Getting There

When we last checked flights from Shanghai to Bangkok (for after the October holiday rush), we found return tickets from RMB 2,700 (plus taxes), flying with Air China.

Web: www.ctrip.com.cn

Staying There

For a perfect mix of luxury and history, there is only one option worthy of consideration: the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. With 358 rooms and 35 suites, the hotel does a fantastic job of making their guests feel personally catered to (there’s a three-to-one staff to guestroom ratio) with a private butler service regardless of room type and an extremely proactive service philosophy. This is how the Mandarin Oriental made its name.

The hotel maintains an authors’ wing, named after an impressive list of authors who’ve stayed there in the past. Prince Charles and Princess Diana stayed at the authors’ wing and the Mandarin Oriental still offers a traditional English tea each afternoon in the foyer of the wing. The spa consistently ranks among the best on earth and its restaurants offer some of the only haute cuisine worth going out of your way for. World class service and amenities don't come cheap, but Riverview rooms can be had for RMB 2,400. In all, a stay at the Mandarin Oriental is more than just a room for the night – it’s an experience all on its own: a living, breathing relic of Bangkok’s past.

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. 48 Oriental Ave. Bangkok, Thailand. Web: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok