A
great escape doesn't always call for a long drive or a few hours on
vehicle. I had a ‘something different’ vacation at the outskirt
of Bangkok at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa. By the time
I got myself back to town, my battery was fully charged up.
The
resort locate on the riverside of Chaopraya River, the calm and peaceful side
of the city. I couldn't believe I was only 30mins away from town.
The
room was decorated in simple modern style, infused with Thai essence.
Calm and warm with earth tone furnishing. Identifying the heritage of Thailand
with crave work and painting.
The
view of the Chaopraya river from our room was spectacular.
Facilities
were full-equipped. Let alone above standard LCD TV or fridge, there was even a
iPhone/iPod station in the room. It sure gives the ‘at home’ feeling once you
play the music from your device in the room.
It
was an hour before noon when we got there. All other guests were
enjoying one of the most popular activity inside the resort, swimming.
There
was a show on poolside. It was the Ice craving on the day of our visit.
The
hand-craftsman managed to bring out this little cute deer out of the ice
cube.
What
would we do if we don’t want to dine at the hotel yet we feel too
lazy to go out? The perfect solution was this Manohra Cruises.
We
had ourselves a full course of 9 dishes arranged in Thai, Gold Course. The menu was created by the
famous Iron Chef from Iron Chef Thailand, Chef Chompol Jengprai.
The
furnish on the cruise was based on wooden tone. Relaxing and comforting.
The
meal began with herbal drink. It was Rosella juice on the day we went
to.
The
first starter was in Meing (Assorted herb, Roasted coconut, nut, dried shirmp
with syrup wrapped in Betel Leaf). The presentation itself was a
merry one. As if a toy.
Another
3 Starters came in one wooden tray. Freid fish cake, Shrimp Wanton,
Spicy Pomelo Salad and Grilled Chicken with Lemon Glass.
One
of the main dish was Massaman curry. This was one of the most concentrated
Massaman I ever encounter. It has strong flavor of spice and sweetness from
onion. The chicken was tender and fell off the bone.
Stir-fried
Scallop in Red curry sauce. The scallop was HUGE and perfectly plump. The Red
Curry sauce was rather mind to bring out the sweetness from the scallop.
Allowing the true flavor of ingredient shine through.
This
looks like a dish from Chinese Cuisine. Stir fried asparagus with Shiitake Mushroom
in oyster sauce. The veggie was crisp and nice.
Steamed
Roll fish in curry sauce. The flesh was tender and goes well with the sauce.
All
entire meal, we encounter many spectacular places along
side of the river. This is the Emerald Temple.
And
this is one of my favorite spot on riverside. Thammasat University,
The university I went to when I was a college kid.
And
there we are back to our nest. A great meal followed by a comforting room to
rest. A luxury night indeed.
Overall
my short escape at Bangkok outskirt was a sublime one indeed. This surely is
another best way to spend a nice weekend in Bangkok.
Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa
Bangkok Riverside, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2476 0022
