I was recently in Bangkok for a few days to check out some new underwater video cameras and housings for Oceans Below and I stayed at a new hotel, Citadines. The girlfriend and I had a lovely stay and found the place quite nice. However on the last day of our stay, I had a look at the information packet that the hotel leaves in the rooms recommending things to do and places to go in the city.

Turning to the restaurants section, I was shocked and saddened to find that top of the list was a Shark Fin Soup establishment! I didn't see any point in complaining to the staff on the desk, so upon returning home I wrote a letter to the management. I expressed that though we had a great experience at their lovely hotel, we wouldn’t return due to their promotion of a business which is involved in such a barbaric and environmentally unsustainable industry. I didn't really expect much to come of it- we do live in Asia, after all. So I was surprised to receive a letter today thanking me for my feedback and ensuring me that they have removed the offensive restaurant from their recommended list of dining establishments!

What a great result. It was a valuable lesson to me that even on an individual level, we are all responsible for making our world a better place. I’d now like to recommend Citadines Bangkok Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11 to anyone looking for a new place with great rooms, friendly staff and an eco-friendly management team! We’ll be sure to send all of our staff and underwater internship trainees to stay there in the future, as well. I designed the above photo and will ask if they can arrange to add it to their information pack.