Just Ducky
Dateline: The Sukhothai, Bangkok, May 23, 2007
A bit more than a four-minute read

The history of Thailand is that of an area of Southeast Asia, rather than a single nation, and over the centuries numerous peoples have made their home in this region. The most recent were the Tai of Southern China who migrated south in the first millennium AD and from whom most Thais today are descended.

In 1238, the Thais established the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom near the Yom River and drove the Khmer to the east. Named “Sukhothai,” or “Dawn of Happiness,” the city marked the birth of the first Thai nation. Sukhothai was the center of culture and fine cuisine, and its period of glory is preserved in its spectacular ruins. Most sophisticated and cultured world travellers go to Sukhothai to better appreciate the Kingdom of Thailand...

...just as most sophisticated and cultured world travellers go to The Sukhothai to better appreciate the Kingdom of Thailand. The Sukhothai is Bangkok’s center of culture and fine cuisine, and its glory is to be seen in its spectacular design and décor.

The Sukhothai is down a long, tree-lined driveway far off South Sathorn Road, the Embassy Row of Bangkok. With low-rise buildings filled with artifacts dating back 750 years, and interior design by Edward Tuttle, this is the hotel of choice for travellers with green not platinum plastic, who don’t wear every piece of jewelry they own, nor drop names all over the lobby floor.

This place is sophisticated, worldly, and dignified, and certainly not pretentious nor stuffy. It’s also got a sense of humor. Not surprisingly, it’s just like its long-running General Manager, George Benny. This man is a true gent: utterly sincere, discreet, and charming, who gently leads what feels like a private club of great tranquility and superb service.

I met Ed Tuttle in Marrakech where he had just renovated a Moroccan palace for J. Paul Getty—at the time the richest man in the world. Mr. Tuttle also designed many of the fabulous Aman resorts around the world, and The Sukhothai is a monument to his genius. For example, the lobby courtyard’s reflection pool mirrors replicas of 13th-Century Sukhothai stupas, while in other areas of the hotel, exquisite detailing makes one pause in respect.

Long views of bold architectural symmetry...

...and Tuttle’s use of teak, granite, mirror, glass, ceramic, metal, and the finest Thai fabrics recall the palatial salons of the ancient capital.

At the same time, the hotel incorporates the latest technology and comforts of the new millennium.

For guests wishing to combine business with sport, The Sukhothai maintains close ties with Bangkok’s finest golf clubs. On-site leisure facilities include a fully-equipped spa, a health club with gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, steambath and whirlpool, a 25-metre infinity-edged swimming pool, a squash court, flood-lit tennis court, and a hair salon.

Gourmands arrive from all over the city to enjoy The Sukhothai’s restaurants:

Celadon offers award-winning Thai cuisine on two traditional Thai pavilions and two spacious open-air terraces.

“The Best food in Thailand…” Gourmet Magazine, 2004

Colonnade, the hotel’s main restaurant, is casually elegant and offers a mix of live cooking during the day, and a sushi bar and á la carte dining at night. This is also the spot for one of Bangkok’s most splendid and popular Sunday Brunches...book well in advance.

The innovations of The Sukhothai’s chefs are exemplified at La Scala, a classic Italian restaurant.

The terrace is a cool spot for an alfresco lunch, and a romantic one for a candle-lit dinner overlooking the pool.

Ask for Somchai; he was our gregarious waiter and we tried to one-up each other over the virtues of Sassicaia...at THB17, 000 a bottle, it’s worth lots of words!

The Zuk Bar, next to Colonnade, has a New York City atmosphere and a resident DJ. Zuk also has embroidered napkins definitely worth stealing.

Lobby Salons serve cocktails and light menus all day and evening, as well as tea snacks in the afternoon, and a Chocolate Buffet every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons!

What of the rooms and suites? I’ll let them speak for themselves:

A room:

One of many suites:

Our suite, No. 601:

Furniture details:

Our teak-floored bath was larger than many hotel rooms in this town:

Bottom Line: Institutional Investor ranked The Sukhothai No. 2 in the Top 80 of “The World’s Best Hotels,” 2004. But don’t think it is priced out of your budget, it was ranked No. 2 in the Top 10 Overall Hotels in ‘The World’s Best Values’ by Travel & Leisure, March 2006.

The best of my visit? Entering Colonnade for lunch and being hugged by Khun Botan Chaipakee who had looked after me for almost 20 years as the manager of the Lobby Lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok. On my way out, Botan pressed a note into my hand: “Hope to see you again soon.” With it was her card: Colonnade Manager. Well, if one is ever to leave the Four Seasons, and almost no one ever does, The Sukhothai is really the only other choice for genuine ladies and gents. That applies to guests as well.

I mentioned a sense of humor; look what I found on the bathtub:

Yes, everything was just ducky!

Uncle Ted

The Sukhothai
13/3 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120
Thailand
Tel: 66 (0) 2344 8888
Fax: 66 (0) 2344 8899
www.sukhothai.com

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