A Place They Return To

For David and Johanna Hall, coming to Thailand is no longer about novelty. It is about return.

Each year, they leave behind the long grey winters of London and come back to a place that feels deeply familiar: Oriental Residence Bangkok.

Their relationship with the residence began more than a decade ago, when the building itself was still unfinished. “The very first time we saw Oriental Residence Bangkok was just after Christmas in 2011,” David recalls. “The building was not actually finished.”

At the time, David was relocating from New York to Bangkok for his work with an American oil company. With the help of a relocation agent, the couple chose Oriental Residence Bangkok as their initial temporary accommodation.

“When we saw the room here, we just fell in love with it,” Johanna says.

“I nearly drove the relocation people mad looking for long term accommodation,” Johanna says with a smile. “I think we probably looked at about 50 other properties.”

But in the end, the decision to remain at Oriental Residence Bangkok felt easy.

They moved in at the beginning of February 2012, initially staying on the lower floors while construction continued above them. Later, they were offered a residence higher up. “We had room 2001,” David says. “Overlooking gardens. Fantastic… actually, on three sides.”

With generous space, light filled interiors, and sweeping green views, it became a home that felt both refined and restful.

What surrounds the residence remains one of its most remarkable qualities. Nestled within the lush greenery of Bangkok’s embassy district on Wireless Road, the building is enveloped by mature trees on three sides, an unusual luxury in the heart of the city.

“This morning I was looking out and thinking that we are so lucky to have this outlook over a canopy of trees,” David reflects. “It’s unique. Nobody else has it on this road.”

Location has always mattered to the Halls. In the early years, David’s office was at CentralWorld, one of Bangkok’s largest commercial and shopping districts, just over a kilometre away, making the commute easy.

Today, they value the freedom of moving effortlessly around the city. “It’s between Sukhumvit and the Chao Phraya River,” David says. “From here we can easily get anywhere we want to go.”

Although they left Bangkok in 2014 when David’s assignment ended, the connection never faded. “Since retiring, we’ve always come back to Thailand and stayed at Oriental Residence Bangkok,” Johanna says. Usually, they spend around three months a year here, sometimes longer. “The first year we stayed for six months,” she notes. “It’s a long winter in England.”

Their days follow a gentle rhythm. Johanna begins each morning with a swim. “I go swimming before I do anything else,” she says. She spends time playing Mahjong with friends, visiting the Jewellery Trade Center, and enjoying the creative freedom of having clothes made in Bangkok.

David uses the gym, plays golf with former Thai colleagues, and keeps active in his own way. They also travel frequently, as Bangkok is ideally located for exploring nearby countries, while Oriental Residence Bangkok offers convenient access to both Bangkok airports.

Together, they share a love of music and art. “We both continue to sing in the choir with the Bangkok Music Society,” David says, “and enjoy learning about Thai culture.” In the late afternoon, they enjoy reading by the pool as the sun sets, often sharing a quiet drink together.

But what truly anchors them here is not the routine, it is the people.

“The staff are wonderful,” Johanna says. “Always smiling and helpful.” David agrees. “When we are here, we feel very well looked after. And we do feel it is genuine. Nothing is too much trouble.”

It is this sense of care, quiet, consistent, and sincere, that defines their experience.

At Oriental Residence Bangkok, luxury is not expressed through extravagance, but through space, calm, thoughtful design, and service that feels personal rather than formal.

“You can go out into all the chaos,” David says, “but you come back here and it’s immediately tranquil.”

For the Halls, Oriental Residence Bangkok is not simply where they stay. It is where elegance meets ease, where privacy and warmth coexist, and where every return feels effortless.

Year after year, it welcomes them back, not as guests, but as residents who belong.

Story: Sue Rattanamahattana • Photography: Poonsawat Sudtama

ABOUT HEARTMADE 
Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ONYX Hospitality Group, Heartmade is a series of heartfelt stories inspired by the people who make every stay memorable, from dedicated team members to cherished guests across Amari, OZO, Shama, Oriental Residence, as well as our spa and dining brands.

Through personal memories, meaningful connections, and moments of genuine care, the series celebrates the warmth and spirit of hospitality that have brought people together for six decades. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the Heartmade series.