I have been reading the board for several years and thought it was time to contribute. I've enjoyed (and benefited from) the experience of others here. Particularly indebted to s_xtile for his wide-ranging travels and observations.

I visited Babylon three times in the past six weeks, each time hoping that it would finally emerge as the same place I used to love. I felt like a restaurant reviewer, giving the kitchen one more chance to prove itself. Alas, disappointment persisted.

The numbers are certainly down (way down). Non-Thais appeared to outnumber the locals on each visit. And the Thais who do frequent seem, on average, older than I had remembered. For those who haven't been there lately, the layout in the cruising area has changed. Gone is the atrium-like stairwell with the big TV display and grand sound system and light show that I really liked. It has been replaced by a small maze-like cruising "box" on each floor level, none of which seemed at all cruisy.

Visitors from the past frequently used to comment on the AC in the cabin areas (quite cool). Now it seems that the temperature is not much different than that in the courtyard below. And absent are the cadre of staff who used to patrol the cabins with flashlights, quickly cleaning up any mess left behind. It's now common to find tissue paper and other stuff in the cabins, so you frequently have to clean it up before using it.

The one time I used the main restaurant, I was one of only seven diners at 1900 but the food was OK. The large steam room was open but it had an odor about it that discouraged me from returning.

On two of the three visits, I was approached by a MB. They quickly took the hint when I declined their offer.

Overall, I don't feel compelled to return any time soon. Babylon may well reinvent itself or get "rediscovered." But for the immediate future, it's dependent upon a loyal number of locals who frequent it regularly. And, of course, on the kindness of strangers. Many of the younger locals have gravitated to other saunas.

Quote |