Get the ultimate in relaxation with a couples massage at Chi. Chi, The Spa, in the famed Shangri La Hotel, is one of the premiere Bangkok spa options, and it has been ranked and awarded as one of the best and most luxurious spas in the world by numerous publications. Named after the Chinese "qi," the universal life force that governs well being, spa techniques here focus on releasing blockages that stop the chi element from flowing freely. You can start your pampering off with a hot stones treatment, where heated stones are used to warm up and relax the body. Unique treatments here include a jasmine rice body glow, in which ground black jasmine rice is blended with a mix of herbs and honey and used as a body scrub to rub away dry skin. You can follow this up with mud wraps and even pink caviar sheet facials. No blemish will be left unpampered at this elite Bangkok spa.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: A couples massage at Chi, The Spa is fantastically pampering.
Dave's expert tip: web specials are worth checking and include options like the choice of three treatments for one special price.
No romantic visit to Bangkok can be complete without a sunset on a rooftop with a 360 degree cityscape panorama. The Moon Bar, perched on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree Hotel, offers one of the most stupendous panoramic views of Bangkok, and a sunset here is a memorable occasion, well worth the price of a cocktail. The bar sits in a stylish roof garden, seemingly sprawled out across the sky. Long divans and comfortable tables surround the bar, each with their own unique stunning view. The cocktails are as astronomical as the views, running 350 baht per drink, but are actually a pretty fair deal, as they are well mixed, strong on the alcohol, and served with complimentary dishes of cashews, wasabi peas, and chips. The drink menu is extensive, featuring mango margaritas, golden paradise concoctions with passion fruit juice and triple sec, and plenty of other exotic creations
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For the city's best and most romantic view, you cannot top the Moon Bar
Dave's expert tip: Arrive early if you want a prime sunset table, and remember, no sandals, shorts, or grubby jeans are allowed. Closed shoes are required for men.
Created by King Rama VI in 1932, and named after the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumpini Park is an urban oasis, one of the city's largest parks located smack in the middle of central Bangkok. Besides offering plenty of shady trees under which to picnic or nap, and being a great respite from the city chaos and heat, the park's jogging and bicycle paths are a big hit with the city slickers, and couples come here for courtship rituals. You can also rent paddleboats to head out on the lake which is in the center of the park, plenty of fun for the whole family, and there are also playground areas for the kids and even rudimentary outdoor gym facilities (free weights and exercise stations) for mom and dad. Other than getting a workout in or just relaxing on a bench or the grass with a good book, there are a few other things to do in Lumpini. The park is home to large monitor lizards, who look a lot scarier than they really are, as well as plenty of birds, squirrels, and other small critters for you to observe. Lumpini is also home to the "Concert in the Park" series, where you can catch classical music performances by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra during the cool season, as well as the annual Bangkok Street Show, which features performance artists from around the world.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For a hangout popular with couples, Lumpini Park is an urban oasis.
Dave's expert tip: the closest public transport to Lumpini is the MRT subway station of the same name.
Enjoying a hot spring bath and massage is certainly a great way to spend a romantic outing in Bangkok. While men and women can't bathe together, you can still meet up after your soak for massages and drinks. This Japanese bathhouse takes all the traditional love of bathing from Japanese onsen (hot spring) culture and brings it to Bangkok. At Yunomori Onsen, bamboo and finished wood surrounds several hot spring water baths where visitors can spend hours soaking and relaxing. There is a carbonated soda water pool, a jet pool, and an onsen pool with 43 degree mineral water trucked up from the famed Raksawarin hot springs in Ranong, whose water is extremely clear and without any sulfurous odor. Additionally, there is a large spa treatment area upstairs where one can have aromatherapy or traditional Thai massage treatments after relaxing in the baths.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For a hot spring experience, Yunomori Onsen is Bangkok's only choice.
Dave's expert tip: Take advantage of the package treatments combining spa and hot spring while here, they are well worth it. There is a also a beer garden, coffee shop, and Japanese restaurant on premises, so plan on spending half the day here.
For a romantic night out, it doesn't get much better than this, combining dazzling cityscapes, fine drinking, and suave nightlife venues. CRU Champagne Bar is an elegant elevated bar which is now the highest drinking spot in town. The Red Sky Bar several floors below it is nice enough, but you'll need to pop into the private elevator and head up another three flights to access this skyline gem. The bar has teamed up with GH Mumm and is the only place in Bangkok you can get their #1 edition pink champagne, or if you dare, a bottle of Bollinger James Bond 007 Spectre Limited Edition. You can toast to the heavens with this fine bubbly, or else opt for the cool signature drinks such as the Perfumed Lady, mixed with Beefeater gin, passion fruit, lime, mint, and vanilla foam, or a Bangkok Bellini, concocted with mandarin Absolut vodka, mango, ginger, and champagne. The views up here are beyond sublime, with all of Bangkok spread out in front of you on all sides. You can see the Golden Mount, the Grand Palace, the Chao Phraya River, all of downtown's major skyscrapers, and the nearby Baiyoke Tower II even looks on equal footing. Come here for sunset, sprawl out on the comfy seating, and if you get hungry, there are foie gras yakitori chicken skewers, caviar, cheese platters, and plenty of other snacks to get you through the transformation from day to night in Bangkok's most lofty drinking zone.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For a romantic night in the clouds, CRU is a heavenly abode!
Dave's expert tip: You'll need to get to the Centara Grand (behind CentralWorld), take the elevator up to the 23rd floor, change to another elevator for Red Sky (55th floor), and then the final lift up to CRU
A romantic movie date in Bangkok doesn't get much better than this. The ultra-luxurious Embassy Diplomat theater complex has several screening rooms that offer couples the ultimate in ambience. There are full day bed sofas for two, making you feel like you are in the bedroom at home, all of which come with blankets, pillows, and personal lighting and control panels. Another cinema comes with cocoon chairs made of real leather which resembles business class seating on an airplane, fully reclinable and with leg rests, not to mention bag hangers, ice buckets, and more perks. Even better yet, you get a free personal butler with private call service button while in the theater, free high end snacks and wine/champagne in the lounge, and even mini-bars in some of the screening rooms. Who cares which movie is showing with such pampering, but don't get too comfy, you might fall asleep!
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: Going to the movies doesn't get more romantic than snuggling in at the Embassy Diplomat.
Dave's expert tip: Take the BTS skytrain to Ploenchit Station and use the skybridge that leads right into the Central Embassy Mall. The theater is up on the sixth floor.
For a truly romantic night out in Bangkok, treat yourself to dinner at Le Normandie. This classy French restaurant on the top floor of The Oriental Hotel is a Bangkok institution, and the second Michelin Guide to Bangkok made it one of only four restaurants to get two stars. Fois gras and roasted Sisteron rack of lamb are just some of the menu highlights prepared by the visiting French master chefs in residence here, all taken in amidst elegance with views of the Chao Phraya River to boot. While dinner here is an absolute bank breaker, the set lunch provides a way for paupers to dine like princes and indulge in Bangkok's most sophisticated restaurant.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For a romantic splurge, fancy French on the river at Le Normandie is one of a kind.
Dave's expert tip: Reservations well in advance at Le Normandie are essential. If you aren't staying at the Oriental, the best way to get here is to take the Skytrain to the Saphan Taksin station and then hop aboard the Mandarin Oriental's free boat service along the Chao Phraya from the ferry pier.
For discerning champagne lovers who want something both romantic, intimate, and exclusive, head for one of Bangkok's hidden gems, located up on the top of the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Arrival here involves walking up a grand marble spiral staircase from the 56th floor, and then finding a hidden doorway, which leads you into a New York-style speakeasy furnished with rocking chairs, art pieces, and vintage chandeliers. Once settled in, you'll not only be dazzled by the panoramas of the Bangkok cityscape spread out below, but by the outstanding selection of premier champagne options as well as artisanal champagne-focused cocktails. Guests celebrating a special occasion can opt for a bottle of 1999 Billecart-Salmon Clos St. Hilaire, a spectacular year for champagne, while those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a Champagne Fizz, a blend of Hendricks Gin, champagne reduction, lemon juice and egg whites, topped with Billecart champagne. Whether it be that special date or just a night out to enjoy the best of Bangkok, you're certain to have a memorable evening here in one of Bangkok's most luxurious spots.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For Bangkok's most exclusive and intimate speakeasy, The Champagne Bar tops the list.
Dave's expert tip: There are only 34 seats in this intimate bar, so you might want to make a reservation.
Featuring beautiful yacht like cruise ships, the Grand Pearl is a mainstay in the Chao Phraya cruise industry. The company runs trips up to Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, and other day excursions, but the highlight feature of the Grand Pearl, and one that shouldn't be missed by any visitor to Bangkok, is a romantic dinner cruise up the river at night. All of Bangkok's prominent river landmarks are lit up at night, Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the various bridges, as well as the old luxury hotels that line the river such as the Mandarin Oriental and Shangri La. In addition the sights, an international and Thai buffet dinner is served, along with Thai classical dance and a live band for guests entertainment.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For romantic dinner cruises, Grand Pearl is a hit on the Chao Phraya.
Dave's expert tip: As the tours leave from the River City Shopping Complex at 730 pm, best to take public transport here to avoid heavy rush hour traffic. BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station and then river ferry up to River City will most likely be far ahead of a taxi time-wise.
Looking for a romantic experience in Bangkok? Treat your loved one to a heavenly spa treatment. Voted 'Best Spa in the World' time and time again by leading international leisure and travel publications, it is hard to go wrong with a relaxing treatment package at the prestigious Oriental Spa at the Mandarin Oriental. Getting here is just the beginning of a blissful experience, when you board the private teak shuttle boat from the hotel on the Bangkok side and float over to the traditional Thai house in Thonburi to begin your session. You can choose from over 40 traditional treatments ranging from mud wraps to Balinese and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massages. The Oriental Signature package includes a massage with essential plant oils and the application of herbal compresses with lemongrass. Other tempting options include a rose essence of heaven, where the body is cleansed and exfoliated with olive grains, and then pampered with essential oils and creams. A new Gentleman Essentials treatment tailored for the guys is the latest to be offered, and the Mandarin will be opening a new beauty space in collaboration with QMS Medicosmetics brand, a first in Asia.
Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: For continuous top notch spa treatments, the Oriental Spa is an award winner.
Dave's expert tip: Go all out and opt for the Oriental Pampering Program, which includes full massage, wrap, scrub, facial, manicure or pedicure, and two nights accommodations in superior rooms plus airport transfers, the ultimate splurge.
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