Showing posts with label Four Seasons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Seasons. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Mocha & Muffins @ The Four Seasons Bangkok, Thailand

During our stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok (please see review) we went to Mocha & Muffins, their bakery and gift shop.

Mocha & Muffins is located in one of the courtyards, which I think is very romantic. The interior is colonial style.

Originally we wanted the chicken curry puffs, but they were already sold out, so we had to rethink our choice and had two Cappuccinos, two smoked salmon bagels and choux pastries.

We took a seat at the back of the bakery and could overlook Rajadamri Road, the BTS Sky train to the outside and Mocha and Muffins seating and counters to the other.

Soon our meal was served.

The staff was very friendly and efficient.

The Cappuccinos were strong, creamy and smooth. The bagel came with cream cheese, roasted peppers, smoked salmon and capers. It was delicious. The choux pastries weren't a disappointment either.

When we had finished we went to the till to pay. All came in at 1.107 THB (ca. 25.90 Euro or 34.80 USD).

It's one of our favorite places in the hotel, so we will return for sure.


©2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, Thailand

The Four Seasons Bangkok was for a longer time on our list of hotels we always wanted to stay and finally the chance came to do so. We used their offer of every third night free, so we stayed 6 nights and paid for 4.

We had chosen an Executive Club Room.

We took a taxi from the Banyan Tree - see review -, which cost around 60 THB (ca. 1.40 Euro or 1.90 USD).

We were welcomed friendly and as a returning guest - we have never stayed there before, but visited each time we were in Bangkok - and accompanied to the Executive Lounge on the 7th floor, where all the check in formalities were taken care of.

We were also offered a welcome drink of our choice. When we were ready we were given our keys and brought to our room on the same floor. We were located at the Parichart Court and our room overlooked the pool and the neighboring apartments.

The room was large. The furniture was dark and a mix of Colonial style and contemporary. There were some green splashes as well and the wallpaper was yellow.

A small hallway led off to the bathroom and the bed room.

The art work was traditional Thai.

The bed was comfortable and large. Beside it were two chairs and a coffee table with a fruit plate and welcome note.

Unusual for a Four Seasons the writing desk had only one chair instead of two. 

There was also a wardrobe, luggage rack and credenza with a large TV and about 65 channels, which covered everything from Indian TV to CNN and Bloomberg. We liked watching Channel News Asia, LI Living Inspired and Channel 4.

On the credenza were the Four Seasons Magazine and others. There were also two books, one about Thailand, the other was the autobiography of the King of Thailand.

The minibar contained local juices and international beverages. There were also free bottles of Singha water. The company is more famous for their beer.

During our stay we received more and more water, depending how humid it was.

The granite bath room was large with a separate bath tub and shower, sink and toilet. The amenities were by L'Occitaine and generously supplied. 

We enjoyed spending time on our room, relaxing and talking. We also liked that the art work above the bed was a continuation of the stunning lobby murals.

The wakeup call was always on time and personalized.

One morning we managed to oversleep, even with the wakeup call and morning coffee and we missed breakfast.

On our first day we explored the hotel and found out that beside the lobby lounge, there are a few meeting rooms, Biscotti Restaurant for Italian cuisine, Shintaro for Japanese, the reception and the concierge.

There are more meeting rooms on the first floor. We had a closer look at the murals on the wall and ceiling, which was created by a Thai master, but he unfortunately died before the work was finished, so it was completed by his apprentices and family members. 

The spa and swimming pool are located on the first floor too. The pool is romantic with sun loungers and greenery.

The fitness center is located in a different building.

Other restaurants and lounges are the Pop up wine and charcuterie, Madison for steaks, Spice Market (Thai), Mocha and Muffins, Aqua and the Terrace.

We went to Mocha and Muffins in one of the courtyards, one of our favorite places in the hotel. There was a koi pond, shops, including an art gallery, a book shop and a Jim Thompson's outlet.

Mocha and Muffins has fantastic bakery goods, sandwiches, chocolate, coffee, teas and wine.

After choosing our drinks and a smoked salmon bagel, we took a seat at the back, overlooking Rajadamri Road and the BTS Sky train. We could watch the comings and goings. The staff was attentive, the cappuccinos creamy and strong and the salmon bagel very delicious. We paid 1.107 THB (ca. 25.90 Euro or 34.80 USD).

We really loved the nooks and crannies of the hotel and every corner seemed to reveal something new, like elephant statues at the entrance of the hotel, ponds with little sculptures and other art work.

During the day we were out exploring, but we used the executive club lounge nearly every day.

It is a very nice space, large with a reception at the entrance and lounge and restaurant style seating with a small library and internet corner. 

Breakfast is served daily until 10.30 hours. The buffet selection was not the largest, but of the finest quality. There was also an egg station with a chef, making all dishes to order.

Some of the choices were sausages, a local noodle or rice dish, congee with condiments, fruits, vegetables, yogurt, milk drinks including shakes, bread and much more.

Happy Hour had a small selection of alcoholic beverages. We tried the red (New Zealand) and sparkling wine (France, but not from the Champagne region).  Every evening we were there a different themed buffet was available from Italian to Japanese. 

It contained mostly seafood and mushrooms (one of us has an allergy of both), but there were enough other choices to satisfy us. The desserts were a hit, especially the coconut panna cotta.

Unlike other club lounges the Four Season's was never over run. When there were other guests they were quiet and considerate.

The club lounge staff was always welcoming, asked about our day and knew our preferred drinks and seating arrangements.

When we didn't arrive one day at all - the one we over slept - the staff was already missing us and relieved to see us again the next morning.

The location of the Four Seasons is ideal. The Erawan Shrine and Central World Shopping Mall, Gaysorn Plaza and the Centara Grand Hotel are just a short walk away.

The nearest BTS Sky train Station is Rajadamri Road. It's maybe five minutes walk away and gives you / us affordable access to the city. On the other side Bangkok is very walkable and we went one evening to Wireless Road within twenty minutes.

Check out approached way too fast. It was done very efficient and with a smile. A taxi to Phaya Thai Airport Link Station was organized as well.

All staff encountered from the back of house to the door lady and gentlemen were warm, hospitable and efficient.

The Four Seasons is very romantic, the location ideal, the rooms luxurious and spacious, the food great and the staff exemplary. We would love to return soon and recommend it highly.

©2014

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Four Seasons Dublin, Ireland

 This is just a short interlude before I write further about our hotel experiences in Malaysia and maybe a short story or two. 

Originally we planned to stay at another hotel in one of the suburbs of Dublin as our Christmas present for each other.

Realizing we wanted something more memorable we were looking out for our favorite hotels. We found a very good deal on the Four Seasons' website and decided to go for it. The deal included a guaranteed room upgrade to the next category and breakfast either in room or at the Seasons Restaurant.

We took Bus 7 from Trinity College towards Loughlinstown and got off at the RDS stop. The Four Seasons Hotel is just a few steps behind the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). The National Craft Show was going on, so it was really busy.

We had stayed at the hotel four years earlier and also visited for cocktails or lunch over the years.

It has changed quite a lot. For example check in is not any longer to the left side when entering, but to the right.

The lobby has been also modernized and has some daring pink splashes in the lounge for example.

Check in was very pleasant and we were offered another very special deal. We could upgrade for a reasonable amount to a Junior Suite, which we decided to take. Otherwise we would have received a Deluxe Room.  We were recognized as returning guests. We also asked for a late check out, which was no problem at all. Our room wasn't ready yet, so we went for lunch at the lounge.

It was ca. 1.5 hours before official check in time when we arrived. We were in the middle of eating our starter when the receptionist came with our key cards.

After finishing our meal we went up to see for ourselves what the Junior Suite looked like. It fulfilled our expectations completely. The suite was open plan and large. There was a hall way with a large wardrobe, leading off to the large bathroom to the right or to the bed room and separate sitting area, when going straight.

The room was kept mostly in gold, brown and green colors. We had views over the RDS and Ballsbridge.

The bed was very large with a credenza and a huge TV in front of it. The Four Seasons has the most TV channels available of any Dublin hotel we have stayed so far. There are regional and international channels including CNN and Bloomberg, Arabic, German, Italian and much more.

The minibar was stocked with Sunraysia juices, beer, water and other soft drinks.

The sitting area consisted of a large sofa, a comfortable armchair, large coffee table with Photography books and magazines and a writing desk. There was another credenza with a slightly too small TV.

The safe didn't function, but we had trust in the staff and thought it was unlikely somebody would break into our room. Valuables can be also handed over to reception. Staff will store them in the main safe.

The furniture was scratch free and having tested all, comfortable. We spent hours talking and watching TV.

The lightning was bright, which was a plus. We don't like too dark rooms.

The fully marbled bathroom had the typical Four Seasons set up with a separate bath tub and shower, one sink and a lot of storage space for cosmetics. There were also the usual L' Occitaine bath room amenities.

In room dining is 24 hours a day available. We enjoyed hot chocolate, a pot of green tea, a milkshake, a large bottle of still water, Farmhouse Chicken Soup and chocolate mousse with caramelized banana and peanut butter ice cream. The bill came in at 63 Euro (ca. 85 USD) including tip.

There was also a turn down service, but there weren't any free goodies, like free water or chocolate. The bed was made and slippers put out. The gentleman was very friendly and asked if he could also check the bathroom and if we needed anything else before leaving.

You might wonder what we had for lunch earlier in the day. We had two seasonal cocktails, a cappuccino, a hot chocolate, chicken lollipops (messy eating, but tasty), turkey with ham and root vegetables and venison with greens and red cabbage. The bill was 96 Euro (ca. 130 USD) including tip.

After a good nights sleep we had breakfast at the Seasons Restaurant.

There was a buffet with a selection of cold cuts, smoked salmon, fruits, vegetable, yogurt and much more. There was also an egg station and a la carte items were included in our rate. He had French Toast, which was large enough to feed two and me an omelet.

Afterwards we spent some time exploring the "Sculpture in Context" exhibition - the largest and most prestigious outdoor sculpture exhibition in Ireland by emerging and established artists. It is going on until early January 2014 in the courtyard.

Time Out by Ana Duncan, The Fat Lady Swings by Mike Duhan and A Gathering by Maureen Bush were a few of our favorites. All the art can be purchased ranging from 140 Euro to 30.000 Euro (ca. 189 USD to 40.491 USD).

Unfortunately and way too quickly check out arrived. Again it was quick, warm and friendly.

We can't say enough about the warm, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, the perfect condition of the hardware and the excellent food.

Naturally we are going to return.



 ©2013