Shangri-La Bangkok Review: Shangri-La vs. Krungthep Wing
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The views of longtail boats and rice barges chugging along the Chao Phraya River are so mesmerizing, you could be forgiven for gazing out your Shangri-La Bangkok guestroom window for hours.
Or for throwing your sightseeing plans out the window altogether – to simply laze by one of the hotel’s two gorgeous riverfront pools!
Long after you’ve returned home from your Thailand vacation, it’s those scenes of river life that linger.
We’ve stayed at this 5-star luxury Bangkok hotel several times over the years, and its fabulous riverside setting is a big reason we keep coming back.
But even a riverside paradise has its quirks.
In this Shangri-La Bangkok review, we compare the two hotel wings (Shangri-La vs. Krungthep), take a closer look at the restaurants and pools, and share what we love – along with a few things we don’t.
Our review of the Shangri-La Bangkok (at a glance)
A luxury hotel with front-row seats to Bangkok’s fascinating river life… It’s a 5-star escape at a refreshingly reasonable price!
What we love 💕
- UNBEATABLE LOCATION → It’s steps from Sathorn Pier (for river ferries to Bangkok’s famous sights) and the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station.
- WONDERFUL RIVER VIEWS → Soak them up from your room, the breakfast terrace and poolside.
- TWO POOLS → Relax in tropical surroundings, with attentive service and drinks delivered to your lounger.
- RESORT FEEL → Lush gardens make Bangkok’s bustle feel miles away.
Shangri-La Wing vs. Krungthep Wing
The Krungthep Wing no longer comes with the special perks that once set it apart – like personal butler service and a pool reserved just for Krungthep guests.
We prefer the Shangri-La Wing:
- MORE CHARACTER → We fancy its more colorful Thai décor.
- MORE CONVENIENT → It’s closer to the breakfast restaurant and beautiful main pool.
- CAN USE BOTH POOLS → You can now use the pools at both wings, so you’re not missing out on the quieter Krungthep Pool.
- HORIZON CLUB OPTION → Upgrade to a Horizon Club room for lounge access and breakfast away from the busy main breakfast buffet – especially nice during peak visitor season.
👉 The twist! If we found a better rate for the Krungthep Wing (as we have for some dates!), we’d definitely choose it. Its standard rooms are larger, and they come with private river-view balconies and double-sink bathrooms.
Worth knowing
- IT’S A LARGE HOTEL → Don’t expect boutique intimacy.
- BREAKFAST IS BUSY → Peak times can feel hectic.
- POOLS ARE POPULAR → Shaded loungers can be hard to snag.
Booking tips
👉 Check the hotel’s website, then compare rates on Booking.com and Expedia. For our high-season stay, we found Booking.com offered a better rate than booking directly online with the hotel.
Don’t miss!
We really enjoyed this 2-hour Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour – cruising quiet canals past stilt houses and visiting a floating artists’ village.
Shangri-La Wing or Krungthep Wing?
Opened in 1986, the Shangri-La Bangkok has 802 rooms and suites, spread across two wings, each with its own pool. Which wing should you choose?
- Shangri-La Wing – It’s the original 25-story tower, with 673 rooms. The bustling heart of the hotel, it offers easy access to the NEXT2 Café (for breakfast) and lagoon-like main pool.
- Krungthep Wing – Opened in 1991, this smaller wing has its own entrance, elegant lobby, reception and riverside pool. Farther away from the activity of the main wing, it’s quieter, with more of a boutique feel, and even closer to the Skytrain station.
On our latest visit, we chose the Shangri-La Wing (again!) and also checked out rooms in the Krungthep Wing.
Shangri-La Wing rooms
Our Deluxe River View Room
This time, we booked a Deluxe River View Room on a high floor.
And the view? Spectacular! Just as we remembered!
A large bay window framed the Chao Phraya River, with a green silk-covered window bench in front. It quickly became our favorite perch for watching longtail boats, ferries and other river traffic scuttle past.
At 386 sq. ft. (36 sq. m), our room wasn’t enormous. But what it lacked in size, it made up for in character.
Gold silk wallpaper, polished dark wood and an ornately carved wooden mirror gave it a distinctly Thai feel.
There was plenty of color too – a red armchair, jewel-toned cushions in red, gold and green, and green-and-gold carpeting.
And while the bathroom didn’t sport two sinks, marital harmony somehow prevailed.
We also liked that the room wasn’t your typical square hotel box. The bed sat at an angle, the glass shower was curved and even the painted wooden headboard had character.
Other room choices
Beyond our Deluxe River View Room (386 sq. ft.), options in the Shangri-La Wing include:
- Deluxe Rooms – At 386 sq. ft. (36 sq. m), these entry-level rooms are the same size, but have city views.
- Deluxe Balcony Rooms – These larger 451 sq. ft. (42 sq. m) rooms add a private balcony for enjoying the river scenery.
- Premier Rooms – At 603 sq. ft. (56 sq. m), they’re quite a bit larger, with a separate living area and sofa bed, and offer city and partial river views.
- Premier Balcony Rooms – These 451 sq. ft. (42 sq. m) rooms sport a more polished contemporary look, along with a private balcony and lovely river views.
There are also suites and Horizon Club rooms, which we cover in a bit.
Our room tip
If waking up to those terrific Chao Phraya views matters to you – and we think they’re a huge part of the appeal here! – be sure to book a category specifically offering a full river view.
Krungthep Wing rooms
Krungthep River View Rooms
All standard guestrooms in this wing have private curved balconies furnishe with two chairs and a small table, overlooking the river.
At 484 sq. ft. (44 sq. m.), they’re noticeably larger than the standard Deluxe and Deluxe River View Rooms in the Shangri-La Wing.
Décor-wise, we found them more restrained, with traditional furnishings and a softer palette of creams and beiges.
They’re elegant and comfortable, but to our eyes, they didn’t feel as warm or inviting as our Shangri-La Wing room.
Other room choices
For more space again, the Krungthep Wing offers larger suites with separate living areas. They come with Horizon Club privileges, including access to the 24th-floor lounge.
What happened to the butler service?
When we first started visiting the Shangri-La Bangkok, the Krungthep Wing was the more exclusive of the two, complete with personal butler service.
That’s no longer a standard perk for Krungthep guests. So don’t expect your own personal Jeeves anymore!
Surprise! Krungthep rooms can cost less
Here’s something we didn’t expect.
Despite their larger size and river-view balconies, Krungthep Wing rooms are sometimes less expensive than comparable rooms in the Shangri-La Wing.
When searching on Booking.com for various dates, we found Krungthep rooms that cost $44 USD less per night than a smaller Shangri-La Deluxe River View room!
Now, rates fluctuate all the time, so you’d have to compare both wings for your travel dates.
For us, the Shangri-La Wing still wins
We love its richer décor, and our Deluxe River View room felt just the right size. We simply don’t need the extra space.
Being close to breakfast is another plus, especially if we have an early morning tour planned.
As for the Krungthep Wing’s private balconies?
They’re lovely in theory, but Bangkok is too hot for us to spend much time sitting outside in the sun. We’d probably only use one for an early morning coffee while watching Bangkok wake up.
That said, throw in a better rate for a Krungthep Wing room, and we’d switch wings!
Horizon Club
For a little extra pampering, book a Horizon Club room on one of the upper floors of the Shangri-La Wing.
We’ve stayed as Horizon Club guests in the past, and you get access to the exclusive 24th-floor lounge with its sweeping river views, plus:
- Breakfast – A buffet of Asian and Western favorites, along with à la carte choices
- Afternoon tea – From 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
- Evening cocktails and canapés – From 5:30 to 7:30 pm, when Bangkok’s city lights are quite magical
- Late check-out – Until 4:00 pm, subject to availability
Shangri-La Bangkok restaurants
NEXT2 Café (for breakfast)
Breakfast for regular guests is served at NEXT2 Café – and it’s quite the spread.
The huge buffet offers everything from fresh fruit smoothies to pastries, dim sum and made-to-order omelettes.
But the crowds can be overwhelming.
Even though the hotel was only about 70% full during our latest February stay, the buffet area was often packed. Staff were constantly replenishing dishes and clearing tables, but it still felt hectic.
Our tips?
- Go early – We found 7:30 to 8:30 am less busy.
- Sit outside – A shady table beneath the trees, overlooking the river, makes breakfast much more relaxing.
Breakfast as a Horizon Club guest
If we returned during high season, we’d be tempted to book a Horizon Club room just for the more peaceful breakfast upstairs.
The selection is smaller, but with à la carte choices and those drop-dead views, it’s a trade-off we’d happily make.
Salathip
For a romantic evening, the signature Salathip Thai restaurant is lovely. We’ve dined here and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Set right by the river, it serves Thai specialties – including seafood and coconut curries – in traditional teak pavilions. Be sure to try the red curry with roasted duck!
Classical Thai dancers add to the atmosphere.
Other restaurants and bars
There are several other restaurants and bars at the Shangri-La, including Shang Palace for Cantonese cuisine and Volti Tuscan Grill & Bar for Italian.
It’s worth venturing outside the hotel too. Just a 3-minute walk away, Mazzaro Restaurant serves both Italian and Thai dishes. We went for dinner one night and thought the food was excellent. (Prices are also less than at the Shangri-La.)
Shangri-La Bangkok pools
Shangri-La Wing pool
Surrounded by swaying palms, bougainvillea, orchids and bird of paradise flowers, the large freeform pool by the Shangri-La Wing is one of the hotel’s star attractions.
Almost within touching distance of the river, it’s a welcome retreat after exploring Bangkok’s temples and other sights in the sultry heat.
Settle into a lounger beneath the palms or a shady umbrella, soak tired muscles on one of the built-in bubbling water beds and let the attentive staff spoil you with fresh fruit skewers and chilled towels.
The expansive fitness center overlooks the pool and gardens too – reason enough to work out before a dip?
Krungthep Wing pool
The Krungthep Wing has its own smaller rectangular pool beside the river.
The best loungers face the Chao Phraya, shaded by trees and perfectly positioned for watching the river traffic glide past.
It generally feels more peaceful than the main pool, but there are fewer loungers. We wandered over late one afternoon for a change of scenery, only to find every chair taken.
Can you use both pools?
Yes. Guests staying in either wing can now use both pools.
That wasn’t always the case – previously, the Krungthep Wing pool was reserved just for Krungthep guests.
Location, location, location
Stretching almost a quarter of a mile along the Chao Phraya River, the Shangri-La Bangkok apparently has the longest river frontage of any inner-city Bangkok hotel.
Better yet, two of Bangkok’s most useful ways of getting around are practically on your doorstep.
By river boat
Sathorn Pier – also known as Central Pier – is right beside the hotel.
From here, you can hop aboard a Chao Phraya Express Boat and travel up and down the river for just a few Thai baht. Depending on the boat service, stops put you within easy reach of:
- The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Pho
- Wat Arun
- Chinatown
It’s inexpensive, it’s fun and – when Bangkok’s roads are snarled with traffic – getting around by river can be a blessing.
By Skytrain
Saphan Taksin BTS station is also just steps away – about a one-minute walk from the Krungthep Wing.
From here, the Skytrain whisks you to Bangkok’s major shopping, dining and business districts, with connections to the MRT subway system.
It’s also handy for sightseeing. For example, take the BTS to National Stadium for the Jim Thompson House and MBK, or to Siam for some of Bangkok’s biggest shopping malls.
Why we keep returning
Bangkok has no shortage of excellent hotels. But some come with splurgey price tags, while others are less convenient for sightseeing.
For us, the Shangri-La hits a sweet spot – 5-star luxury, a stunning riverfront setting and a prime location for exploring Bangkok, all at a price that’s surprisingly quite affordable.
👉 More information and to book the Shangri-La Bangkok
We usually book through Booking.com, where we often score better rates than booking directly with the hotel.
We also appreciate Booking’s flexible cancellation options (because, well, travel plans do change!). It’s worth comparing Expedia’s rates too.
- Booking.com – Where the hotel is rated “Excellent” (8.8/10, with 3,710+ reviews).
- Expedia – Where guests say it’s “Wonderful” (9.2/10, with 1,550+ reviews).
For more details, see the hotel’s website.
Sold out? Or looking for something different?
Take a look at Bangkok’s Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel. It has a great central location for shopping, dining and getting around by Skytrain. Read our in-depth review to find out what it’s like.
See our other Bangkok (and Thailand) travel guides
- Review of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok
- Dine in the Dark in Bangkok: An Eye-Opening Experience
- The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Thailand
- Is Rayavadee Worth the Splurge in Krabi?
- Sea Canoeing Phang Nga Bay’s Hidden Lagoons
- Finding Zen at Koh Samui’s Zazen Boutique Resort
- Discover the Power of Poppies at the Hall of Opium
- Snorkeling Koh Tao: Best Spots and Tours
- Dig the Hippie Vibe of These Koh Tao Bungalows!
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Our top travel tips and resources
→ Hotels | Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
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→ Tours | For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental | Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
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About the authors
I understand the Krungthep wing is closed for renovations, and isn’t due to reopen till next year, 2023 sometime.