The Atlanta Hotel, Bangkok - #7 (The Lobby).

This is the oldest Bangkok hotel lobby in its original state. It is also the most photographed hotel lobby in Thailand. It has a charm all its own. I’m not a great fan of retro look but have to admit that in Atlanta’s case, it did not appear cheap or glitzy but classy and unique.

This view is taken as I was descending from the stairs which is on the right of the first photo.

The switchboard is positively antique. I never expect to admire the beauty of a switchboard.

So is this simple chandelier hanging from the ceiling. At the bottom left of the picture is the rule and information book containing all sorts of interesting info that is both enlightening and amusing.

On ground level, this is the view from one end of the small lobby. Towards the end is the library and computers with internet connections. It has added some modern amenities.

This is the view of the other end showing the curving stairs and a reading corner.

This is the place you can sit to wait for your guest or to do some reading. The picture handing on the wall is that of the founder, Dr. Max Henn, a German adventurer, pharmacologist, boatbuilder and munitions-manufacturer.

That’s me taking a photo of the mirror showing the portrait of Mukda Buresbamrungkarn, a Thai aristocrat who married Dr. Max Henn.

The lobby is not a large empty space as most hotels are but many little corners having its own individual character.

This is our final look at this famous hotel lobby before we leaved. I’m sure I’ll be back one day. Would not mind staying here for an extended period of time while I took the opportunity to explore Bangkok and be one of the guests the hotel is famous for – “gentleman of leisure”.

As I left, I reminded of the little things in this hotel that made my stay there worthwhile. This seemed to be exemplified by the modern doll with hands clasped in a traditional Thai welcome next to this antique summoning bell on the reception table.

The End.

The Atlanta Hotel, Bangkok - #6 (The Stairs).

The stairs of the three floors of the Atlanta make for very interesting photography. The earth brown brick wall, the curving black solid wood banister, the light blue ceiling with the yellow border, the circular patterned metal bars, the winding steps all contrasted beautifully to give an intricately appealing look.

From the first floor, I looked up and saw the stairs leading up, inviting. As if there are a world to be discovered up there.

View of the first and second floor together.

This shot captured all three floors, each entirely different from the other. The light at the highest floor that shone on the brick wall was an invitation to discovery. The figure standing at the lighted corridor of the first floor struck a lonely figure. While the brightly lighted ground floor and lobby promised gaiety and warmth.

Contrast the two different worlds – the dimly lighted corridor and brightly lighted lobby, both empty.

Another angle from the corridor of the first floor to the lobby.

The simple yet beautiful pattern of the ornamental ironwork contrasted against the painted wall.

The steps leading down into the lobby.

From the stairs looking down at the lobby.

From the stairs looking down at the lobby from the other side.

The stairs opening out to the lobby.

The same view reversed on the mirror hanging on the wall.

The Atlanta Hotel, Bangkok - #5 (The Swimming Pool).

The Atlanta was the first hotel in Bangkok to have a swimming pool as this sign proudly declared. This was the original pool built in 1954. It said that everything you see is original except the water.

The pool itself is not in perfect condition but pretty good considering its age. As can be seen, there are many broken tiles. However the poolside had hold up pretty well.

The decoration of this place is quite interesting and is a throwback to the 1950s. It is quaint and yet has its own appeal.

If you need any service, just ring this bell.

And if you looked at the old pictures of guests in the pool area, you can imagine what this pool has witnessed the last 50 odd years

There were many old newspaper cuttings related to this swimming pool.

And many interesting pieces of history.

Lazy deck chairs by the poolside are expected but it is unusual to find hammocks.

I could not help climbing into one and put up my feet. If I do not have to rush for a meeting, I would have taken a nap here.

Or called for a drink and read a book by the pool.

And it is even lovelier if you have a friend to have a friendly chat over a beer at night.

The first hotel swimming pool in Thailand is now a grand old dame and she is still going strong after 50 odd years.

The Atlanta Hotel, Bangkok - #3 (The Guests).

Some of you may wonder why I am writing so much about – “just a hotel”. That is because it is NOT just a hotel. I am quite sure it is the most written about hotel in South East Asia. All you have to do is to just google “The Atlanta Hotel, Bangkok” and you will easily find hundreds of write-ups on this small hotel with only 59 rooms. Go ahead and read some of the reviews. I am not writing a review of this hotel of which there are already so many and better written than what I could manage. I’m giving a personal account of my stay there and things that caught my eyes so in case you want to give the hotel a try, you’ll know more or less what to expect. It is more to document my stay. Unfortunately, due to the very limited time I spent there; the photography was done in a bit of a rush usually in-between waiting for my guests to arrive and left much to be desired. I wished it could be better especially those taken at night.

I had stayed in many hotels before; from no stars to five stars, from resort to luxury hotels. But in none of them had there been ever a stranger and fellow guest who walked up to me and said “this is just great, isn’t it?” This man (I didn’t even get his name) from Belgium walked up to me and said exactly that. In the picture, he is surfing the internet which is available for free at the end of the corridor opposite the library. The guests in this hotel are not your usual mix of tourists and businessmen.

Yes, there is a library in this hotel and you can borrow them to read. Have you ever seen a hotel in Asia with such a collection?

There are books everywhere and there is even a place for book exchange. You can take any book from this section if you will drop one in exchange.

These are just examples of the many articles written by well-known newspaper, travel magazines and even books on this hotel.

Many books have been written about this hotel. In fact, it was in one of this that I learned about it and resolved to make a trip there to experience it myself. I read about it in the book with the yellow cover in the picture above - “Best Travel Writing 2006”.

This hotel is very popular with writers especially and many wanted to leave their mark behind. They either wrote about the hotel, or autographed books they have written or just scribbled something to be left behind. Some of these are displayed in the showcase

You wonder how many writers have sat here and wrote something. If I had the time, I would have done the same to see if just by sitting there where past writers sat, whether I will get the inspiration to write something good.

There was even a movie made in this hotel. It was “Black Magic” and the theme was quite similar to many B grade Asian horror stories about a beautiful Thai girl who got raped and used black magic to get her revenge. Thailand is famous for its powerful black magic. You can find all sort of strange things about this hotel.

So who are the people who frequented this hotel? There are people on a budget who took advantage of the low rates that the hotel charged as it was not run on a profit motive. While, there are cheaper hotels; there is not one that can offer the same value for money in its location, reputation, safety, and overall quality.

But the more interesting guests are those who could easily afford to stay elsewhere including 5 stars hotel but choose to stay here because of its character. These are the guests that appreciated The Atlanta for what it is. A uniqueness and slice of history that is priceless. As mentioned, they may be writers, models, movie stars, directors, artists, anyone who appreciates timeless beauty (with its imperfection). Some of the guests stayed there for months on end.

I and my friend are anomalies. We were in Thailand for business. Most of the guests were not. I chose to forgo a night stay in Conrad Hilton for a night here. My Thai friends who knew all the best hotels in Bangkok were shocked. They have never heard of the Atlanta or understand why I wanted to stay there. It is sad that this heritage was largely forgotten by the locals. It is the foreigners who valued it as a discovery. Except for a pretty Japanese woman who seemed to be traveling alone, we were the only Asian in the hotel.

I wished I was on a holiday so I could make friends with some of my fellow guests like this pretty lady pouring over the interesting menu that includes a meal called “weeping tiger”.

I liked the thought of staying there one day where I had all the time in the world. So I know I will be back.