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| Step into a storybook epic of the Ramakien |
EXCITEMENT. After searching in the net for the best boutique hotels in Bangkok, Tenface Hotel's name popped up. A visit to its website already proves why it is one - fresh, appealing and exciting, the photos in it even more so.
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| Tenface's website is freshm appealing & exciting. |
Expectation. Tenface is an urban sanctuary inspired by Tosakan, the ten-faced giant from the epic Ramakien. Embodying a fusion of passion and wit, Tosakan signifies the essence of wisdom. With ten pairs of eyes, he saw beyond the norm. With ten faces, he consumed extensive knowledge, creating unique perspective on life.
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| The ten-faced Tosakan is where Tenface takes its inspiration from. |
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| The story begins at the lobby of Tenface. |
Tenface took a modern path from this inspiration. It's every guest's source for the lowdown on all the cool, out of the way and delectable spots in Bangkok. It offers a taste of the local lifestyles and a fresh view of the city. It encourages everyone who steps in to liberate themselves and experience a life in Bangkok less ordinary.
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| Modernized Thai. |
Delight. Tenface is an Agoda partner hotel. It's my 'go to' site when searching for hotels in places I venture to. Even with regular visits to Bangkok, Agoda never fails to suggest a new and thrilling spot to stay in the Big Mango.
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| Tenface is voted as one of the the best boutique hotels in Bangkok. |
Surprise. On picking this property, I departed from the norm, which surprised me. I always go for hotels within "a skip and a hop" distance to/from the BTS, my preferred mode of transport within the city. Tenface's nearest station is the Ploenchit, although "walkable", the distance is not within my comfort zone. This fact didn't deter me from pursuing the accommodation. I must really love Tenface.
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| There's always a first time. On foot, the hotel is 20 minutes away from the nearest BTS station. |
Realization. The walk to Tenface's address was an eye opener. The busy main road lined with trendy shops, hip restaurants, and clubs led to the quiet residential soi (is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street) where the hotel is.
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| In the neighborhood: a design studio. |
Impressed. Tenface is what it says it is, much more in fact. It was not a hotel, but a serviced residence with services that extends maximum comfort to its guests. This is the first hotel in Bangkok I encountered that offers free tuktuk service to and from the nearest BTS station 24/7. The courtesy local SIM card is the establishing connection. This explains why I had the gut feeling to ring the hotel upon arrival at the airport. It would been less effort to reach the property. But then again, the initial exploration was good.
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| Had I called, the hotel's tuktuk could have picked me up at the BTS station. |
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| Tenface is the first hotel I've encountered offering a 24/7 free tuktuk service between the BTS & the hotel. |
Enlightened. Entering Tenface was like stepping into a storybook of its inspiration. All spaces are tastefully decorated - the lobby; the 79 well-appointed units that caters to short and long staying guests; the Wanara Eatery which serves fusion cuisine, a re-invention of Thai favorites; the Sita Bar that serves a myriad of creative cocktails and spirited tunes spun by DJ Pipek; even the hallways and elevators.
Everything inside Tenface is visually teasing. It can entice you to explore its different spaces and venture into the storybook tale of Rosakan.
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| The decorative louvers that separates the hallway & the dining hall. |
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| One wing of the Wanara Eatery, the hotel's restaurant. |
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| A funkier vibe at Sita, the bar. |
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| A cozy nook by the hallway. |
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| Even the elevator has a story to tell. |
Inspired. To be surrounded with art switched on my artist mode, a bonus for anyone in the creative business. Somehow in my lone time in Tenface made expressing thoughts on paper easier and translating ideas into tangible art was effortless.
Pleasure. More than the visually satisfying, the stay was even made more pleasurable with the hotel's attentive and amiable staff.
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| These two ladies gave a tour of Tenface. DOSM Nammon Dachakajornsook & Kunlanan Salee-Ngam MarCom Exec. |
In the comforts of my room, Nirvana was easily attained in Tenface. My one-suite room was a most relaxing nest- -a wide living room to stretch out at the end of the day, a desk to work on, hi-speed internet access, kitchen facility among its amenities.
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| An evening sweet treat. |
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| Just like home. The living room area of the one-bedroom suite. |
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| The nest. |
Content. After hours on the road in hot and humid Bangkok, heading back to the storybook world of Tenface was I looking forward to. I luxuriated in the comfort of my bed wrapped in crisp white linen, lay my head on my pillow of choice and drifted off to dreamland wearing my 10th face, one of contentment.
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| At the end of day, this where I wore my 10th face- the face of contentment. |
At Tenface, don't be surprised if you are made the lead character in your own Bangkok epic. Discover your own ten faces and live the tale.
For more photos about this story, & other travel & lifestyle stories, visithttp://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 05, 2015.
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