Le Normandie, Bangkok, Thailand

It was once the best hotel in Thailand for so many years. I hadn’t been back for a long time, and I wasn’t sure if I had missed anything. The hotel has had a facelift, but it seems to have lost its soul. Maybe it’s because I’m from the ’70s, when going to the Mandarin Oriental was reserved for the most special occasions — when every guest was treated like the most important person in the world. The service was impeccable, and even if you visited only once a year, they remembered you. My family used to celebrate my father’s birthday at the Normandie Grill every year until he passed away. I went back this time, but it wasn’t the same. The view is still priceless, but I wish I could say the same for the food and service. The newly renovated Grill Room, with its bare tables and no tablecloths, no longer felt luxurious. Perhaps it’s more sustainable now — less detergent going into the waterways — but the French-fusion menu was bolder than I prefer. The staff was friendly, but not quite the top-notch team it once had. I will always treasure my memories of this place and accept that my time with it has passed. I hope the new generation finds joy in what it has become. For me, though, the legend has lost its charm.

The service was excellent, truly worthy of a five-star hotel. The view from the restaurant was stunning. What was truly disappointing was the food, especially considering the restaurant holds two Michelin stars. The flavors of each course were very unusual, from the appetizers to the desserts. For the main course, I chose beef, and the beef itself was excellent—very tender and melt-in-your-mouth. However, the sauce and accompanying elements were not good at all. In conclusion, everything was great except the food.

From the very first course, the food was deeply disappointing. The total cost was approximately 11,000 THB for two people. The atmosphere is excellent, and the dishes are beautifully presented—very photogenic and visually impressive. The service was actually very good, and the ambiance was outstanding, which made the contrast even more shocking. However, despite the elegant presentation. Unfortunately, the food itself was overly bitter and, leaving a lingering unpleasant aftertaste. It was surprising that everything else met such a high standard, yet the flavors fell so far short. I have been waiting nearly 10 years for the opportunity to dine here, so this experience left me feeling genuinely sad and disappointed. I sincerely hope the restaurant will consider improving the taste and balance of its dishes, as the potential is clearly there.

The cuisine was wonderful. And, the dessert! The lotus-shaped millefeuille was out of this world! Female stars , French and Japanese (amazing mix) chefs make culinary music that go way beyond expectations. Definitely for special occasions and also if wanting to taste and not just to impress, this is it. Ps - I came to lunch and it was perfect