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Yes, it’s the lyrics to a Talking Heads song. But the new Yes, it’s the lyrics to a Talking Heads song. But the new Millennium Hilton Bangkok has adapted these words as its slogan to showcase its location on the banks of the Chao Phraya River directly across from Bangkok’s River City Complex.

And you will be excused if upon entering the expansive lobby/atrium you presume that you’ve stumbled upon a modern art-deco museum the guidebooks have forgotten about. Rarely, does a hotel lobby leave patrons in awe, but this one comes close with its inverted “Y” structure, design and furnishings stretching up to the ceiling.  

Brussels-born Frederic Lucron is the general manager of Bangkok’s latest luxury hotel, which boasts 32 stories and 543 rooms. A graduate of the Lausanne Hotel School, he interned in Taipei with the Hilton Group (where he met his future wife Spring). This then led to positions with other Hiltons in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Nanjing. Before assuming his position at the Millennium Hotel, he was GM of the then Hilton Nai Lert Park from 1999 to 2003.

Frederic says that when you open a new food and beverage outlet these days you have to differentiate yourself from the market. The Millennium Hilton has done just that starting with Flow, its all-day dining restaurant with an open terrace overlooking the Chao Phraya. Its lobby bar, Cafe Chino, has a six-metre wine wall with stunning views of the river.

Then there’s Yuan, the hotel’s contemporary Chinese restaurant, with its flashy show kitchen and “new China cool, inspired by the energy of today's Shanghai and the great cuisines of Canton”.

Prime, the Hilton’s romantic steakhouse has a signature open grill and even a private wine cellar dining room. Zeta Bar, the Hilton’s happening nightclub, is a place where, “mixologists push the boundaries of the possible, in impossibly stylish surrounds.”     

Last, but not least, is the Lantern Tea Room, where chilled cocktails and teas from around the world await you while you relax and listen to the Chao Phraya swoosh against the banks of the river.

Frederic understands the importance of keeping up with the latest software and phone and Internet technology. So if you lose your mobile or need a new charger or battery, the hotel will be there to help. Similarly, the hotel is there to help connect you to broadband or wifi and it uses the latest LAN cabling and in-house software to best serve you and keep up with the ever-changing technological times.       

The property was due to open in 1997 under the Sofitel, but it never did. When the financial crisis hit, the property lay dormant for a few years under a cloud of non-performing loans. Then the state-owned Thai Asset Management Company assumed responsibility for it and put it up for bids. In 2003, City Developments Limited (CDL), along with Westbrook Partners, its US-based real estate fund, made a successful bid for the property and took it over. So even though there has been a lot of speculation, including structural deficiencies, it really was no great mystery as to why the property didn’t open as planned: the original developers simply ran out of money.   

The Millennium Hilton will join other great hotels on the Chao Phraya (the Oriental Royal Orchid Sheraton, Peninsula, Shangri-la and Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa) in hosting Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events with up to 4,000 guests. Frederic says that the most popular MICE destination in Europe is Monaco because all the hotels are within walking distance and the Bangkok five-star riverside hotels offer similar convenience in proximity.

Bangkok has been called the spa capital of the world. And so it is only fitting that the Millennium Hilton has a stand-alone spa located adjacent to the hotel. Quoting hotel literature, “the Spa is a unique new concept from Hilton dedicated to demystifying the spa experience, making it fun and accessible, and above all, putting back a little of what life takes out. We provide the time and space you need to reach a perfect state of relaxation, rejuvenation and refreshment. The Spa boats a soothing stand-alone sanctuary surrounding a venerable tree, elegant gardens with 10 treatment rooms, nail & hair salon and retail aromatherapy.”             

The Beach is the hotel’s pool area. Located on the fourth floor, it has real sand for the kiddies to play in, and it has extended deck chairs planted into the Infinity pool proper. (Don’t worry; there is a fence, so you won’t fall over and go floating down the Chao Phraya). On the same floor is a fitness room with the latest equipment and the changing rooms boast a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

And there’s little doubt that Three Sixty, a sophisticated jazz lounge with 360 degree views of the city, located on the 32nd floor, will quickly become one of the most popular venues in the city. Lounge lizards will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.  

Hilton has a long history of catering to the business community. As such, the hotel’s 30th floor is wholly dedicated to business with 10 innovative and stylish meeting rooms with names such as the Nile, Yangtze, Ganges, Thames and Amazon. They all have great views of the city and an abundance of natural light. And the Executive Floor Lounge has all the latest video and data projectors, wireless microphone systems, translation equipment, broadband Internet and wireless access to make doing your job easier.

The hotel has already played host to performers at the MTV Asia Music Awards and contestants from the Miss Thailand World contest, so it is fitting when PR Manager Pansiri Rungrattawatchai says, “when it happens in Bangkok it will undoubtedly happen at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok”. 

The Millennium Hilton Bangkok has quickly positioned itself as one of the top hotels in the city. It’s a stylish blend of comfort, luxury and business and it will definitely make you think twice about what the average Hilton looks like.     

Ah yes, the Canadian angle. You see, Frederic Lucron is a Canadian taxpayer who owns properties in B.C. and has travelled extensively throughout Canada. He loves Canada, and says it’s a “great country with great people” and he will probably retire there. His wife is Chinese and many of his in-laws live there (he notes there are more people speaking Mandarin in Vancouver than there are speaking French.). He also says it’s very easy being a mixed couple in Canada. And he likes the cuisine: you can eat Western one day, then fabulous Chinese food the next – just like at that the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok.          
has adapted these words as its slogan to showcase its location on the banks of the Chao Phraya River directly across from Bangkok’s River City Complex.

And you will be excused if upon entering the expansive lobby/atrium you presume that you’ve stumbled upon a modern art-deco museum the guidebooks have forgotten about. Rarely, does a hotel lobby leave patrons in awe, but this one comes close with its inverted “Y” structure, design and furnishings stretching up to the ceiling.   

Brussels-born Frederic Lucron is the general manager of Bangkok’s latest luxury hotel, which boasts 32 stories and 543 rooms. A graduate of the Lausanne Hotel School, he interned in Taipei with the Hilton Group (where he met his future wife Spring). This then led to positions with other Hiltons in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Nanjing. Before assuming his position at the Millennium Hotel, he was GM of the then Hilton Nai Lert Park from 1999 to 2003.   

Frederic says that when you open a new food and beverage outlet these days you have to differentiate yourself from the market. The Millennium Hilton has done just that starting with Flow, its all-day dining restaurant with an open terrace overlooking the Chao Phraya. Its lobby bar, Cafe Chino, has a six-metre wine wall with stunning views of the river.

Then there’s Yuan, the hotel’s contemporary Chinese restaurant, with its flashy show kitchen and “new China cool, inspired by the energy of today's Shanghai and the great cuisines of Canton”.

Prime, the Hilton’s romantic steakhouse has a signature open grill and even a private wine cellar dining room. Zeta Bar, the Hilton’s happening nightclub, is a place where, “mixologists push the boundaries of the possible, in impossibly stylish surrounds.”      

Last, but not least, is the Lantern Tea Room, where chilled cocktails and teas from around the world await you while you relax and listen to the Chao Phraya swoosh against the banks of the river.

Frederic understands the importance of keeping up with the latest software and phone and Internet technology. So if you lose your mobile or need a new charger or battery, the hotel will be there to help. Similarly, the hotel is there to help connect you to broadband or wifi and it uses the latest LAN cabling and in-house software to best serve you and keep up with the ever-changing technological times.        

The property was due to open in 1997 under the Sofitel, but it never did. When the financial crisis hit, the property lay dormant for a few years under a cloud of non-performing loans. Then the state-owned Thai Asset Management Company assumed responsibility for it and put it up for bids. In 2003, City Developments Limited (CDL), along with Westbrook Partners, its US-based real estate fund, made a successful bid for the property and took it over. So even though there has been a lot of speculation, including structural deficiencies, it really was no great mystery as to why the property didn’t open as planned: the original developers simply ran out of money.    

The Millennium Hilton will join other great hotels on the Chao Phraya (the Oriental Royal Orchid Sheraton, Peninsula, Shangri-la and Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa) in hosting Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events with up to 4,000 guests. Frederic says that the most popular MICE destination in Europe is Monaco because all the hotels are within walking distance and the Bangkok five-star riverside hotels offer similar convenience in proximity.

Bangkok has been called the spa capital of the world. And so it is only fitting that the Millennium Hilton has a stand-alone spa located adjacent to the hotel. Quoting hotel literature, “the Spa is a unique new concept from Hilton dedicated to demystifying the spa experience, making it fun and accessible, and above all, putting back a little of what life takes out. We provide the time and space you need to reach a perfect state of relaxation, rejuvenation and refreshment. The Spa boats a soothing stand-alone sanctuary surrounding a venerable tree, elegant gardens with 10 treatment rooms, nail & hair salon and retail aromatherapy.”              

The Beach is the hotel’s pool area. Located on the fourth floor, it has real sand for the kiddies to play in, and it has extended deck chairs planted into the Infinity pool proper. (Don’t worry; there is a fence, so you won’t fall over and go floating down the Chao Phraya). On the same floor is a fitness room with the latest equipment and the changing rooms boast a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

And there’s little doubt that Three Sixty, a sophisticated jazz lounge with 360 degree views of the city, located on the 32nd floor, will quickly become one of the most popular venues in the city. Lounge lizards will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.   

Hilton has a long history of catering to the business community. As such, the hotel’s 30th floor is wholly dedicated to business with 10 innovative and stylish meeting rooms with names such as the Nile, Yangtze, Ganges, Thames and Amazon. They all have great views of the city and an abundance of natural light. And the Executive Floor Lounge has all the latest video and data projectors, wireless microphone systems, translation equipment, broadband Internet and wireless access to make doing your job easier.

The hotel has already played host to performers at the MTV Asia Music Awards and contestants from the Miss Thailand World contest, so it is fitting when PR Manager Pansiri Rungrattawatchai says, “when it happens in Bangkok it will undoubtedly happen at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok”.  

The Millennium Hilton Bangkok has quickly positioned itself as one of the top hotels in the city. It’s a stylish blend of comfort, luxury and business and it will definitely make you think twice about what the average Hilton looks like.      

Ah yes, the Canadian angle. You see, Frederic Lucron is a Canadian taxpayer who owns properties in B.C. and has travelled extensively throughout Canada. He loves Canada, and says it’s a “great country with great people” and he will probably retire there. His wife is Chinese and many of his in-laws live there (he notes there are more people speaking Mandarin in Vancouver than there are speaking French.). He also says it’s very easy being a mixed couple in Canada. And he likes the cuisine: you can eat Western one day, then fabulous Chinese food the next – just like at that the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok.