Erawan Bliss: 5BR, 5BA Bangkok Dream Home Awaits!
Erawan Bliss: Bangkok Dream Home… With a Few Quirks (and a Heartbeat!) - A Review That Actually Feels Real
Alright, let's cut the crap, shall we? I just stumbled out of Erawan Bliss, this supposed slice of Bangkok heaven, and I need to download my brain before it explodes. "5BR, 5BA Bangkok Dream Home Awaits!" the tagline taunts. Dream home? Well, it had its moments. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average robotic review.
Accessibility & That Whole Inclusion Thing (Let's Be Honest, It's a Mixed Bag)
Accessibility. Ugh. Honestly, I'm not disabled, but I made it a point to check this stuff out because, well, it’s 2024, isn't it? And while the website said things, the reality? A bit…spotty. The elevator was a godsend, especially with my luggage (more on that later) and the building itself felt pretty damn easy to navigate. Thumbs Up! They’ve got CCTV everywhere, which gave off a strange, but secure vibe. And bonus points: they actually had an elevator. Massive point.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Couldn't find any solid details, sorry.
Wheelchair accessible: The public areas seemed decent, but I can't vouch for actual room accessibility. Call ahead and ask, I guess.
Internet: The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler (And, Sadly, a Few Frustrations)
Okay, internet. My lifesaver. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – YAY! But…it wasn’t always the speed demon I needed it to be because I’d planned on a serious Netflix binge after a day of insane tourist-ing and found it just limped along once, when the rest of the time it was fine. No complaints in that regard. Internet [LAN]? Didn't see it. Internet services? Mostly fine, but the occasional buffering was like a tiny, digital mosquito buzzing around my head.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Because, Bangkok!)
Right, relaxation. This is where Erawan Bliss kind of shines. You can get a good spa day in here…eventually…if you're prepared to navigate the nuances.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: OKAY, so the pool with a view? Spectacular. Seriously, Instagrammable. I spent a solid afternoon just floating and pretending I was a pampered celebrity. The fitness center was decent, kinda standard gym stuff, nothing to write home about. The spa? Oh, the spa. The menu was extensive, but the actual availability of treatments…that’s where things got a little wobbly. One day I wanted a body scrub. “Sawasdee ka, fully booked today!” cue internal scream. The next day, a massage! “Maybe… later, ka?” More internal screaming. I ended up with a foot bath and a sneaky little sauna sesh, which at least made me feel human again after a day battling the Bangkok heat. The steamroom was…well, it was steamy.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Health & Also, Hellooooo Bangkok!)
This is where Erawan Bliss genuinely impressed me. They clearly took the pandemic seriously.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: The whole shebang! Honestly, I walked around feeling like I was living in a hospital, which, you know, is a good thing in this day and age. The staff were super vigilant, always masked up, and the place smelled clean. That’s a big plus in a city as wild as Bangkok. The individual food options were a nice touch. I took the breakfast takeaway like every morning.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Inner Tourist)
Okay, food. This is a mixed bag.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The breakfast buffet was…well, it was a buffet. Standard stuff, pastries, eggs, a weird-looking orange juice (avoid). I did manage to find some decent fruit and the Asian options were pretty good, as I expected. But the real gem? The poolside bar. Happy hour, cocktails, and that glorious view? Pure bliss. The restaurants? Okay, enough to fill a hungry belly.
Services and Conveniences (Making Life Easier, or at Least, Less Chaotic)
Here's where Erawan Bliss really went above and beyond.
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Seriously, it was like they'd thought of everything. Contactless check-in? YES. Luggage storage? YES! The concierge was a godsend, helping me navigate the chaos of the city. The laundry service was a lifesaver (Bangkok's humidity is NO JOKE), and the daily housekeeping kept things tidy. The convenience store was…convenient. The elevators, once again, were a lifesaver. My one complaint? The ironing service was slow. I called three times before someone finally came, leaving me in a slight panic as I needed to iron out my clothes for a trip.
For the Kids (If You Have 'Em)
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Didn’t test these out, but seemed legit.
Rooms – The Heart of the Matter (Where the Magic (and the Quirks) Happen)
Alright, the rooms. This is, ultimately, what you're paying for. And they are impressive.
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: I had a gorgeous room. Seriously. The big, comfy bed, the giant windows, the view… Sigh. But…there were a few niggles. The air conditioning, for instance, was a bit…overzealous. I ended up sleeping under like, 3 blankets. The coffee maker? I couldn't get it to work, grrr. The bathroom was lovely, apart from the occasional faint sewer smell that crept in at odd hours. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in!
Getting Around (Bangkok is a Beast, People!)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Airport Transfer: Super smooth. Taxi service: easy to flag down. Car park, free of charge, a plus. The rest? Didn't use them.
My Final Verdict (The Unglamorous Truth)
Erawan Bliss? It's not perfect. It has its quirks. But overall? You can't go wrong! The service is good, the facilities are plentiful, and the overall vibe leans towards "relaxing escape." Just be prepared to roll with the punches, embrace the imperfections, and be ready to ask a million questions. And for the love of all that is holy, pack your
Unbelievable Idaho Escape: Dodge Peak Lodge Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're NOT going for a pristine, perfectly-planned itinerary. We're going for life. A messy, wonderful, "wait, did I just eat that?" kind of life, lived within the cozy embrace of a 5BR & 5Bath house in Erawan, Bangkok. This is going to be… interesting. Here goes nothing.
BANGKOK BONANZA: A Week of Beautiful Chaos
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Sweet, Sweet Smell of… Everything
- Morning (Or Rather, "Afternoon" Thanks to Flight Delays & My Bladder): Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Ugh, flights. Always an adventure. This time, the adventure involved a crying baby, a guy who hogged the armrest, and my sudden, desperate need for a bathroom break the moment the seatbelt sign dinged off. The airport… well, it's Bangkok. Hot, humid air slaps you in the face like a wet rag. Immigration, thank god, was smooth.
- First Impression: "Oh. My. GOD. The orchids. Everywhere. Suddenly I smell like jasmine, and it's not even my fault! It's already better than the airport smells, which, if I’m honest, smelt kinda musty.”
- Afternoon: Taxi to the house in Erawan. Traffic? Don't. Even. Get. Me. Started. It's organized… chaos. Like a ballet performed by bumper cars. The house! Okay, this is nice. 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. Cozy, like they promised. The air conditioning is glorious. I briefly considered moving in permanently right then and there.
- Anxiety Alert: "Is the water running? Did I lock the front door? OH GOD, did I turn off the oven? No wait. Not the oven – I am not at home! This is the other side of the world. I should stop, no, I must stop overthinking."
- Evening: Jet lag hits. Hard. Fumbling with the house key, I thought I was going to pass out.
- Dinner Disaster: Stumbled out for a nearby street food adventure (probably not the wisest move, but the rumble in my stomach was demanding attention). Found a stall selling pad thai. "Okay. Fine. Standard. Can't go wrong." Wrong. Apparently. It was both delectable, and a bit spicy (my fault, I didn't order light spicy). My tongue is still trying to recover and my stomach is doing a tiny dance, but it was still the best meal I had ever had.
- Evening observation: "Bangkok is loud. Like, REALLY loud. But it's a good loud. A city-breathing kind of loud."
- Night: Collapsing into bed, brain fried from a 20-hour journey from another continent. Thank God for the AC. I'm pretty sure I dreamt I was wrestling a giant, inflatable durian fruit.
Day 2: Temples, Tuk-Tuks, and Temple-Run Feelings
- Morning: Woke up at 5 am, bright-eyed and bushy-failed-to-sleep-it-off. Decided to embrace the ridiculousness. Coffee and a walk around the neighborhood. Saw a monk collecting alms. Felt vaguely spiritual, then promptly got distracted by a stray cat that looked like it wanted to assassinate me.
- Mid-morning: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Holy moly. The gold leaf… the intricate carvings… It's overwhelming. And crowded. So, so crowded. I'm pretty sure I saw a tourist try to take a selfie with a Buddha statue. I wanted to slap him, but instead, I just quietly judged from a distance.
- Quirky Observation: "So many sequins. And so many tour groups. It's like a shimmering, multilingual human tide, just trying to get a peek at sacred things."
- Lunch: Tried to embrace the street food – again. This time, a delicious bowl of khao soi (Northern Thai noodle curry). Spicier, and I sweat.
- Afternoon: Tuk-tuk ride. A must-do, right? Wrong. The driver tried to take me to a "special gem store" (classic scam). I gave him a stern look and yelled "No!" The street food I ate was a great distraction from the panic.
- Emotional Reaction: "The tuk-tuk ride was terrifying and thrilling all at once. I felt like I was in a real-life Mario Kart game, dodging cars and vendors and the general chaos."
- Evening: Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) at sunset. Stunning. Truly, breathtakingly stunning. Worth the tuk-tuk/scam hassle. Felt a momentary pang of something resembling peace. Then, the mosquitoes arrived. I have the marks to prove it.
- Rambling: "The Chao Phraya River glows at sunset. The temple's a kaleidoscope. I wished I could paint this memory on a canvas."
- Night: Collapse back at the house. Legs aching, mind buzzing from the sensory overload. Ordered some takeout, stared at my phone, and planned my escape. Just kidding. I'll stay. I think.
Day 3: Floating Markets, Boats, and the Unexpected Serenity of Being Lost
- Morning: Decided to be adventurous and visit a Floating Market. The thought of water, boats, and delicious food appealed to me.
- Anxiety Alert - Part 2: "The market was beautiful but overwhelming. I had to step back."
- Mid-morning: Took a longtail boat from the market to some of the canals nearby, and was glad.
- Lunch: Enjoyed some street food on a small canal in the middle of nowhere. No tour buses or other tourists.
- Afternoon: Visited another temple, and ate more street food.
- Evening: Dinner and cocktails at a rooftop bar. The view of the city at night was magical.
- Night: Fell asleep instantly, and my dreams were a swirling mix of boats, floating noodles, and giant, angry mangoes.
Day 4: Chatuchak Weekend Market and a Shopping Spree
- Morning: Chatuchak Weekend Market - Holy. Mother. Of. Shopping. So many stalls, so many things I didn't need but desperately wanted. Bought a silk scarf that now smells vaguely like incense.
- Rambling: "This market is a labyrinth of dreams and desires. You can get lost for hours, and you probably should."
- Mid-day: Got lost. Seriously lost. Wandered for a solid hour, panicking slightly, before finding my way back to civilization (and the nearest coconut ice cream stand).
- Emotional Reaction: "Panic turned to acceptance. Being lost in Chatuchak is part of the experience. And that ice cream… total redemption."
- Afternoon: More shopping. More snacks. Bought a ridiculously oversized elephant statue. No regrets (yet).
- Evening: Cooked a Thai curry at the house. The curry was more of a "Thai-inspired-attempt-at-a-curry-that-hopefully-won't-kill-me" kind of deal. It was edible. Barely.
- Night: Watched a terrible Thai soap opera on TV, because, why not? Felt oddly content.
Day 5: Massage, Muay Thai, and the Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
- Morning: Went for a traditional Thai massage. Oh, the bliss! My body felt like a noodle being expertly kneaded.
- Doubling Down on Experience: "The masseuse was tiny but mighty. She used more pressure than I thought humanly possible. There were points when I questioned my life choices. But I emerged feeling like I'd been reborn."
- Mid-day: Took a Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) class. Attempted to punch a bag. Failed epically. Sweated like a… well, like someone who'd just attempted to punch a bag in the Bangkok heat.
- Messier Structure: Muay Thai was fun, but the instructor was a bit… intense. I’m pretty sure I pulled a muscle. My hips don’t lie, and neither do my aching muscles.
- Afternoon: Spent the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Sat by the pool. Read a book. Drank iced tea. Realized the value of doing absolutely nothing.
- Evening: Ate at a fancy restaurant by the river. The food was exquisite. The cocktails were strong. The live music was a bit… loud.
- Night: Back at the house, fell into
Erawan Bliss: Bangkok Dream Home - FAQs (Because You're Probably Screaming Questions)
Okay, but *really*, is this place as dreamy as it looks in the pictures? Because, let's be honest, that's the *real* question.
Five bedrooms and five bathrooms? Who *needs* that many?! Seems excessive, no?
The location? Is it actually *convenient* or "convenient" like, a twenty-minute taxi ride away from civilization convenient?
What about the cleaning? Seems like it’d be a LOT of cleaning.
Anything REALLY awesome that surprised you? Any hidden gems?
Anything *awful*? Any dealbreakers? (Be honest!)
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