Checking out and checking in

We have been in our first Airbnb for 2 weeks, and now we are moving to our next place. I always find moving accommodations a bit of a pain and a faff, as I feel it ‘wastes’ so much time, and even though we are now retired and have more time than we ever had, I still find it a pain. A minor whinge, I know, but a whinge, nonetheless.

We arrived at our current home just after 12, which was great as the host was fine with us getting in right away, so we did not need to hang around until the usual 3 pm check-in time. The new location is not that far from the one that we left, but it is bigger, and we will need more space for our future additional guests who will soon be joining us.

The Apartment

OMG – it is amazing! It’s an older style condo, and I will sound like my parents and grandparents when I say, they don’t build them like they used to! Well, that is certainly the case for our current abode. We knew we would need a bigger apartment if we were going to be housing 6 adults, and part of our retirement journey is not just about travelling but about gathering memories and experiences to share and look back on. Another retirement couple I follow has the catchphrase ‘living an intentional life’, which I think is quite appropriate for us also, as that is sort of our philosophy, too.

Anyway, back to why we picked this place. Not only do we want to build memories, but we want our kids to have these special memories to look back on, too (where possible). Hopefully, they don’t think that they will be getting a free holiday every year (as that is not going to happen - #justsaying!), but we did also want to share a little of how we feel about Bangkok with them, so they will be able to understand why we love it here.

I digress again, back to the apartment. The apartment is part of a luxury, 32-story condominium. It was built in 1998 as part of a larger, prestigious mixed-use complex. It is located on Wireless Road, and offers large units, including amenities such as a pool, gym, tennis courts, security and a retail complex.

Wireless Road (Thanon Witayu) is a prestigious, leafy street in the Pathum Wan district, known for luxury properties like 98 Wireless, major embassies (US, Dutch, Swiss, Vietmanese etc.), high-end dining, and its historical link to Thailand's first radio station, now commemorated at One Bangkok, offering a blend of modern luxury, diplomatic significance, and cultural heritage.

Our apartment is just over 200m2 and comprises 3 en-suite bedrooms, a large, combined living room and dining area, a balcony and additional washing machine and drying spaces on a separate balcony area. It is located on the 30th floor, which is probably not ideal for someone who doesn’t like heights (R), but we didn’t know this until after we got the check-in arrangements through. That said, it is currently 7 am as I type this after our first night’s stay, and I am absolutely loving the cool breeze and view from the balcony.

Last night (which was our first night here), I felt like I could do a blog version of Avril Paton’s Windows in the West painting, which I have always loved. Though instead of a Glasgow tenement building, I would use the Conrad Hotel, which is right next to us, and we get an almost up close (and possibly too personal!) view of some of the people staying in the hotel rooms here. I think there is a bar or restaurant on one of the high levels of the hotel, but it’s so, so interesting to look at this building in the evening and wonder about the lives of the different people staying, working or visiting this hotel. There are people in the bar and dining room areas – perhaps they are on their own and here on business and are looking for a little social interaction with friends or other travellers in the evenings. There is the guy who sits with his back to the window (despite the fabulous outside views!) and appears to be working well into the evening on his laptop – he even looks like he is wearing a jacket (but surely, he can’t be?). I feel a little sad for him. There are a couple that are either newly together, are having some time away from the weans, are trying to spice up their life in a semi-mile-high club fashion, or perhaps they have only just met (though they really should at least close the net curtains to stop any nearby nosey gits from seeing them). The antics of these hotel guests are a real distraction from me reading my book on the balcony, but it is so interesting that I cannot help but make up stories in my head about them all!!

I think the girls are also keen on the balcony as the following night, they commandeered it, spending time just sitting, chatting (with their drinks of course), taking in the night views, and probably putting the world to rights (or deciding what sky bar they would be hitting next!).

It really is quite special to see the views both in the evening, as everything lights up and also in the morning as things start to come to life.

R is not that keen on the balcony – his legs go a little jelly-like after a short time, but he is more than happy with the big telly and the fact that he has synced(?) his Samsung devices to it, so he can watch all his usual programs, films, YouTube etc. and listen to it on via his earbuds (so we don’t all have to listen to history documentaries or Roman wars if we don’t want to!).

I have yet to try out the swimming pool area – it’s on the 7th floor of the complex (so not as convenient as the last place, which was on the floor below our apartment), and I cannot see any of us wanting to book the tennis courts (not in this heat anyway!). The apartment has a pretty cool complex with lots of shops, restaurants, groceries, banks, two food courts and other facilities (hairdresser, etc.), which is ideal, especially after a long day of being out and about. It means we can usually just pick up something for the evening’s dinner on our way back to the apartment.

Well, that is probably enough of an update on our latest home, and apologies, this blog is sort of spread over a few days as we got settled into it.  I'm off now to relax on the balcony with my latest book: Kathy Burke's memoir "A Mind of My Own".  

Ps. I don't think this type of balcony would be permitted in this type of building these days for various safety reasons!  

Days 14 & 15, 8th & 9th December 2025

Bangkok, Thailand