· Open -

1908 / 2007 as a hotel

· 1st Owner -

Prince Chakrabongse built it as a refuge from the palace.

· AKA -

Chakrabongse Palace

· Stars -*****

· History -

Prince Chakrabongse was the 40th son of the very popular King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who reigned for 42 years. He was sent by the King to study in Russia and the court of the last Tsar when he was in his teens. He studied in St Petersburg for 8 years.

While there he fell in love with and married a nurse named Katya. As she was a commoner he was rightly worried about the reception back in Bangkok. So he left her to stay in Singapore while he went forward to smooth the way.

After keeping his secret for 3 weeks, word got out and he sent for his wife. The King refused to accept her. Eventually the Queen warmed to her once she had given birth to her first grandchild.

They lived in Chakrabongse Palace for a part of the year. They also had other houses and travelled a lot. They drifted apart and after the Prince became involved with his 15 year old niece they ended up getting a divorce.

Katya moved to Peking where her brother lived and became involved looking after refugees from the Bolshevik revolution in Russia.

She returned to Bangkok for Prince Charabongses funeral. He died at the age of 37 and was believed to have been poisoned by the French who were trying to encroach on Thai territory.

Katya married an American and lived in Portland Oregon until she died in 1960 at the age of 72.

Their granddaughter Narisa Chakrabongse now runs the show and she has a great love of art, culture and cuisine. She grew up living here and has turned it into a magical boutique hotel.

· Signature -

Oriental interiors / Lush Tropical Garden / Stunning River views

· Rooms -

3 rooms - 4 suites & 4 apartments - $256 - $1,259

· Tales -

The Prince used the house for costume changes for events at the Grand Palace

His one son lived in the house after the 1932 Revolution of the Thai Young Turks when Siam became a constitutional monarchy

Like his father he also had a European wife. She was English and their daughter Lady Narisa Chakrabongse is the current owner

· Claim to Fame -

A historic property with a rich royal heritage

· Innovations -

You can buy a cookbook here of Royal Family recipes

· Feature -

Watch the sun set behind Wat Arun while enjoying a sundowner

Many major sights within walking distance

· View -

River / Pool / Garden

· High Tea -

Ask Chef - or catch the ferry down to the Oriental

· Facilities -

Landscaped Pool and gardens / Tour desk / Gift shop / Bicycle rental / Thai massage 

· Unique -

Experience a way of life that has all but disappeared

· Restaurants - This could be the best Thai meal you ever have

The Riverside Sala Dining Room - Royal Thai Cuisine using original family recipes from the palace  (Different Set Menu every night - with a vegetarian option) - on the Riverfront Terrace looking across the River of Kings to the Temple of Dawn. Eat the same meals that the King once enjoyed

· Bars -

Minibar in the room

Bangkok has a lot of night time entertainment. Something to suit everyone. A good way to start is watch the sunset from Skybar then take it from there. As you are close to the river and the metro you can easily get to any area. take a tuk tuk home at the end of the night when the traffic is light. Have a look at Bangkok in 'Cities'.

· Sights -

Bespoke boat trips / Canal trips in a longtail boat / Sunset Cruises / Midnight Canoeing / Grand Palace / Emerald Buddha / Reclining Buddha / Home of Thai Massage / Wat Arun / Museum Siam / Bangkok Flower Market / Yodpiman Riverwalk / Asiatique / ICONSIAM / River City / Chinatown

· Extra -

See Bangkok in 'Cities' and Thailand in 'Countries M - Z'.