and rejuvenate, with kids in tow. Because time for busy parents, is after all, the most prized commodity of all.
Thank you Siam Kempinski for this memorable stay.
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
991/9, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330 · Thailand
Contact:
T: +66 (0)2 162 9000
E: [email protected]
Such luxuries! And beautiful photos as always. 🙂
Wow, the suite is luxurious! It is nice that there are meaningful activities to engage the children!
Wow, nice kids club! And the room is so huge! And in such a good location. *thumbs up*
We love Bangkok and are hoping to go sometime this year. This seems like such a great choice for the kids!