Hotel reviews

The Oriental Bangkok, the world-renowned luxury hotel, is the
oldest hotel in Bangkok, has a legacy of famous writers and a
long and famous history. She celebrates her 130th anniversary
this year.

Two Danish sea captains founded the Oriental in
1865 during the reign of King Rama IV when
Thailand opened up to trade as a result of the Bowring Treaty
signed ten years earlier.

The founders saw the need for a hotel by the Chao Phraya to
cater for the seafarers and traders who sailed upriver. They
didn’t realize then that the hotel they started would one day be
a celebrated luxury hotel graced by the rich and famous.

Unfortunately the original building is no longer standing.
The history of the Oriental Bangkok, the first hotel in the city,
is taken from 1876 when the old wing was
built. This building is still there.

The tradition of famous writers dates back to 1888, when
Konrad Korzeniowski, a Polish merchant navy officer, sailed
up the Chao Phraya and docked next to the Oriental Hotel.
Nicknamed “Polish Joe” by his shipmates, he later became
known to the literary world as Joseph Conrad.

Others were to follow in Conrad’s footsteps. In 1923, Somerset
Maugham, an English writer stayed at the Oriental Bangkok
and wrote the children’s tale, “Siamese Fairy Tale” while
sitting in the river terrace gazing out at the Chao Phraya.

Noel Coward, another English writer, stayed at the Oriental
Bangkok in 1929. Conrad, Maugham, Coward and the
American, James Michener, four literary giants, became the
founding fathers of the Authors’
Wing.

The Oriental suffered damage, disrepair and looting during
World War II, when it was taken over by the Japanese army.
After the war, Allied officers waiting to return home made the
hotel their living quarters.

In 1945, another legendary figure entered the scene. Jim
Thompson, the American who later made his name in Thai
silk, became one of the owners of the Oriental and a resident as
well.

Thompson with five others, foreigners and Thai, pooled their
funds in an attempt to revive the hotel. Owing to personal
differences, Thompson left the group a year later.

The hotel went through a second major construction when the
Garden Wing was
completed and opened in 1958. In 1967 there
was another change in ownership. It was then that Kurt
Wachtveitl became General Manager.

The turning point came in 1974 when Jardine Matheson set up
the Mandarin Hotels Group and bought a 49% stake in the
Oriental Bangkok. This provided the impetus for a major
expansion with the new 376-room wing, ballroom and multi-
level car park.

The new River Wing
opened in 1976, with suites
honoring Barbara Cartland, John le Carre, Gore Vidal,
Graham Greene and Norman Mailer. John le Carre was said to
have finished “The Honourable Schoolboy” here.

In 2006, after another major facelift, the Oriental Bangkok
celebrates its 130th anniversary with Kurt Wachtveitl still at
the helm after 39 years, backed by his faithful and long-serving
staff.

At a 130, the charming grand dame still holds court by the
Chao Phraya. The tradition of famous writers lives on.

The Oriental Bangkok is an
icon that evokes memories of authors like Conrad,
Maugham and Michener.

This article first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies,
a historical travel site on renowned places preserved for
posterity, the momentous events surrounding these places and
the legendary figures who left these legacies in the landscape of
Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in
Bangkok Thailand.

Share This

The Parador of Olite is approximately 45 Km directly south of Pamplona. It is housed in a wonderful 15th century fortified Gothic Palace much influenced by the French style of the era. The Olite Parador is a 3-star hotel that provides a level of comfort and service far above it actual star rating.

Some type of structure was founded here as far back as 620 A.D. by the Visigoths and their king, Suintla. Through the centuries, the various Kings of Navarre fortified and added to it, and by the 13th century it was a major fortress of the area. It was remodeled and given the stylish touches of the Gothic French in the 15th century. The building was severely damaged by fire in the 18th century, and most of what is to be experienced at Parador de Olite today is thanks to the incredible restoration work of the Spain Parador system.

The Parador of Olite has an assuredly medieval feel with it’s stained glass, concealed corners, parapets, arcades and four-poster beds. This is a proper castle, and one of the prettiest in the Parador chain. The interior is tastefully decorated with tapestries, wrought-iron chandeliers, and red tile floors.

The town of Olite is a as if frozen in the past, and has not been discovered by the tourists crowds. It is nearly completely surrounded by the original medieval walls that are marked by 15 towers - the grandest of which is appropriately named, Gran Torre, and can be explored and climbed. This area of the province of Navarre is delightful - very near the magnificent Pyrenees Mountains in an area of unspoiled and little-touristed villages.

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Hondarribia:

- Be sure and visit the Gothic Santa Maria la Real -which was formerly the royal chapel and has a marvelous 14th century facade.

- The Romanesque Iglesia de San Pedro.

- The La Oliva Monastery.

Interesting day trips include:

- A nice day trip is to drive up to Pamplona where there is much to see and do.

- The medieval town of Sos del Rey Catholico is worthy of a visit.

- Rioja wine country near Logro

Share This

The capital of Groningen province, Groningen city is a beautiful destination in Netherlands. It lies in the northernmost region of Netherlands. This charming city has enough of attractions to tempt the visitors from all across the globe. Though you would find many scars on the assets of this place because of the World War II and various rebuilding process, it still possesses some fantastic opportunities to enjoy a good vacation.

You have multiple options of enjoying a shopping extravaganza in the Grote Market that lies in the heart of the town. Pavement terraces in the marketplace are so inviting where you can have a pleasant sip of drink of coffee in the late autumn. Martini church with its Martini tower stands tall in the city. It came into existence in 12th century. Groningen Museum is another big attraction where spectacular example of modern architecture and excellent collection of 17th century paintings are on display. Do not miss out on seeing the masterpiece of museumthe adoration of Magi by Rubens.

Nightlife of Groningen is something which you can always hanker for. It is a hub of universities and many Dutch and international students can be seen roaming in the streets of this city. Lot of pubs, cafes and small restaurants further enhance your strolling pleasure. Groningen also hosts several festivals of music, art, film and theatre. Hotels in Groningen have excellent features.

http://www.stayresnetherland.com/cities-groningen.html

Share This