Accommodation: 2N at Grand Millennium Sukhumvit (FOC), 1N at Siam Kempinski (4678.58 baht)
Ok so this is our 3rd trip this year but really, so sue us. The extremely affordable flights is a big shoo in for us. Minor regret not getting Tokyo tickets as well when Scoot launched the Morning Glory promotion.
Day 0
Doesn't really count as a day because by the time we reached Grand Millennium, it was like 8.30pm. The cab passed by Giusto en route to the hotel and I recall seeing this place on our last trip and thinking that it's not a suitable dining place cos my in laws were with us.
This time round, no such considerations. We popped by and browsed through the menu. Learnt that they also serve set lunches which were much more affordable but the husband gave in when he saw I wanted to try their ala carte.
We had an appetizer and 2 mains - Hokkaido Scallop, Striped Tenderloin on rock salt, and Spaghettini with salmon and lobsters sauce. Total bill came up to 3001 baht, possibly the most expensive meal we ever had in Bangkok. The Hokkaido scallop came up to about $40 for a small serving but it was really fresh. I guess Jap food ain't cheap around here. I super loved the spaghettini, the sauce was mildly spicy it was fantastic.
After dinner we went on an exploratory walk through Soi Cowboy, complete with many skimpily dressed girls waving to the expats to invite them in for drinks. Many tourists abound too, more keen on observing what goes on than actually patronizing. We walked through twice and then retired for the day.
I super love the bed in Grand Millennium. It has a cushiony top that kind of wraps your body when you lie down. The pillows are also of acceptable height to me. I am famous for being fussy about pillow height. I thank God for the free upgrade to the Club Room too. Alas we were not generous enough to pay additional for lounge access and breakfast which came up to almost $80 per night.
Day 1
Off to Bangkok Christian Hospital for our health check up on a bright Sunday morning. Appointment was at 0800 and after arriving, we settled for the comprehensive package that came with additional EKG and other tests. 2350 baht each. Procedures: height, weight, blood pressure, eye sight test, blood test, urine test, preliminary doctors consultation, x ray , EKG, final doctors consultation.
Some minor drama after they took my blood. I felt faint and could not get up. Then I kind of lost consciousness for a while and when I woke up again, there were 3 nurses beside me each trying a different thing to help me - one was fanning me with a piece of paper, one held some nasty smelling medication possibly to wake me up, the other was just kind of tapping my shoulder and asking how I felt. I think I gave them a huge scare. After I was awake, they made me lie down on the bed for a bit and brought me a hot drink. After I felt good enough to go, the nurse who took my blood was still reluctant and doubtful that I was fine. What a morning for them.
The entire process took up to about 1000ish and we got 50 baht coupons to eat at the food court. Once we were done, it was about time to go back up for the results of all the tests. Everything was normal for Tobs. For me however, the doctor remarked that I have an unusually low resting heart rate (41) as compared to other people (60-80). I was asked to see a cardiologist to get to the bottom of this; although the doctor did suggest that my exercise habits may be the reason for the low resting heart rate.
After all is done at the hospital, we headed to Central World for lunch at Pizza Company. No promotions ongoing so we went for the usual 12 pcs wings and a extreme cheese loaded pizza. I still think cheesey lava 3 from Pizza Hut is better though. Then we went for After You where I finished almost 80% of the new Ferrero Toast. Yum but I think Nutella is good enough for me.
Claimed my Ensogo deal at Yumly Yenly and the drinks were quite nice, especially the Aholic one. Trooped back to the hotel cos we couldn't do much from the food concussion. Back in the hotel, Tobs promptly hit the sheets while I lingered around a bit before heading to the gym.
Then it was our 1700 appointment at Urban Retreat for the Relax Package (1100 baht). 60 mins foot massage and 60 mins head and shoulder massage. This was done in the room on the mattress much to the dismay of Tobs as he was looking forward to sleeping on the foot massage chairs. Oh well.
After spa we headed to claim my other Groupon deal at Charlie's Creperie at Soi 19 in front of The Key hotel. It was a quaint place and all the foods was prepared by the male boss. Had a chicken apple crepe and a spinach and egg crepe. Both were good. Will consider coming here for breakfast in future.
Raided Tao Kay Noi at T21 and bought a box of Beard Papa puffs back. The seasonal special was strawberry. Missed the earl grey chou we had the last time. It was really good.
Day 2
Ta-to delivery arrived promptly at 0930 and everything got settled quite quickly without any fuss. We packed up and checked out before heading to Giusto for the lunch. It's 299 for the appetizer buffet and 170 for the main courses. We ordered a grand total of 4 main courses (gasps). But if you take a look at the serving size, 4 suddenly becomes manageable. The 4 were - stuffed pumpkin ravioli, strip loin steak, sea bass and stuffed chicken breast. All were quite nice and my favorite was the beef of course. Had 3 servings of dessert (100 baht each) and didn't really fancy the tiramisu (too little sponge cake). The vanilla millefielle was fine though. Didn't like their sherbets though Tobs polished it all up.
Headed to Kempinski for the change in hotel. We were served a cold towel and cold lemongrass drink upon arrival and while waiting for the staff to process the check in. They upgraded us to a room with balcony though we had not much use for the balcony really. The room was modern and nice though a tad smaller than the Club Room we had in Grand Millennium.
I then headed to Platinum Mall for shopping and ended up buying quite a bit of things, 2 of which I regretted and ought to have thought a bit further. The husband joined me halfway through and we bought more of his stuff. Then it was off to Centara Grand The World for dinner.
This has got to be the most worthwhile deal I bought. Buffet dinner at The World and Ginger with free flow wines. The variety of food was mind blowing. The World served an international spread while Ginger was more towards Chinese and Japanese. Ate super lot and went for multiple servings of the chocolate fondant and apple crumble. Much yums and fats!
KO-ed quite early without managing to watch Body of Lies. Maybe it was the food or the bed. Hm.
Day 3
Woke up in a flurry because it was 0950 and breakfast ends at 1030. We headed down and was served by a really warm staff, bookie (pls don't ask me why). Ordered the Egg Florentine, French Toast, Thai Omelete and Thai pancake. Returned to the rooms around 1100 and called to request for a late check out. Unfortunately, the hotel is 100% booked so they need the room back at 12pm. Boo. Packed up while watching Pitch Perfect in the background. Bye bye Siam Kempinski.
Left the Tobs at the business centre of the hotel while I wandered about. Took a walk around Siam Square area to find massive construction ongoing to revamp the area. Settled for a 2hr Thai masgea at Chang and it was really good.
Met up again at 1500 for more makan and picked the Thai Seafood restaurant over the Korean restaurant. The food was nice and we were shocked that the signature fish was so huge we almost could not finish it up. Thereafter, the plan was to head to After You but alas, they were closed for a break! Bad timing:(
So we settled for Coffee by Dao but the dessert is not that fantastic. I think we are thoroughly spoilt by Japanese dessert. Heh. Then it was a mad rush to complete buying all our stuff and claiming tax refunds.
When we got a cab at 1739, the cabbie wanted to extort us of 500 baht without going by meter. Time to find a reasonable cabby to pick us and drop us off man. Hate these kind of cheats. We were also stuck in the jam for quite some time as well and it was quite unnerving. But thank God everything worked out in the end and we are now enroute back.
Overall, would have been more restful if I had the whole of Saturday in Bangkok to do what I wanted. But on well, no complaints. Am a fan of Grand Millennium now and hope to stay there again:)
