The Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok was a great adventure, and I'd like to give my 2 cents as far as a review is concerned. Some people liked it a great deal, and some had a few gripes about certain things. When we stayed there just last week, we experienced a wonderful time and excellent service.

Firstly, the flight was long: NYC to Narita and then to Bangkok. If anyone from NYC or in the surrounding area will do this trip, try to upgrade from econ to business both ways on whatever the longest leg is (i.e. NYC to NRT). Use your airmiles with the respective airline and pay the service fee ($100+). It will be worth every penny spent, and you will be a little more relaxed upon arrival. Anyone can do coach in 6 hours or less, but cover yourself for the long leg.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a Peninsula representative who attended to us while the limo drove up to our arrival area. Another tip: Book the limo with the hotel only, both ways. Don't try to skimp and try budgeting with other providers. It's ~$58 each way and you can afford it, without the extra headaches. Once we were settled in the limo, be sure to tip the representative (in USD or BHT). After all, he is doing his job by looking after you and creating the first impression of the hotel's customer service. We were offered cold bottled water as we relaxed on our way to the hotel.

Once we arrived at the hotel we were greeter by another rep., all smiles, and truly happy that we arrived in good spirits. A customary garland of flowers was given to us as a welcoming offering. I feel even if we were miserable from the flight, our rep. would have tried to convey some sense of happiness for us in taking a holiday for ourselves. We were ushered up to our Grand Deluxe room (luggage was brought up separately by a porter), and offered a larger room for a little more per night. We decided against it since the Grand Deluxe was large enough for the both of us. Since we arrived late at night, we decided on ordering room service and this was very good. Bottled water was provided for both of us, in the morning and at night (that is, if you drink a lot of water).

I've noticed that in some of the reviews some visitors who stayed at the Peninsula complained about certain package prices not corresponding to the room they were supposed to receive. We did not experience any problems relating to these issues. I feel that if you booked with the Peninsula, you should confirm your room beforehand in whatever package you paid for so there will not be any surprises. Basically it boils down to this: if you will be a guest at the Peninsula hotel, you can afford a simple long distance call beforehand to the front desk to confirm your reservation package. The staff is well versed in English and multiple languages, so there should be no issues upon arrival.

Their restaurants are top shelf. Jesters as the contemporary Pac-Rim cuisine restaurant with a very uptempo atmosphere with the main dining room overlooking the Chao Praya River (this is great for cocktails at night). After dinner cocktails can also be found at the Bar with a nice lounging atmosphere. There is a piano player who is quite funny and can sing very well. Thiptara is excellent Thai cuisine at its best and located in an outdoor environment next to the pool area. The River Café & Terrace is excellent for breakfast/lunch/dinner buffets or a la carte. In the breakfast buffet, there are sumptuous offerings of exotic fruit and juices, cold cuts, smoked salmon, breads, musli, Chinese dim sum, Japanese noodles, and Thai breakfast. I've read reviews which said that there is not enough fruit, or selection for breakfast, etc. Quite the opposite: There are too many good selections for everyone to enjoy whether it would be western or asian style. In all seriousness, how much food can one person eat or want to eat? In addition, there are two outdoor enormous grills manned by two people each who will custom grill you anything from eggs (any type) to fried rice. These grills are also used for lunch and dinner where you choose fresh seafood and meats which they will grill for you and bring to your table personally. If you choose the buffets try, when possible, to sit on the Terrace overlooking the river. Because the Peninsula is situated on the opposite side of the river, you are given an extraordinary river view of hotels and buildings lining the river directly in front of you. The only downside to the buffet at the RT&C (which is a very good compliment) is that as a guest you become spoiled on the excellent food, and you forget that the rest of Bangkok is waiting for you to try her cuisine at every corner.

The Peninsula hotel is located on the opposite side of the river from the city center and to some people this might be an issue. We actually found it strategically placed, which separates it from every other hotel. You will not have any issues traveling across to the other side for shopping. 3 ferry boats are offered complimentary: one to the BTS Skytrain and the Oriental Hotel, one to both the Shangri-La and the Peninsula Pier (and OP Plaza), and one to the River View Terrace Shops. The area surrounding the Peninsula is not the best of the best, but then again neither are the surroundings for the Shangri-La and Oriental Hotel. Either way, you can and should venture outside on the Peninsula side and roam for a little bit. When you are in the city center and if you need to take a taxi, and if the driver doesn't know where the Peninsula is (they all know where it is located though), just ask for the Shangri-La or Oriental. It's an easy ferry ride back. If you are out and about in the local night markets and you must take a taxi, you can do one of two things: walk a little bit away from the market (it won't kill you) and hire a taxi, or hire one which is waiting there at the night market. You will be charged for the convenience though, so be prepared to pay 100 or 150 BHT up front.

The Grand Deluxe room is very nice and the bathroom is elegant. There is a center command control on either bedside controlling the lights, temperature, and curtains. Beautiful marble floors in the bathroom. Two sinks on opposite sides, a bathtub with TV and the shower and toilet are separated with frosted glass doors. In the desk area you will find an Ethernet cable to connect to the (complimentary) internet. You will have to pay to use the business center if you did not bring your laptop. There is a built in fax to receive messages if need be. Multiple port sockets for chargers. There is fresh fruit in the bowl on the center coffee table in front of the couch. Check the website for the dimensions of your room; they will be set up differently. There are nice shops located in the hotel – a small taste of what's to experience in the city as for shopping. The pool is incredible with three separate but connected areas to swim. There are cabanas with fans and the attendants will be more than happy to fix you up a drink, ice cream, or serve a tidy meal poolside. There is a complimentary golf pass to the major club in Bangkok, if you enjoy this sport. The gym facilities are adequate with treadmills, freeweights, sauna, and hot tub. The hotel is upgrading the Spa which currently is the one weakness of the Peninsula, and I imagine the gym will be part of the renovation. The new Spa will be finished by December 2006. The hotel also offers guided tours (which are trusted) for sight seeing and Thai cooking classes. There are many things which the hotel offers, and you will be busy if you want to be.

We were also married there – the hotel provides a wedding package for those interested in a traditional Thai wedding ceremony. They can cater from 2 people (just us) to 450+ guests. The wedding planner was professional, courteous and took care of us from the beginning to the end of our vacation. To represent our families, he rounded up the hotel staff and everyone participated. It was held at the outdoor restaurant, Thiptara, and there was a procession with musicians in traditional Thai clothing. We were both dressed in the traditional garments for the wedding as well. Hair, makeup, accessories, manicure/pedicure, and photographer were included in the package. It was a lot of fun, because everyone enjoyed the celebration. Afterwards, we were treated to a dinner at Jester's with champagne and a mini wedding cake.

All in all, our stay at the Peninsula was extraordinary. Not because we were married there (we were married in the middle of our holiday), but because from beginning to end we were cared for and looked after with the best of intentions. Everyone from the chambermaid to the waitstaff to the concierge were incredibly helpful and courteous. Coming from New York and understanding what ‘service' means in a service industry, we had no problem adding an extra service tip to the bills or tipping graciously. This was an enriching holiday/honeymoon/vacation and we will return to the Peninsula again. Thailand is the land of a 1,000 smiles, and every single one of them are at the Peninsula Hotel.