In 1876, the hotel was opened as a guest house by two Danish captains. After a fire, it was rebuilt in 1884. Only the “Authors Wing” has been preserved to this day, making it the oldest part of the ensemble. John Steinbeck, John le Carré, Joseph Conrad and Ian Fleming stayed here – the name “Authors Wing” is dedicated to them.
Royal Relations
An important part of the history of the house is its former owner Louis Leonowens – son of Anna Leonowens, the British governess at the court of King Rama IV. His father was King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand). The film “Anna and the King of Siam” is dedicated to this family. After acquiring the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in 1891, Louis Leonowens turned it into a first-class hotel. Thanks to his proximity to royalty, his hotel in Bangkok was the first inn to be supplied with electricity. At that time, pipes were laid from the large palace to the hotel. This luxury was put on public display in the form of a bronze statue at the entrance to the hotel, holding an electrically powered lamp.
Architectural gem
The famous lobby in the River Wing, the centerpiece of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, was renovated in 2019 by architect Jeffrey Wilkes. He brought more light into the lobby by combining chandeliers made of light crystal in combination with the typical wooden elements, among other things.
To this day, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok remains synonymous with first-class hospitality, luxury and elegance. With its rich history, impressive service, and connection to the royalty of Thailand, it’s a hotel that fascinates tourists and business travelers alike. It is a place where one can experience the cultural beauty of Thailand while enjoying the comfort and amenities of a first-class luxury hotel.
