Stay Report: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (Anantara Riverfront Suite)

Elephant Bar (cocktail bar)

Mocha & Muffins (cafe)

Riverside Terrace (international buffet)

Trader Vic’s (Polynesian/Asian)

Loy Nam Bar (poolside bar)

Manohra Cruises (Thai)

The resort is connected to the Riverside Plaza mall and sister property Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, and you have access to more than ten dining and entertainment destinations across different cuisines (see “Miscellaneous Information” below), meaning you don’t actually have to leave the hotel for your gustatory adventures.

GHA Discovery (especially if you are a Titanium member) seldom disappoints with its upgrades, but my upgrade to the 108sqm Anantara Riverfront Suite (more than double the size of the Junior River View Suite I booked) was still a pleasant surprise. The sizeable suite boasted soothing river views, a massive wraparound private balcony, a dedicated wine fridge and a bathroom with Bvlgari amenities.

The Kasara Executive Lounge is a major draw. The lounge, which offers private check-in and check-out services as well as breakfast, afternoon tea and sundowners food presentations, is only accessible to guests who stay at specific suite categories, making it very exclusive. The a la minute breakfast service is fairly impressive – you can choose from substantial mains such as Surat Thani Poached Seabass (Surat Thani seabass, pumpkin puree, sauteed barley, crispy lemongrass, wing beans); Chocolate Banana Waffle (baked-in chocolate chips, chocolate ganache, caramelized banana, whipped cream); Eggs Benedict (choice of salmon, spinach or pepper ham with truffle Hollandaise on homemade muffin); Mhoo Ping (marinated pork skewers, sticky rice, Thai chili sauce, crispy shallots); Miso Glazed Tofu Scramble with Eggplant (Thai eggplant, tofu, miso paste, sesame, spring onion, pomegranate seeds); Roasted Cauliflower (roasted paprika cauliflower, crispy shallots, truffle, sweet potatoes); and Moroccan Shakshuka (baked eggs, cumin, tomato sauce, feta crumble, parsley, olive oil, pita bread). I spied several of these dishes available on the dine-in menu at Mocha & Muffins, which means you are enjoying terrific value.

The afternoon tea and sundowners presentations are decent as well – expect light bites such as Creamy Mushroom Vol-Au-Vents, Chicken Cocktail in Soft Rolls, Baked Salmon in Yuzu Sauce and Strawberry Cream Cake. Evening cocktails include classics such as Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Manhattan and Lychee Martini, while prosecco is available for your fizzy pleasure.

Being a big resort, the breakfast situation at the partially alfresco The Market/Riverside Terrace can be a fairly crowded affair, and there are no surprises beyond the usual Thai hotel breakfast buffet offerings (although I did find joy in the Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup Noodles and Green Curry Chicken).

A bridge connects you to the adjacent Riverside Plaza and sister property Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, where you can access more dining concepts such as Benihara (Japanese), Brio (Italian), Spice & Barley (Chinese), SEEN Restaurant & Bar Bangkok (modern Portuguese-Brazilian rooftop restaurant and bar) and Lost and Found (entertainment bar).