Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Company type	Hotel
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	1876
Headquarters	Bangkok, Thailand
Products	Luxury hotel services, spa, dining
Owner	Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (49% ownership since 1974)
Website	www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a luxury five-star establishment located in Bangkok and is partly owned and operated by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Positioned along the Chao Phraya River, it holds the distinction of being Thailand's inaugural hotel, originally opening its doors as The Oriental in 1876. It continues to stand as one of the group's premier flagship locations.

History

After Siam opened to international trade following the Bowring Treaty, seafarers required lodging onshore. The Oriental Hotel was initially launched by American Captain Dyers and J.E. Barnes but was destroyed by fire in 1865.

Several years later, Danish captains reopened a successor hotel. The official founding date was later established as the 1876 inauguration of the new River Wing.

H. N. Andersen

In 1881, Danish entrepreneur Hans Niels Andersen took ownership of the property. Identifying a market for high-end accommodations equipped with Western comforts for travelers and business visitors, Andersen collaborated with Peter Andersen and Frederick Kinch to develop a luxury hotel. Crafted by Italian architects Cardu & Rossi, the Oriental debuted on 19 May 1887 featuring 40 rooms and amenities unprecedented outside royal residences: a second story, carpeted corridors, designated smoking and ladies' lounges, a billiards room, and a bar with seating for 50.

To guarantee exceptional service quality, they hired the chef and butler from the French Consulate.

The hotel's first significant event was a banquet on 24 May 1888 celebrating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. In December 1890, King Chulalongkorn authorized the hotel to accommodate royalty; its initial royal visitors arrived in April 1891 with Crown Prince Nicholas of Russia’s delegation.

Marie Maire took ownership in 1910, undertaking renovations before selling the property in 1932. During World War II, the Japanese Army leased it as an officers' club under Imperial Hotel Tokyo management. Subsequently, Allied prisoners occupied and damaged the premises.

Germaine Krull

Post-World War II, a consortium of six investors each contributed US$250 to acquire the deteriorated hotel. Among them were Germaine Krull (1897–1985), Prince Bhanu, General Chai Prateepasen, businessman and lawyer Pote Sarasin, and Americans John Webster and Jim Thompson, both former OSS officers who remained in Thailand. Despite lacking prior hospitality experience, Krull assumed management in 1947. As a German-born photographer and war correspondent, she restored the hotel to its status as Thailand’s foremost luxury venue. Thompson applied his architectural expertise but exited the partnership over expansion disagreements while continuing to reside there.

To rival emerging nightlife destinations, Krull introduced the Bamboo Bar, which swiftly became one of Bangkok’s top entertainment spots. In 1958, the ten-story Garden Wing was constructed, featuring Bangkok’s first elevator and hosting the Le Normandie Restaurant. Concerned about political unrest in 1967, Krull sold her stake to Italthai, an expanding Thai conglomerate with diverse business interests.

Italthai

Established in the mid-1950s by Italian Giorgio Berlingieri alongside Thai Dr Chaijudh Karnasuta, Italthai sought to enhance the Oriental’s competitive standing. Considering the hotel outdated compared to rivals, Berlingieri appointed Kurt Wachtveitl—aged 30 and formerly general manager of Italthai’s Nipa Lodge in Pattaya—as general manager in 1967. In 1972, following acquisition of neighboring land, the hotel expanded by adding the 350-room River Wing to boost capacity.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group began with its flagship property, the Mandarin in Hong Kong, established in 1963 and celebrated for its exceptional luxury service. To broaden its presence across Asia while upholding these high standards, Mandarin International Hotels Limited was founded in 1974. That same year, the Group acquired a 49% ownership in The Oriental, Bangkok, thereby overseeing two prestigious hotels concurrently. By 1985, these two properties were consolidated under the unified Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group brand.

In 1993, the hotel introduced the renowned Oriental Spa, enhancing its wellness offerings. A comprehensive refurbishment of all rooms and suites was completed by 2003. Marking its 130th anniversary in 2006, the hotel officially transitioned its name from The Oriental, Bangkok to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok in September 2008.

Awards

Awarded “Best City Hotel in Asia” and ranked among the “Top 20 Hotels Worldwide” by Travel + Leisure World Best Awards in 2009
Recognized as Best City Center Hotel Spa Worldwide by Luxury Travel Advisor in 2008
Honored as Urban Spa of the Year by AsiaSpa Magazine in 2008
Included in Forbes Traveler’s list of the 400 Best Hotels in 2008
Positioned No. 8 among Overseas Leisure Hotels - Asia & Indian Subcontinent by Condé Nast Traveller in 2008
Ranked No. 13 for Overseas Hotel Spas by Condé Nast Traveller in 2008
Secured No. 3 spot in Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Top 20 International City Hotels in 2008
Featured among the Top 50 Hotels Worldwide in 2023
Listed on Condé Nast Gold List for 2023
Recipient of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award in 2023

References

Augustin, Andreas; Williamson, Andreas. The Oriental Bangkok. Leading Hotels of the World, 2000.
Germaine Krull; Dorothea Melchers. Bangkok: Siam's City of Angels. Robert Hale Limited, 1964.
O’Nell, Maryvelma. Bangkok - A Cultural and Literary History. Signal Books, 2008.
Warren, William; Gocher, Jill. Asia's Legendary Hotels: The Romance of Travel. Periplus Editions, 2007.
Additional archived articles and industry sources documenting the hotel's heritage and honors.

External links