Our mother-daughter adventure at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Visiting the Land of Smiles with your little ones soon? If you’re wondering what to do and where to stay in Bangkok, you have to read about my recent mother-daughter escapade during the June holidays. Chriselle and I had an absolute blast on our first-ever girls' bonding trip, courtesy of The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok and their Destination Discoveries program. Keep reading to find out what we got up to!

Where to stay in Bangkok: The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Situated within the historic grounds of Kandhavas, the former palace of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok seamlessly blends Thai and European influences beneath its regal roof. 

We really loved the countless enchanting features inspired and influenced by the princess who once resided there. Think majestic staircases, glittering chandeliers, and the harmonious fusion of Thai and European design elements that create an ambiance of true sophistication. View the grand interiors and facilities of the hotel here.

Our adventure began with our check-in at the hotel, where we were graciously ushered into the opulent royal suite rooms. In an instant, Chriselle and I were transported to the enchanting realm of Thai royalty. We were adorned in the most splendid traditional Thai attire, reminiscent of the era of King Rama V. Donning regal Thai garments for the first time was definitely the highlight of our stay! The best part is this experience can be easily arranged through The Athenee Hotel. Witness our transformation into Thai royals here! 

Fun fact: during King Chulalongkorn's (Rama V; 1868-1910) reign, ladies wore a captivating ensemble of British Victorian-style lace blouses paired with Thai-style folded Sabai shawls and Chong Kraben pants. It was such a fun and elegant experience for us!

And I must say, kudos to the immaculate service from the staff. They took such great care of Chriselle and I after learning it was our first solo girls’ trip together. Everyone was extremely welcoming and most attentive every day of our stay, making it such a memorable holiday.

Where to eat in Bangkok: The House of Smooth Curry, The Bakery, Crystal Grill House, and more!

We had a delightful culinary experience at The House of Smooth Curry, with my little one trying her hand as a sous chef, all under the guidance of Head Chef Montri. Chriselle thoroughly enjoyed crafting her own dish, where they offer a unique culinary journey featuring rare traditional Thai dishes representing the country's four regions. Watch Chriselle in action!

During our stay at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Bangkok, we also indulged in their signature spa treatments and relished the daily sumptuous breakfast at Rain Tree Cafe. 

A particularly charming moment was our beary special Thai-French high tea date at The Bakery. Chriselle and I fell in lurveee with the cherished heritage of this place, and we forged countless cherished memories together. Explore our tea experience here.

Wondering where to eat in Bangkok if you’re craving something special? One of our evenings led us to the newly unveiled The Crystal Grill House at Asiatique's RiverFront. This heritage-focused restaurant celebrates the joy of global travel and exploration, and is set against the enchanting backdrop of Sirimahannop. Trust me, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic date! Experience the ambience here.

Be prepared to savour the finest cuts of beef from Australia and the USA, as well as fresh local and imported seafood (which I adored), all masterfully prepared on their signature charcoal-wood-fired Josper Grill. You also HAVE to explore their selection of fine wines and sample their signature cocktails, skilfully crafted by their talented bartenders. 

The stunning skyline was a true spectacle, especially as the sun began to set. A pro tip: arriving before 5:30pm ensures you secure the best seats for an enchanting evening.

What to do in Bangkok: Shopping and exhibitions

Of course, no vacation is complete without a touch of retail therapy! Remember to add a visit to the GENTLEWOMAN Flagship Store in Siam Square to your list of things to do in Bangkok. It's not just the largest store in the city; it also boasts an exclusive lifestyle collection alongside its fashionable attire and trendy tote bags. Peek our shopping adventure at GENTLEWOMAN here.

Looking for comfortable and stylish shoes to grace your feet? Be sure to make a quick stop at Bloc B. Cabinet. Chriselle and I were truly impressed by the extensive customisation options available to everyone! Whether you prefer flats or heels, want specific colours and materials, or even fancy adding personalised initial studs, they've got it all covered. With ballet flats currently in vogue, this is the perfect place to find a pair made from the finest handmade French lambskin. And don't worry if you want to purchase more than one pair – they can easily arrange delivery to Singapore and Malaysia. Check out our Bloc B. Cabinet experience here!

To wrap up our trip, we had the pleasure of visiting the Disney100: The Exhibition (which concluded on 31 July). This was an absolute must-see on our itinerary for what to do in Bangkok! It marked the pinnacle of our magical adventure in the heart of Bangkok's Disney Village at Asiatique.

We were blown away by the comprehensive collection of exhibits inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars – all conveniently located in one place. It took us on a journey through 100 years of timeless storytelling and iconic characters from the imaginative world of Walt Disney. 

The exhibition offered four ticketed zones and 10 themed areas, including a Disney's Frozen exhibit, an Enchanted Garden graced by twelve life-sized Princesses, Pixar Putt that boasted eighteen mini-golf holes, and Marvel Universe, which featured three exhilarating superhero-themed sections. Chriselle and I had so much fun exploring The Wonderland of Adventures. See what we got up to here.

We might be back in Singapore, but we can’t wait for our next stay with The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok! Oh, and if you're wondering how to stay connected with loved ones while on holiday, let me share a useful tip: Changi Recommends has plenty of great deals.

Psst… looking for more inspo for your Thailand adventure? Check out what to do in Bangkok and Hua Hin.