The Regent Bangkok - My Home in the Hub

Bangkok is the hub for travel in Southeast Asia. I've been coming here since 1963. Let me reminisce…

In November 1963, I was living in Hong Kong and my plans went awry. (See Hong Kong Revisited) I joined my parents for Christmas in Hawaii. In those days, the rooms at the Halekulani consisted of thatched huts on stilts, and Santa came ashore in an outrigger canoe! Unfortunately, my parents and I had a noisy argument about my living in Hong Kong, racing in Macau, and working for Bernie Cornfeld as an itinerant mutual fund salesman.

I returned to Hong Kong with my values readjusted, and sold the remains of my crashed grand prix car. I had just enough money to buy a one-way ticket to Europe by way of Bangkok. (I had my parents' itinerary and thought it would be fun to surprise them.)

In those days, the best hotel in Bangkok was the Erawan, and I was sitting on the front steps when Mom and Dad pulled up in their taxi. They were thrilled that "I'd come to my senses," and come to join them. We spent a lovely week or two doing all the things that tourists to Bangkok have been doing for generations: a Thai boxing match, a staged sword fight, a trip to the floating market, innumerable tours through innumerable wats (temples), and a visit to Jim Thompson's home. I never forgot that house, and it still pulls me back to this sweltering town even though all I do here now, besides revisiting Thompson's house/museum, is sit by the pool at The Regent - my "home in the hub."

The current hotel manager is Randy Shimabuku, and he's got a green cap, too!

The Regent Bangkok is one of Asia's finest luxury hotels. The hotel always sends one of their Mercedes to meet my flight ($35), and when we are a few minutes away, the driver discreetly telephones the front desk. By the time we pull up, the assistant manager is there to take me directly to my room. As I walk toward the front doors, the bell captain at his outdoor desk smiles: "Hello, Mr. Carter, welcome back." Each of his staff does the same. The two lads at the front doors open them and bow more welcome-backs!

I have had one of three identical rooms for years. The check-in formalities are completed there. Nothing has changed, but everything always looks new. I plug in my laptop eschewing the hotel's dialup for AOL (the business center told me it was much cheaper), kick off my shoes, and really feel at home. Soon, flowers and fruit, and a welcome note from Randy arrive. This is home!

I pick up the phone to say hi to room service-same voice, and another personal "welcome back." The next day, weather permitting, I ensconce myself at the pool-same friendly people, more "welcome-backs."

There are 356 luxurious, executive-sized rooms, including 37 suites and seven unique garden cabanas. The lobby is one of the city's most stylish meeting places with hand-painted silk ceilings; intricate artwork; and handcrafted Thai furniture and antiques. Dining options include the Spice Market (Thai), Shintaro (Japanese), Biscotti (European), and at the pool. You can get a workout or spa treatment at The Regent Sports and Health Club. There are fancy shops surrounding the Hotel's courtyard and in the Peninsula Plaza Shopping Center next door. Out the new porte-cochere and across the street and elevated railway is the Royal Bangkok Sports Club's 9-hole golf course and track. And last but not least are the 19 Mercedes sedans and 1 Chevrolet "Mobile Office on Wheels" available for airport transfers and in-town and out of town transit.