Take High Tea at the Oriental

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel has been setting the standard for luxury hotels for over 125 years, and has been the place to stay in Bangkok for heads of state and elite celebrities throughout its illustrious history. And for an attainable taste of that high life, the opulent Authors' Lounge, one of Joseph Conrad's favorite haunts, serves an exquisite high tea from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Note that the dress code here is smart-casual—there's no getting into the Oriental wearing Tevas. Pull out your real shoes for this one or pick up a pair at one of the markets before you go.

Chef Stephane Dabazach serves a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with homemade preserves, and an assortment of fresh cakes along with your choices of various house teas and coffees—all scoffed down as you lounge in traditional rattan chairs amidst towering bamboo in the hotel's old annex building.

If it's closer to dinner than high tea time, visit Lord Jim's. Named after Joseph Conrad's famous seafaring captain, it's recognized as one of the world's finest seafood restaurants. Featuring a sushi and sashimi bar with fish so fresh it's almost breathing, as well as a menu with page after page of fresh seafood flown in from all corners and cooked in all styles, Lord Jim's is hands down a seafood lover's delight. The iced seafood tower and salted sea bass are two notable picks, though it is hard to turn down virtually anything that is on the chef's "catch of the day" menu. The restaurant's second-floor location gives beautiful views of the Chao Phraya River, while a jazz duet sets the background mood perfectly. Unsurprisingly, reservations here are a must.

More Info: +66.26.599.000; www.mandarin-oriental.com