We stayed at the Peninsula last year after having stayed at the Sheraton and The Oriental previously.

We decided to stay there because we'd read lots of good things about their nice rooms and technology. And this was true. But, compared to both the Sheraton and especially The Oriental - they lack a bit of charm. It's too big, and modern, there is not much Thai about it. We decided to spend one of our evenings at the Bamboo bar instead of eating in one of the restaurants at the Peninsula. The staff is professional and helpful, but lack... something that makes you feel special.

So in conclusion, it is a good hotel, very 5 star, but lack some of the charm of its older neighbors across the river.

What can one say about the Peninsula in Bangkok but wow!

From the moment you enter the hotel you feel like you have just entered an oasis of pure luxury with attention given to every detail.

From the gorgeous lobby to the well-appointed rooms to the hotels amenities in addition to the amazing staff you never want to leave the hotel.

The breakfast this hotel offers is beyond words and the other fare offered is equally impressive.

I absolutely love this property and will most certainly visit again!

Stayed at the Peninsula for 2 days last August. Room was beautiful with a great view (grand deluxe). Breakfast lovely but a bit too busy. Some people had to wait for a table. Boat across the river is very efficient and fun. Staff were lovely. Pool is beautiful but there are no private areas and not much greenery around. Didn't eat at the restaurants but had a complimentary drink in the front bar whilst our room was being made up. Loved Bangkok and the Peninsula (also stayed at Shangri La) so much I am going back with my husband this year. The Shangri La thai restaurant is lovely and very easy to get to by boat across the river (free). Even though it is a 5 star restaurant it is worth paying ($30 per head) for the beautiful setting.

It was very interesting reading the previous review comparing the Oriental with the Peninsula. I can fully appreciate the comments made, as some will find this hotel not totally to their liking. Not us, we loved it though we also had a few teency reservations just enough to deduct a point away from what is almost a 5-star operation.
We are huge fans of Mandarin Orientals and it took some persuasion to prefer the Peninsula, though aided by a very good offer via Trailfinders so that we were able to upgrade to room 2108 - no balcony but otherwise a superbly equipped room with a truly magnificent view of the Cha Praya.
Ironically, when we went on the first night to eat at the Oriental (which was far busier) we were put off by being approached by a small minded manager because we were too casually dressed - I think it was because I was wearing sandals! We could not credit it, as I was wearing quite stylish expensive slacks and shirt and my wife was certainly well enough dressed. So it was back to eat in style at the Peninsula where their was no apparent dress code..
The positives re the Peninsula:
1. Unbeatable position.
2. Amazing riverside position for buffet and breakfast – an absolute treat to just sit and watch the activity on one of the World’s great rivers
3. Sublime breakfast buffet with just the best selection of food from two continents – three types of smoke salmon to choose from
4. Wonderful poolside position overlooking the river with ones own sala (small pagoda) raised with two mattresses, ones own electric fan, electric power source, over efficient staff service including the occasional treats which kept coming such as ice cream, bottles of ice cold water, cold wet towels etc. The pools are actually four pools connected but maybe no challenge for a really strong swimmer.
5. Amazing facilities in the rooms. Very large comfortable bed with multi channel television, video, dvd, radio etc all with remote controls and headsets. This is a technos fantasy hotel room.
6. Selection of excellent restaurants
7. Great medical facilities including a delightful nurse who supplied us at very short notice with various medications all free of charge (I had acquired an ear infection at a previous hotel pool).
8. Super little shop, that sold a very good selection of original gift ideas, books and magazines plus hand made chocolates and ice creams – good for the children!
9. Excellent front desk and very helpful concierge.
10. Perhaps the best of all – the hotel has an excellent complementary shuttle service across the river to three different destinations on the other side. Comfortable large stylized Thai boats that were constantly coming and going. Seemed to be at least four on the go at any one time. One hardly had to wait any time before another came along.
Negatives

1. The staff were generally over attentive, especially with the riverside buffet , where patrons were prone to show exasperation at the way ones plate or cutlery were whisked off even as one finished the last item of food. On one occasion my wife’s plate was taken before she had even finished. Same with drinks – the constant re-filling of ones glass was a real irritant. It was amusing but not a good feature and not very professional.
2. As the previous reviewer said, the rooms though immaculately comfortable are somewhat lacking in personality and indeed one could be anywhere in the world expecially when the curtains close. Could do with a faciltiy to open a window to hear the sounds and acquire the smells of the city. One really feels distant from the atmosphere of one of the world's great experiences.
3. Toiletries were VERY disappointing indeed not so much the quality but the total lack of style. They could learn massively from Rocco Forte Hotels where it is worth staying just for the toiletries.

It is not cheap to eat here of course but that cannot be seen as unexpected and if one pays the prices for this super luxury hotel, one cannot expect anything less.
3.