Located in Bangkok’s best-known luxury hotel, The Mandarin Oriental (Est. 1876), The Authors’ Lounge purportedly serves the best English afternoon tea in the Thai capital.
Main lobby, Mandarin Oriental.
The sumptuous Authors’ Lounge is located in the hotel’s historic wing which dates back to 1876.
We make it a point to return there for afternoon tea at least once on every visit to Bangkok.
There were three in our party, and two of us opted for the traditional English version whilst one went for the innovative Thai version.
We were rather taken aback this time by their new serving contraptions - gone were the elegant three-tier silver trays. In their place, we now have some rather cumbersome-looking book-shaped contraptions which slid open to reveal tiers of cakes and canapes.
The traditional Thai set were more “pleasant”-looking, brought out in colourful Thai painted porcelainware.
The savory canapes looked rather haphazardly put together and were hardly impressive. Tastewise, not unlike anything one gets from the food-stalls outside.
Even the sweetmeats were pretty bleah.
Of course, one really comes here for their unmatchable ambience, and flawless service. Best in town, without a doubt.
My fave part of the tea? Their scones, served with clotted cream and a selection of jams.
We sat there from 4pm till sunset at 6pm. That’s when the views of the majestic Chao Praya River outside turns magical.
Out in the lobby, a string trio serenaded the guests with some really enchanting melodies. We felt transported back a century or so for one briefest moment. Absolutely charming.
Address
The Authors’ Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
48 Oriental Avenue, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 659 9000
Opening hours: 12:00 noon to 6:00pm
