Tuesday, November 4

A Room With A View.

Bangkok is, well, just plain insane. It's like New York City, meets a colorful kind of South Eastern Asian madness, complete with intoxicating aromas and sights that are quite indescribable. Which is not to say I didn't love it, but it's the sort of place you need a little nap from now and then. There's the humidity and that heat, the immense population, and just the navigation your brain needs to take on if you've never been there before, that can be quite daunting. And that's why you need a place like the very genteel Ibrik Resort, on the banks of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. All I can say is, whew.


Apologies for not making the bed...but I was on vacation...
(and the ones below are made, but a tad blurry!)


I found this tiny, just three room hotel in Eyewitness Guide's Top Ten Bangkok and it was probably the best thing I've found in any guide book, ever. The lovely folks who run the Ibrik are incredibly over the top gracious, in a unforgiving, crazy climate, and the atmosphere zen-like. Touches of mid-century modern, dabble with Thai teak furniture and it's all so tastefully done, and well, just cool. It's tucked away in a tiny alley that's difficult to find, and surrounded by artists' galleries, small cafes and a dinner theatre. We chose the River Room, which is quite literally, on the River. Had I had the french doors open and rolled out of bed, I'd be doing the breast stroke right now, trying to get back on deck. It's that close. Not to mention the amazing and constant glittering and colorful parade of longtail boats, ferries and evening water taxis. Stunning!

One of the many in a parade of passing boats.

The Ibrik is tucked into a tiny alley way...and this wall mural from
the Patravadi Theatre next door was our landmark for finding our way home!


Our breakfast was served to us on the tiny Ibrik deck, and all quite delicious and served in the most eloquent of manners. Just look at my coffee cup, for pete's sake! I asked for my poached eggs medium and, for the first time in my room service history, low and behold, they were perfect! More juice, more coffee, madame? I kid you note, they call you madame! I felt quite at home here, well, if not at home, at the very least Queen Victoria for a few days (oh, and did I mention all for less than $100US per night?)! For more about the lovely and exquisitely peaceful Ibrik Resort, take a look at their site. Khob kun ka, Ibrik.

The beautiful teak bathtub.



22 comments:

Sarah Bradley said...

Oh my goodness what a treasure you found! It looks so relaxing and the perfect place to come back to after a bustling day.

Leciawp said...

I love your pictures and the way you've told such a story with them!! You make me want to travel!

I have that bed - third picture down! :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely retreat! I wish I was there!

Celia said...

Can't believe that price! WHile I was reading and seeing all the pics I was imagining how much would a room like could cost!!! lol...
I have to go to bangkok now!; lol...

nichole said...

You just whisked me away for a minute. So lovely!

kara said...

The Bathtub!!!! I love it!

Holly said...

gorgeous details. i have always wanted to travel to thailand! and i hope you put that lovely tub to use!!

Manic Trout said...

What a lovely place to stay! I love those beds too!

Uncle Beefy said...

Well...it's no Day's Inn...but what are ya' gonna do? Sometime's you just gotta settle! ;)

Gggggorgeous! But the river makes me a lil' nervous. My own thing. But I'd get over it for this loveliness!

Joyous...as expected :)

Anonymous said...

How gorgeous!! What a wonderful hotel and haven in the city. The bathtub looks divine. Thank you for sharing this treasure :)

Courtney said...

Wow. What a charming place you found- it looks so lovely! And I love the unmade bed photo- on a vacation you should be able to completely relax!

Anonymous said...

What a gem!!!! I'll be in Bangkok later this month, and we might just have to stay there. Thanks for the photos.

Anonymous said...

Your photos inspire me to travel too. And take a bath in a nice deep tub. And drink tea out of fine porcelain!

Biba said...

Wow looks amazing, i feel very inspired to go to Thailand now!! Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Bangkok looks beautiful through your eyes... I am going to Vietnam and Cambodia in two days but for sure my next trip to Asia will be Thailand!!

Anonymous said...

victoria, i too also just got back from bangkok and krabi. i think we were there at the same time. i love your photos-your hotel sounds amazing. i highly recommend the tubkaak in krabi for "next time". :)
tara whitney

sfgirlbybay said...

i was in that tub A LOT! it's quite humid and hot, you know, so i felt the need to clean up a couple times a day! ;)

and tara that's so funny! we may have crossed paths somewhere!

Anonymous said...

I wasn't that big a fan of Bangkok when I went, but I'd go back to stay at that hotel! So gorgeous and charming, and I love that you could have your breakfast right on the river...

Keyse said...

girl, i want to travel now! thanks for the pictures...esp of that pretty cup!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing the Ibrik! My new husband and I traveled to Thailand for our honeymoon Nov 4-Nov 22, while in Krabi I read your blog and we booked the Ibrik immediatley for the last couple days of our trip before flying back home to SF. It was truly a hidden romantic gem and a perfect ending to our honeymoon!

sfgirlbybay said...

anon - yeah!! i'm so happy to hear you liked it!! it's such a secret gem! ;)

Bangkok Hotels, Thailand said...

Bangkok is very amazing and the hotel you stay is not too bad. Thank you for your post....