Anantara resort in Bangkok

During the world trip I take each year (Sept. ’14, pg. 34), one of my annual stops is Bangkok, Thailand, and in July 2015 I stayed there for four nights. 

The airport is a long distance from the city, and, upon arrival, after stopping at the luggage carousel, you walk out of the terminal lobby right to the taxi stand area, where you can sign up for a $20 taxi. The woman at the desk tells you the price, and you can pay then or later. They keep track of where you are going, and there’s no waiting for a ride. 

Or you can get a private car, if you prefer, in one of the offices after leaving the carousel area. Money-change counters can also be found along the way.

I took the taxi to the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (257/1-3 Charoennakom Rd., Thonburi, Bangkok, 10600, Thailand; phone +66 2 476 0022, http://bangkok-riverside.anantara.com), located on the Chao Phraya River. Booked in advance, I paid about $200 per night, which included a lovely buffet breakfast. For an additional cost, I could have chosen a room with a river view. 

It was my third stay at the Anantara. The hotel has a lovely pool area, several restaurants and a Jim Thompson shop with local handicrafts. On some nights, a Thai dance group performed in the restaurants.

In the hotel lobby, you can sign up for sightseeing trips, including visits to the palace by boat or on land.

Almost directly across from the Anantara resort is Asiatique, a night market open from 5 to midnight. Full of Bangkok shoppers, this is a huge shopping center with many stalls and restaurants. The resort’s 30-seat, covered boat transported guests there at no charge. 

The hotel also furnished free boat rides to the Sathorn pier, located centrally in this very large city. The ride from the hotel to the Sathorn pier was delightful. It was very calm and quiet although hot in the middle of the day. Lovely lemon-scented towels were provided and sometimes a bottle of cold water.

I always tipped the two boatmen, as they were very helpful in controlling the boat at the dock and helping me on and off. Sometimes I just traveled back and forth on the 15-minute ride because it was so pleasant and restful.

Consider taking an umbrella, as there are summer showers, although they bothered me very little.

I returned to the airport by taxi and flew to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific — a wonderful airline.

VIRGINIA SHANNON

Naples, FL