Through some great bit of good fortune, this year both Thailand and the United States have a three-day weekend at the end of May. This doesn’t happen often as the Thai holiday is a Buddhist one, which moves around based on the lunar calendar. We’re going to take advantage of our long weekend to get away, but not very far away. In fact, we’re just going across the river to Bangkok’s Right Bank, Thonburi.
One of the positive side effects of all this political turmoil (which has been going on pretty much since right after I moved here in 2005 – coincidence?) is that tourism has been down. This means that the local hospitality industry is desperate to attract business, turning to locals with some amazing deals. Now, this usually happens during the low season, which coincides with the rainy season here and summer elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. But these deals are turning out to be a regular feature of Thailand life. Not offered to tourists, though. Only Thais and foreigners residing here for work or retirement are eligible.
Originally, we were going to drive three or four hours south to Hua Hin or Cha-Am. But that’s what all the Bangkok residents will be doing this weekend, so prices at those hotels we’re nearly as nice. We originally wanted to stay somewhere for about 2000 baht a night, about US$60. But the options we found, while nice, weren’t super nice and would require the expenditure of gas money and time.
When I saw a newspaper ad on Wednesday from the Peninsula Hotel, Tawn and I decided to explore the offer. The Peninsula consistently ranks as one of the top hotels in Asia and we’ve visited it many times when guests have stayed there. Their standard rooms often go for at least US$300 a night, and usually for much more than that.
Their rate for this promotion? Only 3000 baht (US$91) a night, inclusive of breakfast for two and a choice of either a set dinner for two or 50 minute massage for two. The promotion also provides full use of facilities and a 25% discount on other food and beverage. Drinks at the river bar, anyone?
It seems that if you calculate the cost of fuel and time, driving all the way down to Hua Hin doesn’t make a lot of sense. Instead, we’re going to hunker down at the Peninsula, not leave for two days, and enjoy the luxury. I’m also going to leave my computer at home. No Xanga for 48 hours…
Here’s to hoping we have a fun weekend away.
christao408 
That is an amazing deal! Have a nice royal treatment weekend!
*jaw drops*The rate is amazing. Enjoy the staycation. I am turning green with envy.
Their buffet breakfast is too die for, really and I’m not kidding! The spa area is newly rennovated too! Have a fun weekend! PS. I’ve been busy all this while, no time to blog, preparing for the Tokyo and Singapore trip. Hopefully, I’ll send you a few snippets!
looks soooo nice!! What a bargain =) Enjoy the weekend!
I yearn for a holiday! Yesterday, I didn’t even know that it was a national holiday (Buddha Poornima) till I called the bank for some work. Such is life!
What a steal! I expect some jealousy inducing pictures and stories :]
Enjoy the luxury! Sounds like you can pretend the world doesn’t exist or at least it doesn’t matter for a couple of days – I haven’t seen the photos but I’m already jealous.
Leave the computer, take the camera.
Yes, wonderful staycation!! Have fun.
Have fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
sounds like it will be a great staycation! have fun!
Have a great weekend!
Wow, what a great deal. Have fun you guys. I feel bad for the people in the tourism industry there, though….
Oooh, I’m so jealous 😀 Have a great time! Take lots of food pictures 🙂
That is really a great bargain. Hope you had a great weekend!!
I always see advertisments of the Peninsula in magazines. They always looks so plush. Very envious of your stay-cation. :o) I took a little break to Laguna Beach as well. I forget that I have beach resorts just minutes away just waiting to be enjoyed.
I want to do that too Except in SF…
@Wangium – Plenty of places to get away in and around SF…@kenpcho – Turns out, they are just as plush as their adverts.