Yet another visit to Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok! It’s amazing how often I get to visit this beautiful bustling city, as it’s only 2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur where I live — with pretty affordable flights too. My visit to Bangkok this time though, was a little different. I was to be based in the busy district of Chinatown Bangkok for a couple of days (and explore the district); and staying in the prominent Grand China Hotel, Bangkok.

Overview

The Grand China Hotel Bangkok is located directly at the junction of Chinatown’s main Yaowarat Road in the Samphanthawong District in Bangkok. It is a four-star hotel; and has been around for awhile, offering a choice of 150 rooms to its guests. The Grand China Hotel Bangkok is connected to a three-level shopping mall, and is really easy to spot as it has a two-level Starbucks outlet at its entrance.

This majestic hotel looms over Chinatown, and has a revolving restaurant on its highest floor that offers amazing views of the entire area and the rest of Bangkok. Its strategic location makes it easy to access many of Chinatown’s attractions — temples, wholesale markets, convenient stalls, restaurants, and the food streets and stalls that sell delicious Thai street food. The hotel is also about a 10-15 minutes walk from the newly opened (2019) Wat Mangkon MRT Station on Charoen Krung Road — which was how I arrived in Chinatown.

Main entrance of the Grand China Hotel Bangkok.

Another entrance that leads into this

The lobby area of the Grand China Hotel Bangkok, and its tour centre.

A beautiful panorama of Chinatown, and the city of Bangkok from the top of the hotel building.

Grand China Hotel at night.

The Grand China Experience

It wasn’t too much of a hassle lugging my luggage from the Wat Mangkon MRT Station to The Grand China Hotel. On the way, I was distracted by the surroundings and vibes of the district — I really felt like I have stepped into an old Chinese township. I could see wires hanging from the rows of shop-lots across the streets, signs on every corner (all in Thai though), and the aroma of Chinese food and spices from the many shops I passed on my way… just wafting in the air. It was lunch time when I arrived, so that got me very very hungry!

And then I arrived at The Grand China Hotel, which was exactly like how its name describes it — pretty grand! I had a little trouble trying to locate the hotel lobby as I entered from the shopping mall entrance (the lobby is on the Ground floor just next to Starbucks), but other than that, check-in was easy and straightforward. And within minutes, I was in the comfort of my very large and spacious room (at the highest floor for the rooms of the hotel).

My huge and spacious room at the Grand China Hotel Bangkok.

Located on the 22nd floor — it’s one of the highest rooms!

My super comfy hotel bed.

All ready to soak in my bath with a view.

How about a room with a gigantic floor-to-ceiling window? Photo credit:- placesandfoods.com.

My Room at the Grand China Hotel

Located on the 22nd floor, my suite at The Grand China Hotel came with a King-sized bed, a sofa and a flat screen TV, a dining table set, a vanity table, floor to ceiling windows that overlooks Chinatown and the Chao Phraya River beyond… and a space so huge that I could complete a dance routine in it! I’m not sure what the name of my suite is — my travel buddy Wilson was placed in the advertised Suite River View that looks completely different from mine (it’s located a floor below and has a separate living room). Best part of my special suite however, was that my bathroom included a standing shower and a bathtub with a full-length window! I got to soak in bubbles with a view.

Other room types at The Grand China Hotel include the Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Junior Suite, Family Suite, and the largest Princess Suite. All rooms are provided with all the basic facilities and amenities, free Wi-Fi Internet access and complimentary daily water bottles.

The beautiful view of the city of Bangkok at the 360 Sky View Restaurant.

The restaurant rotates 360 degrees so you get a view of every angle.

The night scenery at this revolving restaurant on top of the Grand China Hotel.

My pretty tuk tuk cocktail drink at the 360 Sky View Restaurant.

Vietnamese cuisine for dinner!

Dining at the 360 Sky View Restaurant

I think the crown (literally) of The Grand China Hotel Bangkok has got to be its amazing 360 Sky View Restaurant. Located at the highest 25th floor of the hotel, the revolving restaurant offers 360° views of the entire city — so you can enjoy the view of Bangkok’s skyscrapers, old buildings, temples, bridges and the long curve of the Chao Phraya River; and come dark, its amazing night lights.

On my first night at the hotel, I had the opportunity to dine at the restaurant; and had a delectable meal of a mixture of local, Western and Vietnamese cuisine. It was fun enjoying my food while trying to identify some of the iconic landmarks of the city that is spectacularly lighted up at night.

The beautiful view of Bangkok from the balcony of the outdoor Riverview Bar.

The Grand China Hotel Bangkok has an attached shopping mall and a Starbucks at the entrance.

The outdoor swimming with views.

The morning breakfast buffet is served at the Bloom Restaurant.

For some Chinese cuisine, the Grand China Hotel Bangkok has the Siang Ping Loh Restaurant.

Other Hotel Facilities

The Grand China Hotel Bangkok also offers many other restaurants — the Bloom Restaurant where I had my daily buffet breakfasts that offers all-day-dining of international and Thai dishes too; the ever popular Siang Ping Loh Chinese Restaurant that has been around in Yaowarat for many generations; and the River View Bar on the 23rd floor that offers an outdoor cocktail experience overlooking Bangkok’s cityscape. There’s also the Dim Sum Refectory, The Corner Cafe (for food and drinks) and Starbucks on the ground floor of the hotel (and shopping centre).

The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool just next to the River View Bar (doesn’t offer much of a view and is pretty small — but it probably is one of the few you can find in Chinatown); the Lavender Spa if you’re looking for a bit of pampering and relaxation; a fitness centre; and even has a meeting and event space. But of course, since you’re in Chinatown — what better way to spend your time than to head out and explore the area!

When in Chinatown, enjoy the Chinese cuisine and street food.

Yaowarat Road is also filled with shops selling Chinese herbs and spices.

And of course, there’s a shopping street in the Chinatown too.

Lots of Chinese temples in this area to visit and explore.

Come night, the entire Yaowarat Road becomes bustling with people and cars.

What to Do Around Chinatown?

There are tons of exciting things to do around Bangkok’s Chinatown! I spent almost 3 days exploring the area, and it probably wasn’t quite enough. I visited some of the area’s most well-known temples and shopping streets — and I have to say that Chinatown’s Sampeng Lane Market has the best wholesale deals in Bangkok. I somehow managed to lose myself in its long long lane of cheap goodies and souvenirs.

Of course, many people visit Chinatown to just soak in its unique vibe — shops selling Chinese herbs and clothing in every corner, blinding gold shops that are always filled with bus loads of tourists, expensive cuisine like birds nest and ginseng for you to savor, and (as I experienced when I first arrived in Chinatown) the waft of delicious street food everywhere you go. It’s amazing what kind of different food you can find just walking around Chinatown — I think I never stopped eating and snacking during my entire visit. With expensive seafood delights and Michelin-status stalls, to street-side vendors and the random food cart… you’d be spoilt for choice. Will be writing more about my Top 10 Things to Do in Chinatown Bangkok in my next post!

The bustling Chinatown of Bangkok.

The Grand China Hotel stands along the busy Yaowarat Road.

Chilling at the top of the hotel building while admiring the view of Chinatown.

Can you see the Chao Phraya River in the distance?

The night lights around Chinatown as seen from the Grand China Hotel.

End of the Day

I have to say I had a lovely time staying at The Grand China Hotel while spending my days exploring Chinatown. It’s a walking distance to almost all the area’s tourist attractions, as well as convenient stores, shops and the variety of food — which makes it easy to head back to shield myself from the scorching sun (and to rest my tired feet) when I’ve stayed out too long or ate too much! And I really enjoyed the room at the hotel too — the huge space made it extremely comfortable to just rest and relax, accompanied by the amazing view of the city.

I’m glad I made this trip to explore a different part of Bangkok that is not often on the most-visited part of the city’s itinerary. Bangkok’s Chinatown should be on your list now because it is made much easier to access with the new MRT link! Book a stay with The Grand China Hotel Bangkok with Agoda here.

The beautiful view of Chinatown Bangkok from the Grand China Hotel.

GRAND CHINA HOTEL BANGKOK
Where: 215 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong,
Bangkok 10100, Thailand.
Book with AGODA

*She Walks the World stayed at the Grand China Hotel Bangkok and dined at the 360 Sky View Restaurant as a guest; and as always, all opinions stated here are my own.
*All information shared are correct at time of writing, but for up-to-date details on prices and events; please head to the hotel’s website here.
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