After a rebranding and renovation, Bangkok's only true resort reopened on November 1, 2011, as the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa.

Formerly the Marriott Bangkok, the 407-room resort’s newly transformed South Wing features two new deluxe room categories, renovated Trader Vic’s and Benihana restaurants, and upgraded gym and fitness facilities.

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Anantara Bangkok Riverside offers an oasis of calm within the hustle and bustle of the city. Sixty percent of the eleven-acre resort is covered with tropical gardens, and the architecture has been designed to complement the resort’s distinctive setting. The use of wood as a building material in traditional Thai houses, or ‘Ruen Thai,’ is echoed in the polished hardwood floors and warm wood interiors of the resort’s three buildings, which have also been redesigned to incorporate old trees for the environment’s benefit. Décor highlights include Thai sculptures and wall paintings, private balconies with breathtaking views of tropical gardens or the river, and stunning waterfalls that cascade from the upper lobby into a lily pond below.

Ideal for business and leisure travelers alike, Anantara Bangkok Riverside offers fully-equipped facilities including light-drenched conference rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor pool with swim-up bar and spacious terrace, and an exclusive Club Lounge that exudes contemporary Asian luxury. The Mandara Spa features a private garden courtyard with a rain shower and traditional sala. For those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate boutique Numero Uno offers over one hundred different types of chocolate, in addition to cakes and pastries with raw ingredients imported from Europe. Guests can also enjoy cruising along the Chao Phraya with Manohra Cruises, departing directly from the hotel, or get a taste of Thailand’s indigenous floating markets with a personalized boat dining excursion. For an unforgettably authentic experience, the resort’s “Streetwise Guru” can provide guests with a local’s perspective on Bangkok, such as where to find the best street food, or even serve as a personal tour guide of the city’s back streets.

To celebrate its opening, Anantara Bangkok Riverside is offering a “Journey Begins Package,” valid from now to April 30, 2012. For THB 3,888++ (approximately $125 USD) per room per night, guests can enjoy a special upgrade to a Deluxe River View Room, 3pm checkout, daily breakfast buffet, 25% discount on food and beverage at the resort’s ten fine dining restaurants and bars, and a 25% discount on all massages and facial treatments at the Mandara Spa. Rates for the “Journey Begins Package” are subject to 10% service charge and 7% tax and subject to availability.