56 Surawong Hotel: Bangkok's BEST Kept Secret (Luxury Awaits!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of this place that’s gonna be as messy and delicious as a late-night ice cream sundae. Forget the pristine travel brochure; this is real-life, warts and all, and hopefully packed with enough SEO goodness to get you clicking. Let's GO!
Okay, First Impressions… and That Darned Internet!
Right, so accessibility. That's ALWAYS the first thing I look for, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because you never know when you'll need it. We're looking at the entire property, not just individual rooms. What about on-site accessible restaurants/lounges? Wheelchair accessible? Okay, let's see if that's up to snuff. Later on, I'll tell you about the elevator I took. It will get its own moment.
Now, the internet. This is a HUGE one for me. I need it like I need oxygen! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! I'm already smiling. Internet [LAN] - good for backups or the old-schoolers! Internet services – hopefully, this means decent speeds and doesn't cut out during my all-important Zoom calls. Wi-Fi in public areas - essential. I'm a wanderer, I like to write or do work.
…Okay, the actual review is going to be a little bit more of a "wait and see" on all of that. But the idea is good, right? FREE WIFI! You know, because I spent a month in a hotel once with HORRENDOUS internet, and I swear I aged a decade. Literal gray hairs sprouting like mushrooms.
Let’s Talk Fun and Relaxation – And My Unexpected Spa Encounter
Alright, let's get to the good stuff: Things to do, ways to relax… Oh, FINALLY!
- Here's the breakdown:
- Body scrub: sounds nice.
- Body wrap: I’ve never done one, am I going to feel like a burrito?
- Fitness Centre: Gotta check this out.
- Foot bath: Ooooh, that's tempting.
- Gym/Fitness: See above.
- Massage: YES. Absolutely. Booked.
- Pool with view: Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
- Sauna: I love saunas.
- Spa: Well, that means more massage options, so yes.
- Spa/sauna: Double the bliss!
- Steamroom: YES!
- Swimming pool: Always a win.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Preferably the one with the view.
I’m an amateur spa enthusiast, so I’m there for the good stuff. The whole "pamper myself" thing, well… you know. I want a massage. A deep tissue massage. Because, well, I'm wound tighter than a guitar string.
…So I went for the massage. And… it was incredible. I mean, seriously, I'm talking about the kind of massage that melts away years of stress, the kind where you briefly question whether you’re still on Earth. The therapist was amazing. She knew precisely where to strike with her magic hands.
Later, I tried the sauna. It was a little… intense. But in a good way. Like, I felt cleansed. Like I'd shed a layer of… well, everything. After that, I stumbled to the pool. The pool with the view. Oh. My. God. That view. Sunsets. Cocktails. Total bliss. I swear, for a few hours, I forgot all my problems.
Safety, Cleanliness, and That Sanitized Spoon – A Necessary Evil?
Alright, the dreaded C-word: Cleanliness and safety. Ugh. Nobody wants to talk about it, but it's essential, right? Especially these days.
- We have Anti-viral cleaning products - good!
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service - great for a lazy start.
- Cashless payment service - convenient.
- Daily disinfection in common areas - important.
- Doctor/nurse on call - always a good thing to know.
- First aid kit - also useful.
- Hand sanitizer - everywhere, I hope.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing - essential.
- Hygiene certification - check for that seal of approval!
- Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter - the new normal.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays - Okay, that's thorough.
- Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items - critical.
- Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment - Got it, got it, got it.
My Take:
- First of all, the Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. I noticed that right away.
- The Daily Disinfection is evident. I could smell the cleaner everywhere.
- Rooms are clean, however, the view from my room has a construction site. I could choose to skip the sanitizing, or I choose one of the other rooms.
Food, Glorious Food! And My Carb-Loading Disaster
Dining, drinking, and snacking – arguably the most important part of any hotel experience, am I right?
- Restaurant Options: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant
Phew! That's a lot!
Let's start with breakfast. I’m a sucker for a good buffet, and this one delivered! So many options. I went full-on carb-loading disaster. Pancakes, waffles, pastries… I thought I would live forever. (I didn’t, unfortunately. I just ended up with a massive sugar crash.)
I tried the room service one night. 24-hour service is so amazing, right? Late night cravings and whatever I could possibly want.
I also visited the Bar, which was lively, but it was a blast! One of the best happy hours I’ve ever seen! The bartenders are also really funny to talk to.
The Nitty Gritty: Services, Conveniences, and What About the Kids?
Okay, let's just breeze through the rest:
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
And the miscellaneous: Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
The Verdict – And Why You Should Probably Book!
Okay, so, is it perfect? Nope. But is it a damn good hotel? Absolutely.
The good:
- The Massage. Still dreaming about it.
- The Pool with the View. Pure joy.
- The Staff. Friendly and helpful.
- Free Wi-Fi!
The not-so-perfect:
- The Construction View.
- Slightly awkward about the cleaning products in the air.
Overall:
- Overall, the hotel offers great value, amazing services, and is a good choice for both a relaxing getaway and a family trip.
- I strongly recommend booking this place!
SEO Boost!
- Keywords: *[Hotel Name], [City Name] Hotels, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Massage, Free Wi-Fi, Accessible Hotel,
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my attempt at surviving Bangkok, based in the 56 Surawong Hotel. Prepare for chaos. And hopefully, some good Pad Thai.
Bangkok: Operation "Don't Die From Food Poisoning" (and Maybe Find Some Culture Too)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in a Fancy Hotel (Surawong, You Better Be Worth It)
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Flight was delayed. Naturally. Pretty sure the guy in front of me breathed exclusively recycled air for the entire 14 hours. Already questioning all my life choices. Immigration: a stressful ballet of sweaty brows and frantic passport fumbling. Found my bag! Victory!
- 15:30: Taxi to 56 Surawong Hotel. Traffic. Oh GOD, the traffic. I’m pretty sure the tuk-tuk driver tried to run over a stray dog. (Sorry, dog). The hotel looks…impressive. Marble, gleaming surfaces, people bowing. I, in my crumpled linen shirt and slightly panicked state, feel profoundly out of place.
- 16:30: Check-in. The staff are ridiculously polite. They use my name. A little too much. Starting to suspect they're judging my lack of travel-chic. Room is gorgeous though. Big windows. Killer view. Decidedly less terrified. Note to self: Must remember to tip.
- 17:00: Explore the immediate area. The heat hits me like Mike Tyson. It's humid, oppressive, and smells strongly of…everything. Street food is a siren song. Resist. For now. The hotel's gym looks intimidating: a gleaming, stainless-steel torture chamber. No. Just no.
- 18:00: Brief cocktail in the hotel bar. "Brief" meaning one, maybe two, cocktails to attempt to calm my nerves…and maybe soak up some of the gorgeous ambiance. Oh, my god, this cocktail is fantastic. Expensive, but worth it. I'm going to be broke, aren't I?
- 19:30: Dinner at a recommended restaurant nearby (supposedly authentic Thai food). Expectation: Flavor explosion! Reality: Slightly burnt Pad Thai. But the Chang beer is ice cold. Relief washes over me. I’m alive.
- 21:00: Collapse into bed. Jet lag is a beast. Dreaming of air conditioning and clean sheets. Praying I don't get food poisoning. Goodnight.
Day 2: Temples, Tuk-Tuks, and the Art of Negotiating (and Possibly Getting Scammed)
- 08:00: Wake up, maybe. Or am I still dreaming? Breakfast at the hotel. The fruit is amazing. The coffee is…not. Regretting not having a travel coffee mug. I really need that coffee.
- 09:00: Tourist mode activated. Visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The Chao Phraya River is beautiful. Except for the trash. Bangkok's a paradox; dazzling and gritty. The temple itself? Stunning. The intricate details are mind-boggling. I climb some very steep stairs. Sweat. Profusely. Feel like I'm going to have a heatstroke.
- 11:00: Hired a tuk-tuk. Negotiated a price. Pretty sure I got ripped off. But the ride was a blast. I was nearly decapitated by a low-hanging wire, but oh, the freedom! The driver laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh too. Bangkok is a chaotic symphony.
- 12:00: Lunch break. Trying to be daring. Spotted a vendor selling something that looks…delicious. Ordered it. It’s spicy. Very spicy. Tears are streaming down my face. But it's amazing.
- 13:00: Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha). The Buddha is HUGE. My jaw drops. The sheer scale of it is… overwhelming. I'm starting to think I need to find a quiet place and meditate. Or at least sit down. My feet are killing me.
- 15:00: Walk around the market. Amazing smells, incredible colors, and a cacophony of people. Getting slightly overwhelmed by the number of people trying to sell me things. Everytime I look at something, they call me "my friend". This is both exhausting and adorable.
- 16:30: Back to the hotel for a shower. And a serious mental reset. Seriously, I'm not sure how I survived.
- 18:00: Dinner again, at a restaurant a bit further away. This time I tried red curry and I think I would like to swim in it.
- 20:00: Get a Thai massage. This is heaven. Absolutely, positively, the best thing that has ever happened to my body. I think I might sign up for a course.
Day 3: Floating Markets, Chaos, and the Pursuit of Authenticity…or at Least, Edible Street Food
- 07:00: Rise and shine! (Or at least, wake up. It's hot.) Decide to be more adventurous. I'm going to find the best coffee, no matter what. The quest for the perfect coffee begins.
- 08:00: Head to the floating markets. What was I thinking? This is a logistical nightmare. But beautiful. The colors, the boats, the food…it’s overwhelming. I’m a terrible photographer, but I'm trying to capture it all. I eat some mango sticky rice. It's… otherworldly. Note: This is the best thing I have ever eaten.
- 10:00: Okay, I'M getting lost. Seriously lost. But the chaos is kinda… exhilarating. Bought some silk scarves. Maybe I overpaid. Maybe I got bamboozled. I don't care. They’re pretty.
- 12:00: Lunch. More street food. This time I see some noodle soup. Looks safe enough. It is not safe enough. But I’m eating it anyway. My stomach is starting to rumble.
- 13:00: Back to the hotel. Possibly to die. Stomach is protesting. I might have to spend the rest of the day in the bathroom. Consider the ramifications.
- 15:00: Consider the bathroom a second home.
- 16:00: More bathroom.
- 17:00: Still in the bathroom. This is a travel-ruining experience. I regret everything.
- 18:00: Manage to leave the bathroom. I have survived. Maybe. Order room service (bland broth.)
- 20:00: Early night. Praying the worst is over.
Day 4: Recovery, Regret, and a Glimmer of Hope
- 09:00: Managed to survive the night! I am alive! Breakfast, ginger ale, and bland toast. Not even looking at the fruit.
- 10:00: I'm not going anywhere today. Contemplating the meaning of life. Specifically, the meaning of my questionable food choices.
- 12:00: Netflix and room service. My Bangkok adventure is now a hotel-room coma.
- 16:00: Begin the process of getting ready to leave. This is an emotional experience, and I am sad.
- 18:00: Last dinner in Bangkok. Feeling better. I'm still not going to be adventurous, but I feel at least half as scared as I did when I came.
- 20:00: Pack. Reflect on the chaos, the beauty, the near-death experiences, and the sheer, overwhelming joy of surviving. This trip was a mixed bag, but I think, in the end, it was worth it.
- 21:00: Get some more sleep, before leaving tomorrow.
Day 5: Departure- The End of the Beginning
- 06:00: Wake up at the last possible moment, because nothing can be easy.
- 07:00: One last breakfast. The pastries are amazing. Try not to think about the things I probably shouldn't eat.
- 08:00: Check out. Say goodbye to the incredibly polite staff. Seriously, the hotel was worth it.
- 09:00: Taxi to the airport. Traffic. Of course.
- 11:00: Airport. Waiting. Planning my return. Bangkok, you crazy, beautiful, slightly terrifying city. I'll be back. Eventually.
- 14:00: On the plane. Thinking about the next adventure!
Notes and Observations:
- Bargaining: Do it. It's expected. But don't be a jerk.
- Food: Be cautious. But also, try everything. (And pack Pepto-Bismol).
- Transportation: Embrace the chaos. And wear comfortable shoes.
So... What *exactly* are we doing here? My brain hurts already.
Okay, deep breaths. You're looking at a Frequently Asked Questions page. The *frequently* part is debatable because, honestly, I'm just making this up as I go... but we'll pretend. The *Questions* part is real, hopefully. We're gonna pretend this is a real FAQ and try to answer some questions people might have. But, like, the REAL questions. Not the canned corporate-speak. The "I'm-actually-confused" questions. The "I-need-a-coffee-and-a-nap" questions. Got it? Good. Now, let's… *ahem*… *begin*…
What Inspired You? Was it, like, a Kitten? Or… A Giant Robot? Just Curious!
Honestly? A combination of sleep deprivation, too much caffeine, and the sheer audacity of existing. I've seen a lot of FAQs over the years, and they're often… well, they're about as exciting as watching paint dry. So, I thought, "Why not spice things up a *little*?" I wanted something… human. Something that didn't sound like it was written by a chatbot or a robot programmed to obey corporate directives. My hope is, I'm not sure what that's supposed to be.
And, no, there aren't any kittens or giant robots involved. Although, a kitten *would* be pretty cool. Maybe next time.
Where do you find all these… *ideas*?
Oh, you know. They just… *pop* in. It's like my brain is a chaotic amusement park. One minute, I'm thinking about something serious, like, “How do I deal with the void?” The next, I'm picturing a squirrel wearing a tiny hat. It's a wild ride, and I honestly can't control it. I'm just along for the ride. So I guess, the "ideas" are everywhere! From that stupid commercial on TV to the existential dread that sneaks in at 3 am, you know?
Why is this so... *unstructured*? Like, is this some post-modern art project?
Okay, maybe. Maybe not. But look, life is a mess! Sometimes things are neat and tidy, and other times you're trying to find your car keys in the junk drawer and realize you haven't cleaned it in a decade. That's how I am. It's…organic. Besides, structure can be boring. We're not robots. We're not factory workers of FAQs. We're people! We're supposed to be chaotic and flawed and a tiny bit unpredictable, and maybe a little bit embarrassing!
Who is your audience? Like, who are you hoping actually *reads* this thing?
Honestly? I'm not sure. Maybe the person who's stuck scrolling through endless FAQs, bored out of their mind. Or maybe someone who's just as weird as I am, searching for something that isn't predictable. I'm putting this out there and hoping someone out there thinks this is cool. It's kind of a gamble, you know?
Will you ever… *get better* at this?
Probably not. And that's the absolute beauty of it! I mean, I'm not sure what "better" would even *mean*. More organized? Less rambling? More…corporate? No way. I am me, take it or leave it. Honestly, I’m hoping to learn, improve, and evolve. But, I will always be a little bit of a glorious, hot mess.
How do you handle writer's block? (Because, you know, I'm pretty sure you've run into some)
Writer's block? Oh, honey, it's my *constant* companion. It’s like this little goblin that lives in my brain and throws rocks at my creativity. How do I deal with it? Usually, I pace. A lot. I make a cup of coffee. Then I rant to my cat. Then, if I am lucky, I find something interesting on the internet - often, something ridiculously silly, like a video of a pug trying to eat a bagel. Usually, after that, a random idea or two comes into my head.
What's the most important thing you want people to take away from this?
That it's okay to be a little bit… *off*. It's okay to not have all the answers. It's okay to be messy and flawed and human. And, you know, maybe, just maybe, it’s okay to laugh at your own imperfections. Because, seriously, that’s all any of us can do!
Are you, like, okay? Do you need a break?
*Sigh* Look, I'm fine. In my own weird, chaotic way, absolutely fine. I had a terrible cup of coffee this morning…and maybe, okay, maybe I overthink things sometimes, and probably need a good nap, and the cat is glaring at me because I haven't fed him yet. But beyond that? I wouldn’t say "not okay." I wouldn’t say "perfectly okay" either. Maybe the truth is somewhere in the mushy middle. But hey, if you want to throw in a virtual hug, I’ll accept it with open arms. Now, where's that cat food?
