The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has been in business 150 years and plans to celebrate for 18 months.
As the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok enters its 150th year, the legend only grows, welcoming a new generation of guests, while preserving the artistry, stories, and service that have made it one of the world’s truly iconic hotels.
The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok stands as one of the world’s legendary hotels, a living symbol of luxury, history, and high society on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
As the property prepares to mark its monumental 150th anniversary with an 18-month celebration beginning November 2025, travellers, royalty, and celebrities alike are invited to “Unfolding Legacies,” a program that honors the hotel’s storied past, enduring service standards, and ongoing innovation.
From Siam’s First Luxury Hotel to a Global Icon
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok originally opened in 1876 as The Oriental, under the vision of Danish sea captains H. Jarck and C. Salje. Their goal: create a sophisticated resting place for seafaring traders entering the Kingdom of Siam soon after the Bowring Treaty, which had opened Thailand to international commerce.
The hotel quickly became Thailand’s very first luxury hotel, and its riverside location would define the property’s character for generations.
The Oriental survived disasters and rebirth—the original building was lost to fire in 1865 but was rebuilt, setting the stage for its enduring legacy.
By 1881, the property was under new ownership—H.N. Anderson, who was decorated with the Order of the White Elephant by the King of Siam, hired renowned Italian architects Cardu and Rossi to give The Oriental its iconic look and stature.
Authors, Royalty and Hollywood Legends
The Oriental’s reputation for luxury drew acclaimed personalities from the start. Joseph Conrad, then a young merchant marine officer, was one of its earliest famous guests; his experience living along the river inspired his celebrated novels.
Somerset Maugham spent time at the hotel in the 1920s, recovering from malaria, and immortalised the property in his work “The Gentleman in the Parlour.” Other literary icons like Noel Coward and Barbara Cartland followed, while suites and lounges today bear their names in tribute to their stays.
Over the decades, the Oriental became a preferred address not just for writers and thinkers, but also for international royalty, heads of state, and Hollywood stars.
The hotel’s guest lists are full of luminaries: John le Carré finished “The Honourable Schoolboy” in one of its suites; members of royal families and prime ministers have frequented its salons.
Jim Thompson, the famed silk magnate, was part-owner and resident after World War II, helping revive the spirit and service levels that would later become a hallmark of the Mandarin Oriental brand.
Hospitality Innovation and Global Prestige
Throughout its evolution, the hotel has pioneered hospitality landmarks in Thailand—opening not only the country’s first luxury accommodation but also its first hotel spa, jazz bar, and cooking school. The River Wing was completed in 1972, adding hundreds of rooms and a state-of-the-art ballroom.
By 1974, Mandarin International Hotels Limited acquired a stake, financing expansions that made the hotel a flagship alongside The Mandarin in Hong Kong. These two hotels eventually created the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, now synonymous worldwide with luxury and unmatched guest experiences.
Kurt Wachtveitl, who served as General Manager for an extraordinary 42 years, guided the property through global recognition: Institutional Investor magazine ranked Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok as the world’s best hotel for a decade; the hotel won multiple lifetime achievement and independent hotelier awards during his tenure.
“Unfolding Legacies”: A Year-and-a-Half of Elite Events
The 150th anniversary events running November 2025 through March 2027 are set to illuminate every aspect of the property’s legacy, kicking off with a lavish Opening Luncheon and Gala Dinner on November 22, 2025.
A highlight will be the presence of Club des Chefs des Chefs—the exclusive association of personal chefs to world leaders—from the Elysee Palace to the White House, serving ceremonial dishes once reserved for royalty and presidents.
The “Celebration Chapters” will unspool in six parts—Legacy, People, Service, Culture, Craft, and Innovation—with each theme exploring a different facet of the hotel’s rich heritage and future vision. Expect curated collaborations, elite culinary encounters, wellness rituals, and storytelling events, unveiled continuously during the campaign.
Modern guests will experience new dimensions of hospitality, from tailored spa programs in teak mansions to urban-culture pop-ups in the Authors’ Wing.
The anniversary promises both exclusive throwbacks—like re-creations of famous state banquets—and contemporary innovations designed to cement Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s status as the region’s cultural and luxury hospitality leader.
Staying at the Icon: Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok today retains its unmatched blend of historical glamour and modern comfort. Guests are greeted by white-gloved staff, celebrated for generations for their warmth and professionalism.
For those seeking a stay with a story, the hotel’s Authors’ Wing is a living museum to its literary past, with suites named for Conrad, Maugham, and Le Carré. The property’s commitment to innovation is seen in its state-of-the-art spa, acclaimed cooking school, and ongoing cultural programming.
