During my recent trip to Bangkok, I had the opportunity to stay in one of the most luxurious hotels in the city — not only because it is a 5-star hotel, but because it is centrally located in Bangkok’s most vibrant and famous shopping area, Pratunam. Comfort and convenience. That’s the most important feature of any accommodation, isn’t it?

Overview

As mentioned, the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam stands right smack in the center of the shopping action of Bangkok — it is surrounded by huge shopping and wholesale malls, and come night, the area is bustling with night markets and food stalls just outside the hotel entrance. The hotel is also easily accessible from all the major roads in the city; and is connect via the Airport Rail Link, the BTS Sky Train, and even the public boats that ply the klongs (canals) that run from west to east of Bangkok.

The hotel has two towers of rooms, 788 in total — comprising of the Main Tower with its Luxury Rooms and Executive Rooms/Suites; and the North Tower that houses the Premier Rooms (including the Triple and Family rooms) and Deluxe Rooms. It also has one of the biggest space for events and functions; with 3,700 square meters of halls, ballrooms and meetings rooms. A full-service luxury hotel in the heart of the city!

The majestic entrance of the The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam.

Greeted by chandeliers and flower bouquets at the lobby reception area.

Enjoy my view of the Bangkok skyline at the hotel’s outdoor pool.

The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam’s opulent interior.

The Berkeley Experience

I remember shopping at the night markets just below the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam the last time I was in Bangkok. I was staying a little out of the city center at that time, and I remember thinking to myself how convenient it would be if I could just spend all night at the night markets, and just walk up to my room once I’m done. Who would have guessed that on this trip, I could!

The Berkeley is indeed impressive. Upon entering the huge glass doors and into the lobby, I was greeted by the hotel’s modern and opulent interior that is a mixture of Thai and European designs — huge chandeliers, large pillars and intricate carvings. My check-in process was smooth and easy, and I was even served with a glass of mocktail while waiting for my key.

My luxurious room at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam.

A bathtub that opens up to the bedroom….

….so that I can bubble bath with a view!

The view of the Pratunam area of Bangkok from my full-length glass window.

My Room in the Main Tower

I loved my room at The Berkeley that gave me a lovely view of Bangkok, and the busy Pratunam. On my 2 nights in the city, I was put up in the Luxury Room in the Main Tower, and yes, luxurious it was. The very first thing I noticed about my room when I entered was how spacious it is, and how it has an open-style bathroom with a bathtub. So of course, during my stay, I spent a lovely evening in to enjoy a bathtub soak with a view. The room service team was really accommodating and sent me a bunch of bath gels so I could have lots and lots of bubbles.

The hotel’s Luxury Rooms measure about 35 sq meters and come furnished with a large King-sized bed and comfortable bedding, the basic amenities like a television, coffee and tea making facilities, refrigerator, safe, bathroom amenities and bathrobes — and best of all, pretty fast free WIFI all over the hotel!

A little part of the huge buffet breakfast spread at The Dining Room.

Having a wondrous spread of dimsum at The Mulberry with Berkeley Hotel Pratunam’s MarComm Manager, Kiranee Yavichai.

The hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Na Ha Na.

Having a cuppa tea at The Oak Bar while watching some sports on television.

Restaurants and Bar

Buffet breakfast every morning was served at the Berkeley Dining Room. The restaurant cooks up a pretty diverse spread of international, Western and Asian cuisine — they even have some Thai favorites like boat noodles, and a counter that serves waffles! Every Friday and Saturday nights, the Berkeley Dining Room has a special Seafood Buffet — such a pity I wasn’t there over the weekend to try it (correct at the time of writing, please check the hotel website for more info).

I had lunch at the hotel’s Mulberry Chinese Cuisine Restaurant, and got to enjoy their wonderful Dim Sum buffet. I have to admit that we ordered almost everything on the menu; and it was all so delicious! I especially loved the ‘Sliced Garoupa and Chinese Plum Soup’ and the ‘Steamed Bacon Dumpling’; and would have asked for seconds if I wasn’t so full and there weren’t so many more yummy things on the table. In the evenings, I had drinks at the Oak Bar; which is directly opposite the hotel’s Japanese sushi bar, Na Ha Na.

The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam glass pool area.

Just chilling in the water, under the hot Bangkok sun.

The beautiful view of the Bangkok skyline.

At a small corner of the hotel is an elaborate shrine of The Great Warrior King of Siam.

Swimming Pool & Other Facilities

Whenever I visit a city, I seldom spend time at the hotel to enjoy its facilities — a hotel (for me) is mainly just for taking a bath and sleeping. However, I’m glad that I took an afternoon off my Bangkok exploration to really rest and relax at The Berkeley. I spent my time chilling (and working a little) in my room, and then headed off to the swimming pool for some time in the city sun. The Berkeley’s 2 swimming pools are located on the 11th floor of the hotel, and therefore has a lovely view of Bangkok’s cityscape. It also has these glass walls on one side of the pool that makes such pretty pictures!

There’s also a fitness center in the hotel; and the hotel’s spa is the popular Thai spa branch — Let’s Relax (they have several branches all around Malaysia too). I didn’t make time to go for a massage session at the spa; but that’s because there are so many massage parlors around Bangkok, so I usually just randomly walk into one whenever my tired feet (and body) need a little mid-tour pampering.

Boats ply the river running through Pratunam, another form of Bangkok public transport.

The bustling area of Pratunam is filled with malls, restaurants, massage parlours and markets.

The Palladium Night Market lies just outside The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam.

The popular Kuang Heng Chicken Rice is just opposite the road from the hotel.

Nearby Attractions to the Berkeley

The Berkeley provides a free one-way shuttle van to ferry their guests to several spots around Pratunam — BTS Chidlom (where the Erawan Shrine is), BTS Siam (and Siam Paragon), and Central World. It runs every half hour from 10am to 2pm (inquire at the hotel for exact times and terms). Some other plazas and malls that are within walking distance from the hotel are the Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam Market, Pantip Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza, and the Palladium World Shopping Centre (that is attached to the hotel).

At night, the entire area all around the hotel lights up and gets filled with people due to the night market stalls. Just below the hotel you can find an array of clothing and souvenir stalls; and just down the road near the Platinum Fashion Mall, you’ll get the food stalls. There is also the Neon Night Market just beside the hotel for more souvenirs and seafood. Oh, and if you’re a fan of local Bangkok street food — the famous Thai chicken rice shops, Kuang Heng and Go Ang, are just opposite the main road.

Enjoying my stay at the The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, right in the heart of Bangkok.

The ritzy and lavis interior of the 5-star hotel.

Chilling on the comfortable bed in my bathrobe. I could do this all day long!

And here’s a full spread of my dimsum buffet lunch at the Chinese restaurant, Mulberry.

At the End of the Trip

As with all my trips to Bangkok, I had a lovely, lovely time (despite the hot and humid weather) — made better of course, with my stay at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam. I absolutely loved that I was basked in luxury while being in the center of all the bustle. The hotel’s location made it really convenient for me to get anywhere in Bangkok, and so easy for me to find some of the best food the city has to offer.

The best best part however, was my accessibility to all the night market shopping my heart desires. Just imagine this scenario — I spot a dress (souvenir) that I really want but didn’t purchase it; and then when I get back to my room and am still thinking about it, I could easily just go down to the night market again and buy it; or just do it the next day. How awesome is that! To my dear shopaholics, I’m sure you’d understand.

Such a gorgeous spot to get some work done at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam.

Pool time, right in the heart of Bangkok city.

THE BERKELEY HOTEL PRATUNAM
Where: 559 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan,
Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Book with AGODA

*She Walks the World stayed at the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam as a guest; and as always, all opinions stated here are my own.
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