Shangri-La wing v.s Krungthep wing

Old Dec 7th, 2009, 12:27 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Shangri-La wing v.s Krungthep wing

The Bangkok Shangri-La has a new special - book a newly renovated room in the Shangri-La wing and you get breakfast and a free upgrade.

I've been reading this board and the tripadvisor board and everyone recommends the Krungthep wing over the Shangri-La wing - I get that the Krungthep wing nets you a butler, cocktails, canapes, some lounge access, etc, but if you are not interested in those perks (just want a super comfy room and a beautiful riverview on a balcony) might it be better to spring for a room in the S-La wing? Or is the Krungthep wing just an obvious choice?

The Krungthep package we are thinking to book is balcony room only - you don't get lounge access. Is the Krungthep wing breakfast miles better than S-La wing?
puttakka is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2009, 02:24 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've only stayed once in the S-La wing and can't remember what it was like. My preference is the Krung-thep wing because it is closer to the ferry stop as well as to the Skytrain (Saphan Taksin stop), so it's really easy to get around town from the Krung Thep wing.

Just my preference.
easytraveler is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2009, 03:50 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i would go for the special....imo, the breakfast is the best in bkk with more variety than any other and higher quality...

i think you would be very happy with the sh-la wing

join their FF club too
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2009, 04:05 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,539
Received 79 Likes on 10 Posts
Just to confuse things, does this beat out the Peninsula? I found a Deluxe room with breakfast (including 17.5% tax/service) on Agoda for $353/night.
barefootbeach is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2009, 05:12 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Often times nothing beats a newly renovated room. And from photos, and what I imagine the Shang BKK had in mind, I would think the newly renovated rooms must be very nice. If it is a good price that may be your best option. The extra distance to the skytrain is only a block or so and it can even be walked through the hotel. The bkfst at the Shang is great, everything under the sun. Bkfst at the Krung Wing was much smaller, simpler, but also very good. If you are just using the hotel as a base, and don't plan to spend much time there anyway, I would likely opt for the newer rooms and the cheaper price.

Of note, however, the entire Shang hotel is undergoing renovations now, I believe. Check if the lobby, etc. will be closed off/under construction while you are there. That would be a bummer.
tengohambre is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 03:58 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all. I know I must drive you crazy woith all my questions. This is exactly the advice I needed. We don't mind a bit of a walk.

We are staying elsewhere in Bangkok the first two nights and we are coming to the Shangri-La for two days to experience the river and relax a bit before our 28-hour trip home. On the first day, we are hopefully touring Kanchanaburi with Tong's crew (deposit's been sent); on the second day, we want to lounge around in the hotel til they kick us out and then go out and explore Bangkok for a bit before our midnight flight home.

Barefootbeach - I did check out the Pen (on agoda and many other discount sites). The deal I got from the S-La's own website is $225 per night (which includes taxes and fees)
puttakka is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 06:31 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
given a late departure, make sure you join their club as it allows late check out as i remember
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 11:38 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you can get the Pen for a similar deal i would go for that. I thought the breakfast just so so at the S-La (got back from there Saturday). Whilst the location of the S-la is fantastic i think the pen a much superior hotel (IMHO)
Smeagol is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 12:30 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it is a much nicer hotel--the penn that is
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 01:24 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Peninsula might be nicer but at a minimum it will cost 125 more per night.

Now worth it for us, as we are hopefully touring with Tong's crew on the first day (I sent the deposit but haven't heard back - is this normal?) and on the second day, we'll probably be kicked out at noon (I sent the S-La an email about joining their golden circle program, so maybe not) so we can try the fabulous sunday brunch and then hang out in Bangkok before departing at 11:50 PM.

We normally spend much less than $225 per night for a hotel, so the Pen's charms might be wasted on us and the newly renovated S-La's rooms might be luxurious enough for us. Who knows if this is what we will finally settle on anyway, or what the USD-Thai baht exchange rate will be in mid-January.

Go $ go!
puttakka is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 01:33 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I actually think the Krungthep wing with it's amenities rivals the Penn but there are two reasons we will stay at the Penn in February:
1) breakfast outside by the river
2) fabulous views of the city (Krungthep wing has fabulous views of river activity and outside decks though).

I really do like the free cocktails and canapes at the end of the day and I wish the Penn would have an option for that.

I'm not sure the "club" is that easy to join anymore. If it were me (and it's not), I would book an extra day or see if you can have use of a room or the health club for a shower at the end of the day. Midnight (which amounts to 9 PM with transport and check-in time) is very late to be hanging out in a hotel lobby or elsewhere. You will so appreciate having a shower and a final chance to get organized for your trip home if you can do this.
Craig is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 01:36 PM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Craig. Do the Shangri-La wing or its rooms not have views of river activity?
puttakka is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 02:31 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't know about the Shangri-La wing room's views.
Craig is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2009, 05:19 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yes many of them have full river views, some have partial views and some no view...
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2009, 02:07 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,539
Received 79 Likes on 10 Posts
puttakka, I might have been tempted to stay at the Shangri-la with the rate you got, but I see it's only offered through January and we're going after that. Hope you enjoy it!
barefootbeach is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
elaine
Europe
32
Jul 21st, 2009 08:11 AM
J_Grant
Asia
7
Feb 13th, 2005 12:18 AM
erany
Asia
4
Aug 21st, 2004 08:48 AM
Alison
Asia
12
Jul 25th, 2002 02:18 AM
Jason
Asia
11
Jul 5th, 2002 05:56 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -