Starwood L3 Bangkok Properties - Please Help!
Jul 26th, 2009, 08:41 PM
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Starwood L3 Bangkok Properties - Please Help!
We are planning our first trip on Starwood Points, and despite hours (sad, but true) of trying to compare the different L3 properties (Le Meridien, Plaza Athenee, Westin Grande and the Royal Orchid) we are no further ahead and slightly nauseated from the constant flash animation. I've looked at scads of other hotels as wells for reference. We're heading to BKK in Sept.
We're there for 4 nights, and we plan to shop, relax, wander and visit some of the usual sights. We are friends, so we will be looking for twin beds, but rooms are rooms. That said, here are some priorities:
1) A bathroom which is private, in the sense you can't see through! I cannot tell if the bathroom in Vista rooms @ Le Meridien is actually "private"! Glass walls may be stylish, but seriously...
2) Space is great. If there is a nice outdoor relaxation area with loungers, shaded, quiet, attractive...so we can get away from each other! I won't be swimming, so atmosphere (e.g. minimal kiddiness) is paramount, while my friend will no doubt splash it up.
3) Views - not into someone else's building!
4) Non-smoking - the room truly has no odour.
My debatables:
1) Le M - not the best location, but closest to Lumphini, Sua. Night Bazaar. Pat Pong is not a draw
2) Royal O - Sounds a bit dated, but river views could be quite nice when relaxing in the eve. The location might be a downer, as we would like to access the BTS easily, whenever. Mmm, MBK!
3) Westin Grande - closest for BTS, but the party people thing at night could be off-putting?
4) Plaza Athenee - The pool area looks very nice, but I've read conflicting reviews on room quality.
Input would be welcomed, as from forum browsing I know there are well-informed people here! Thank you!
*Any info or tips on upgrades procedure would be fab - we are not SPG members, but using an airmiles to starwood points option.
We're there for 4 nights, and we plan to shop, relax, wander and visit some of the usual sights. We are friends, so we will be looking for twin beds, but rooms are rooms. That said, here are some priorities:
1) A bathroom which is private, in the sense you can't see through! I cannot tell if the bathroom in Vista rooms @ Le Meridien is actually "private"! Glass walls may be stylish, but seriously...
2) Space is great. If there is a nice outdoor relaxation area with loungers, shaded, quiet, attractive...so we can get away from each other! I won't be swimming, so atmosphere (e.g. minimal kiddiness) is paramount, while my friend will no doubt splash it up.
3) Views - not into someone else's building!
4) Non-smoking - the room truly has no odour.
My debatables:
1) Le M - not the best location, but closest to Lumphini, Sua. Night Bazaar. Pat Pong is not a draw
2) Royal O - Sounds a bit dated, but river views could be quite nice when relaxing in the eve. The location might be a downer, as we would like to access the BTS easily, whenever. Mmm, MBK!
3) Westin Grande - closest for BTS, but the party people thing at night could be off-putting?
4) Plaza Athenee - The pool area looks very nice, but I've read conflicting reviews on room quality.
Input would be welcomed, as from forum browsing I know there are well-informed people here! Thank you!
*Any info or tips on upgrades procedure would be fab - we are not SPG members, but using an airmiles to starwood points option.
Jul 26th, 2009, 09:15 PM
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Let's see, the new Le Meridien is not so close to the night bazaar that it would make any difference. You'd still have to hitch a ride on the subway to get there, so you wouldn't be much better off than if you stayed at the Royal Orchid. Getting to the BTS from the RO is quite easy - might even take less time that if you stayed at the Le Meridien. I'm not sure what you mean about "the party people thing" at the Westin. That area is not nearly as bad for that sort of thing as the Le Meridien. That said, I've never been all that impressed with the Westin.
Jul 26th, 2009, 09:44 PM
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I've stayed at both the Westin and the Royal Orchid. Both have their positives and negatives. I did not spend time at the pool at either so I can't comment on them. Both have very private bathrooms. The non-smoking rooms have no odour.
Royal Orchid: I like being on the river, but having a boat which only runs once an hour to the skytrain really bugged me. But there are plenty of people on this board for whom that is not a problem. The rooms there are fine, spacious enough for twin beds, and I think many if not all have been remodeled by now. The views are good, every room has a view of the river. The lower-end (basic reward) rooms seem to be on the side, so you may also overlook the pool or the top of a building next door (we did, both stays on reward points).
Westin: The location here is perfect if you want to do a lot of shopping. There is very easy Skytrain access from the hotel. As for the "party people thing", avoid Soi Cowboy and you will be fine. Actually, go take a stroll down it, it's kinda sad and fascinating at the same time. View was of city skyline.
Go ahead and join the SPG program. You may not get an upgrade but you may get a welcome fruit plate or a late checkout if you need it.
Royal Orchid: I like being on the river, but having a boat which only runs once an hour to the skytrain really bugged me. But there are plenty of people on this board for whom that is not a problem. The rooms there are fine, spacious enough for twin beds, and I think many if not all have been remodeled by now. The views are good, every room has a view of the river. The lower-end (basic reward) rooms seem to be on the side, so you may also overlook the pool or the top of a building next door (we did, both stays on reward points).
Westin: The location here is perfect if you want to do a lot of shopping. There is very easy Skytrain access from the hotel. As for the "party people thing", avoid Soi Cowboy and you will be fine. Actually, go take a stroll down it, it's kinda sad and fascinating at the same time. View was of city skyline.
Go ahead and join the SPG program. You may not get an upgrade but you may get a welcome fruit plate or a late checkout if you need it.
Jul 27th, 2009, 01:48 AM
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We've stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton many times and loved it. The view of the river is fantastic. The pools are great. One is a normal rectangular pool good for laps and the other is a very pleasant garden pool for relaxing. The boat to the skytrain leaves every half hour, so it's easy to time your departures.
Jul 27th, 2009, 06:38 AM
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The Royal Orchid is my hotel of choice in Bangkok. The boat from the hotel to the skytrain runs twice an hour, which works fine for us. It runs on a schedule, so we can plan ahead. There is also a water taxi stop next to the hotel, so you can take water taxis to the wats by the river (Wat Po, Wat Arun, Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha). As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats the river view. It is endlessly fascinating.
If you can afford it, consider a Towers room. The Towers rooms are all on the top few floors. The rooms come with full breakfast (either in the Club or in the restaurant) and evening cocktails and canapes included in the price. It also gives you access to the lovely club lounge where you can use the computers (or wi-fi if you bring your laptop) for free and sit and watch with river traffic with a cold (non-alcoholic) drink any time. It would be a great resource for you and your friend to be able to get away from each other.
Sept is a time when you can get great prices at Bangkok hotels. You might want to check on special prices before you decide to spend the points.
By the way, there are lots of photos of views from the Royal Orchid Towers rooms and the lounge on our website, www.marlandc.com Just click on any of the section that include Bangkok.
If you can afford it, consider a Towers room. The Towers rooms are all on the top few floors. The rooms come with full breakfast (either in the Club or in the restaurant) and evening cocktails and canapes included in the price. It also gives you access to the lovely club lounge where you can use the computers (or wi-fi if you bring your laptop) for free and sit and watch with river traffic with a cold (non-alcoholic) drink any time. It would be a great resource for you and your friend to be able to get away from each other.
Sept is a time when you can get great prices at Bangkok hotels. You might want to check on special prices before you decide to spend the points.
By the way, there are lots of photos of views from the Royal Orchid Towers rooms and the lounge on our website, www.marlandc.com Just click on any of the section that include Bangkok.
Jul 27th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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i always prefer the hotels on the river for many reasons: river traffic, cooler and cleaner atmosphere, slightly away from the fray of bkk and realtive ease of transportation alternatives, both skytrain and river...
that said, the ROS is my least favorite. yes it is a bit old, but not really frayed...they have one nice pool area with seating and one not so nice open pool area...they have all the riveside ammenities including easy transportation on both their private boat to the skytrain every 1/2 hour and public boats next door....they have a great mall next door---river city mall...there are some wonderful restaurants within walking distance: gallery cafe, harmonique, and tongue thai to name 3...
the le meridien is brand new....its well located in a nice business area, adajacent to both patpong and patpong II, the main jim thompson store and numerous restaurants, but has not easy access to the skytrain....taxis would be a must, but they are cheap... i have yet to visit it....if cash and points are available this would be an excellent buy...
plaza anthenee is a super lux hotel and well located...their current special of 3300 B including breakfast is a steal!! so is using cash and points...i will be returning there for 4 nites in november for a 2nd visit....skytrain is nearby as are tons of restaurants and other lux hotels, shopping...its just across the street from the US Ambassadors residence and near the british embassy... its about 5 years old and very modern and grand...its almost at the corner of wireless and plenochit rds...
the westin is my least favorite except for its access to the skytrain....its super modern and the rooms reflect that...its in a very busy entertainment/business area overlooking the skytrain.... directly across the street is the far preferable sheraton grande, which would be my second choice after the PA....we have toured the westin and decided if they were offering a fantastic deal we MIGHT stay there otherwise....
so my choice would be ROS for its river location only and then the Pl Ant....PA really meets all of your needs and is very centrally located for touring, shopping, eating, relaxing, swimming (your friend), etc...plus the price is right....
i assume you know about cash and points with www.spg.com....thier thai locations offer really great deals...
that said, the ROS is my least favorite. yes it is a bit old, but not really frayed...they have one nice pool area with seating and one not so nice open pool area...they have all the riveside ammenities including easy transportation on both their private boat to the skytrain every 1/2 hour and public boats next door....they have a great mall next door---river city mall...there are some wonderful restaurants within walking distance: gallery cafe, harmonique, and tongue thai to name 3...
the le meridien is brand new....its well located in a nice business area, adajacent to both patpong and patpong II, the main jim thompson store and numerous restaurants, but has not easy access to the skytrain....taxis would be a must, but they are cheap... i have yet to visit it....if cash and points are available this would be an excellent buy...
plaza anthenee is a super lux hotel and well located...their current special of 3300 B including breakfast is a steal!! so is using cash and points...i will be returning there for 4 nites in november for a 2nd visit....skytrain is nearby as are tons of restaurants and other lux hotels, shopping...its just across the street from the US Ambassadors residence and near the british embassy... its about 5 years old and very modern and grand...its almost at the corner of wireless and plenochit rds...
the westin is my least favorite except for its access to the skytrain....its super modern and the rooms reflect that...its in a very busy entertainment/business area overlooking the skytrain.... directly across the street is the far preferable sheraton grande, which would be my second choice after the PA....we have toured the westin and decided if they were offering a fantastic deal we MIGHT stay there otherwise....
so my choice would be ROS for its river location only and then the Pl Ant....PA really meets all of your needs and is very centrally located for touring, shopping, eating, relaxing, swimming (your friend), etc...plus the price is right....
i assume you know about cash and points with www.spg.com....thier thai locations offer really great deals...
Jul 27th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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Yes, my mistake, the ROS boats run every 1/2 hour. My issue is not so much with leaving the hotel, but rather, with coming back, which is harder to time. I don't like waiting so long at Taksin pier on my way back to the hotel when I'm usually hot, cranky and tired. ;-)
For all you ROS fans, have any of you been to the market directly across the river from the hotel?
We just went there on this last trip (walked over from the Peninsula). Very interesting, locals only market. No tacky tourist souvenirs, just cooked food, clothes, etc. You can take the cross-river ferry right next to the ROS and it lets you off right in the back end of the market.
For all you ROS fans, have any of you been to the market directly across the river from the hotel?
We just went there on this last trip (walked over from the Peninsula). Very interesting, locals only market. No tacky tourist souvenirs, just cooked food, clothes, etc. You can take the cross-river ferry right next to the ROS and it lets you off right in the back end of the market.
Jul 27th, 2009, 07:02 AM
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Kristina-I've been to the market across the river several times. The best is early in the morning when they are geared up to catch the commuters using the cross river ferry. It's a tumultuous place. Great coconut patties.
Jul 27th, 2009, 09:51 AM
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What about Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit? It's no four on trip advisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...k.html#REVIEWS
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...k.html#REVIEWS
Jul 27th, 2009, 11:51 AM
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kris---its very annoying about the wait at the pier for the hotel boat as usually you miss it by one minute....i have found the sheraton boat to be less reliable timewise than the other hotel boats...
Jul 27th, 2009, 11:57 AM
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lol, Bob, you never miss a chance to say something bad about the ROS. It's funny, in my experience riding the ROS boat (when have you ridden it?) it seems to always be on time. It leaves the ROS at the hour and half hour, leaves Taksim at the quarter hour and three-quarters hour. We often hoped that it would be a few minutes late leaving Taksim, as we arrived on the Skytrain, cutting it close. Not once was it a few mintes late (alas!). If we felt like we really wanted to get back to the hotel, we'd just hop one of the water taxis.
Jul 27th, 2009, 01:17 PM
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... yo, fodorina ... (fine handle, and warm welcome to this sweet family friendly forum. (And should you be flying with those sensational Singapore Girls, this lowly SQ PPS suggests you venture over to a most refined area : SQTalk.)
Now, your SPG options in beloved Bangkok, the Centre of the Known Universe : my 'early' BKK business trips entailed most uplifting times at two hotels on your list, the Westin and the Royal Orchid.
The Westin pool is, well, rather lame, in my esteemed opinion. But, the property will always hold a special place in my heart for one brief hallway encounter : witnessing a joyous Japanese businessman emerging from his room with not one, but two, lovely Thai women. At the time, I was perfectly content to share evenings with one Thai woman, but that hallway moment convinced me to turn it up a notch with the occasional and all-time cherished, Thai threesome. (And not a bad way to improve your Thai/English diction.)
Now, 'down by the river' (thank you, Neil Young) with the ROS. Long before meeting a certain petite and all-powerful Asian woman, I was already quite the sentimentalist and always made a point of taking photos of each and every Thai woman I had the honour of spending anywhere from, well, 2 to 72 hours. And, certain evenings, the sunset glow was just perfect in various 'special rooms' at the ROS. (But just between us : my all-time favourite Bangkok riverside sunset shots are from my cherished room at the Peninsula, my special room at the Shangri-La and yes, a rather special 'room' with just one special someone at the Oriental. (And do remember your chequebook for the last.)
Wherever you stay, joyous, uplifting times to you and your companion. (And don't forget those Girls.)
macintosh (robert)
mama don't take my kodachrome away/
(p. simon)
Now, your SPG options in beloved Bangkok, the Centre of the Known Universe : my 'early' BKK business trips entailed most uplifting times at two hotels on your list, the Westin and the Royal Orchid.
The Westin pool is, well, rather lame, in my esteemed opinion. But, the property will always hold a special place in my heart for one brief hallway encounter : witnessing a joyous Japanese businessman emerging from his room with not one, but two, lovely Thai women. At the time, I was perfectly content to share evenings with one Thai woman, but that hallway moment convinced me to turn it up a notch with the occasional and all-time cherished, Thai threesome. (And not a bad way to improve your Thai/English diction.)
Now, 'down by the river' (thank you, Neil Young) with the ROS. Long before meeting a certain petite and all-powerful Asian woman, I was already quite the sentimentalist and always made a point of taking photos of each and every Thai woman I had the honour of spending anywhere from, well, 2 to 72 hours. And, certain evenings, the sunset glow was just perfect in various 'special rooms' at the ROS. (But just between us : my all-time favourite Bangkok riverside sunset shots are from my cherished room at the Peninsula, my special room at the Shangri-La and yes, a rather special 'room' with just one special someone at the Oriental. (And do remember your chequebook for the last.)
Wherever you stay, joyous, uplifting times to you and your companion. (And don't forget those Girls.)
macintosh (robert)
mama don't take my kodachrome away/
(p. simon)
Jul 28th, 2009, 01:45 AM
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Will be in Bangkok next week. Heading off for a few days probably to Koh Samui for some beach time. My daughter wants to relax before heading back east of a rather intense college.
My wife is incredulous that I have not set our itinerary yet. Been looking at the Maldivies, Langkawi, Pangor Laut etc. and I have been busy at work. Like the ROS but their rates have really gone up. Considering the Plaza, Conrad, and Banyon tree. Will keep you informed.
My wife is incredulous that I have not set our itinerary yet. Been looking at the Maldivies, Langkawi, Pangor Laut etc. and I have been busy at work. Like the ROS but their rates have really gone up. Considering the Plaza, Conrad, and Banyon tree. Will keep you informed.
Jul 28th, 2009, 12:36 PM
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mjs...plaza anthenee rate of 3300B can't be beat at the moment...all bkk hotels have jacked rates over the last couple of years...
i have taken the ROS boat a few times, mostly when i wanted to go up and meet the panda in his cage there...also when i want to go to river city....but honestly each time it has been way late or way early, so i felt their schedule was sort of a floating one...btw, i love to pull you leg, kathie....i think i got a rise out of you this time... you must admit that the only thing ROS has going for it is its riverside location....its the least attractive of any of the SPG properties in bkk...
i have taken the ROS boat a few times, mostly when i wanted to go up and meet the panda in his cage there...also when i want to go to river city....but honestly each time it has been way late or way early, so i felt their schedule was sort of a floating one...btw, i love to pull you leg, kathie....i think i got a rise out of you this time... you must admit that the only thing ROS has going for it is its riverside location....its the least attractive of any of the SPG properties in bkk...
