Riva Surya Bangkok

The hotel rooms and overall environment are absolutely fantastic, with every detail showcasing Thai romance. The elegant wooden patterns add a touch of sophistication. The staff are incredibly friendly and always greet you with a gentle smile. The location is superb, right by the Chao Phraya River, where night cruise boats, various transport boats, and sightseeing boats pass by the pool. It's only about a 10-minute taxi ride to Yaowarat (Chinatown) night market – you absolutely *must* try the coconut ice cream there, it's delicious! Major attractions are also very close by. The breakfast coffee shop next door is excellent; the owner is truly passionate, even recommending specific coffee beans for iced lattes versus hot Americanos! The bed and pillows are large and very comfortable. If you're traveling with children, I'd suggest placing one of the duvets in the gap between the two beds to fill any potential space, so little ones don't get stuck. My 8-year-old is quite sturdy, and thankfully didn't get stuck at all, sleeping very comfortably! Upon check-in, we received a few snack vouchers, which we used to order cocktails by the river, relaxing before heading out again. The drink menu was a bit pricey, but it's a hotel experience after all, and the ambiance was wonderful.

Bangkok Old Town. Price was the priority, so I booked one night for 540 RMB after tax. Service: Good; Location: Great for exploring the Old Town, excellent. Very close to Phra Arthit (N13) pier. In the late afternoon/early evening, you can take an orange flag boat to Tha Tien (N8), which is opposite Wat Arun, to watch the sunset from the boat. Alternatively, N7 Rajinee might be a better option. From N7, you can visit Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) and Museum Siam. From N5 Ratchawong pier, you can walk to the 200-year-old Chinatown, Yaowarat Road. You can also take a boat (yellow/blue boats run until 4 PM during the day) to Tha Chang (N9) to reach the Grand Palace. The hotel is within walking distance of the Bangkok National Museum. In the other direction, you can walk to Phra Sumen Fort. Next to Phra Sumen Fort is a small park, Suntichaiprakan Park (สวนสันติชัยปราการ), where you can enjoy views of both sides of the Chao Phraya River and Rama VIII Bridge. I tried SUEB, a restaurant nearby with a 4.9-star rating on Google, and it was indeed worth it. At night, I walked through Hana Songkhram Alley and found a street with restaurants and bars playing folk music. Downside: The shower floor felt unclean when showering.

Check-in was quick and efficient. The first room we were assigned had a strong moldy smell, but the staff kindly moved us to a different room. The accommodation felt overpriced given the room's condition, and breakfast was quite unremarkable. However, all the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful.