Unfolding Legacies: Thailand’s first luxury hotel marks 150 years with 18-month celebration
(NEWS) HONG KONG, 2025-Sep-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has announced an 18-month global celebration to mark its 150th anniversary, honouring its legacy as Thailand’s first luxury hotel and one of Asia’s most iconic city resorts. Under the theme Unfolding Legacies, the commemoration will run from November 2025 to March 2027, blending heritage, culture, and innovation through a series of immersive experiences. Since its opening in 1876, the property has pioneered hospitality in Thailand with milestones such as being the first hotel to introduce electric lighting, establishing a riverfront spa and wellness centre, and offering personalised butler service—hallmarks that continue to define its reputation for excellence today.
The festivities will begin with an exclusive Opening Luncheon and Gala Dinner on 22 November 2025, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as Guest of Honour. The evening will be curated by the Club des Chefs des Chefs, bringing together personal chefs of world leaders to present ceremonial dishes and historic recipes once served to presidents and monarchs. Guests will also enjoy Thai cultural performances and a surprise live concert. With limited invitations priced at THB 288,000 per table, proceeds will support the Ratchasuda Foundation, dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities.
At the core of the anniversary is Celebration Chapters, a storytelling journey comprising six themes—Legacy, People, Service, Culture, Craft, and Innovation. Each will be explored through culinary collaborations, wellness activations, artistic showcases, and technological initiatives, reflecting both the hotel’s storied past and its future vision. Guests will also be able to bid on rare anniversary-inspired creations from luxury maisons, Thai artists, and exclusive Mandarin Oriental experiences worldwide.
Anthony Tyler, General Manager and Area Vice President, Operations, noted that the milestone connects the Bangkok property with The Mandarin in Hong Kong, two legendary hotels that laid the foundation of the brand’s heritage. Recognised in 2024 as the World’s Best Hotel by The Daily Telegraph, awarded Three Keys by the MICHELIN Guide, and listed among the world’s top hotels by La Liste 2025, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok continues to be a global benchmark for refined hospitality. The 150th anniversary is designed not just as a tribute to its illustrious history but as a celebration of enduring innovation, ensuring its legacy inspires future generations.
Beyond the dedicated anniversary programme, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is also continuing to expand its cultural and culinary horizons in 2025. Highlights include the debut of Alex Dilling at Lord Jim’s, where the two Michelin-starred chef introduces a French-inspired, sharing-style dining experience with sustainable ingredients, and the upcoming transformation of Le Normandie under the direction of world-renowned chef Anne-Sophie Pic, blending French gastronomy with Thai influences. The property has also entered the pop culture spotlight as the only Bangkok hotel featured in Season 3 of The White Lotus, celebrated through an immersive stay package that connects guests to the show’s cinematic allure and the hotel’s timeless riverside heritage.
