Where the Authors Lounged: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (1) | 作家摯愛：曼谷文華東方酒店 (一)
Here I am, lying under the seething midday sun in a poolside cabana, with Thailand Tatler in one hand and a fresh coconut in the other, indulging in the kind of mind and body nourishments unavailable in my country of residence.
Just as I begin to drift off in the gentle river breeze, the sound of a voice with handbell stirs me awake.
在曼谷炫麗的陽光下，泳池畔的小亭子成了我的避暑天堂，一邊讀著泰國社交雜誌 Tatler，一邊啜新鮮的椰子汁，讓心情漸漸放空。
朦朧時刻，一個柔和的聲音與清脆鈴聲隨著河風飄來。
"Madam, would you like to cool off with some of our homemade ice cream?," asks the young attendant behind an exquisite vintage wooden cart, which carries a tub of coconut ice cream and an array of colorful toppings.
He carefully places a scoop of white ball into a silver bowl and sprinkles peanuts, red beans and a few other ingredients over it, explaining the procedure along the way. Then, before departing, he reminds us of another afternoon treat that will be served in a couple hours.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, can I live here please?
「小姐，請問您要不要試吃我們的手工冰淇淋，解暑一下？」 一位年輕的服務生對我說，他的身後是一輛精巧的手推車，上面放著一大桶椰子冰淇淋與多樣配料。
他細心地把一球雪白的冰淇淋放入漂亮的銀碗，撒上花生，紅豆等配料，同時解釋甜點的製作方法與來源。他還善意的提醒我們：兩個鐘頭後他將會在池畔提供不一樣的甜點，所以建議不要太早離開。
曼谷文華東方酒店，我可以把這兒當作我的家嗎？
THE PEARL OF BANGKOK
Consistently voted one of the best hotels in Asia and the world, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and its predecessor The Oriental have been serving travellers to the Siamese country since 1876.
The low-rise hotel sits quietly on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is home to the iconic Authors' Lounge, named for the many famous writers - most notably Joseph Conrad - who've stayed at the hotel over the years.
泰國閃亮的明珠
靜靜地坐落在湄南河畔，曼谷文華東方酒店長久以來一直名列在全球最佳酒店的排名裡面。
它的前身 The Oriental 於1876年開幕，標榜提供現代化設備和完美服務，成為了國際文學與政治界人物拜訪泰國最愛的歇腳處。而酒店的標誌性建築則被稱為「Authors' Lounge」，也就是「作家休息室」。
We’re in Bangkok to celebrate the Ruby anniversary of my parents, who famously pay little attention to life's milestones and don't ever kick up a fuss about them. Therefore the understated No. 1 hotel in the Bangkok is the perfect choice for this special occasion, and my oh my, does it live to its reputation!
Never have I called a hotel "perfect", but Mandarin Oriental Bangkok comes pretty close to it and has elevated the definition of "utopia" to a whole new level.
這次來曼谷主要目的就是要為爸媽慶祝他們的結婚四十週年紀念。從小到大很少看他倆兒為生日或里程碑大肆慶祝，因此我們選擇了低調的文華東方，全家團聚過個溫馨的假期。我必須承認，曼谷文華東方在亞洲酒店排名數一數二，真的有它的道理。
「完美的酒店」在我眼裡是不存在的，但 Mandarin Oriental Bangkok 是我有史以來所拜訪過最接近完美的旅館，把「烏托邦」的定義提升到了一個全新的水平。
Inside the MOB, during our visit, the world IS perfect.
Every view is mesmerizing. Every dish is delicious.
Everyone is smiling. And everyday is sunny.
在曼谷文華東方酒店的屋簷下，在我們度假的期間，世界是完美的。
處處景致令人如痴如醉。道道菜令人垂涎。人人笑容滿面。天天萬里晴空。
The hotel leaves a memorable impression the moment you enter its premise.
From the high ceiling lobby with giant lanterns and fresh exotic flowers, the smooth private check-in (led by two beautiful attendees who welcome us with fragrant floral garlands and show us around our rooms), to the smily staff found in every corner of the property who are always saying hello and offering their help, MO Bangkok feels less like a grand hotel but more like the home of a friend with impeccable taste and a fat wallet, and he's just given us all access to everything under the historic, restored roof.
一踏進曼谷文華東方大廳，你就踏進了一個新世界。
站在吊著巨型燈籠的挑高天花板下，四處圍繞著清新的奇花異草，每人手裡拿著一串芬芳的花環，看著兩位美麗的櫃檯小姐順暢地為我們辦理入住手續。
酒店裡的員工似乎都很熱情有禮，處處都會有人和你打招呼，噓寒問暖。曼谷文華東方感覺不像是個大酒店，反而像是來到朋友的家... 一個有著無可挑剔的品味，以及鼓鼓荷包的朋友的家。
IF THE WALLS COULD TALK
If Chao Phraya River is Bangkok's artery, then Mandarin Oriental is the city’s modern heart, thumping with strong heartbeats since its birth 140 years ago.
Then, The Oriental was Bangkok's image ambassador, providing top quality accommodation that rivalled the best in the West. In 2008 the property was officially renamed Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
如果牆會說話
如果湄南河是曼谷的動脈，那麼文華東方酒店應該就是這城市近代的心臟，自19世紀中期開始砰跳。
140年前，The Oriental 是曼谷的形象大使，提供媲美西方的高級住宿。酒店於2008年正式更名為文華東方酒店。
Today, most rooms at the hotel make the most of its advantageous situation and offer an glorious view of the bustling river, magnifying the notion that you are indeed in one of the most vibrant cities in Asia.
Our deluxe rooms are elegantly appointed with clean-line furniture and textile inspired by traditional Thai designs. There's a working desk and armchairs, as well as bathroom with large bathtub and a walk-in shower. At 40-sqm (428-sq-ft), the space feels uncluttered and intimate.
今日，酒店裡大多數的房間都有美麗的河景，充分利用其優越的地點，讓客人時時刻刻感受到這個城市的活力。
我們的客房色系典雅，40平方米（428平方尺）的空間裡有一個辦公桌和扶手椅，浴室有大浴缸和步入式淋浴間，樸實的傢俱搭配著傳統泰式風格的裝潢，感覺整潔溫馨。
Fresh flowers are the star of the room decor, and everyday a plate of locally produced fruits will be greeting you, along with an adorable card narrating their story, so you'll know what you're eating.
Courtesy of our floor's butler, mom and dad are treated with a bottle of wine, a rose-covered heart and a pink cake with a cute chocolate angel, all of which are delicious and gone in a flash! :)
There is high speed wi-fi throughout the hotel, and it's complimentary for guests who have registered for an online MO profile.
我愛房間裡一盆盆的鮮花，也愛每天提供的各種本地出產的水果，盤子上附張貼心卡片，介紹水果的來源，所以客人知道在吃什麼。
我們這樓的管家還準備了一個鑲有巧克力小天使的粉紅色蛋糕與紅酒，加上紅玫瑰拼成的愛情心，慶祝爸媽的紅寶石婚呢！（當然很快都被吃光了!）
酒店的 wi-fi 無線上網是免費的，只需要在文華東方網頁上註冊即可。
MY RATING: 10 / 10
At MO Bangkok, I did the unthinkable. I didn't leave the hotel premise once in over 24 hours.
Didn't want to. Didn't need to.
我的評價：10 / 10
在曼谷東方文華，我做了不可思議的事。在24小時內，我完全沒有踏出酒店。
因為在這兒悠哉愉快，心想事成。不想也不需要離開