Back in 1970 when The Dusit Thani opened, it was Bangkok's tallest building. Rising 22 floors, it was a city landmark on the corner of Rama 4 and Silom Roads - overlooking wide, open spaces and the lush greenery of Lumpini Park - and also one of Thailand's first five-star hotels that gave the country's hospitality industry a reputation of legendary proportions. Much has changed in 37 years. Bangkok's skyline underwent a gradual metamorphosis as one after the other tall skyscrapers rose from the once-barren landscape - two, and even three times taller. But, time hasn't stood still at The Dusit Thani either...
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Today there's an underground (MRT) station right on its doorstep, and a Skytrain (BTS) station minutes away on foot. Over the years The Dusit Thani has not only kept abreast of every imaginable trend and innovation, but continued to set new benchmarks for the industry. When the spa culture became all the rage in the early 90's, the luxurious Devarana Spa was introduced - and today remains as one of the city's finest. Along with the Internet came the latest technological advancements for the convenience of guests. That would explain, too, how one hotel can boast a guest list including such diverse personalities as former UK Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher, rap king 50Cent and poster girl Anna Kournikova - symbolic perhaps of the hotel's ability to move with the times, and integral to its flexibility to adapt rapidly and readily to change.
'Town in Heaven' - backed by heavenly service
The essence of Dusit Thani is symbolised by the statue of King Rama VI, guarding the entrance to Lumpini Park across from the hotel. It was he who, back in 1918, devised a utopian concept of a model city for a democratic society where everyone would live in happiness and freedom. He called it Dusit Thani, meaning 'Town in Heaven'. I wonder if the gentle hint of an approving smile on the face of King Rama VI's statue has something to do with this magnificent hotel and the gracious service that's become its hallmark...
It might not be Bangkok's tallest building anymore, but The Dusit Thani stands pretty proud and tall in every other way.
The legend continues: A philosophy to dazzle and delight
Its restaurants - the likes of Benjarong (Royal Thai cuisine), il cielo (Italian), D'Sens (modern French) and Mayflower (Chinese), amongst others - are as famous and highly praised as the hotel itself. These restaurants have all been part of a refurbishment investment of a staggering one billion baht since 2003, ensuring that the hotel continues to dazzle and delight guests with renewed vigour. And that, it does. It's after all the flagship of the Dusit chain that now reaches beyond Thailand's borders to Myanmar, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.
The kind of rooms that make checking out hard to do
Another large chunk of the investment at Bangkok's Dusit Thani went into the refurbishment of rooms and, most recently, the introduction of the Dusit Club Rooms (30 square metres), Dusit Club Corner Rooms (40 square metres) and Dusit Grand Rooms (60 square metres). They come with separate lounge areas to provide more than just a conventional hotel room for business executives and discerning leisure travellers. From free high-speed Internet access, an oversized desk and wall-mounted LCD TV, to complimentary local calls and a pillow menu with no less than ten choices - within the confines of spaces exquisitely decorated in sumptuous Thai elegance - these rooms present a new level of distinction, sophistication and exceptional personal comfort. They have ushered in a new dimension created especially for those travellers seeking more than just a room to sleep in.
Guests staying here also enjoy Dusit Club Lounge complimentary privileges from 07:00 until 23:00 with coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks served throughout the day, happy hour with cocktails and canap-s from 17:30 until 19:30, a variety of international newspapers and magazines, a one-hour use of a meeting room, in-room Internet and local land line calls, faster-than-lightning (private) check in and check out (at the Club Lounge on the third floor), as well as a sumptuous breakfast buffet at il cielo. Optional features include a '711' butler service and express overnight laundry service.
Other room options: Something for everyone
In realising that the needs of all guests are not the same, there are also 42 Deluxe Rooms (30 square metres), 232 Superior Rooms in the East Wing (35 square metres), 23 one- and two-bedroom Thai Heritage Suites (80 - 110 square metres), two Rattanakosin Suites (110 square metres), a Princess Suite (140 square metres), and a Majesty Suite (239 square metres) - bringing the total guest room and suite tally to 517. Worth elaboration are the exquisitely decorated and appointed Thai Heritage Suites, perfect for special occasions like a honeymoon or anniversary. These suites go far beyond dazzling guests, and you'd never want to leave! Take a deep breath before you enter, because you'll be so blown away at first sight that you'd forget to (breathe).
(Travellers tip: Don't carry the electronic room access card in the same pocket as your mobile phone - it could result in a faulty card.)
About clinching a business deal, working up a sweat and making a splash
Also in line with the introduction of the new rooms, the hotel has launched executive meeting rooms at the Dusit Meeting Centre, which offers three boardrooms (capacity of 12-16 persons) and three meeting rooms (capacity 18-28 persons), complete with state-of-the-art facilities, amenities and a full secretarial service.
'DFiT' (launched in early 2007) is a modern, unrivalled glass-fronted gymnasium overlooking the hexagon-shaped pool and lush garden. Professional fitness instructors are at hand to explain the workings of space-age equipment, and there's a health bar, holistic fitness classes, steam and sauna facilities, a squash court, and even a golf driving range. The pool might not be ideal for swimming laps, but it makes up for what it lacks in size with a tropical setting and a waterfall cascading down to the lower lobby level.
The Dusit experience: A luxury world in one
And yet, there's much more to the Dusit experience... The hotel's banqueting facilities are renowned. The elegant Lobby Lounge has also recently seen a make-over, with the ChampagneS lounge overlooking it, and the hip MyBar to its furthest end; its illuminated blue bar counter like a magnet. More dining experiences await at Hamilton's Steak House, The Pavillion (Asian and international buffet or a la carte), Thien Duong (Vietnamese) and Shogun (Japanese).
There's an extensive collection of books at Library 1918 for the reading enjoyment of guests, and - to satisfy your urge to splurge - several boutique shops in the small in-house shopping arcade, including Dusit Boutique, the Flower Shop and other exclusive outlets selling from silk to jewellery. A barber and beauty salon can be found here too - and don't forget to pop in at the Dusit Gourmet Shop for some of Bangkok's finest pastries, hand-made chocolates and other delicatessen. Naturally, wireless Internet is available in all public areas.
(Traveller's tip: Male guests should not miss what must be Bangkok's most glamorous and unusual urinal in the 'boys room' up on the 22nd floor where French restaurant and bar D'Sens is located. The urinal is a floor-to-ceiling, one-way glass panel, with sweeping views over Lumpini Park and skyline behind it.)
Location to boot and getting around made simple
Surrounded by all this luxury, it's hard to believe that Patpong and Silom's other day-and-night attractions are minutes away on foot - yet, it's a reassuring convenience factor that the hotel's prime location and easy access to the MRT and BTS makes exploring the whole city such a pleasure.
The verdict: The Dusit Thani Bangkok is one of those luxury hospitality experiences - as rich in history as it is to well-deserved praise - that has to be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime.
Reviewed by: Francois Oosthuizen
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