The Ramada Plaza is one of a handful of 1980s-era large hotels on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya riverbank, and is well known among older generation Bangkokians -- the hotel has hosted many VIP events over the years. The exterior is boxy, nondescript, and looks its age, but the inside is contemporary and grand throughout, if a touch corporate. The wood-paneled reception desk stretches along an entire wall of the lobby, and the wall itself has the look of stacked stone, though is actually wood. Simple, dark-wood furniture and brown leather benches provide seating, and there is white marble flooring throughout, as well as an area with desks and chairs for tour planning. Outside, the large wooden terrace area offers clean-lined couches and chairs looking out upon the river. The outdoor pool is huge, rectangular and, due to its dark tiles, appears to have brilliant blue water. It is situated in the courtyard of the hotel and surrounded by cushioned wooden lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beautiful landscaping of palm trees and tropical plants. With its vast interiors and numerous facilities, the hotel typically draws large groups of tourists and business travelers, who can often be found congregating in the Thai Pavilion bar, which has slick wooden floors and dark armchairs, nicely offset by stacked-wood walls, tabletop elephant statues, and decorative bamboo. 

This hotel is located on the riverside off of Charoen Krung Road in an old residential area of Bangkok. There is a small shopping plaza in front of the hotel with restaurants and boutiques. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the famous Asiatique market with lots of shops and local street food. The hotel offers a free boat shuttle to Saphan Taksin Skytrain station, 15 minutes down the river, from which most attractions in and around Bangkok can be reached in around 30 minutes, including Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) and the Grand Palace. Suvarnabhumi Airport is around 40 minutes by taxi, or about 90 minutes via public transportation. 

Options vary from spacious rooms to enormous suites, and those on higher floors have spectacular views of the city and river. Deluxe Rooms, the most basic options, are decorated in a simple chain style -- bland carpeting, mid-tone wood furniture, and white bedding -- with charming touches such as red silk pillows and bed-runners, and colorful floral paintings over the beds. Each room has a small coffee table, work desk, minibar, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, coffee/tea facilities, robe and slippers, and hairdryer. Large windows overlook the pool and river. Bathrooms are modern and clean with white tile and separate glass stall showers and bathtubs; toiletries are provided. Plaza Suites are massive condo-style rooms with separate living and work areas, and kitchenettes with microwaves, pantries, and mini-fridges. Elaborate suites with terraces are available, as well, each with a full-blown private garden with fountain waterfall, stone landscaping, and breathtaking river view. Suites have more Thai-influenced decor, such as handmade etchings and original paintings of river life. 

This large luxury hotel offers every amenity for a self-contained, resort-style vacation or trip. There are five restaurants serving everything from international buffet-style meals to a la carte Chinese fare, upscale seafood and steaks, freshly made pastries, and local Thai dishes. There are also three bars with terrace, poolside, and lounge-style settings, and 24-hour room service is available. There is free Wi-Fi in rooms and throughout the hotel, and a free boat shuttle down the river to the skytrain station. The hotel’s spa and wellness center is massive, offering every kind of massage, facial, and body treatment, as well as yoga, pilates, a large fitness center with modern equipment, and a sauna. There are an outdoor pool and plenty of outdoor seating and lounge areas. The hotel has more than 20 meeting and banquet rooms that can accommodate small and large (up to 650 people) events. Parking is available -- self and valet -- for a daily fee. Breakfast is not included in the basic room price. Hotel staff is extremely helpful and offer laundry, dry cleaning, babysitting, airport transfer, and tour planning services.