Ibis Bangkok Riverside

Despite the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, this place is surprisingly quiet. No exhaust fumes or constant motorbike noise. It has its own pool and a private riverfront. The room type is decent, comparable to economic chain hotels in China, with enough space to open a large suitcase. Soundproofing is good. Being right by the Chao Phraya River is cool and relaxing; you can enjoy a spa in a gazebo and there's an on-site restaurant. The hygiene is good, with daily cleaning and two bottles of water provided each day. The fridge is cold enough, and the air conditioning works well. There are plenty of power outlets, so no need for an adapter; a three-prong plug strip works directly. The Wi-Fi isn't great, but most people buy local SIM cards for data anyway. The bed is on the softer side but comfortable, and the pillows aren't too high, making for a good night's sleep. The wardrobe has five or six non-removable hangers, a safe, and a kettle. The bathroom space is fine, with plenty of hot water available at all times. Disposable amenities aren't provided, only shower gel and shampoo. There are no slippers in the room, but I didn't ask if the front desk had any. The hotel staff are all very helpful. The pool seems to be cleaned daily, and there are always people swimming. There's also a children's play area with swings and a slide. Outside, under the big bridge, there's a small park with even more play equipment for kids. For me, the only downside was not finding a place to dry clothes, so washing them wasn't an option, and the windows are sealed. I'm not sure if you can access the rooftop, haha. Next time I'm in Bangkok, this hotel will definitely be my first choice. Here are some travel tips: Walk a hundred meters out, and you'll find two 7-Elevens, which are very convenient (always check your receipt – if you don't want to translate specific items, just check the quantity and estimate the total. Especially at the 7-Eleven closer to the hotel, the young staff member scanned some snacks and drinks for himself. He probably thought I wouldn't understand the receipt. I realized later that I paid more than I should have. The 7-Eleven across the street is much bigger and better). There's also a slightly larger supermarket inside Sena, Villa Market, though prices aren't cheap. There are many eateries nearby, including Jeju and a local User Choice spot. Not far away is also a very atmospheric BBQ restaurant; just search for it on Google Maps. Besides Thai food, locals seem to eat a lot of noodles. Personally, I found the taste similar to Cantonese cuisine – sweet, with a base of shallots and peanuts, somewhat like satay. The bowls are small but sweet enough to keep you full, haha. I also visited Thong Smith, but honestly, I only saw Chinese tourists there... Any random noodle shop outside tastes pretty much the same, you just pay double for the ambiance. It's not far from ICONSIAM, within walking distance. Across from ICONSIAM is a Lotus supermarket, which is better to browse than Big C, with a wider selection of items and fewer crowds. I didn't see any durian sellers on the streets of Bangkok. That durian shop near the Peninsula Hotel is a rip-off; don't even bother looking. I recommend trying sour plum tamarind, preferably the kind without added seasonings; it's addictively good. Yunnan in China also has it, but I've only had it in the form of sour plum cakes there. Regarding transportation, it's a bit of a distance to the BTS, but it's walkable. There are also bus stops, but I'd advise against taking a bus during peak hours. Under the bridge, there's also a public pier where you can take a boat to Santhon on the opposite bank for only 5 baht to transfer to another boat, if you don't want to walk across the bridge. Grab taxis are convenient. During peak hours, going to the airport takes at least 1.5 hours, and the estimated times on the app are generally accurate. I haven't tried the hotel's shuttle service yet. For Siam Ocean World, you can buy tickets on Trip.com at the entrance and scan to enter. Safari World is too far; only the shows are worth seeing. You can ride an elephant for 300 baht and even buy paintings drawn by elephants, which is quite a good deal. Otherwise, if you've been to Chimelong, there's no need to go. I booked a package on Trip.com that included a car, tickets, and a buffet. Although the buffet was just group meal quality, there's really nothing else to eat inside. Since I had a child, I didn't visit any temples. I went to the Bangkok National Museum, and honestly, there's not much to see except exquisite religious sculptures and royal artifacts. If you have time, you can visit. You can take a public passenger boat to explore the Chao Phraya River; it's very convenient and cheap. In Bangkok, wearing long pants won't be too hot, and inside most malls and any air-conditioned places, it's very cold. Bangkok is a great international metropolis. I'd love to come back again during off-peak season when flights and hotels are cheaper. Bye for now!