A Peek into Bangkok

The beauty of our stay started when my colleagues and I were welcomed by the hotel limousine at the airport. They were on time, quick to help carry our bags and indulged my friends as they needed a quick smoke. The ride from the airport to the hotel was made extra comfortable with bottles of water to help hydrate us after our flight.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, we were greeted with the beautiful Thai smiles and "Sawadeeka!" The lobby was sleek and quiet, a great respite for the weary travelers we were.

I stayed in a Deluxe King Room. While the king-sized bed was definitely the star of the room, my attention went to the details. There were fresh tropical fruits by my nightstand, a lovely single orchid nestled gently on my bed, and the softest hotel slippers I've ever worn.

For those with late-night meetings, the breakfast buffets are worth getting up early for. I wish their breakfast buffet would stay open till 11am. That would qualify as brunch but breakfast at The Med would be such a shame to miss. Nevertheless, lunch was also fantastic. I especially loved their salmon fillet with creamy spinach and their buttered lobsters.

Upon exiting the Westin, you will encounter stalls selling a variety of goods from silk to salt-and-pepper shakers. I'd suggest moving past these stalls and saving your shopping for the night market or malls as the prices in these street stalls are quite astronomical.

What I also love about the Westin was that it was very near the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System). It is the most efficient way to get around the city, and the train station being only a few steps away from Westin was delightful! Needless to say, my friends and I took great advantage of this.

Should taxis be more up your alley, the hotel bellhop will be more than happy to hail a cab for you. He also helped us tell the cab driver our destination, and helpfully pointed out directions to other restaurants we wanted to visit within the area.

I have to commend the lovely receptionists as well. They were very pleasant and we shared a joke or two as I asked where the popular restaurant "Cabbages and Condoms" was. The two receptionists and I shared a giggle the next day as I told them about my experience at the unusual restaurant. The laughter we girls shared was something I remember fondly about Westin.

The hotel is close to a lot of restaurants but if you crave for something familiar, there's a McDonald's right beside the hotel. You can't go wrong with that.

Overall, I was very happy with my stay at the Westin Sukhumvit. While the facilities were expectedly neat and impressive, it was the staff that made my stay more special. They take good care of you and were the most helpful of all hotel staff I've ever encountered. I look forward to staying over again!

Mahanaga is an elegant restaurant serving Thai fusion cuisine. It is exquisitely decorated with a Moroccan-inspired theme, but the smiles and wonderful service of the staff are all Thai.

Upon stepping into the restaurant, a beautiful pavilion with a pebbled garden welcomes you. You can choose to sit amidst the greens, in the air-conditioned dining area or at the bar.

For starters, try the Satay Ruam, marinated pork, chicken, and strip-loin served with pita, peanut sauce, and a salad. The Yam Som-O, a pomelo salad with chicken and prawn, was absolutely refreshing during that warm evening we were there. Their spicy Tom Kha Gai, coconut soup with chicken and straw mushroom, was a feast for the senses. For our main course, we had Pra Kapong Foo Lahd Prig, a deep-fried puffy sea bass with sweet and sour chili paste and brown rice. My friends ordered Chu Chi Pla Salmon, pan-fried salmon fillet in red curry sauce served with brown rice as well. It was delightfully delicious as well. For dessert, we shared two orders of glazed bananas with coconut milk and topped with vanilla ice cream.

Each order is good for one. The servings were all very delicious but a bit small for our male companions.

The restaurant can accommodate big groups, but I felt it was best for intimate dinners given the quiet feel of the place. There was a mix of couples and small groups during our evening in Mahanaga.

The dishes are relatively pricey compared to other restaurants in the area, but the ambiance, the quick, friendly service and the beautifully plated dishes are proof enough that you do get what you pay for.

I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to those who are craving authentic Thai food. That was what I was expecting my first evening there, and was quite disheartened upon learning it was of fusion cuisine. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my dining experience at Mahanaga.

Every city has a view, and there is always one great place to take in that view. To relish a beautiful Bangkok view by night, the best place would be the Sky Bar at Sirocco.

My colleagues and I had just finished dinner at Mahanaga, and were told that we should check out the view from the Sky Bar. Upon placing a call to the bar, we were informed that there was a dress code—"Disco Quality" was the term. We were a bit puzzled with the response. We were all dressed quite casually in shirts, jeans, and shoes. We decided to take a chance and took the BTS to this much talked-about bar.

The Sky Bar is on the 64th floor of the State Tower. Upon entering the lobby, I noticed the receptionists give us a quick scrutizining look from head-to-toe. She then welcomed us and I heaved a sigh of relief. My scoop-necked shirt, jeans, and sandals passed the test. So did my colleagues' t-shirts, jeans, and rubber shoes. We weren't scruffily dressed but we did feel we could've dressed better for such an awesome place.

We immediately ordered our drinks, which were expectedly pricey. My bottle of beer went for about 200 baht, my companion's Jack and Coke went for much higher. All these prices were worth it though as we stepped into the open-air bar.

The view was stunning.

It was eleven in the evening, and the lights of Bangkok were in full swing. The view of the city was amazing. One of the best moments of my evening was when I was standing atop the steps on my own, a glass of ice cold beer in one hand, gazing into the evening lights. I will not be able to capture in enough words the beauty of that evening. I wish I could have taken a picture, but picture-taking isn't allowed at the Sky Bar.

Jazz music punctuated the laid-back atmosphere. They were the perfect sounds for sitting back and relaxing. There wasn't ample enough space to sit though, but my colleagues and I were just fine taking in the view while sharing conversation atop the steps, by the bar, by the railings as we gazed into the gorgeous Bangkok panorama before us.

I would definitely go back to the Sky Bar, but this time I will be bringing my husband. While it is a great place to share a drink or two with friends, the view is something I'd like to share with someone truly special. With a panoramic view of a Bangkok evening, a warm breeze, lovely music and the hand of your loved one in yours, it would definitely make for one of the most memorable evenings of your life.