Thailand inStyle announces the inclusion of The Old Bangkok Inn to its highly selective portfolio of boutique hotels in Thailand.

Thailand inStyle has just announced that it has included the Old Bangkok Inn to its highly selective portfolio of hotels and boutique hotels in Thailand. A former palace located in the heart of Rattanakosin at the very heart of Bangkok’s historical and cultural center, the building that now houses the Old Bangkok Inn was left to decay and in a highly dilapidated state became a noodle house before being fully renovated and reincarnated into the 10-room Bangkok Inn.

According to Thailand inStyle, today’s “eclectic” travelers look for experiences that reflect their own tastes and values.

Miguel Cunat, CEO of Thailand inStyle, said, “We aim to provide that discerning group of travelers with something which is instantly recognizable and appreciated. We define Style as being authentic, detailed, seamless, textured, unpretentious and natural with a personality that exudes innate individuality and The Old Bangkok Inn fulfills and surpasses each of these qualities.”

“If you like a hotel to be more like a home, then you’ll love the Old Bangkok Inn,” wrote Lisa Rosenfeld, TIME Magazine, June 6, 2006.

In its selection process, Thailand inStyle evaluates hotels, boutique hotels and villas in Thailand (http://www.thailandinstyle.com ), pigeon-holing the chosen few in various different categories, from ultra innovative and hip through to properties that exude traditional and cultural values.

In Thailand inStyle’s properties, you may find properties that are faded but you wont find properties that are jaded. Location of the residence is also an important factor.

The Old Bangkok Inn () staff are always at-hand to offer helpful advise and the most practical options where transport is concerned and how to avoid Bangkok’s notorious traffic.

Suffice to say that your best options are on the doorstep in the form of Bangkok canal ferries (a truly InStyle mode of transport upon which to navigate Bangkok) and the Chao Phraya River Ferries, both of which are extremely cheap, highly efficient, sometimes a little dramatic and a great way to see the Venice of the East.

“Steering guests away from gas-guzzling taxis and toward alternative forms of transport is just one way the Old Bangkok Inn is actively distinguishing itself as an urban green hotel - one of the increasing number of places that are adopting that strategy,” wrote Jennifer Conlin, New York Times, March 16, 2008.

Thailand inStyle also provides concierge services such as chauffeur driven cars, expert guides and a wealth of local travel advise all designed to ensure that guests can sit back and derive maximum satisfaction from their time in Thailand.

About The Old Bangkok Inn
Located on the site of a former palace OBI is a restored bijou boutique B&B in the heart of Bangkok’s historic old quarter. Family run, it exudes a homely, olde-worlde ambience where personal touches and quirky decor are the norm. The glass fronted exterior and tea shop-like lobby of OBI is characterised by ornate armoires, dainty bird cages, antique furniture and jazzy music and feels not unlike the French cafes of Normandy from where the owner - charismatic Nantiya - took her inspiration. OBI is a great value hotel - unique and memorable - and one with great eco-credentials including optional charity donations at check in (which the hotel will match), solar power, water-saving taps and energy saving light bulbs.

Inspired by Thailand’s floral offerings, each room at OBI is named and decorated after one of five flowers and characterised accordingly with murals, metalwork and a specially chosen colour palette. The hotel has been designed to combine traditional elegance with modern amenities and the rooms offer a range of special features such as beautifully hand-painted ceramic washbasins, personal computers with broadband internet access and gorgeously scented toiletries with fragrances to match each floral theme. Much of the hotel has been furnished with Thai golden teak rescued and restored from the historic capital of Ayutthaya alongside generational antiques and locally made silk curtains and throws.

Delicious breakfasts, simple snacks and refreshments are available to guests at any time however since OBI is a B&B don’t expect restaurant facilities. Nantiya and her staff are great sources of information on Bangkok and many of the city’s most historic attractions including the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, the Queen Sirikit Gallery and the Khao San Road are all within walking distance of the hotel. OBI is a fantastic other-worldly base from which to explore the city and revel in some authentic Thai hospitality.

The Inn’s “Green Philosophy”
The Old Bangkok Inn is committed to reducing its impact on the community and on the environment, with a mission to provide the art of hospitality within a model for urban ecology by observing the “three R’s” philosophy of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. The Old Bangkok Inn is a fully non-smoking establishment and one of the few “Green Hotels” in Bangkok.

• Water conservation: eco-friendly hotels are water-friendly hotels; OBI uses low-flow showerheads as well as low-flow/dual flush toilets. Additionally, OBI has also implemented a voluntary linen-and-towel-reuse program in all guest rooms.
• Energy: The building is designed to use daylight for as much of each day as possible and installed in-room sensors to shut down all lights and appliances when guests leave the room. All the hot water used at OBI comes from a solar water heater system, consuming 25% less energy as a result of our greater reliance on solar power.
• “Good wood”: Most of the wood furniture and all the fixtures (stairs, doors, & windows) used in OBI is rebuilt, reclaimed or salvaged from old teak wood. The quality and beauty of this teak is far greater than that of teak cut from the same species today-and the purchase of it did not bring down a single tree.
• Community support: Through the “Support the Community Initiative” guests staying at the OBI are kindly encouraged to contribute US$1 per room per night to one of our designated philanthropic partners; the Old Bangkok Inn will match the contribution dollar for dollar.
  

About Thailand inStyle
Thailand inStyle is a Bangkok based travel company specializing in preparing interesting alternatives and ideas which are “out of the box.” and which provide a conversational currency long after the holiday itself has finished.

For further information, visit www.thailandinstyle.com or learn more about the Old Bangkok Inn here.