Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Originally a Marriott, the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa was taken over by the Anantara brand and renovated to up the standard of luxury, although the buildings and the common areas do still feel a bit generic, with Thai inflection. Set right on the river, the large white buildings put a Thai spin on standard block hotels, with peaked, sloped roofs. Arriving by water shuttle is particularly impressive, with the palm trees and waterfront bar setting the scene. The lobby itself is a sprawling, low-ceilinged room filled with gray cushioned seating areas, red carpets on marble floors, black lacquered tables, and fresh tropical flowers; at the heart of the lobby, in an interior courtyard open several stories up to a ceiling of skylights, is a winding decorative pool filled with colorful lotuses and surrounded by seating areas. The expansive grounds themselves are beautiful and lush, filled with tropical plants, water features, sitting areas, and wooden sculptures, and antiques.

With nine restaurants and bars, you'll never have trouble getting a table for any meal. Each high-end restaurant is decorated according to its theme; for example, Benihana is filled with Japanese-style decor, while Trader Vic's channels a Polynesian style and Brio draws its inspiration from the Tuscan countryside. The large pool is lined with turquoise-cushioned loungers and umbrellas, served by the Loy Nam bar; the pool area is the only spot that can get crowded, with guests staking out loungers early in the day. Live entertainment is held daily by the pool, and nightly on the waterfront, at the Riverfront Terrace.

The Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is located right on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the southwestern part of Bangkok. It's not right in the city center, but a free water shuttle for guests runs to and from the city center every half hour, dropping off and picking up at the Saphin Taksin skytrain station, making it easy to get around the city and visit all the attractions. The shuttle also goes across the river to the night market. The hotel organizes cultural tours and excursions to many of the city's major sights and around some of its most picturesque streets and canals; the helpful concierge can offer suggestions and help you plan your visit, too. The airport is approximately 45 minutes away, and the hotel can arrange transfers upon request. There's also free parking at the hotel.

The 408 rooms and suites at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa were thoroughly renovated, and it shows. All are luxurious and tasteful, with hardwood floors, earth tones, marble-topped side tables, soft gray sitting areas, Thai artwork, and large windows opening onto private balconies, many of which look out over the river. Suites have separate living areas with more sitting space. The large, stone-tiled bathrooms all have single or double sinks, soaking tubs, walk-in rainfall showers, designer fixtures and toiletries, and bathrobes. All rooms have fully stocked alcoholic minibars, espresso machines, tea-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with a DVD players, free Wi-Fi, and smartphones with free 4G and international calling. 

A resort in the city, the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa has a wide range of facilities.

There are nine restaurants and bars, as well as a restored wooden rice barge that does dinner cruises: the Japanese Benihana; the Tuscan-inspired Brio; the classic Polynesian-inspired steakhouse, Trader Vic's; the extensive breakfast buffet at the Market (not included in most rates); the Riverside Terrace, home to a nightly international buffet and waterfront Thai dance performances and entertainment; Loy Nam, the poolside and swim-up bar; the South America-inspired Numero Uno Cafe, open all day; the scenic Longtail Bar, serving snacks and drinks on the pier well into the night; and the colonial-inspired Elephant Bar. Food lovers can also take advantage of the hotel's own cooking school to learn about Thai cuisine; classes must be booked at least 48 hours in advance, though.

The famously indulgent Anantara Spa offers a full range of treatments, and has steam rooms and relaxation areas. The large fitness center is practically a club, with all modern equipment, a sauna, and locker rooms. The hotel also has outdoor tennis courts. The outdoor pool is large, lined with umbrella shaded loungers; there's an attached hot tub. A kids' club with organized activities means that parents can have some time to themselves while kids have fun, too. There's a fully equipped business center, as well as meeting and event spaces. The resort also offers its Kasara Lounge membership, available for a fee, which includes free breakfast, evening cocktails and canapes, private check-in/-out, and some free laundry.