> ANANTARA RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT BANGKOK, THAILAND A n ideal resort for a family-friendly vacation, the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is just outside of the city center, providing a serene oasis amidst a wild, hectic, and exuberant city. Staying on the riverside is one of the best ways to avoid the congestion for which Bangkok, like many South East Asian countries, has become synonymous. Here, on the banks of the grand Chao Phraya River, many of Bangkok’s most famous temples, palaces, and markets are only a quick and easy ferry or tuk tuk ride away. In the hotel’s central courtyard, overlooking the river, is a large swimming pool. It’s child-friendly for swimmers, and with a swim up bar with a safe view for parents. The swim up bar offers a wide range of fruity beverages, all with fresh ingredients. No artificial or pre-mixed syrups found here. Try a Salty Dog: grapefruit juice and vodka, lined in rock salt. Or a passionfruit or mango frozen margarita, along with beer buckets. Just make sure to keep one eye open. The kids are quick to make friends in the pool. And soon everyone is having a great time! Bedrooms are plush. Large bathrooms have doors that actually close (these days the trend seems to be translucent or no doors at all.) Big bathtubs, sweet smelling toiletries, and all the amenities and standard of service you expect from a 5-star hotel. Ahighlight of theAnantaraResorts experience is the arrayof cultural activities and excursions that differ by location, which allow you to engage with the local culture and community of your destination. At Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, consider the Spice Spoons markets and culinary adventure, or take a dinner cruise on an antique wooden junk down the Chao Phraya River.
AMANGALLA
Egg Hoppers with dal and curries. With only 28 rooms in the hotel, the friendly and dedicated staff soon took to calling us by name. Mr. + first name and Misses, always with a big smile. A small argument one afternoon with my beau led me to wander out to dinner on the main terrace barefoot. In a long floral Josie Natori silk gown and dangling pearl necklace. Because the villa felt like home, and I was in Sri Lanka. Minus shoes yet all dressed up, we drank Gin Taneh’s with local cinnamon bitters (gin, bitters, tonic) out on the terrace. We sipped Arrack sodas (local coconut brandy) another evening, upstairs, sitting by the open windows gazing out over Galle Fort, a town that has been claimed by at least three different colonial powers: first the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and then the Brits. Visit a tea plantation. Visit nearby beaches like Unawatuna. Try an ayurvedic healing spa therapy. Go on a wet market, spice market and cooking excursion. “If we didn’t have coconuts, we would not know how to cook in Sri Lanka” -Chef All Sri Lankan curries start with coconut oil, instead of ghee, used in Indian curries. Red rice instead of white rice, whole grain and known to have the highest nutritional content of any rice variety. The coconut milk is all made by hand, in the hotel’s kitchen, and also in every home. Sri Lankan cooking also favors spices like turmeric and cinnamon, and beetroot is a staple. It’s a very healthy diet. Good for skin, hair and overall health. aman.com/resorts/amangalla Visit our instagram page to see our culinary excursion, and more photos from the hotel. @westonmagazines
ANANTARA RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT
While I’ve visited Bangkok many times before, this visit was even more food-centric. Below I will tell you about a magical river cruise, and a fascinating food-centric excursion suitable for even the most avid and curious chefs. The Spice Spoons Bangkok Riverside was educational, and delicious. And to top off our Thai culinary
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