The Peninsula Bangkok

However, this is by no means a status to rest on. On the contrary, free kickboxing workshops, changing food festivals and a specially developed app that suddenly conjures up butterflies and temple dogs on the display of your cell phone in the lobby are as innovative as they are appealing and provide a breath of fresh air. The Peninsula also benefits from its proximity to the new Icon Siam Mall (on the short walk there, be sure to turn off into the idyllic side streets!) If you prefer to change to the riverside for shopping or sightseeing, you can board one of the ever-present hotel boats that cruise around like water fleas in front of the Peninsula waiting for guests. Tip: In the early evening, one of the wooden junks sets off on an atmospheric sunset cruise - including delicious cocktails and fine finger food as an appetizer.

We then enjoyed a first-class Thai dinner on the torch-lit terrace of the Thiptara restaurant - and really did feel like we were in paradise in the "City of Angels" ... more of an early bird than a night owl? Then look forward to the great breakfast buffet, which is served from 6 a.m. under the canopy of the River Café. Its reputation is legendary and the Chinese congee with Japanese onsen egg and slices of salted salmon is the most delicious reason to never want to eat clumsy porridge again.

Not quite my taste, but equipped with every comfort: the very classically designed rooms and suites with lots of fine wood, but a little too little personal charm. This, or something similar, is how you stay in American or European luxury hotels. Asian flair only comes into play when you see the longboats whizzing across the river outside the floor-to-ceiling windows and the huge neon signs flashing across from the other bank at night.