The Atlanta

An early 1950s portrait of Dr Max Henn, a chemical engineer from Berlin,
who founded The Atlanta Chemical Company which eventually became The Atlanta Hotel.
This portrait now hangs in the foyer of The Atlanta.
The transition occurred when American military aerial photographers arriving
in Thailand in the early to mid-1950's sought accommodation in the empty hall above the pharmaceutical laboratory. Because Thailand had never been colonised, no foreign powers had any proper maps of the country. The lack of maps during the Second World War made it difficult for the Allies to dislodge the Japanese who were belligerently occupying Thailand. This was rectified by the terms of the peace settlement, which permitted American military cartographers to come to map Thailand.
Another cause of the transition from a pharmaceutical company to a hotel was the decolonisation of the Dutch East Indies, during which Dutch colonial administrators, plantation owners and managers sought accommodation in the hall above the pharmaceutical laboratory during their transit to The Netherlands. At that time, Dr Max Henn was appointed the Transit Officer by the Dutch government.

A portrait of Mrs Henn, a pharmacist from the famous Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, who, together with Dr Max Henn, established The Atlanta Chemical Company and later The Atlanta Hotel.
This portrait from the early 1950s now hangs in the foyer of The Atlanta.

Dr Max Henn at the age of 94.
This photograph was taken in the garden of The Atlanta in September 2000.

The oldest unaltered foyer in Thailand at The Atlanta, frequently used as a filmset.

This photograph of the foyer features one of the two carved dachshunds.

A welcoming corner of the foyer at the foot of the sweeping staircase.
The cabinets on the wall are two of five cabinets in the foyer displaying books and recordings by guests, and books written about guests of The Atlanta.

One of the two desks with stationery set in the foyer.
Guests who prefer e-mail will find computer terminals
hidden away in a far corner of the foyer.

One of many old teak mirrors at The Atlanta.
In the early 1990's, replicas of this mirror were made without letting us know
and sold in a wood-carving village in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.

The first hotel swimming pool in Thailand, constructed in 1954.
This swimming pool remained the largest swimming pool in Thailand for over a decade.
A hammock can be seen on one side of the pool.
Everything is original - except the water.
The Atlanta also has the first children's swimming pool in Thailand,
which was constructed in 1957.

The old crest of The Atlanta Club.
After the construction of the main swimming pool,
the opening of the first German restaurant - the Rheinterrassen -
(with the first imported German cooks and bakers) in Thailand and
the twice-weekly showing of movies at night over the swimming pool,
non-room gests were queuing up to seek admission.
This led to the establishment of The Atlanta Club in the mid-1950s.

When The Atlanta was founded, e-mail had not even been dreamt of,
but the font used on this notice of facilities is exactly the same art deco font
which was used on the earliest notices at The Atlanta.

An original art deco tip box in the foyer ...

... and the matching art deco desk set.

'Some advice before you go out on to the streets of Bangkok for the first time ....'
A popular stopping point for guests on their way out on to the streets of Bangkok:
guests then return to re-read the advice and reflect on their experiences.
You have to read the advice to appreciate the depth of understanding it gives.

Old and curious double-decker period fans in the restaurant.

A collection of old magazines on an art deco shelf in
the reading area of the lounge and restaurant

Our staff

Two receptionists, Dachanee and Pavina (centre), who have been with us since 1997;
and Pennapa (right), who is our safe-keeping clerk, has been with us since 1998.
The two porters, Sang (left) who has been with us since 1990; and Piyawan, who has been with us since early 2000.

And another receptionist, Pen, who has been with us since 1997.

The two night receptionists, Kaeo (left), who has been with us since 1995, and Teun, who has been with us since 1992.

Some of our senior chefs with our restaurant staff.
Our senior chefs, from left to right: Nim, who has been with us since 1984; Puk since 1989; Lamai since 1987; Namfon since 1999; Sayan since 1987.
Note the art deco cashier's desk in the centre of the picture.

The famous 'Anong' (second from left), sporting a white jacket, runs our restaurant.
Anong has been with us since 1973.
She remembers all the guests who have ever stayed at The Atlanta.
If you have stayed at The Atlanta and you come back, she'll remember you -
and probably what your favourite dish is.
She is to The Atlanta what Sam was to Rick's.
Orr (third from left), our morning cashier, has been with us since 1987. Nuj, our evening waitress, has been with us since 1992; Tim since early 2000; Jubjang and Aeo since 1999.

Our technicians, Lek, who has been with us since early 2000; Burt (centre) who has been with us since 1986;
and Lake, who has been with us since 1993.
This picture was taken in the garden of The Atlanta.

The two chauffeurs, Boonsri (left), who has been with us since 1989;
and Noi, who has been with us since 1988.
The car is the estate / station wagon version of the famous Plymouth Fury (1957).
It has been at the hotel since 1957, and is in good, regular and original working condition.

A gargoyle in the foyer.