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From inauspicious beginnings as a small but significant trading port, Bangkok has grown to become the commercial, financial and business hub of South East Asia. The city's enduring success and appeal is down to many factors, not least the influx of Indians, Chinese, and westerners, who with the Thai population have created what is Asia's most cosmopolitan city. Within a 5 star hotel, Bangkok visitors can share in the city’s success, with levels of luxury and service typical of the world's top hotels.
What makes Bangkok so special and sets it apart from comparable world cities is the effective marriage of Thai history, culture and tradition, with the contemporary worldwide appeal of a vibrant modern cityscape. The mix works well and although the many 100s of skyscrapers, sprawling business and commercial districts, and busy streets are what would be expected from any major modern city, there is an altogether more laid back feeling to life in Bangkok, no doubt helped by the open green spaces and public parks of the city. The most popular of these is Lumphini Park, like Central Park in Manhattan, an oasis of calm right in the heart of the city.
If Lumphini Park is Bangkok's Central Park then Siam Square is its Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. A tourist attraction in its own right, Siam Square is a major commercial district in the city. Shopping malls are also popular, with residents in particular, and in Central World Plaza, Bangkok has the largest shopping mall in Asia. Visitors to Bangkok often prefer the more traditional shopping experience of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Many 5 star Bangkok hotels are ideally located for the main commercial districts of the city.
Other 5 star hotels Bangkok has to offer are particularly geared towards the business clientele and are found throughout the major business districts of the city such as Silim, Sathon, Phra Ram 2, Phra Ram 3, Pinklau, Bangrak, and Phra Nahkon. Bangkok is a popular city for international conferencing and many of the 5 star hotels have extensive conferencing and banqueting facilities.
5 star Bangkok hotels which specifically attract business clients will also have a comprehensive array of business and corporate facilities within the hotel. These may include a dedicated 24 hour business centre, complete with meeting rooms, boardroom, state of the art technology in audio and visual presentations and internet networking, fax, printing, and copying machines, and often mobile phones and computers for hire. Translation and secretarial services may also be available and many luxury hotels in Bangkok have executive floors, suites and clubs with additional business and leisure facilities.
The latest technologies will also extend to the bedrooms and suites in every hotel. Guests should expect high speed internet connectivity, and the latest in satellite televisions and sound systems. 24 hour room and concierge services and air conditioning will come as standard. In addition to all modern conveniences, each room will be furnished with the very highest quality soft furnishings and materials, and spacious luxury bathrooms will have a selection of quality bathroom products.
In addition to superlative comfort, luxury and facilities, a 5 star hotel in Bangkok will also offer a range of leisure and recreational options for guests. Often these will include a swimming pool and spa facility in which a selection of treatments will be available. Additional options may include a fully equipped fitness suite with cardiovascular and resistance based machines, and recreational sport options such as tennis or squash. Courteous and attentive staff will be on hand to offer guests all the right information and assistance to get the most from the hotel facilities and also the city itself.
There are a wealth of cultural sights and contemporary activities in Bangkok, enough to keep anyone busy whether in the city for business or pleasure. The business district of Phra Nakhon is also recognized as the cultural centre of the city and has many of the most popular Bangkok attractions, such as Wat Pho, the famous Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Grand Palace, the official residence of the King of Thailand.
Other notable attractions in Bangkok are Wat Suthat, a religious site and temple, the National Museum, National Gallery Museum, and a host of theatres, cinemas, palaces and endless entertainment options. Many 5 star hotels in Bangkok are centrally located to enjoy all the major cultural attractions.
There are of course many excellent restaurants, bars and cafes in Bangkok and eating out is very much a social event. The range of restaurants reflects the diversity of the population with most culinary styles readily available. Thai cuisine is famed the world over and represents a unique blend of ingredients which make Thai food stand out from that of other Asian countries. Typified by hot and spicy dishes which combine the 5 basic tastes of sweet, bitter, spicy, salty, and sour, Thai food is renowned for its use of fresh spices, herbs and vegetables, often using a fish sauce for a base rather than the soy sauce common in other Asian cooking.
Different regions of Thailand have their own culinary specialities, with the use of lime juice favored in the north and coconut and turmeric in the south. 5 star Bangkok hotels will have excellent Thai restaurants serving the best of all the regional cuisines of the country, as well as a selection of other dining and lounge options.
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